Why is Mitch Landrieu running for mayor?

[BluegrassDem]

It's a step down from the lieutenant governor for sure. The only thing I can come up with is just pure exposure. The mayor of New Orleans is more nationally known than the NYC mayor. Outside of NYC, it's extremely rare for a mayor to be known nationally.

I guess it's a good political move for him, but if he's just running for mayor for pure political purposes, then I don't know if he's the best man to bring the city back as he'll be working for his own self-interests. That's just my opinion.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Don't all politicians run for office for purely political reasons?

[BluegrassDem]

3. Well yeah they do actually, but New Orleans is a unique

situation. That city is on the verge of being wiped off the map. They need a mayor that actually gives a damn about the city and not just him/herself. There's never been a situation like this in the history of the country. It does require someone who's in the for the long haul and wants to genuinely bring New Orleans back.

[Pirate Smile]

4. His family and himself are from NOLA, right? Why in the world would

you assume he doesn't give a damn about it? Of course he does.

Do you have other issues with him or are you a big Nagin supporter? I don't get your hostility toward him.

[BluegrassDem]

6. I have nothing against him at all

It just seems to be that New Orleans is a mess right now and would give anyone headaches trying to run that city. I'm just skeptical as to why he'd give up his plum job as lt. governor to take on that major headache. I guess it could be that he loves the city so much, but I'm not sold on that. I think it's just purely political motivations.

[eleny]

7. If he doesn't produce results - he'll be branded the goat

And that wouldn't be good for his personal political interests.

[erpowers]

10. Some Do Not

I think there are some politicians who run in order to help people and make their areas better places. I am not sure that is why Landrieu is running. I was thinking maybe he wants to run for Senate later and he thinks doing a good job in New Orleans might help him in getting elected. Yes, I know his sister is one of the Senators from Louisiana. I do not think he wants to go up against his sister. I think he will/may try to challenge David Vitter.

[LA lady]

2. Louisiana Forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=155x3217

[madrchsod]

5. i see white people......

npr had a little report about the election..the reporter said-not as many black folks showed up cause they were flooded out of their homes--no shit they are all over the usa.landrieu did well in the white folks hoods cause they were not flooded out and he said mitch would be able to get more things done faster cause he`s used to working (sucking off) with federal officials. what a fair and balanced report from npr..

[Jane Austin]

8. I can't really generalize about this, but

my friend, who's white and who stayed with us for four months after Katrina, lost her home, as did everybody else in Lakeview.

She lost a number of elderly neighbors, too.

I was under the impression that Lakeview was a predominately a white area.

[bullimiami]

9. Nagin may be black and a local graduate but he has spent his days

snuggling up to the RW machine.
He was a lifelong registered republican before switching parties to run for mayor as a democrat.
He also worked for COX which is a mini version of Clear Channel.

[skipos]

11. I give Landrieu CREDIT for running for something that is a "step down"

It makes me think he is passionate about it.

I hope he defeats Nagin. However, as I realized from the recent Detroit mayoral elections (and 2004 presidential elections for that matter), people often remain very loyal to their incumbents, no matter how incompetent.

While I don't think re-electing Nagin would be disasterous, I think Landrieu would be much better.