Hurricane Sandy produces two storm-tossed allies
————————-
“The president has been all over this, he deserves great credit … He gave me his number at the White House, told me to call if I needed anything, and he absolutely means it.”
– Gov. Chris Christie, on “Morning Joe”
————————-
“The federal government’s response has been great. I was on the phone at midnight again last night with the president, personally, he has expedited the designation of New Jersey as a major disaster area … The president has been outstanding in this and so have the folks at FEMA.”
– Gov. Chris Christie, on “The Today Show”
————————-
“I want to just let you know that your governor is working overtime to make sure that as soon as possible everybody can get back to normal. The main message I wanted to send is the entire country has been watching what’s been happening. Everybody knows how hard Jersey’s been hit.”
– President Obama, speaking of Christie to residents in a shelter near Atlantic City
————————-
Is it just me, or is there an odd man out in this mutual admiration society?
In better times, this kind of demonstration of bipartisan cooperation and assistance in a time of crisis would almost go unremarked upon, but these are not those times. In a nation that hungers for such cooperation, even if it does not understand how to produce it, this kind of partnership stands out, to the benefit of the besieged people of New Jersey and, frankly, to the political benefit of the two men involved. As Obama made a point of noting, “the entire country has been watching what’s been happening.”
As an aside, it does make you wonder how this scenario might have played out had Christie been nominated as Mitt Romney’s running mate. You also have to think that there are people in the upper echelons of the Romney campaign cursing not just Christie but the weather gods as well. In a close-fought election, they have handed Obama an opportunity that he seems to have seized with both hands.
– Jay Bookman
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661 comments Add your comment
Butch Cassidy (I)
November 1st, 2012
10:46 am
JHM – “Tap water you can do without for a while”
LOL, I have plenty of drinkable water, I’m crashing with a friend over in Zone D, and we stocked up pretty well. The water issues I’m having is the fact that my building ius still surrounded by water and there’s no power. Not much I can do except ride over to my neighborhood and watch. Luckily, I was able to get the Prius and the Can Am out of the garage before the storm, so I’m able to get around until the Subways are functional again. On a positive note, it’s much easier to get around the city on the Can Am since the storm.
TaxPayer
November 1st, 2012
10:46 am
Scout has proof that Christianity can be supported by the Laws of Physics and hence is not based on faith and therefore is not a religion. It’s real simple. You see, the bible has three dimensions and therefore has volume and it has contains paper (unless you limit the discussion to the virtual version and then all bets are off) so it has mass. Hence by Newton’s Law, the bible is confirmed to have weight and so by extension Christianity is supported by the Laws of Physics.
Mark in mid-town
November 1st, 2012
10:46 am
From the very beginning of Sandy, the corrupt msm has been doing what they can to try and politicize the storm and create narrative after narrative favorable to Obama. Just look at the editorial in the NYTimes the day after. Anyone want to bet that if it was a Republican in the White House and a Democratic governor of New Jersey, that the same msm would not be spinning the situation as the Republican president cynically going to New Jersey for a photo-op to try and exploit the storm to his advantage?
STEVIE RAY
November 1st, 2012
10:47 am
LORD
Don’t discount the other factors that (self admittedly boosted things for Clinton) aided this outcome…dot.com boom helped create massive additional tax numbers and the like…I hear you but point is that it is very difficult to attach job growth in any specifics to this or any plan…
Both sides have strong opinions but here is a well written opinion by a source you will not like…but its another side of the story..
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/11/why-government-spending-does-not-stimulate-economic-growth
stands for decibels
November 1st, 2012
10:47 am
It is awesome that BO decided to actually (role play at least) trying to actually do something other than campaign since….July or August?
Shall I remind everyone what Mitt Romney’s Very Important Job has been since, oh, at least January two thousand freaking seven?
Look before I leap...
November 1st, 2012
10:47 am
@Bro
BLS says employment numbers out tomorrow at 8:30A
http://www.bls.gov/
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
10:48 am
Mark in Midtown … bless your deluded little heart …
getalife
November 1st, 2012
10:48 am
The October surprise was Christie endorsing our President like mitt did in the last debate.
Why change leaders?
Even republicans love our President.
STEVIE RAY
November 1st, 2012
10:48 am
TAXPAYER
At least we agree on one thing…those with imaginary friends generally scare me…good thing they have outlawed snake handling..
Williebkind
November 1st, 2012
10:48 am
Who is Donnie Birther?
Brosephus™
November 1st, 2012
10:49 am
Thanks RWT and USinner. I haven’t heard much about the BLS due to the storm coverage.
Joe Hussein Mama
November 1st, 2012
10:49 am
UAW — “For Mitt Romney, it’s one scary Halloween. The Presidential candidate has just learned that tomorrow afternoon he will charged with violating the federal Ethics in Government law by improperly concealing his multi-million dollar windfall from the auto industry bail-out.”
November surprise, beaches.
jays Brain
November 1st, 2012
10:49 am
My boy jay is a water toting biased nut for sure.
I wonder if cheap biden will reach into his pocket and give the red cross a dime? LOL Hell no. joe wants your money cause he isn’t giving a dime of his.
Erwin's cat
November 1st, 2012
10:49 am
TP – I don’t believe religion and science to be mutually exclusive…not everything is binary
Erwin's cat
November 1st, 2012
10:50 am
should have said faith vs religion in my 10:49
stands for decibels
November 1st, 2012
10:51 am
Or, go grab a nail gun and a circular saw and start building.
I hear you can just pick up a power line and plug-’er-in, pretty much anywhere you look
Rightwing Troll
November 1st, 2012
10:51 am
“Anyone want to bet that if it was a Republican in the White House and a Democratic governor of New Jersey, that the same msm would not be spinning the situation as the Republican president cynically going to New Jersey for a photo-op to try and exploit the storm to his advantage?”
First off… we don’t bet with wingnuts around here, they have a history of welching and running when they lose bets around here…
Secondly, based on the past Republican response to natural disasters, a wingnut president would’ve simply ignored a blue state in crisis after a cursory and politically motivated flyover in AF1.
getalife
November 1st, 2012
10:51 am
cnn is finally mentioning mitt wanted to end fema.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
10:51 am
Erwin – fwiw, – I think that applies to both cases
Joe Hussein Mama
November 1st, 2012
10:51 am
B. Cassidy — “On a positive note, it’s much easier to get around the city on the Can Am since the storrm.”
Can Am? Is that one of those three-wheeled bikes from Canuckistan?
Ronald Reagan Parkway
November 1st, 2012
10:51 am
UAW members must demand to see Mitt’s tax returns from the last 10 years…What exactly is he hiding???
stands for decibels
November 1st, 2012
10:52 am
not based on faith and therefore is not a religion
Scout’s Christianity: The soup that eats like a meal.
Philosopher
November 1st, 2012
10:52 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
November 1st, 2012
10:30 am
“Christianity is not religion! Christianity is Christ! Christianity is “Christ-in-you-ity.” Jesus Christ did not found a religion to remember and reiterate His teaching.”
The problem is that “Christians” have built it into a monstrous, power and control-grab, highly lucrative religion. They have tossed aside Jesus’ teachings in their ravenous judging frenzies and politicizing of personal decisions and relationships and made it their mission to force all Americans to bow to the religion they have created.
STEVIE RAY
November 1st, 2012
10:52 am
STANDS
Why is Romney not having a job relevant to the president attending to his job description?
getalife
November 1st, 2012
10:53 am
I am looking forward to standing in line with all the cons and start chanting four more years! then take a movie of the con reaction.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 1st, 2012
10:53 am
The extremes the right will go to divert from Mitt’s slimey “storm relief event” lies…. cheap shots at Joe.
Righties certainly can win the limbo contest….. they can go to new lows at any time.
Look before I leap...
November 1st, 2012
10:54 am
“I hear you can just pick up a power line and plug-’er-in, pretty much anywhere you look”
Best if done while standing in a puddle of water.
Williebkind
November 1st, 2012
10:54 am
You liberals are getting boring again…
Joe Hussein Mama
November 1st, 2012
10:54 am
Philosopher — “They have tossed aside Jesus’ teachings in their ravenous judging frenzies and politicizing of personal decisions and relationships and made it their mission to force all Americans to bow to the religion they have created.”
In other news, last night was big in the Wiccan commmunity; Samhain observances all over town.
Barack's the best
November 1st, 2012
10:55 am
Gantt – Please be sure to bring your own crow here on 11/7, k? Looking forward to seeing you eat it.
getalife
November 1st, 2012
10:55 am
President Obama beat you again cons.
Try to be better sore losers this time.
Adam
November 1st, 2012
10:55 am
You’re right. Christianity isn’t a religion. It’s a cult.
Joe Hussein Mama
November 1st, 2012
10:56 am
Williebkind — “You liberals are getting boring again…”
Maybe check out Firedoglake? They get pretty charged up over there.
I’d suggest Sadly, No, but their humor would fly right over your punkin’ head.
Rightwing Troll
November 1st, 2012
10:56 am
“You liberals are getting boring again…”
I know right? The truth is usually nowhere near as sexy as the big steaming pile of lies the wingnuts live on…
JamVet
November 1st, 2012
10:57 am
…will go to unions and I have a problem with that.
Most fascists do.
Both the ones in 1930’s Germany and the ones modern day Republican America…
STEVIE RAY
November 1st, 2012
10:57 am
BRO
I am familiar with ADP but it seems like downward adjustments in job growth and particularly GDP growth are the rule rather than the exception..
Brosephus™
November 1st, 2012
10:58 am
dB
getalife
November 1st, 2012
10:58 am
mitt’s auto bailout lie ad backfired.
Americans know mitt is a blatant liar like you cons.
Jimmy Hoffa
November 1st, 2012
11:00 am
Gov. Christie can tolerate him for another six days!
Brosephus™
November 1st, 2012
11:01 am
Stevie Ray
I don’t follow that stuff too closely, so I’ll defer to you. Overall though, we have seen continued positive growth, even if it is small. I would rather see that than a continued downward spiral feeding upon itself. Upward spirals have to start somewhere, so it could be that we’re seeing the spring being loaded for a future upswing. Who knows?
Mighty Righty
November 1st, 2012
11:02 am
I am sorry but I don’t get all teary eyed because Obama did his job. Nothing special by the way, just the minimum he can get away with. When he called our Navy Seals, they did their job and they got Bin Laden for which he took the credit. But, when they called him, he refused to do his job, he refused to help and let them die and then, as is his modus operendi, blamed every one else. So, the tears I shed are for the people who were in need of his help were ignored by him. BTW, while he is off campaigning millions of people in the Northeast are in the same dire straits they were in before he came to the rescue. Nothing has changed and won’t for many months and years to come.
getalife
November 1st, 2012
11:02 am
Lets face reality.
The President deserves to win and Americans don’t believe a word from the right.
gop civil war is coming.
Fred ™
November 1st, 2012
11:03 am
But, when they called him, he refused to do his job, he refused to help and let them die and then, as is his modus operendi, blamed every one else.
WHen was that? When did the Navy SEALS call the President? Substantiate it or admit you are a liar.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
11:03 am
“Scout’s Christianity: The soup that eats like a meal.”
and feeds the 5,000
Welcome to your occupation
November 1st, 2012
11:03 am
Williebkind: “Compromise to a liberal is for me to give up my beliefs and traditions and accept their vile disgusting behavior and beliefs.”
Lol.
Whenever you see the word “disgusting” you know you’re close to the core of reactionary anti-reason.
I wonder if these people were to ever attend one of the lavish, wild bashes thrown by some of the Wall St. bankers — while their fellow citizens are starving and facing eviction and joblessness — would consider such decadence “disgusting”.
Look before I leap...
November 1st, 2012
11:04 am
“I am familiar with ADP but it seems like downward adjustments in job growth and particularly GDP growth are the rule rather than the exception”
Not sure what the general trend is. I’ve seen upward and downward revisions.
I just wonder what data comes in after the fact that they don’t have during the initial release.
Might be a new government contract opportunity for my s/w data mining firm.
Peadawg
November 1st, 2012
11:04 am
“You’re right. Christianity isn’t a religion. It’s a cult.”
So is the Republican Party and the Democrat Party.
Tundra Dude
November 1st, 2012
11:04 am
Dixie:
Where is George W. Bush?
They had to ship him off to political “Siberia”.
For some reason, they don’t want him out here boasting of his record, such as:
Six years ago, “it was standard practice not to pay for things,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
“We were concerned about it, because it certainly added to the deficit, no question.”
Huey Long
November 1st, 2012
11:05 am
Maybe the Liberals can drag this one out & “mooch” for several years like they did in New Orleans!
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
11:05 am
“But, when they called him, he refused to do his job, he refused to help and let them die and then, as is his modus operendi, blamed every one else. ”
really??
they called HIM??
They called OBAMA???
got the phone logs to prove it???
I mean, I know that’s a popular meme right now … but, I hate to tell you that there is no evidence that supports that position.
Oscar
November 1st, 2012
11:05 am
The ocean, beach and coast line needs breathing room. A building set back line should be established within the one hundred year flood line. Makes economic sense not to keep building back on the beachline.
getalife
November 1st, 2012
11:06 am
Pea,
The Dems do not march lock step and bow down for the wealthy like the gop cult.
Lets get real Pea.
Joe Hussein Mama
November 1st, 2012
11:06 am
Peadawg — “So is the Republican Party and the Democrat Party.”
The trick to not being co-opted by a cult is to recognize when you’re in one. That’s the method the SubGenii use (Church of the SubGenius).
Of course, you could always simply not be in one at all, which is the method you’ve chosen.
Brosephus™
November 1st, 2012
11:07 am
BTW, while he is off campaigning millions of people in the Northeast are in the same dire straits they were in before he came to the rescue. Nothing has changed and won’t for many months and years to come.
So, what do you want Obama to do, stay there for many months and years to come? Do you realize that the longer he’s there, the more resources are pulled away from where they are needed in order to keep the president secure? Just wow….
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 1st, 2012
11:07 am
Hmmmm… all these “the President is just doing his job” posters, are they the same ones who told us we had to vote for Bush because “well at first he was not doing his job, then 9/11 happened, and then he did his job and he kept us safe.“?
Fred ™
November 1st, 2012
11:07 am
USinUK: Righty is lying. What he means is a MERCENARY called his boss for some support………
Owl Gore
November 1st, 2012
11:08 am
but………..it was global warming that caused this not nature!
getalife
November 1st, 2012
11:09 am
If you can’t write the truth don’t type.
No Americans believe you anyway.
Just zip it cons.
Tundra Dude
November 1st, 2012
11:09 am
Americans know mitt is a blatant liar
He’s not all bad….I heard he donated a yacht-load of flip flops to the Little peeps in Jersey.
JamVet
November 1st, 2012
11:10 am
I am sorry but I
don’t get all teary eyed because Obama did his jobwould rather eat broken glass than ever acknowledge anything done well by a non-Republican.It is not in my Uncle Sam hating, neocon DNA…
Brosephus™
November 1st, 2012
11:10 am
Dang… I hope the reports are wrong, but if they are right…
R.I.P. Mr. “I-285″ Pascual Perez.
Doggone/GA
November 1st, 2012
11:12 am
“I totally agree with that! However, all the rebuilding paid for by the tax payer will go to unions and I have a problem with that”
No, they won’t. They will go to the PEOPLE who do the work and who will then spend that money and put it back into the economy.
Joseph
November 1st, 2012
11:12 am
It sure is unfortunate that he wasn’t engaged when 4 Americans lost their live in Benghazi… He had campaigning to do.. Too little to late Jay but you can play the game I guess…
William J. Clinton
November 1st, 2012
11:12 am
I did not have sexual relations with that woman!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
November 1st, 2012
11:12 am
New poster or sock puppet wardrobe malfunction?
Heh, heh heh. I am sooooo stealing that line.
From the
goodbat-sh*t crazies at breitbart: But the truth about Christie’s outreach to Obama is blindingly obvious: Mitt Romney is now running away with this election, freeing Christie to praise the president without fear that doing so will tip the scales.Look before I leap...
November 1st, 2012
11:13 am
Perimeter Perez!
A shame if true.
ITS ALL BUSHS"S FAULT
November 1st, 2012
11:13 am
CONS THE FAT LADY HAS ENTERED THE BLDG…
Aquagirl
November 1st, 2012
11:14 am
Perimeter Perez!
A shame if true.
Bummer.
ITS ALL BUSHS"S FAULT
November 1st, 2012
11:15 am
Confidence up as jobs climb, unemployment dips…LOSERS>>>>
Look before I leap...
November 1st, 2012
11:15 am
“he wasn’t engaged”
“he watched them die on a live feed”
You idiots are all over the map on this.
Peadawg
November 1st, 2012
11:15 am
“CONS THE FAT LADY HAS ENTERED THE BLDG…”
Don’t talk about Granny Godzilla like that. So mean.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
11:16 am
“Maybe the Liberals can drag this one out & “mooch” for several years like they did in New Orleans!”
you mean drag this one out talking about what a FANTASTIC job Obama did with Sandy??
yeah. I think we can totally do that.
Fred ™
November 1st, 2012
11:16 am
Wow Brocephus, are you on dialup? Here’s another news story you missed. Of course there is a video so with your dialup it might take 3 hours to load………..
http://www.eonline.com/news/358845/ellen-degeneres-dresses-as-sofia-vergara-for-halloween-wardrobe-malfunction-included
Paul
November 1st, 2012
11:17 am
Mighty Righty
” But, when they called him, he refused to do his job, he refused to help and let them die and then, as is his modus operendi, blamed every one else. ”
Wow…. 2,500 active duty Navy SEALs have Pres Obama’s phone number on speed dial.
I learn something new here every day.
stands for decibels
November 1st, 2012
11:18 am
Why is Romney not having a job relevant to the president attending to his job description?
1. I enjoy pointing out that Mitt Romney hasn’t had a real job in many years. It is fun, and it also helps to explain his occasionally bizarre behavior.
2. the guy I was replying too seemed deeply hurt that Obama had been campaigning (oh my stars!) since the summer. Really, the only appropriate response would be to ignore it, but I couldn’t help myself.
paulo977
November 1st, 2012
11:19 am
GANTT…” Only thing that will be better is when the AJC goes belly up and you’re out on the street with the rest of the trash.”
___________________________________________
At least you’re honest about the way you and your ilk regard us 47%!!!
Paul
November 1st, 2012
11:19 am
Okay, cons
What would you have done to prevent the attack in Benghazi?
And if you want to duck that question (which I predict most of you will), what would you have done to repel the attack?
godless heathen
November 1st, 2012
11:19 am
NJ is a net federal contributor (as opposed to recipient), so YES, verily YES, I would rebuild there.
Did I saw make the whole state off limits? Rebuilding in flood prone areas is just plain stupid, and if it were your money alone to waste, I could care less.
A lot of contractors will make money during the rebuilding process.
They will need housing somewhere. Just don’t waste the money to rebuild where the next storm will wash the houses away again.
What’s that old definition of stupid?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
November 1st, 2012
11:20 am
Mighty, would you like a 50% off coupon for marbles? You have got to be in the market for some.
stands for decibels
November 1st, 2012
11:21 am
Actual Fox “News” headline, near top of home page:
Late Night TV Roughs Up Mitt, Not Dems
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
11:23 am
“You idiots are all over the map on this.”
because they only listen to the howler monkeys on FOX
TaxPayer
November 1st, 2012
11:24 am
I don’t believe religion and science to be mutually exclusive…not everything is binary
If you wish to be a follower of faith-based science, that is your right.
Joe Hussein Mama
November 1st, 2012
11:25 am
USinUK — “because they only listen to the howler monkeys on FOX”
That’s almost exactly what my wife says.
She also calls unhinged cons “primates.”
Brosephus™
November 1st, 2012
11:25 am
Fred
I saw that one last night.
And you can bite my dialup ass!!! 
As for Perez, different outlets have been trying to confirm the story, but as far as what I’ve seen, it was reported by Dominican news outlets.
stands for decibels
November 1st, 2012
11:26 am
GH, others–
thanks to climate change we’ll have to re-draw what constitutes a “flood prone area.” this apparently includes several Bergen and Hudson county towns, which FYI are hell and gone from the sandy spit heretofore referred.
And if you don’t believe me, that’s ok–the various insurance companies serving these areas will explain it all a lot better than I can, in the months ahead.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
11:26 am
“She also calls unhinged cons “primates.””
hrm … I think that the orangutans and silver-backed gorillas should be offended.
Fred ™
November 1st, 2012
11:26 am
I dunno about that Bro, I saw it here.
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/dominican-republic-newspapers-hoy-and-diaro-libre/nStD4/
Erwin's cat
November 1st, 2012
11:28 am
If you wish to be a follower of faith-based science, that is your right
what the heck is faith-based science??…why do you think the two can’t coexist?
ad
November 1st, 2012
11:31 am
Desperation – The GOP has started with the robo-calls to the poor and elderly telling them they can vote by phone. Anything to keep the people from voting.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
November 1st, 2012
11:33 am
Adam
November 1st, 2012
10:55 am
Cult or not, I know we’d be a lot better off without it.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
November 1st, 2012
11:33 am
“what the heck is faith-based science??”
ID
Brosephus™
November 1st, 2012
11:33 am
Fred
I saw it on Fox Sports…
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/pascual-perez-killed-in-stabbing-in-dominican-republic-home-reports-say-110112
But, I haven’t heard ESPN mention it yet this morning.
Butch Cassidy (I)
November 1st, 2012
11:33 am
Taxpayer – “Butch is in favor of Mitt abusing a charitable trust so that he can avoid taxation under the false claim of charity.”
I never said I was in favor of Mitt using it. merely that I have a CRUT, as does my family, and that it was something that Mitt and I have in common.
Look before I leap...
November 1st, 2012
11:33 am
So these two ex-seals had a direct line into the Oval (or perhaps Obama’s personal cell phone?) completely by-passing consular security, State, CIA, NSA and JCS?
Hmm – that chain of command thing is a pesky little problem for wing-nut theories that are floating around like the half-digested chili-dogs in a porta-potty at a NASCAR race.
ad
November 1st, 2012
11:34 am
Hey – the History Channel is running a show on the Antichrist. Shouldn’t some of you be watching to see if he has a background in leveraged buyouts?
Ol' Timer
November 1st, 2012
11:35 am
Damn! A civil discourse between two government leaders. What a freakin’ change.
“Why is propaganda so much more successful when it stirs up hatred than when it tries to stir up friendly feelings.? ~Bertrand Russell
Peadawg
November 1st, 2012
11:35 am
“Cult or not, I know we’d be a lot better off without it.”
You mean political parties/2 party system? Amen!
Skip
November 1st, 2012
11:37 am
Coweta county has been hit by tornado’s three of the last five years, time to stop building there?
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
November 1st, 2012
11:38 am
Peadawg
November 1st, 2012
11:35 am
You may be on to somet6hing there…maybe we should just let President Obama be King for life…
Butch Cassidy (I)
November 1st, 2012
11:39 am
JHM – “Can Am? Is that one of those three-wheeled bikes from Canuckistan?
Yep, 2012 Black Can Am Spyder SE5 Roadster.