Primary ‘Lection Day 2006
In case you missed it, here’s a look at how our election turned out yesterday. Can’t say the results are much of a surprise.
I’ve tried to keep local politics at arm’s langth. I wrote about politics for so many years and I learned long ago that pretty much anyone who enters the arena has an overblown sense of self-worth. The voters basically battle over your jerk versus my jerk and this is pretty much true regardless of party label. That said, local politics gives more of a chance to see the personal quirks of each candidate, and this one had plenty.
So, basically, we’re down to two outwardly nice guys in the mayor’s race. I was still flipflopping about which of these guys to vote for as I walked to the polls yesterday morning. Both come with lots of baggage — but I wasn’t going to try to register some kind of protest vote by going for a lesser candidate. I’m still somewhat on the fence, and I’m hoping to get a better sense of which way to fall between now and the runoff in May. I can’t say I’m anti-Nagin. The guy’s a CABLE TV EXECUTIVE, fergodsakes, and his first term DID go extremely well until The Late Unplesantness back in late August. I can’t think of anyone who would have done a better job reacting to only the LARGEST NATURAL DISASTER IN US HISTORY. That said — he panders too much and there are other stumbling blocks. Landrieu, on the other hand, has a fine record as Lieutenant Governor. But he talks in too many platitudes and is short of specifics and comes from an old-line political family (something New Orleans was moving away from in the Nagin era). See? Lots of baggage either way.
Gimme something to vote FOR, you guys, instead of simply voting against something. I dare ya.
In the meantime, another round of sazeracs, will ya dawlin? We got FQ Festival today and JazzFest the next two weekends.
To be perfectly honest, I felt Nagin would have come in second or third. To come out on top with 39% of the vote was far better than I thought he would do. I agree with you that Nagin and Landrieu seem to both be outwardly nice guys - and they both very well might be. But Nagin is showing serious signs of burnout and for his health could probably benefit from going back into the private sector again. But if the voters want him back, that’s cool, too. Whether or not someone could have handled all the mess from Katrina? I don’t know. I know there were a lot of things Nagin could have done better, but I’m honest enough to know that someone else could have done much worse as well. Nagin at least stayed at his post and I give him kudos for that. And I also recognize the fact that he at least TRIED. I just hope and pray that no matter who wins the runoff election, New Orleans gets rebuilt.
I disagree that Nagin’s first term went well. No one in city government speaks to anyone else and they don’t work together, so the city was going downhill even before Katrina. Any number of people could have performed better during this disaster. If the whole town wasn’t destroyed, I would say give Sugar Ray a break, but the stakes are too high now for all this foolishness. Also, the Landrieus may have a lot of family members in public service, but I have not seen any of the self-dealing that marks the Morial and Jefferson dynasties. No one has shown me a case where Mitch Landrieu has acted without integrity. I am certainly willing to listen if you can.
My concern for Nagin is that he may very well have had some sort of breakdown. Then there’s his racially charged, divisive statements which are not appropriate and will prevent him from addressing the city’s racial situation. On the state and national scene, Nagin is politically bankrupt. He has no influence and is seen as a loose canon which could be a very big deal in the next couple of years. He’s a nice guy and I think a break from being mayor might be good for him and the city.
I don’t mean to say that I like Mitch any better but I don’t know as much about him so I can’t criticize him as much. heh heh, but I think he’s kind of an ass.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: It doesn’t matter who wins ’cause they’re all losers.
Vote for Nagin. If you make a mistake it’s only 4 more years. If Mitch gets in you know he’ll be there for eight.
If I may take the liberty and change the subject to something you mentioned at the end of your post: Jazzfest.
What is the locals take on Jazzfest this year? As an outsider attending his first one and my first post-Katrina visit, it appears that y’all need and want our tourist dollars (and i am more than happy to oblige). But there are also fears that the infrastructure may not be able to handle the influx. I read every day in hear the stories of not having any street lights and bad Texas drivers. As an outsider it appeared that Mardi Gras did very well and the city did a good job of handling the extra population.
JazzFest will run just fine. Ticket sales were off about 28% as of last week, but were strengthening. Even the streetcar will be running out to City Park. Some of the areas around the fairgrounds are still looking a bit desolate, but improving by the day.
Thanks for coming and welcome back. Just please be sure to spend your money with locally owned businesses — the smaller the better.
New World Order is worse than chocolateville.
Laurie