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Politics of Ebola tricky for Christie, Cuomo

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, speaks as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie listens at a news conference, in New York, where the governors announced a mandatory quarantine for people returning to the United States through airports in New York and New Jersey who are deemed "high risk," for contracting Ebola. Word of the quarantine set off a firestorm, but some other states have followed suit. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, speaks as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie listens at a news conference, in New York, where the governors announced a mandatory quarantine for people returning to the United States through airports in New York and New Jersey who are deemed "high risk," for contracting Ebola. Word of the quarantine set off a firestorm, but some other states have followed suit. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

By Associated Press October 28, 2014 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – The two governors – one Republican, one Democrat – are known for their no-nonsense, take-charge style in a calamity.

But they have set off a furor over their aggressive handling of the Ebola crisis, and the fallout could influence their political prospects.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie won praise for their decisive response to Superstorm Sandy two years ago.

But their ordering of automatic, 21-day quarantines for medical workers who have treated Ebola victims in West Africa has run into resistance from the White House, humanitarian organizations and scientists.

Some political observers say the crisis is a “big moment” that could resonate with voters nationally.