Ike has passed, but it will be weeks until Houston and the surrounding areas regain consciousness. For politicians in an election year, the deadly storm has the potential to pay off in non-traditional ways. As Americans brace themselves for the familiar influx of television and radio ads post-Labor Day to Nov. 4, a number of Texas candidates are trading precious paid advertising spots for free press. Politicians' visibility naturally increase during times of turmoil, but as The Houston Chronicle reports, "nearly every politician taking the lead on hurricane response is facing a tough election scenario ..."

The paper also reported that the Cornyn and Noriega campaigns are being suspended for an "undetermined period," even though the Austin American-Statesman reports that Sen. Cornyn's campaign was not able to halt ads set to run today. The duo has turned the respective cease-fire into an opportunity to be seen chipping-in and being assertive.

Noriega's campaign notified supporters that he reported for duty with the Texas National Guard; Cornyn went on a tour of damaged areas with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Let's hope these efforts are nothing more than civic duty at its best, and not something that will be parlayed into talking points and finger-pointing once this is all over.