Mayors Debate

The Mayor's debate is/was televised nationally tonight on MSNBC, see details here. Thanks to Third Battle of New Orleans for pointing it out. Those of us outside New Orleans welcome the opportunity to see the candidiates for ourselves so we have some vague clue is going on down there.

So far the debate is starting off on a melodramatic note, with the images of Katrina and Nagin's chocolate city quote. There sure are a lot of candidates...... Now I can't write down everything, I'm sure transcripts will be available. But here is my blow-by-blow. Please also forgive any spelling issues.

Question 1 is about what would you do about a cat 4 storm. Boulet wants to plan in advance - what a concept. Couhig agrees but wants zero tolerance for looters. Forman wants to work with state etc to have a clear plan. Landrieu says we aren't safe and wont be safe but he'd work with Chertoff. Nagin says no shelters of last resort and will use Amtrak. Watson wants to evacuate sooner and by zip code. Wilson wants to use military bases and eliminate the culture of poverty.

Question 2 is why should cabbies in Detriot pay to rebuild in New Orleans. Ummm, is this a debate for Mayor or for the future of the city? Its a good question that Ive heard before but its kind of scary to hear it on TV with a serious tone. Answers were not compelling. They need to work on that one because its very important - they need to have a more well thought out answer to that.

Question 3 do you approve of Bush. Nagin is explaining why he disapproves of Bush, the economy and Iraq his key issues. Forman approves and wants to work with him. Landrieu diapproves. Now we are bouncing around and oh god theres the Chocolate City clip again. Now they are trying to bait Nagin. He's saying people were saying they didnt want certain types of people back in the city.

OK on to clips about the Convention Center and asking about race and would people have reacted different if the faces there were white. Yes, no, nothing specific. Everyone was horrified. Coulig says it wasnt about race. Watson says NOLA is racist and has a plantation mentality. Boulet says we have to stop dividing and start rebuilding. I guess it must be Wilson who has talked about welfare queen, they are digging at her on that.

Who is a great mayor? Daly in Chicago. Giuliani in NY. Andy Young, Dutch Morial.

Oh heres the get off your ass quote from Nagin and question what would you have done. Landrieu says he slogged thru the water to go find the mayor. Couhig says no more big easy, govt has failed us and we need to take responsibility. Says its Nagins fault there were no communications. Nagins says they were going thru the process of getting communications systems and werent done. OK they went on to conventions and why should they come. No good answers so far. Moderator just asked who is Dickie Brennan?

Questions too each other. Forman asking Landrieu what hes been doing last 20 years to get things right. Landrieu asking Nagin about turnover in administration. Couhig piling on and says also wrong management style. Now asking why Forman attacking Landrieu. Nagin asks Watson how she would move UNO downtown.

Hey Fat Cat is now suggesting we have an American Idol style election where the audience could vote off a candidate at a time from a debate. It might work better than our current system.

Moral responsibility about rebuilding? How safe are the levees? Levees of mass destruction (Watson). How come USA cant build a decent levee like the Brits and the Dutch? Will power and money (Landrieu). OK, good answer.

Chris Matthews now seems to think Dickie Brennan was part of the corruption issue. OK Wilson is being voted off the "American Voter" show by Fat Cat and thinks Simon Cowell would have sent her off after 5 mins.

Why are we still finding bodies? And by their relatives? Why is this happening in the USA? Boulet says its a shame and they should have been evacuated. OK Fat Cat wants to vote off Boulet too. Lack of realism about evacuation.

Some recap of our impressions - Coulig is well spoken. Forman kind of looks like a dork and doesnt really have much experience. Landrieu is looking pretty good due to his political experience.

Nagin is now talking about the dead bodies and the tragedy that we are still dealing with this. Next time everyone gets out (like that will work - he knows better). Watson talking about pre-Katrina racial tension.

Runoff, or chief of staff from this group, who would you support? Bad question, they cant answer that. Good to hear it asked. Tom Watson for runoff some people are naming, Boulet for chief of staff, others refuse to answer.

Wrap-up. Thanks all around, vote for a change (or for experience), New Orleans is coming back, we need to come together.

Moderators encourage New Orleanians to vote.

Fat Cat thinks Coulig did well in the debate and I concur. Nagin is bogged down in the muck of his "best hits" clips. Forman didnt make much impression. Landrieu did OK in the debate and will make a strong showing in the voting.

Good luck all and if you are eligible, dont forget to vote.