Is New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin Running for Governor?

Clarence Ray Nagin, Jr., the current mayor of New Orleans, who's serving his second term, cannot run for mayor again- those pesky things we call term limits prevent that. Which raises the question on whether he may be seeking high offices, such as Louisiana governor (if I'm correct, current governor Kathleen Blanco isn't seeking reelection); or even the seat currently held by embattled US House representative William Jefferson, D-2nd Congressional District of Louisiana. Jefferson is currently under indictment on public corruption charges (perhaps Jefferson should have put that $90,0000 in cash in a Swiss bank account instead...another story, another day...).

Nagin, thus far, is denying all of this- isn't this like politicians (and many celebrities, for that matter) to do this?- saying that he's remains committed to the people of New Orleans. But during the annual Essence Music Festival, he's been quoted as mentioning that he'll "keep the options open," which may mean that he is at least exploring political possibilities once his term as mayor ends in 2010.

If Nagin does decide to run for higher office, the thing that will no doubt be under the microscope is his handling of the city- particularly during Hurricane Katrina. Sure, he was a political rookie during that time, but many ask whether he could have done a better job keeping order during that chaotic period. And then, there were his "chocolate city" comments

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Some may say that such comments may smack of- dare I say this- racism. True, before Katrina blew her winds of destruction, New Orleans' black population was around 65 percent (now, it's around 45-50 percent), but such actions and comments may put the Louisiana white voting community on edge.

Now, whether or not he decides to run for higher office or no, that's his choice of course. All I can say is that when Marc Morial- son of the late Ernest 'Dutch' Morial, the city's first black mayor- ran the city, life was better. Crime was cut in half- with Superintendent Richard Pennington wiping out corruption in the New Orleans Police Department. When Nagin became mayor, Pennington left for Atlanta (imagine if Pennington were elected mayor- he ran against Nagin in 2002- I believe that the city would still be ran on an even keel today, even amidst the destruction). Pennington's replacement, Edwin 'Eddie' Compass (who commanded the NOPD's 1st District) basically stood shitless as the murder rate went back up, then when Katrina struck, he- along with one-third of the force- pussied out.

And Nagin's considering running for higher office? With all of this shit happening under his watch (including the Orleans Parish District Attorney, Eddie Jordan's head being sought...see next article). I think it would've been better if New Orleans voters had voted to let Marc Morial run for and serve a third term. At least the Big Easy wouldn't feeling Big Queasy today.

Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.