Politics makes strange bedfellows they say.  Can there be a better example than Obama and Chris Christie walking shoulder to shoulder through the carnage left by "Sandy" in New Jersey? 

Christie treated Obama harshly, and rightfully so, at the Republican National Convention. And as circumstances would dictate, he is now pleading with Obama, and rightfully so, on the behalf of his native New Jersians, for Federal assistance.  

Though this is great theatre and imagery, it truly is merely procedural, common and expected. But it seems a shade awkward. Obama seems to enjoy the political irony here.  Every second of it.

But shouldn't one pause and say, "Look, something good is happening here. Political opponents are coming together to solve a problem."  This is none other than forced cooperation. I would hope President Obama, and maybe Harry Reid, paused and reflected.

There are a few things to take away from this Christie / Obama moment.

First, let us remember that Obama is acting the President. This pronouncement by Obama to deliver federal aid, assist in the most efficient manner possible those affected by the storm, is not a great leadership at work any more than a toll booth operator making change.  It is procedural.  Very similar to, "Hey, we found Bin Laden, what should we do?" Automatic.

Second, the wonderful imagery of the President dispensing money back to those from whom it was originally taken is the game that is Federal assistance. We should never forget.

Yet, one cannot help but imagine that something good is happening here between the arch rivals Christie and Obama. Circumstances have forced a type of allegiance and reliance.  One might hope that in the event of Obama's reelection, that the President might mitigate his attitude and indeed see there is room to work with each other.  To reach across the pile of sand in the seaside hotel lobby, if you will, and to both agree that we must rectify.

The type of stonewalling that is emblematic of Harry Reid's Senate treatment of Republican House originated initiatives regarding jobs and the economy would find no place here. The storm created the crisis and there is no room here to make good of it.  It is real and must be dealt with.

Rectifying the damage of this storm requires synergies and cooperation.  Sadly the dire equivalent of Sandy, the nation's fiscal storm,  has not yet registered this emergency atmosphere in Congress. Hence no mutual cooperation. It seems we will  have to suffer the storm that is the fiscal cliff,  and the equivalent of ruined homes, washed out roads, et al before any solving cooperations arise similar to the Christie Obama walk through the wreckage. Perhaps if the Senate and the House were full of sand the gravity of the situation might register and trigger needed solutions.

Bruce Johnson