Obama cancels two rallies

Barack Obama cancelled campaign events in Florida and Wisconsin to return to Washington and monitor the impact and response to Hurricane Sandy.

The US president ended plans to speak at a Florida university in Orlando yesterday and flew back to Washington. Another event scheduled for today in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was also cancelled.

“Due to deteriorating weather conditions in the Washington area, the president will not attend today’s campaign event in Orlando,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. “The president will return to the White House to monitor the preparations for and early response to Hurricane Sandy.”