The dynamics of the U.S. presidential campaign could change in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, as President Barack Obama takes charge of the national disaster.

Obama has already committed quick federal assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the wounds from Sandy remain so raw, that it would be political folly for Republican rival Mitt Romney to criticize the president’s management of the crisis.

Even the most loyal partisan Republican governors like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are praising Obama’s response to the devastation in his state by publicly thanking him.

Christie will be joined by the president in New Jersey, Wednesday, to tour the devastated coastal region.

Romney will be campaigning in Florida, where he is already being asked if he would get rid of the FEMA, as he hinted he would during one of the debates.

In terms of whether Obama’s response to this disaster will help his chances of re-election next week, it could. Listen to this conversation political affairs specialist John Stall had with Democratic strategist James Carville and Karl Rove, former chief of staff for George W. Bush, back in the spring.

At the time, both Carville and Rove believed the election would be about the economy, but agreed that a significant, unforeseen development at home or abroad could change the dynamic and tipping point.