Can Hurricane Sandy Reelect Obama?

           In class, we discussed a study examining the relationship between the outcomes of football games within one week of the presidential election and the outcome of the presidential election itself. The study determined that when a football team wins, its fans/people in the surrounding area are generally happier. If this is the case, this group of people is more likely to vote for the incumbent out of feelings of satisfaction.

           In light of this study, I began to think about other events that could potentially swing the election one way or another. One of the major events that consumed the minds of people living on or near the East Cost this past week was Hurricane Sandy. This article hypothesizes about the effect of Hurricane Sandy on the outcome of the presidential election. According to the article, “political scientists have found that extreme weather affects how voters evaluate presidents and governors, and botching disaster response can dash incumbents' reelection hopes.” Thus, the way in which President Obama responds to the hurricane can affect people’s satisfaction with the current President as a leader. In fact, a study showed that voters punish leaders for failing to react adequately to natural disasters, while rewarding those who respond effectively. Thus, with all of the damage that came with Hurricane Sandy also came an opportunity for President Obama to secure some votes, assuming appropriate crisis management, before Election Day on Tuesday.