Romney’s FEMA Flip-Flop, Brad Pitt’s Big Political Donation, and More

Holiday Shift:

As New Jersey deals with the damage left behind by superstorm Sandy, Gov. Chris Christie has decided to reschedule Halloween for safety reasons. Christie signed an executive order decreeing that the state will celebrate the spooky holiday on Monday, Nov. 5. (Read more)

On Second Thought: Mitt Romney appears to be a whole lot more supportive of the government agency responsible for disaster relief than he was last year now that the country is dealing with a disaster. Romney, who seemed to suggest last year that FEMA should be “shuttered” in favor of state officials coordinating their own relief efforts, is now backtracking on that position. Romney said Wednesday: “As president, I will ensure FEMA has the funding it needs to fulfill its mission, while directing maximum resources to the first responders who work tirelessly to help those in need.” (Read more)

Texting Controversy: A conservative activist appears to be behind a spate of vitriolic, unsolicited anti-Obama texts that have flooded D.C.-area cellphones in recent days. The messages, sent anonymously, attack the president for his positions on gay marriage, abortion and Medicare. One example: “Obama believes killing children is a right until the umbilical cord is cut.” Some recipients voiced their anger about the messages on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. (Read more)

Lip Service: David Axelrod, President Obama’s senior campaign adviser, thinks Obama will win Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. In fact, he’s so confident, he told MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough that he would come back on the program and shave off his mustache (which he’s had for 40 years) if Obama loses any of those three states. (Read more)

Hell Bent: Mike Huckabee is out with a new political ad that warns voters of the possible consequences of not making the “right” decision at the polls this election year. “Your vote will affect the future and be recorded in eternity. Will you vote the values that will stand the test of fire?” As Think Progress noted, the ad makes it appears as though “anybody who doesn’t vote against the healthcare of women and family security of same-sex couples is going to Hell.” (Read more)

Pitt Gets Political: Brad Pitt is set to make a major financial contribution in support of marriage equality. The actor is donating $100,000 to the Human Rights Campaign’s National Marriage Fund, and he is urging others to help as well. Pitt’s donation will go to the four states — Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington — where gay marriage is on the ballot this election. (Read more)

Video of the Day: Tired of the election already? Then you’ll surely feel 4-year-old Abby’s pain.