Florida hurricanes, campaigns collide

Most people see a monstrous, approaching storm as a threat.

Politicians see it as an opportunity.

To score free air time. And look like “a leader.”

Often, the most dangerous place to be when a storm’s bearing down is between a politician and a TV camera.

If there’s the faintest of silver linings to Hurricane Michael, it might be that the massive storm isn’t far from Tallahassee — where the mayor is running for governor and the governor is running for U.S. Senate

We might see the quickest, most effective storm response in the history of storm responses.

Maybe ( just maybe) we’ll even see members of opposing parties working together. Imagine seeing Democrat Mayor Andrew Gillum and Republican Governor Rick Scott arm-in-arm instead of fistto-fist. Not only would it serve citizens well, it would probably help both men’s campaigns.

I think that’s all most voters want — elected officials to do their jobs. Without making everything political.

In fact, some of my least favorite campaign ads are the ones in which politicians use the aftermath of tragedy — whether it’s Hurricane Irma or the Pulse nightclub shooting — to promote themselves. (How nice that the mass casualties gave you the perfect backdrop.)

So let’s stay focused and stick together this week. It looks rough out there.