President Barack Obama is greeted by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie upon his arrival at Atlantic City International Airport, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, in Atlantic City, NJ. Obama traveled to region to take an aerial tour of the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey in areas damaged by superstorm Sandy, (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Still, with Election Day less than a week away, Obama's visit was layered with political implications. The deadly storm has given Obama an opportunity to project presidential leadership in the final days of the tightly contested White House race. And Obama's tour guide in New Jersey was the state's Republican Gov. Chris Christie, a supporter of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
To the chagrin of some Republicans, Christie has lavished praise on Obama for his efforts in helping states dealing with the storm.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said there were no political motivations behind Obama's decision to join his supporter's rival Wednesday.
"This is not a time for politics," Carney said. "The president appreciates the efforts of governors, state and local officials across the various states that were affected by the storm regardless of political party."
Christie was on hand to greet Obama as Air Force One landed on a sunny, breezy day in Atlantic City. The two men, along with FEMA administrator Craig Fugate, boarded Marine One for an hour-long aerial tour of the storm damage.
Obama stopped by FEMA headquarters in Washington before heading to New Jersey.
Wednesday marked Obama's third straight day off the campaign trail. He canceled rallies across four battleground states and retreated to the White House to oversee the government's storm response.
Obama planned to return to the campaign trail Thursday, with stops planned in Green Bay, Wis., Las Vegas and Boulder, Colo. He planned to be on the road campaigning every day through the Nov. 6 election.
1. Promised to repeal The Patriot Act, and then resigned it back into law each year.
2. Promised to do away with Gitmo...4 years later, it's still there.
3. Promised to bring our troops quickly home...still waiting....until AFTER the election 4 years later.
4. Promised to end lobbying in the White House, and then had countless lobbyist to use the White House like a second home.
5. Promised to be transparent, and then immediately had backroom deal after backroom deal involving payoffs and shady deals in order to ram through his Obamacare.
6. Promised to be a uniter, and then IMMEDIATELY told the Republicans, "I won you lost..sit in the back of the bus and shut up...I'm driving."
7. Promised to be a different kind of President, and didn't meet with the Republican minority leaders of the House and the Senate FOR OVER TWO YEARS! Yikes! Our nation in economic crisis mode, and HE DOESN'T EVEN MEET with the opposition! Very telling, about this man!
8. Promised to focus on the economy and jobs "like a laser" from the start, and turned around and spent the first two years doing anything BUT focus on job creation.
And the list could go on and on and on....
If Obama is the answer, I don't want to hear the question.
Took his victory lap and then let them die in Benghazi during a seven hour firefight..
Facebook censured the Seals from responding and then did an about face due to public pressure..
Shameful!
Photo Op Barry?
GEEZE! As soon as a national crisis is over (Libya, "Sandy") this guy goes to Vegas! He may as well move the White House there! There must be an indoor golf course there that he plays at so nobody gets a pic of him!
You sound like that Michael Moore ad and Granny is going to burn that *&^%$ down if Romney is elected..
BTW-40% of whites in Georgia aren't registered to Vote..
welcome back again!..It is Halloween..
He was afraid of a "BlackHawk" helicopter moment before the election..
He's a Coward!
Voter, Welcome back...I'll see your comment and raise you next Tuesday!