This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Frankenstorm smashes into East Coast. Dems hit Hatch. Just 7 days until Election Day.

Happy Tuesday. Washington, New York and much the the East Coast remains hunkered down as Frankenstorm disrupts life as we know it. Transit is shut down, as are most government services in the area, and some 7.5 million people are without power. [WaPost]

-> Real question from the White House gaggle yesterday (h/t PK): Q: Jay, some of the utilities are saying that the power is going to be out in some areas for up to 10 days, which would obviously include Election Day. Is there any contingency planning to alter the Election Day schedule because of this?

Answer: MR. [Jay] CARNEY: I think that is not something I'm able to address. The fact is the storm is just taking effect now and having an impact now and making landfall I believe tonight. We have to focus on not the campaign and not the election, but on making sure that all federal resources are both prepositioned and in place to help states and localities respond to the storm, to help Americans who are affected by the storm. That's our focus right now.

Topping the news: Utah's Democratic Party charges that Sen. Orrin Hatch has accepted donations from 12 of the 13 corporations listed on brainz.org as the world's most deadly. Chairman Jim Dabakis said the six-term senator has undoubtedly had to promise a lot to "some very shady players." [Trib]

-> How would a Romney defeat affect Mormon supporters? [Trib]

-> KSL's John Daley and SUWA's Heidi McIntosh are headed to Denver for new jobs as McIntosh is taking a new gig with EarthJustice. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @Kyle_Lippert: "FUN WAY TO PASS TIME IN NYC DURING FRANKENSTORM: Swim through the subway tunnels and reenact the underwater levels from Mario Brothers."

Happy birthday: To Jill "Whiskey Mittens" Poe.

In other news: Peg McEntee aks voters how they're going to come down on judges. [Trib]

-> Utah Democratic volunteers got to meet Jon Hamm when they showed up in Colorado last weekend. [Trib]

-> Rep. Jim Matheson touts Republican support. [UtahPolicy]

-> Bryan Schott offers his election predictions. All 100 of them. [UtahPolicy]

The race for 270: The latest Electoral College predictions:FiveThirtyEight: Obama 294.6, Romney 243.4Pollster: No prediction. Water deluged.RealClearPolitics: Obama 290, Romney 248.

2012 watch: A Washington Post-ABC News tracking poll puts Romney and Obama at a 49-49 percent tie. [WaPost]

-> In Colorado, Romney leads Obama 48 percent to 47. [CNN]

-> Romney pushes his "Day One, Job One" plan while campaigning in Ohio, outlining what he hopes to accomplish on his first day as president. [FoxNews]

-> Vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan cancels two of three Monday events. While speaking in Florida, he asks attendees to pray for those in harm's way. [ABCNews]

-> Eight percent of Latino voters have already cast their ballot. [ABCNews]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz holds campaign meetings in San Juan, Grand and Carbon counties.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert tours Utah State University and later meets with dignitaries from Germany.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon attends the County Council meetings.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker celebrates the launch of the mobile parking app and then attends a Redevelopment Agency board retreat.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder films the mayor's video report.

President Barack Obama remains at the White House.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]

— Thomas Burr and Betsy BlanchardTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/betsyblanchard