Campaigns agree during Sandy: Put away the lawn signs
WASHINGTON -- Hurricane Sandy prompted one area of agreement among congressional candidates: Time to lay down the lawn signs.
“We’re so glad that so many of Tim’s supporters have placed yard signs in their lawns -- but due to the potential for strong winds in this storm, the last thing we want is for yard signs to become projectiles,” said the campaign manager for Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine, who is locked in a tight campaign against Republican George Allen, for the Senate. “Please take down all of your yard signs as soon as you can -- not only for your safety, but also for the safety of your neighbors.”
In Maine, the Republican candidate for Senate, Charlie Summers, put it more bluntly.
“Ever wondered what a 50-mph wind will do to a campaign sign? Let’s not find out,” Summers’ campaign said in an email to supporters. Summers is trying to gain on Angus King, the independent who is favored in the three-way race with Democrat Cynthia Dill.
PHOTOS: Massive U.S. storms -- Frankenstorm, Snowpocalypse and more
“Save the signs,” the Summers campaign said. “We’ll need the support once the storm rolls out of town.”
Some candidates, including Linda McMahon, the Republican former wrestling exec who is running for Senate in Connecticut against Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy, emailed safety tips to her campaign supporters.
Her team suggested charging up the cellphones, and using text messages.
Not even the storm could deter all campaigning. Kaine held one event in Virginia, while canceling two others Monday. And even though Allen tweeted that he was canceling events to encourage Virginians to “stay safe & off roads,” he tweeted later about his afternoon appearance on a radio show.
MAP: Hurricane Sandy barrels in
In Washington, the House postponed the start of Tuesday’s pro forma session until the afternoon. It had been scheduled for morning.
Both the Republican-led House and Democratic-led Senate meet periodically while Congress is on the campaign trail -- because in this ever-partisan political climate, they could not agree to be on recess.
Follow Politics Now on Twitter and Facebook
Twitter: @LisaMascaroinDC
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
