UNDATED (NBC) -
President Obama is back on the campaign trail Thursday.
New NBC polls show him ahead by six in Iowa, three in Wisconsin and two in New Hampshire.
Still, he's focused on New Jersey.
"We are not going to tolerate red tape. We're not going to tolerate bureaucracy," Mr. Obama promised Hurricane Sandy survivors after touring the Jersey shore on Wednesday.
Republican rival Chris Christie has consistently praised the president for his actions in the wake of the storm.
"I cannot thank the President enough for his personal concern and compassion for our state," the governor said. "There'll be some folks who criticize me for complimenting him. Well you know what? I speak the truth."
Analysts say the president is picking up political points.
"The message that Christie is sending voters is that Obama is doing a good job. He's not a Socialist person - that he's someone who can be trusted," says Brookings Institution political analyst Darrell West.
Meanwhile, on the campaign trail in Florida Governor Romney criticized the administration's record helping small business.
"Sometimes regulators seem to look at businesses like they're the enemy," Romney told supporters.
He never mentioned the president by name, but former Governor Jeb Bush did, claiming Mr. Obama's making excuses for his failures.
"It's almost as though 'the dog ate my homework' is the reason why we're going through tough times," Bush said.
Early voting re-opened in Maryland Wednesday with some long lines.
In areas where flooding has destroyed polling places they're considering putting up tents to make sure residents can vote Tuesday.
