# Could Hurricane Sandy actually sway the election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 25, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867 "2012-10-25T20:57:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/41 "2012-10-28T23:51:50Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > What’s the over/under on the day and time when Romney first stands smirking in front of cameras berating Obama for something to do with this storm? “As president, I would make sure that no storms will ever threaten these United States! I don’t have time to get into details now, but you can be assured that once I am on the job, these storms won’t DARE to come ashore! God Bless America!” (meanwhile, over on the weather network, Romney is assuring viewers that he supports hurricanes, and will make sure there are more of them. Or whatever else they want.) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/42 "2012-10-29T00:35:11Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > They are predicting the “**[Frankenstorm](http://news.yahoo.com/noaa-east-beware-coming-frankenstorm-171317994.html)**” could affect as far inland as Ohio though. 😕 .. A week before the election. It would be rather amazing if it took a full week for Ohio to get over a little rain. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/43 "2012-10-29T00:38:22Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > .. A week before the election. > > It would be rather amazing if it took a full week for Ohio to get over a little rain. Well, there could be flooding. But basically, yes, we should be OK over here. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/44 "2012-10-29T00:40:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Any chance that common sense will prevail and East coast voting gets delayed? No. > [@](#): > > Couldn’t the affected storm areas vote a week later? No. There is no legal mechanism for delaying a presidential/national election. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/45 "2012-10-29T00:43:14Z")
AAAAGHHHH! It’s RAIN! And WIND! Panic in the streets! I blame the weather network. To get ratings, every single shower has to be the “Storm of the Century” ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/46 "2012-10-29T01:58:49Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > AAAAGHHHH! It’s RAIN! And WIND! > > Panic in the streets! > > I blame the weather network. To get ratings, every single shower has to be the “Storm of the Century” It is a hurricane. You’ve never lived in Florida, have you? You don’t ignore hurricanes. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/47 "2012-10-29T03:01:07Z")
If this does lower voter turnout, this will help Romney’s national _percentage_ of the vote, since it will be hitting in heavily Democratic areas, even if it affects both parties equally in the area. Before Sandy, there was a decent chance of Obama winning the election but losing the popular vote. Now, with Sandy, I’d say that chance has increased since fewer people will be casting ballots in the Mid-Atlantic states. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/48 "2012-10-29T03:24:58Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > AAAAGHHHH! It’s RAIN! And WIND! > > Panic in the streets! > > I blame the weather network. To get ratings, every single shower has to be the “Storm of the Century” It is The Storm of the Century. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/49 "2012-10-29T03:45:20Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > It is The Storm of the Century. It’s starting to look like it might be The Storm of the Previous Century, too. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/50 "2012-10-29T11:02:16Z")
The conclusion is inescapable. Sandy is racist. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/51 "2012-10-29T14:28:48Z")
As always needs to be mentioned in these situations, it’s important to remember that what we’re dealing with isn’t Frankenstorm, but actually Frankenstorm’s Monster. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/52 "2012-10-29T14:37:05Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The conclusion is inescapable. > > Sandy is racist. If you make a habit of wallowing in slop, sometimes you get confused with a hog. Like the Colonel said, your party is full of them. 😃 * * * It is possible that Sandy’s after effects could suppress turnout on Nov 3. in ol’ Virginny. I’m guessing this would give an advantage to the Dems because of their lead in early voters. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/53 "2012-10-29T15:34:38Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > As always needs to be mentioned in these situations, it’s important to remember that what we’re dealing with isn’t Frankenstorm, but actually Frankenstorm’s Monster. Whatever. The important thing is how we deal with it, i.e., with torches and pitchforks. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/54 "2012-10-29T15:41:42Z")
Everyone will be ok if they follow Romney’s tips: 1- Temporarily relocate to one of your other houses 2- Fly your money to the Caymans for safekeeping 3- Make sure the dog crate on top of your car is waterproof 4- Remember that if this was a legitimate storm, your house has ways to prevent damage. 5- Keep in mind that Sandy can’t stay long- she has to hustle home and put dinner on the table. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/55 "2012-10-29T16:02:26Z")
[Obama will make a statement about Hurricane Sandy at 12:45 p.m. today.](http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/29/us-usa-campaign-obama-statement-idUSBRE89S0PS20121029) [Atlantic City already is underwater.](http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Atlantic-City-under-water-as-Sandy-aims-at-NJ-3989490.php) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/56 "2012-10-29T17:03:39Z")
In answer to the OP: This storm won’t sway the election results, because it is going to affect only states that are going for Obama anyway and are not even close, with the arguable exception of Pennsylvania. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/57 "2012-10-29T17:08:52Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > In answer to the OP: This storm won’t sway the election results, because it is going to affect only states that are going for Obama anyway and are not even close, with the arguable exception of Pennsylvania. Ohio will be affected. We’re not going to be underwater or anything, but there will be high winds and a lot of rain, maybe some snow. Certainly enough to make sure that people in this state are paying a lot more attention to weather news than to campaign news at what might otherwise be an important handful of news cycles for Obama and Romney. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/58 "2012-10-29T17:44:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by **Lamar Mundane** > It is The Storm of the Century. > [@Ethilrist](#): > > It’s starting to look like it might be The Storm of the Previous Century, too. I really, really hope that I’m right and you are both wrong: Hurricane Katrina 2005: - Sixth strongest hurricane on record in Atlantic - 1833 deaths - 81 Billion dollars in damage ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/59 "2012-10-29T17:45:06Z")
It’s already sunk the Bounty. Apparently 14 of 16 on board were rescued, 2 are missing. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867/60 "2012-10-29T18:00:44Z")
I think this storm is going to have a large impact in the context of a close election. \*\*This \*\*is the October surprise. Among other things: 1. It’s going to take the campaign off the news for the next few days especially in affected states including VA, PA and OH. 2. It’s going to affect early voting and the ground game and in some places the final vote 3. It’s going to affect Obama’s image depending on the response of the government That adds up to a pretty big impact in an election where a few points in a few states is the difference. My hunch is it will help Obama because he is President and because he is probably ahead but that’s just conjecture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hurricane-sandy-actually-sway-the-election/638867.md?page=4)