“I am not worried, at this point, about the impact on the election. I’m worried about the impact on families, I’m worried about the impact on first responders, I’m worried about the impact on our economy and on transportation. The election will take care of itself next week. Right now, our number one priority is to make sure we’re saving lives, that our search and rescue teams are going to be in place, that people are going to get food and water, the shelter that they need in case of emergency. And that we respond as quickly as possible to get the economy back on track.
— President Obama when asked by a reporter at a press conference regarding Hurricane Sandy about its impact on the election.