NJ Gov. Chris Christie Says He 'Could Care Less' About Election, Offers President Obama Praise In Aftermath Of Hurricane Sandy

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie seems to have a change of heart toward President Barack Obama—at least for the time being.

In July, the Republican governor of New Jersey was at odds with Obama, a Democrat, dismissing his campaign slogan while speaking at a Romney fundraiser.

"Well, let me say this: I've never ever seen a worse-named campaign, than to call the Barack Obama campaign 'Forward,'" Christie said.

"And that's for two reasons. First, if forward is going to be anything like the way backward was, the only place we want him going forward is to come out of Washington, D.C., make a left-hand turn and head forward back to Chicago."

Now, it seems Christie has nothing but praise for Obama in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which left parts of New Jersey completely devastated.

“The federal government’s response has been great. I was on the phone at midnight again last night with the President, personally, he has expedited the designation of New Jersey as a major disaster area,” Christie said on NBC’s “Today” show, the Washington Post reported.

“The President has been outstanding in this and so have the folks at FEMA,” Christie added.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Christie spoke about the impact Hurricane Sandy had on his state, saying, "We are in the midst of urban search and rescue. Our teams are moving as fast as they can."

Christie added, "The devastation on the Jersey Shore is some of the worst we've ever seen. The cost of the storm is incalculable at this point. The idea that you see homes in the middle of route 35 southbound and northbound is just unfathomable.

"I didn’t think it would be that bad. I didn’t think you’d see homes in the middle of highways.”

It remains to be seen how Hurricane Sandy will impact the presidential election, but at the moment, that seems to be the least concern for citizens and political officials.

“I’ve got a job to do here in New Jersey that’s much bigger than presidential politics, and I could care less about any of that stuff. I have a job to do. I’ve got 2.4 million people out of power. I’ve got devastation on the Shore. I’ve got floods in the northern part of my state. If you think right now I give a damn about presidential politics, then you don’t know me,” Christie told Fox News.