Hurricane Sandy is due to make landfall in the next few hours and is predicted to cause billions of dollars in damage to the East Coast. The storm is already responsible for widespread damage and nearly 70 deaths in Caribbean countries. While both presidential campaigns have asked their supporters to donate to the American Red Cross and other relief organizations, Fox News political analyst Dick Morris is using the storm to solicit donations to his super PAC.
Morris' Super PAC for America sent an “Urgent” message to NewsMax.com's email list earlier today with the subject line, “Dick Morris: Hurricane Hurts Obama, Helps Romney.” In the email, Morris writes that while the storm “will drench many states with rain while battering them with dangerous winds,” President Obama's decision to cancel campaign events to prepare for it was “a cynical grab for votes.”
In the email, Morris conveys a sense of excitement at the prospect of storm damage depressing Democratic turnout. He writes that Hurricane Sandy helps Romney because the effects of the storm will be felt for weeks due to power outages and flooding, and "Obama voters are looking for ANY excuse to not vote for him," while Romney voters “will drive through a blizzard to the polls.”
According to Morris, the Obama campaign “will realize their cynical attempt to use this weather disaster for political gain was one big failure,” and possibly unleash a “surprise” in the next few days in order to derail Romney. Conveniently, Morris' super PAC is prepared to counter “Obama's Chicago-style get out the vote machine,” as long as you donate:
My prediction is that by Wednesday the Obama camp will realize their cynical attempt to use this weather disaster for political gain was one big failure.
This means the last 5 days of the campaign will be absolutely critical for both Obama and Mitt Romney.
Romney supporters need to prepare for an Obama “surprise” -- something the Obama people and his Chicago thugs will use at the last minute to stop Mitt Romney.
We can't let this ploy stop us!
The Super PAC for America, the powerful political group headed by Mike Reagan, the same group I serve as Chief Strategist, is gearing for a massive GOP get out the vote effort.
Currently, we have very effective anti-Obama TV ads running in 5 states. We want to keep those airing and add more states.
We want to deploy a strong “ground game” to counter Obama's Chicago-style get out the vote machine.
We need funds to do this -- Donate Here Now [link removed]
In contrast to Morris' cynical use of the hurricane to solicit super PAC donations, the Obama campaign sent out an email today with information on emergency preparedness and encouraging people to donate to the American Red Cross or local relief organizations. Similarly, at a campaign speech in Ohio today, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney also asked his supporters to donate to the Red Cross. According to ABC, the Romney campaign “has decided to halt fundraising e-mails to the states in Sandy's path.”
The full email text is below (with fundraising links removed):
Urgent from Dick Morris
Re: Impact of Hurricane Sandy on Elections
Dear Newsmax Reader:One of the biggest hurricanes in modern times is about to slam into the Northeastern part of the United States.
While Hurricane Sandy is set to make landfall in New Jersey, its enormous footprint will drench many states with rain while battering them with dangerous winds.
It won't be nice.
Already political pundits says President Obama will seek to maximize this national emergency for political gain.
Obama has just cancelled key campaign events in Florida to “prepare” for the emergency.
His aides say he wants to “look presidential” and less political.
Obama's move is nothing less than a cynical grab for votes - a desperate president about to lose re-election.
I believe Americans will see right through it!
Hurricane Sandy is hardly “good news” for Obama. According to reports, swing states like Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and possibly New Hampshire will get hit.
The storm will pass days before the election, but the ripple effects of this inclement weather will be felt for many days and the weeks to come.
Experts predict flooding, massive storm damage, and even electric power outages for days or weeks.
This could directly impact the election.
Here's why Sandy hurts Obama.
Polls consistently show his voters are much less enthusiastic about voting for him than Mitt Romney voters.
Put another way, Obama voters are looking for ANY excuse to not vote for him.
Meanwhile, Mitt Romney voters will drive through a blizzard to the polls. They want to throw Obama out of office badly. Very badly.
Right now, polls and voting trends are very positive for Mitt Romney.
My prediction is that by Wednesday the Obama camp will realize their cynical attempt to use this weather disaster for political gain was one big failure.
This means the last 5 days of the campaign will be absolutely critical for both Obama and Mitt Romney.
Romney supporters need to prepare for an Obama “surprise” -- something the Obama people and his Chicago thugs will use at the last minute to stop Mitt Romney.
We can't let this ploy stop us!
The Super PAC for America, the powerful political group headed by Mike Reagan, the same group I serve as Chief Strategist, is gearing for a massive GOP get out the vote effort.
Currently, we have very effective anti-Obama TV ads running in 5 states. We want to keep those airing and add more states.
We want to deploy a strong “ground game” to counter Obama's Chicago-style get out the vote machine.
We need funds to do this -- Donate Here Now
So far, tens of thousands of Americans have been extremely generous in helping our efforts.
But frankly, we are coming down to the wire. These last days are crucial.
Right now, Mike Reagan and I, and the key experts he assembled for the Super PAC -- some of them top advisors to former President Reagan -- are working overtime to make sure we defeat Barack Obama.
Mitt Romney's campaign has done a good job.
But the truth is they are handcuffed.
Federal election law puts stiff limits on the amounts he can raise. And he can only raise from individuals, not corporations.
Super PAC for America is not handcuffed.
We can raise as much as you are willing to donate - either from you individually or your business or corporation.
Already Barack Obama has outraised Mitt Romney. He continues to do so.
With so many liberals stepping up to the plate for Obama, can I ask you to do the same for Mitt Romney?
Mike Reagan said it best to me last night as we were preparing for this coming week, “Dick, the whole future of the country hangs on what we do in the next week.”
He's right!
By “we” Mike meant himself, me and YOU!
We need your help now - Please Donate Here Now
Thank you and God bless you.
Yours for America,
Dick Morris
P.S. The latest poll this weekend out of Ohio now shows the race there tied. This proves that Romney can not only win there, but in Pennsylvania as well. The race is tightening in that state and several others. Can you help Super PAC put Mitt Romney over the finish line? Donate Here Now
Paid for by Super PAC for America. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. www.superPACforAmerica.com.