Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Obama & Christie Tour Sandy's Damage In NJ, Kindle Leadership Bromance
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 31, 2012
Modified Oct 31, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 31, 2012
Modified Oct 31, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
President Obama and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie surveyed Sandy's damage in the Garden State today, with each politician taking pains to acknowledge the other's exceptional leadership skills during a crisis. "I want to just let you know that your governor is working overtime to make sure that as soon as possible everybody can get back to normal," Obama told a crowd in Brigantine, New Jersey. Christie then returned the favor: "It's really important to have the president of the United States acknowledge all the suffering that's going on here in New Jersey and I appreciate it very much." However, the pool report fails to acknowledge rumors that the president gently brushed Christie's bangs out of his face as Modern English's "I Melt With You" blasted through the PA system.
Pool reporter Kathleen Hennessey noted that the people at the event seemed to be pleased with the president.
Robin Barrella, a 51-year-old cocktail waitress at Harrah's, came to the shelter two nights ago. She hasn't seen her house since the water was starting to come in on Tuesday. "I'm almost afraid to see it," she said.
On the president she said: "If it wasn't for him ... Since he's been our president, things have gotten a little easier. I'm a single parent, I've had it hard. I get food stamps now. I lost my job I was able to get insurance for myself and my son. So I like him we're very excited."
Cheryl Howardell watched the president from a table at the back of the room. Howardell said she came to the center Thursday morning looking for hot coffee and somewhere to charge her phone.
She said she's lived on Brigantine since 1957 and never seen the water come up as high as it did this week. She saw waves crashing down her street.
"It was scary. I'll never stay again," she said.
Of the president's visit, she said: "It's wonderful I can't imagine that the president would come to our small island." Howardell sat next to her brother, Tucker smith, a 70-year-old retired NYC firefighter.
"He's not just talking, he's here doing something," Smith said of the president.
Both said they plan to vote for the president next week.
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney is campaigning in Florida, and says he has no plans to tour any areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. He is, however, more than happy to spend $5,000 at Wal-Mart to give supporters props at a donation event.
Tagged
2012 election
Chris Christie
hurricane sandy
new jersey
president obama
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .