New Orleans Votes- Chapter Four

The people of New Orleans have spoken.
And then there were two.
One is the incumbent, former Cox Cable vice president Clarence Ray Nagin, Jr., 49.
The other is the scion of a Louisiana political dynasty, Mitchell Joseph Landrieu, 45.
On May 20, one will become mayor of New Orleans.
Will Nagin be redeemed and granted a second term?
Or will Landrieu follow in the footsteps of his father, Maurice Edwin "Moon" Landrieu, 75 (who was mayor from 1970 to 1978, when he was defeated by the city's firast black mayor Ernest N. "Dutch" Morial)?

Here are some keys to victory for both:
Ray Nagin

Current Mayor of New Orleans:
Age: 49
Political Party: Democrat

Claim to Fame: Former Vice President of Cox Communications Cable, and part owner of (now defunct minor league) hockey team New Orleans Brass
Things Nagin Must Do to Win Re-election:

1. Learn from mistakes made from Hurricane Katrina (and to a lesser extent, Hurricane Rita).

2. Make amends with (mostly white) business establishment.

3. Prove that he's not racist- after all, he got 85% of the white vote when he was elected. His "Chocolate City" comment did not exact win him any points.

4. Prove that he's compentent- I know that Hurricane Katrina kind of threw him a loop, but he could have done a better job. (You know, he could have gotten every RTA bus, Orleans Parish School bus, and charter bus, even airlines to pick up the poorer residents. Yes, the city would have to foot the bill, but at least we wouldn't had to have seen all of those horrid images).

If Nagin is Re-Elected, He has to:

1. Rebuild the city responsibly. No waste. No squabbling. No fighting.
2. Reach out to ALL COMMUNITIES! Particularly the white and more wealthier communities, which brings me to...
3. Repair relations with white voter and business bases.
4. Deliver on promises made. Yes, he's only human, but please, Ray-Ray, do your best, 'kay?

Strengths: Effective businessman; knows NOLA well.

Weaknesses: A political rookie; ineffective response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; royally pissed off white voters and business bases.

Mitch Landrieu

Current Lieutenant Governor of State of Louisiana

Age: 45

Claim to Fame: Scion of Landrieu political dynasty- father Maurice "Moon" Landrieu is a former mayor of New Orleans; older sister Mary is a U.S. senator.

Political Party: Democrat

Things Landrieu Must Do to Win:

1. Prove that he's no nepotist- after all, he IS part of a political dynasty, and he must not give the appearance of having his strings pulled by his dad or his sister.
2. Prove that he is competemnt
3. Reach out to the African-American community.
4. Deliver on promises- otherwise, those black folks will probably ask for Ray Nagin- or even (former mayor, now National Urban Leage President) Marc Morial back.

If Landrieu is Elected, he must:

1. Rebuild responsibly- again, no waste.
2. Reach out to ALL communities.
3. Stay close to the black business, political, and voter bases.
4. Deliver on promises.

Strengths: Reaches out to all people; Knows NOLA well; been in politics for quite awhile.

Weaknesses: Risks becoming a "career politician"- he could get a bit too cozy; risks accusations of nepotism, and having his strings pulled.

May the best man win on May 20. I'll stay close to the campaign as the date draws near.

Copyright 2006, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.