Ray Nagin managed to win re-election as mayor of New Orleans despite his record of incompetent decisions in the immediate run-up and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina after one of the most polite campaigns the city has ever seen. Nagin, who described himself as "humbled" often in his campaigning, will lead the city in its rebuilding efforts after the worst American natural disaster in decades:

C. Ray Nagin, the unpredictable mayor who charted a sometimes erratic course for his city through Hurricane Katrina and after, won a narrow re-election victory here Saturday.

Mr. Nagin, who will now lead the city through four crucial rebuilding years, fended off a strong challenge from Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, the scion of one of Louisiana's leading political families, in a vote that see-sawed all night. With all of the city's 442 precincts reporting, Mr. Nagin had 52 percent of the vote, while Mr. Landrieu received 48 percent.

Mr. Nagin, an African-American, won about 21 percent of the votes of whites, as well as over 80 percent of the black vote, according to a local elections analyst and political consultant, Greg Rigamer. Mr. Landrieu appeared to have lost black votes that he picked up in last month's primary, Mr. Rigamer said in an interview.

The election proved a fascinating look at a city still trying to decide who it is and what it wants. In his first election, Nagin had been considered the more moderate candidate, a businessman who would bring reform and a friendly face to enterprise in the corrupt Big Easy. Landrieu came from a political family with a long history in Louisiana, representing the political insiders that have always run New Orleans and the state as a whole.

In the end, New Orleans chose reform in Nagin rather than history. Before Katrina, Nagin had made headway in reforming the city's government and enticing business, but not enough to counter the angry and incompetent image he hung on himself during and after Katrina. His failure to follow his own emergency plan contributed to the human disaster of his city, an act of incompetence that would have forced almost anyone else in almost any other city back into the private sector.

Oddly enough, it seems that Big Easy residents came to view Nagin somewhat like most people saw Rudy Giuliani after 9/11, warts and all. They knew that he had screwed up, but they saw him on television fighting for the city. He didn't shy away from the White House and FEMA, trying to get the best possible deal for his town, alternately ferocious and accommodating as the need arose. Even his campaign screw-ups endeared him to the voters. The pledge to make New Orleans a "chocolate city" produced slack jaws everywhere but among the city's voters, and he even referred to his more outrageous statements when he proclaimed himself a humble man in front of his supporters, who stuck with him despite his mouth.

Fittingly for a community searching for its identity and unity, the campaign lacked the normal vitriol of elections these days. While both candidates criticized each other's policies and track record, neither made it personal, and both emphasized the finer qualities of their opponents. The tone was somewhat reminiscent of national politics in the first weeks after 9/11 that disappeared forever after the invasion of Afghanistan. In some ways, it should set an example for general elections everywhere. Nagin capped it off by thanking George Bush in his acceptance speech for all of the assistance he has given New Orleans after noting that the two of them have become "the most vilified politicians in the country".

Nagin has his second chance. Hopefully he will make the best of it and use his skills at reform and enterprise to make New Orleans ascendant and more hurricane-resistant than ever before. Voters will certainly not forgive another bout of incompetence.

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry is

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference It's Nagin In New Orleans:

» First Cup 05.21.06 from bRight & Early
... [Read More]

Tracked on May 21, 2006 9:07 AM

» Nagin Wins... from heartland.blog-city.com
C. Ray Nagin wins a second term as mayor of New Orleans, but at what cost? I'd say to the tune of billions of federal dollars that the mayor of Chocolate City will have his hands on. There's a lot of blame to go around for the condition New Orleans [Read More]

Tracked on May 21, 2006 11:29 AM

» Nagin Wins... from heartland.blog-city.com
C. Ray Nagin wins a second term as mayor of New Orleans, but at what cost? I'd say to the tune of billions of federal dollars that the mayor of Chocolate City will have his hands on. There's a lot of blame to go around for the condition New Orleans [Read More]

Tracked on May 22, 2006 10:29 PM