(CNN) -- With all sides vowing politicking isn't in order, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney got a close-up view Friday of the devastation caused this week by Hurricane Isaac -- days ahead of a visit by his November foe, President Barack Obama. Romney went to Louisiana's Jefferson Parish, glimpsing the flooding and downed trees along with Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sen. David Vitter, both fellow Republicans. The former Massachusetts governor, accompanied by his wife, Ann, said the trip was "to learn and obviously to draw some attention to what's going (on) here... so that people around the country know that people down here need help."
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NEW: What's left of Isaac is headed toward the Ohio River Valley
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NEW: Mississippi lake's levels are dropping, so a breach may not be needed
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Romney says his Louisiana trip was to "to learn and (draw) attention" to people's plight
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Obama, who will visit Monday, vows the federal government will help those suffering
@placeholder echoed that view, saying he was "thrilled" both major party's presidential nominees were making time to visit his state.