Today, Friday Nov. 2, marks four days after Hurricane Sandy struck and four days before the general presidential election. The effects of the storm have been devastating, with at least 95 people dead in the United States (according to NBC News). However, with the worst of the storm said and done, Sandy brings new meaning to the saying “every cloud has a silver lining.” Although it by no means makes up for destruction of the storm, this tragedy has given President Obama the opportunity to prove to America that he is the right man for his job.

On Tuesday, the White House Press Office released this statement: “The President will not participate in the campaign events that had been scheduled in Ohio tomorrow…the President will [instead] travel to New Jersey where he will join Governor Christie in viewing the storm damage, talking with citizens who are recovering from the storm and thanking first responders who put their lives at risk to protect their communities.” New York City has received the worst of the storm, with the toll now up to 41 deaths. “New Yorkers have my word that we will recover, we will rebuild, and we will come back stronger,” Obama said.

Romney, on the other hand, got a slap in the face when the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, responded incredibly well to Hurricane Sandy. Only last year, Romney stated that FEMA should be sent “back to the private sector.”

Even Republican governor of New Jersey Chris Christie praised Obama on a job well done. “The president has been all over this and he deserves great credit,” Christie said. “He gave me his number at the White House and told me to call him if I needed anything.” Perhaps this will encourage other voters and even prior Romney supporters to look past the parties and vote for a man who truly cares for our country, especially in a time of need.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg of New York also endorsed Obama, despite criticizing his 2008-2012 term. “We need determined leadership at the national level to move the nation and the world forward,” Bloomberg wrote. He declared that it is Obama, not Romney, who will provide that. Bloomberg is influential among independent voters.

Though Hurricane Sandy is something we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies, it  has created an interesting new perspective on the election; it has allowed people to form an opinion of Obama that has nothing to do with parties and everything to do with character.

Photo Source: Ellen Eisenmann