Haley Barbour: Storm 'broke Romney's momentum'
(CNN) – Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour on Sunday argued Superstorm Sandy not only wreaked havoc on the Northeast this week, but blunted Mitt Romney's campaign as well.
"The hurricane is what broke Romney's momentum. I don't think there is any question about it," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."
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Barbour, a Republican, said the barrage of news coverage surrounding the storm replaced the political debate in the final days leading up to the election. He added, however, he doesn’t blame the media for covering the storm.
"Any day that the news media is not talking about jobs or the economy, taxes or spending, deficit and debt, Obamacare and energy, is a good day for Barack Obama," he continued, adding the news "blackout" on those issues has helped the president.
"Whether it will be good enough remains to be seen," he said.
Both candidates took a pause from campaigning at the beginning of the week, as the storm ravaged the U.S. East Coast. President Barack Obama monitored the storm from Washington, then traveled to New Jersey to survey the damage with Republican Gov. Chris Christie.
Romney, meanwhile, focused on relief events the day after the storm, raising money and donations for victims. He resumed campaigning on Wednesday, while Obama went back on the road Thursday.
As of Sunday morning, Superstorm Sandy is blamed for at least 111 deaths in the United States.
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Mississippi is the most impoverished and sickest state year after year. This state has also been a red state since reconstruction. Haley should go away!
Maybe the evangelicals should take heed of two events that should fortell a warning.
1. Hurricane delays the start of the Republican Convention.
2. Just before the election, another storm slams into the Northeast (why don't they call it what it was, a hurricane. CAT 1 or just under) reminding people of Romneys desire to do away with FEMA.
Christians. Listen up, god is telling you, there is a storm brewing around Romney and his election would only reek havoc with the economy. Take heed. You'vve been given a sign. A clear warning. With Romney....there is a storm on the horizon and it's a might one.
Good GOD is that ALL the Repubs know how to do...blame everything and everyone for their own failings???? Romney has ALWAYS been a joke! The only "momentum" for Romney has been what the media has conjured up to keep ratings up. Christie needs to run as an independent since there is no longer a "legitimate" GOP
Are you kidding, Obama is a joke of a president and he does not deserve another hour in office. The election is Tuesday, so all you bitter libs hold your analysis. President Romney will get the country on the right track.
So funny! Their excuses are starting already. I think this is a sure sign that they know they have lost, just as Intrade, Nate Silver, Votamatic, Predictwise, and many more are telling them. Obama/Biden 2012!
So when a hurricane disrupts people's lives, its because of "the debil" or gay marriage or women's rights. What does it mean when it disrupts Republican plans?
President Romney will get the country moving in the right direction.
Just another perfect example of what the GOP represents. If they can't lie their way through it or buy their way through it at least they can blame a completely unforeseeable natural disaster.
His excuse was that the storm took away from the media highlighting the economic issues and the campaign.
You are exactly right special little man, instead it highlighted Romney's feeble attempt at a "storm relief rally" that was a campaign rally in disguise merely for a photo op. Additionally the Romney campaign continues to spew the crap regarding the failing economy yet jobs are up, stocks are up, and the housing market is up.
The only thing that killed Romney's momentum was the Romney campaign assuming the majority of voters are ignorant.
This storm really did help Obama. It allowed him to display his leadership qualities and work across the aisle with Christie who was so impressed that he did everything but formally endorse Obama. Romney, on the other hand, used it for a photo opp by "gratefully" accepting donations from his supporters that his campaign actually bought and handed to those supporters to "donate." Quite a contrast.
romney will win this election
I think it's going to turn into a landslide for Obama.
The President is helping the middle class.. the arguments on the right seem like the same old garbage that got us into a mess.
Someday soon, the age of Old Fat White Men like Barbour, Rush, Rove and O'connell will be over. What a great day that will be.
Not true Haley....the tide was slowly returning to the same size lead the President had before the Denver debate. What the hurricane did was cement the lead for Obama. I think Billy Graham would call that divine intervention, wouldn't he? And besides, Gov Christie happened to go off script and give an honest assessment of the president. Finally, and the American people are hungry for non partisan problem solving.