Politics
Election 2012: Obama visits New Jersey in Hurricane Sandy aftermath, Romney back on campaign trail
“I believe that FEMA plays a key role in working with states and localities to prepare for and respond to natural disasters,” Romney said in a statement. “As president, I will ensure FEMA has the funding it needs to fulfil its mission, while directing maximum resources to the first responders who work tirelessly to help those in need, because states and localities are in the best position to get aid to the individuals and communities affected by natural disasters.”
Romney’s position put forward Wednesday essentially endorsed the current disaster aid system.
Obama left Wednesday’s sharp-elbowed politicking to Vice-President Joe Biden, who accused Romney of perpetrating “an outrageous lie” in an ad airing in key battleground state Ohio that suggests Obama’s policies are shipping Jeep manufacturing to China. Biden told Florida voters that the ads are “scurrilous” and “one of the most flagrantly dishonest ads I can ever remember in my career,” which stretches more than 40 years.
Romney’s campaign has stood by the ad, which also was criticized by auto executives. “Their comments don’t refute anything in our ad,” said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul.
To the independent and undecided voters sick of the political swampland of Washington, Obama appeared bipartisan by co-operating on storm work with prominent Romney supporter Christie.
“The president has been all over this, and he deserves great credit,” Christie said in a TV interview Tuesday. By contrast, when Christie was asked whether Romney was coming to help, he said, “I have no idea, nor am I the least bit concerned or interested.”
Some Republicans quickly criticized Christie for praising Obama.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
