The political world rapidly returned to normal Tuesday in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, as fears began to subside that the devastating storm would adversely affect the presidential election only a week away.

Both candidates paid their respects to storm victims, but that just allowed each campaign to accuse the other of politicizing the storm. As the cleanup began on Tuesday, it became clear that whatever impact the storm has on the election will likely be at the margins.

Over the past two weeks, conventional wisdom — at least in Washington — has cemented around the idea that the swing states of Florida and Virginia have moved strongly in Mitt Romney’s direction and that he is likely to carry both of them in a week’s time.

KETTERING, Ohio – Mitt Romney repeatedly ignored questions about his position on federal funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at an event for storm victims Tuesday. 

After speaking briefly to supporters and gathering donations Romney, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and some campaign staffers headed outside into the cold, rainy afternoon and proceeded to load up a yellow Penske truck with supplies, canned goods and other donated items.

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey Monday night, where outspoken Gov. Chris Christie (R) faces a potentially tough reelection campaign in 2013. A year in advance, the rough storm and its aftermath could be the biggest test yet of the brusque governor’s management capabilities.

It’s a test Christie is largely passing so far, by adhering to a vital political principle in instances like these: leave politics aside.