Obama balancing storm prep, campaign

>> already having an effect on the obama and romney campaigns. just ten days until the election. it could have a big effect on early voting in several swing states and already both campaigns have cancelled or rescheduled events to get out of the way of the storm. we've got both campaigns covered. we want to begin with kristen welker traveling with the president in new hampshire . good evening.

>> reporter: good evening, lester. president obama is facing a big challenge. he's got to juggle campaigning in the final days with managing a potentially devastating storm. now this hurricane has already impacted his schedule to some extent. he was able to make a stop here in new hampshire . this is a small state that carries a lot of significance. president obama trying to get ahead of hurricane sandy which could diminish his campaign schedule this week. today he visited new hampshire , a state with only four electoral votes , but with the race deadlocked, the president can't afford to leave anything to chance.

>> ten days, new hampshire ! ten days.

>> reporter: the president didn't mention the hurricane in his remarks. above air force one today he held a conference call with top homeland security advisers who briefed him on storm preparation. hurricane sandy has affected voting in north carolina and could impact the obama campaign strategy of encouraging core supporters to cast ballots before election day . today in new hampshire the president tried to win over the state's undecided voters, arguing mitt romney made empty promises to keep taxes low for middle class americans, accusing him of raising fees as governor of neighboring massachusetts.

>> when he's asked about it he said these weren't taxes. these were fees. keep in mind there were higher fees to be a barber, higher fees to become a nurse.

>> reporter: the romney campaign fired back calling the president's accusations desperate. meanwhile, mr. obama continues to field questions about his administration's response to the attack on the u.s. consulate on benghazi including with msnbc's " morning joe " co-hosts joe scarborough and mika brsysnski.

>> i'm responsible and i don't shy away with from that.

>> reporter: traveling with the president, kristen well ke, nbc news.