Huh???? http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-05-20-16-43-55 Nagin Wins Re-Election As Big Easy Mayor By MICHELLE ROBERTS Associated Press Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Voters re-elected Mayor Ray Nagin, the colorful leader whose blunt style endeared him to some but outraged others after Hurricane Katrina, giving him four more years to oversee one of the largest rebuilding projects in U.S. history. "This is a great day for the city of New Orleans. This election is over, and it's time for this community to start the healing process," Nagin said Saturday in a joyful victory speech. "It's time for us to stop the bickering," he said. "It's time for us to stop measuring things in black and white and yellow and Asian. It's time for us to be one New Orleans." Nagin won with 52.3 percent, or 59,460 votes, to Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu's 47.7 percent, or 54,131 votes. While the vote was split largely along racial lines, Nagin got enough of a crossover in predominantly white districts to make the difference. He also won a slim majority of absentee and fax votes cast by evacuees scattered across the country. Nagin, a former cable television executive elected to office in 2002, had argued the city could ill-afford to change course as rebuilding gathered steam. His second term begins a day before the June 1 start of the hurricane season in a city where streets are still strewn with rusting, mud-covered cars and entire neighborhoods consist of homes that are empty shells. With little disagreement on the major issues - the right of residents to rebuild in all areas and the urgent need for federal aid - the campaign turned on leadership styles. Nagin, a janitor's son from a working-class neighborhood, is known for his shoot-from-the-hip rhetoric. After Katrina plunged his city into chaos nine months ago, Nagin was both scorned and praised for a tearful plea for the federal government to "get off their (behinds) and do something" and his remark that God intended New Orleans to be a "chocolate" city. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says he holds no grudge against challenger Mitch Landrieu's (LAN'-drooz) supporters. (note audio quality at source) Latest News Nagin Wins Re-Election As Big Easy Mayor A Look at Voting in New Orleans New Orleans Mayoral Election Quotes A Look at New Orleans Mayoral Candidates Landrieus Have Firm Grip on La. Politics Latest News Nagin Wins Re-Election As Big Easy Mayor A Look at Voting in New Orleans In his victory speech, Nagin promised his supporters, "You're not going to get a typical Ray Nagin speech. I'm not going to get into trouble tonight, trust me." He reached out to President Bush, thanking him for keeping his commitment to bring billions of dollars for levees, housing and incentives to the city. And as for Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, with whom he feuded in the wake of the storm, Nagin thanked her "for what she's getting ready to do." "It's time for a real partnership," he said. "It's time for us to get together and rebuild this city." Landrieu, who served 16 years in the state House before being elected to his current post two years ago, had touted his polished political skills and his ability to bring people together. He's the scion of a political dynasty known as Louisiana's version of the Kennedys - the brother of Sen. Mary Landrieu and son of New Orleans' last white mayor, Moon Landrieu, who left office in 1978. In conceding the race, Landrieu echoed the theme of his campaign - a call for unity. "One thing is for sure: that we as a people have got to come together so we can speak with one voice and one purpose," he said. Fewer than half of New Orleans' 455,000 pre-Katrina residents are living in the city. Evacuees arrived by bus from as far as Atlanta and Houston to vote. More than 25,000 ballots were cast early by mail or fax or at satellite polling places set up around Louisiana earlier in the month. Turnout appeared to be on-par with the April 22 primary, when about 37 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. Nagin, who had widespread support from white voters four years ago, lost much of that support in the primary but got a much stronger showing this time. Voter Elliot Pernell was philosophical about his vote for the incumbent. "He's been through the experience already," he said, "and won't make the same mistakes."
What's "Huh" about it? Clean election on a positive, uplifting campaign. No voter suppression, no Diebold fraud and controversy, bigger victory margin than Bush-Cheney's 'mandate' in 11/2004. Mayor Nagin faced one of the biggest natural disaster in the U.S. history, while Bush created the biggest man-made mess in Iraq, and had the U.S. unprepared for the deadliest terrorist strike on the North American continent in history. Nagin didn't do a good job in anticipating the Katrina, but he worked his ass off in the aftermath for the people of New Orleans. That's a leadership quality not seen in GWB29, with whom many voters still fantasized based on their 'moral values' in 2004.
I guess you're seeing a lot more positive in Nagin than I am. And I wouldn't vote for Bush, either, at this point. I'm not sure how that's relevant. "Hey...he's better than the guy with the 29% approval rating!" Hey, that's swell.
My bad. There were certainly plenty of 'titles' to choose from. The GWB29 reference was just the first one to pop off my head. Maybe the 'Decider' is better? But seriously, how is the comparison with the Bush-Cheney reelection in '04 not relevant?
GOOD NEWS for NEw Orleans All the N.O. folx I know were Pro-Nagin stating he did the best with what he had they also said. . . most folx have no Clue of the Good he did before the hurricane New Orleans. . for New Orleanians . .. and not for BIG SPECIAL INTEREST!!!! Rocket RIver
Are former NO residents starting to trickle back into their former city? I was told that many were heading back again and that things are starting to somewhat get back to 'normal' (however you define that), which is great news.
I would honestly be too scared about Nagan's mental health under pressure since the "the CIA is trying to kill me" statements to vote for him. That's a little bit nuttier than anything we've seen, even from Rumsfeld. More along the lines of what I would expect from a Fox News anchor.
Now maybe he can take his campaign signs off Houston roads. I was driving back to Houston the other day and saw his billboard and was thinking, "Did I drive to the wrong city?"
I think the "CIA is after me" comment was not that nutty, at least when compared to the "mothership" comments.
From what I gathered about the election was that in terms of substance most NOLA residents saw little difference between Landrieu and Nagin but there was a very strong sense among many that it would be a bad sign for the city's ethnic makeup to replace a black mayor with a white one at a time when there is a real worry that NOLA might no longer be a majority black city. The other thing that is interesting about Nagin was that when he was elected he was seen as a moderate pro-business mayor who served the white business community more than the poorer black community. Katrina and his "Chocalate City" comments turned that image upside down when many black NOLA residents saw him and the pummelling he was taking in the national media and from Washington as an example that white America didn't care that much about NOLA since it was a mostly poor black city. At the same time as the white crossover vote shows he was still able to capitalize somewhat on his old image as a pro-business candidate.
nagin has a bachelors in accounting and an mba. he's had no experience or qualifications to be a mayor, yet he was elected the first time. now he's re-elected again despite the katrina disaster?? it's a shame most people vote base on race instead of their abilities as a mayor.
Nagin seemed pretty incompetant while the whole Katrina thing was unfolding.. I was not impressed by his decision making skills and how he handled situations as they arose.. Anyway him getting re-elected reminds me alot of the re-election of our dear President.. Very Strange................. HMmmmm........
Haha True!! The majority black population of N.O. re-elects Nagin The majority white America re-elects Bush
