President Barack Obama flew over a devastated New Jersey coastline Wednesday with the state's Republican governor, Chris Christie, creating a rare, bipartisan moment ahead of the president's planned pivot to campaigning in the final days before Tuesday's election.

Mr. Christie, a supporter of Republican candidate Mitt Romney and a critic of the president, joined Mr. Obama on the presidential helicopter to survey flattened homes and streets under water. They offered each other mutual praise for their response to the storm, an example of how quickly strange bedfellows can be made by the power of forces beyond any party's control.

Mr. Romney, who like the president had paused his campaigning as the storm moved up the East Coast, returned to the campaign trail Wednesday in Florida. His closing argument to voters has challenged the notion that Mr. Obama is a bipartisan problem-solver.

"I will bring real change and real reform and a presidency that brings us together," Mr. Romney said at a rally in Florida.

GOP leaders said the image of Mr. Christie, a prominent Republican, standing with the president would have no effect on Mr. Romney's campaign.