Commander-in-Chief Moment? Too Little Too Late

The devastation on the east coast is heartbreaking.  The images of disaster, sadness and turmoil are truly gripping the nation.  How long will it take that area to recover?  Where does the clean-up even begin? And how will the confidence of those most impacted ever be fully restored?

Images from Denver Post

Sadly, this storm has reminded us that our great nation is not immune to heartache---but this massive storm has also reminded us that when tragedy strikes our borders, the goodness of our people surges.  Strangers help strangers.  Neighbors comfort neighbors.  Weary hands are lifted and broken hearts are consoled.

When tragedy strikes, Americans unite and the resolve of our people prevails.

This storm will be no different.

The timing of any storm is tragic, but the timing of Hurricane Sandy was historic.  Days before a pivotal election, the most populated cities in America were under siege by Mother Nature.

For two days, the political world came to a standstill.  Each candidate tried to tread careful waters to ensure that the events were not politicized.  Sincerity and intentions were highly scrutinized by the ever-watching eye of the media.

Both candidates cancelled campaign rallies and their fundraisers were replaced with relief efforts.

The media has claimed that this storm gave Obama a much needed "Commander-in-Chief Moment."  Many have said that he rose to the challenge and commanded himself with authority.

The president made sure that FEMA was offering adequate support.

Um...isn't that in his job?  Did he do anything but fill his role as the president?  Was his concern unique?  Was his leadership above and beyond?  No.

In this disaster response, the president did his job.  Period.  But will it be enough to tip sliding numbers in his favor on November 6th?

I would argue no and here is why:  Long after the FEMA trucks have cleaned up the last pile of debris and long after the pumps have emptied the last flooded subway station, Americans who struggled to find work for the last four years, (23 million Americans) will still be looking for a job in Obama's crumbling economy.

That will resonate long after the images have faded of the president flying over the disaster in a helicopter or standing behind a podium at the FEMA headquarters.  Americans know that for four years, the president has tried to fix our economy, unite our country and cut the deficit.  He hasn't even come close.  Too little too late.

It is hard to ignore that although the president offered Hope and Change, anywhere the president promised specifics, he has failed to deliver.

It is time to heal.  It is time to really recover.  It is time to finally get it right.

More and more Americans are beginning to recognize that we need the leadership of someone with a track record of being successful at bringing about real change.  No storm can change that.

As Michael Gerson so brilliantly stated here in The Washington Post,

"He (Obama) has not shown the leadership skills or the inclination to create consensus around large issues. The problem is that large issues — avoiding the fiscal cliff, reforming the tax code, making entitlement commitments more sustainable — are coming. Either Obama will have to become an entirely different type of leader — or America needs a new one."

I think Gerson is right, America needs Mitt.