Friday, February 3, 2006
The Mayoral race in New Orleans is
about to take off. It will most likely come down to Nagin vs. Landrieu, which
will be a fierce battle to the end. Nagin was a virtual shoe-in before Katrina,
and is still a firm incumbent with an estimated war chest of $1 million and 100% name recognition. Landrieu, who also has name recognition, is the latest in line of the Louisiana
political dynasty. In addition, Mitch has been known to raise vast amounts of
capital in short periods of time for his campaign, which is crucial if he is to oust Nagin.
Personally, I kind of liked Nagin before Katrina
and even in its aftermath. I felt as though in his heart he truly wanted to help
and do the right thing, both for the city in general and for the black population. However,
he has had too many missteps in his public outcry’s and am not sure if the has the political “clout” to
get done what needs to get done. I feel we need a very strong mayor with
lots of support and respect to lead the rebuilding effort.
I don’t necessarily know if Landrieu is
the man either, although he is a better choice than Nagin for sure. What has
Landrieu done politically? I feel that although Landrieu appears to be a solid
candidate, what has he done in his life to prove that? Call me uninformed, but he hasn't
done anything amazing that I have ever heard. I am convinced that Mitch has the biggest of political aspirations
for himself, eventually as governor, and maybe one day beyond. For him to throw his hat into the Mayor’s
race means that he sincerely believes that he can turn NO around and eventually grow beyond what it once was, which could
be his big political ticket to Washington. For if he fails and New
Orleans sinks into an adult Disneyland, or even worse withers away over the
next 10 years, Landrieu’s political career ends before it really begins. Landrieu could have easily sat this
one out and remained Lt. Governor and then taken on Blanco next year. However, because he entered the race, it
gives me faith in his ability and commitment to our city because his own political future is tied to it.
Its too bad that Landrieu’s name has scared
others out of the race, like Ron Foreman, who I personally would have liked to see run for Mayor. Foreman, as head of the Audubon Institute, turned the ZOO and Aquarium not only into premier destinations
in the city, but also into national renowned establishments. It is said that
Foreman is an incredible business man and an intellectual. Although I do not
personally know Foreman, or Landrieu or Nagin for that matter; his reputation precedes him in such a way that gives me confidence
in his political ability unlike the other two. My faith in Nagin is gone, and
although I do believe in Landrieu, there is just something about Ron Foreman that gives me hopes and dreams about our city
that the others do not.
I just hope that whoever does get elected can
turn New Orleans around and bring it back to its former glory.
NOTE: Also running are former
council women Peggy Wilson,
Mike Hammer, Leo Watermeier, James Arey and Bill Wessel.
