Two recent polls show that New Orleans voters have truly soured on the antics and embarrassing comments of Mayor Ray Nagin. Dr. Ed Renwick of LoyolaUniversity conducted a poll of 400 registered voters that concluded April 5. It showed that Nagin had an approval rating of only 19% among New Orleans voters. When Renwick expanded the poll to include voters from the entire metropolitan area, Nagin’s approval rating dropped to an astoundingly low 16%.
In another poll conducted by Dr. Susan Howell of the University of New Orleans, Nagin fared slightly better. He approval rating was an anemic 33%; however, compared to the year before, his disapproval rating climbed from 56 to 63%.
Satisfaction with life in New Orleans has dropped below 50% and a full one-third of respondents are considering moving from the CrescentCity. Of that number, 63% said they would leave the state entirely.
These results should be a wake-up call for all local leaders. Despite the press conferences and the public relations, the people of New Orleans are not happy with the leadership or results being provided by City Hall. A good number are registering their disapproval by moving, making the recovery an even greater challenge.
Why are people unhappy with Nagin? The usual reason given for the poor numbers is that people are dissatisfied with the slow pace of recovery. Of course recovery is slow and people are frustrated, but Nagin’s woes are also due to his lack of leadership, his inappropriate comments and behavior and his arrogant attitude.
His arrogance and ignorance was on full display recently in a recent news conference with Jefferson Parish leaders. In front of TV cameras, Nagin introduced Jefferson Parish Councilman-at-large Tom Capella as “Councilman Young,” mixing him up with his fellow at-large member John Young. Capella returned fire when he went to the microphone, thanking Nagin as, “Mayor Barthelemy.” The retort was funny, but also an insult to Mayor Barthelemy because Nagin has accomplished the impossible in his tenure as Mayor, he has made Sidney Barthelemy look good.
After five years as Mayor, Nagin has not taken the time or trouble to learn the names of the council members from his neighboring parish. Most New Orleans Mayors work hard to establish regional cooperation and solid relations with neighboring politicians. I guess Nagin has taken a different approach, which is total disregard for his neighboring parish.
It is time for New Orleans Council members to step up and fill the leadership vacuum left by Nagin and try to satisfy the needs of voters. It would also be a good idea for our Council members to remember the names of the Jefferson Parish councilmen.
Jefferson Parish is now the leading parish in the state. In that parish, the approval rating for the political leadership is high, while the satisfaction with the recovery is at 80%. It might be a good idea for New Orleans politicians who are trying to move the city forward to take a few notes from their neighboring parish. For example, in Jefferson Parish, only 11 murders have been recorded this year compared to 70 in New Orleans. What is truly amazing is that Jefferson Parish has a population that is double the size of New Orleans. So, it is clear that the leaders in Jefferson Parish are doing some things right. It’s time for New Orleans politicians to not only learn the names of the political leaders in that parish, but start learning some valuable lessons as well.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
Don`t listen to them Ray you is doing a fine job.These people don`t know you have had no help from the state and no help from fema and no help from tha fedarel geverment.
I is proud of you Ray and if some of them white democrats would come down here and go to work istead of stealing your money we would be doing better.
They ain`t even opened up the projects for us yet,but we knows you is working on that one for us.Nosuh them rich white folks come down here long enough to get their picture taken and then leave us with no where to live for free.
Ray Nagin for prezident, The best damm democrat of louisiana.
Written by Sambo
on 5/15/2007
Thank God the democrats are doing such a great job in louisiana.Keep up the great work Ray Nagin and you may get to be the democrats choice for Governor.
Written by Susan
on 5/15/2007
Ok But I am not from Jeff Parish, I am from Winn Parish! What I said wasn't Racist (To point out others racist comments is not in itself racist)As a teacher I have found students comming from NO to my school and they don't know how to use calculators, or even have some of the basic skills one would hope they have, like completing work ON TIME and turning it in. Our even being able to stay seated and let others in the classroom learn without being disruptive. I had numerous students tell me "y'all do way more than we ever did." Patriot Warrior while many of the things you say about Africa are true, (I have been all over the Continent of Africa) I am not ready to call N.O. the next Mogidishu, While the racist attitude of some is one thing, we must never forget they are OUR PEOPLE to. They are Louisianians, our brothers and sisters. Misguided as some are, we have to pull together to fix our problem to make Louisiana the Pelican State once again, NOT the WELFARE state the dems want.
SEMPER FI MAC from an ole Jarhead, Kilo Co 2/5, and then to the Air Wing! (SWING with the WING baby!)MAG 29, 39 & 36. I was in VMFA-214 (yes I am a BLACKSHEEP) then went to Helo's.
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 5/15/2007
The part about Jefferson Parish doing the right things because it has a population twice the size of Orleans is a cheap shot. The population plunge was because Orleans had much worse flooding situation, and the folks there are poorer and much more likely to be renters, so they can't rebuild.
With that said, Nagin has increasingly looked like an idiot.
Written by swampwiz
on 5/11/2007
Some of the hateful and race-obsessed viewpoints expressed here are a perfect example of why people in New Orleans, both black and white, cannot come together to make rational decisions that will determine the life and death future of the city in this most desperate time.
But, I have to admit that Nagin is largely responsible for the outbreak of harsh feelings. He is failing miserably at a time when the city cannot afford it. The rest of the country laughs at him at our expense (look at how much federal and state aid we have lost or is being withheld).
And, I think that many black people in this city are beginning to realize it. His incompetency and loose mouth are doing more to hurt the black community than anyone else. After all, who are usually the vicims of most of the crime, poor schools, lack of housing and jobs, etc.? Every time Nagin puts his foot in his mouth, it costs a few more billion in lost federal dollars and private business. He certainly cannot claim success in crime fighting the way his predecessor did when Richard Pennington was police chief.
I think that blacks here need to get over the "its our city" and "we gotta have all the power" obsession and realize that white people are not all inherently evil and that most have no intention, in this day and age, of returning the bad days of segrigtion. And revenge is no longer justifiable. There are a lot of good white people (just as there are a lot of good blacks) who have decided to come home and are trying to help in the recovery. They should be better appreciated by the city's leadership.
The real enemy now is crime, lack of eduction, and lack of job opportunities. In order to solve these problems whites and blacks are going to need to work together. That may be hard to do, but people are just going to have to get over all of these petty, neuotic, and destructive emotions.
Both wites and blacks are going to have to learn to consider sometimes supporting canidates of the other race or party, when those canidates are more qualified and can do more to help in the places where improvements really need to occur.
We all need to put New Orleans first, not narrow racial agendas. That is when thing really will get better.
Written by Charles
on 5/11/2007
I cannot believe people type such racist comments in threads. But that is what wins elections in Jefferson Parish, where people vote for racial protectionism and not for their economic interests.
Written by pointecoupeedemocrat
on 5/11/2007
To Barry, another Black African Racist. What's with all of this European crap? By the way, why don't you "people" call yourselves American? Were you born in Africa? You act like an African though - supporting a low down, corrupt, backwards leader who will never rise above the level of INCOMPETENCY. Years ago, the City of New Orleans was a wonderful place to live - clean, low crime, good schools, progressive, respectful, and occupied by mostly good people, both black and white. Then, in 1975, that all changed forever, when you people took over. Since that time, the city has disintegrated into a third world country situation. The place is filthy, has the highest rate of murder in the country, worse schools on the planet, backward, corrupt, and just plain leaderless. Are you as a black New Orleanian proud of what your people have done to nearly destroy a once proud and beautiful city? Don't blame the Europeans because you people have mismanaged New Orleans for the past 32 years. You wanted control? Well you got it, and look where it has taken us! Until you people realize that you have to take responsibility and strive for "EXCELLENCE", then the City will equal that of Nigeria, Gahna, Rawanda, and the Congo. Racist? No, Realist! Stop all of that guilt crap. We've had enough of it! "HOORAH" - PATRIOT WARRIOR.
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 5/11/2007
Nagin will recover because of his skin color. Most Blacks in New Orleans don't care if a Black politician is incompetent and continues to stick his foot in his mouth, none of that matters. Skin color and it is a political fact. When Dutch Morial became Mayor, I looked at demographic facts from University of New Orleans, and the following 20 years, 284,000 people moved out of New Orleans. Unfortunately enough stupid WHITE voters put Nagin back in. So stop complaining about Nagin, you got what you wanted in New Orleans.
Written by Louis
on 5/11/2007
So Jeff Crouere
seems to think that Jefferson Parish, the east bank of Jefferson Parish, should serve as some kind of model for Louisiana. Sorry, but most Americans do not view David Duke's home turf as a model to be emulated. And sorry, but a parish whose citizens uncritically and reflexively approve of their "leaders" is not necessarily a paragon of democracy. But I thank Crouere for finally revealing his politics: a politics that venerates the likes of David Duke while advocating for a pseudodictatorship wherein voters fail to question their elected officials. This is no surprise, as Crouere is a Republican.
Written by pointecoupeedemocrat
on 5/11/2007
How low can Nagin go? For myself, and thousands of other rational and clear-headed people, "he can go to hell"! Nagin should never, ever been re-elected; however, because of a number of naive, and idealistic white people, this idiot continues to bring down a once proud people and city/region. Just name one , one, single major accomplishment that this black racist clown (Willy Wonka), has done for the City of New Orleans. Remember the business group in Houston that offered to remove all of the flooded vehicles and boats in the city right after the storm, for free!! Remember, that Nagin turned down the offer? HhhMmmm, I wonder why! Remember the land fill deal in New Orleans East that Nagin so vigoursly pursued? HhhMmmm, I wonder why! And on, and on, and on. Nagin has embarrassed the City and everyone of us in the region for nearly two years. He continues to be smug, pious, condescending, and arrogant! You ignorant white people that put this clown in power should be totally ashamed of yourselves. PATRIOT WARRIOR
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 5/10/2007
I can't believe ANYBODY would approve of Nagin and our government these days. Other than clean sidewalks in the quarter nothing is working in this city.
The middle class and professionals who tried to stick it out are leaving, the schools are in total disarray, the police department is corrupt and useless, criminals are shooting people with total abandon, there is not a single city department that is performing its job at an adequate level.
So why does ANYBODY approve of this fool? Oh, that's right, Jesse Jackson does.
Written by Ignatious
on 5/10/2007
Thanks Ignatious - right on brother! Speaking of the Rt. Reverend Jesse Jackson, why doesn't someone "axe" Nagin what he did with the $480,000 that the Reverend supposedly "loaned" him up in Chicago when Nagin was there on his tour of the Churches! This was common news right after the storm, then it went dead. Hhh Mmm, I wonder why! All of this crap about our President Bush is merely a smoke screen and coverup in order to remove the blame from Nagin and "Babblin" Blanco. To date, Nagin still hasn't submitted the Federal Government, a reconstruction/building plan which was requested of him. HhhMmmm, I wonder why! Wouldn't it be interesting to open up all of the back room details concerning the SDT garbage collection, and street cleaning contract with the Mayor, and the City? I'm sure that is very "lucrative. Again, HhMmmm! When is enough, enough?? PATRIOT WARRIOR.
Written by PATRIOT WARRIOR
on 5/10/2007
Y'all are going to think I'm schizophrenic, but I think "Patriot Warrior" is making some good points today (I'd leave Jesse Jackson out of it, though - he's hardy relevant).
Written by TW
on 5/10/2007
Proving once again that when New Orleanians are stupid enough to elect the "Willy Wonka" of all mayors, they are now getting what they "axed" for ~ a cheap, tasteless, waxy "Chocolate City!"
Written by Deon
on 5/10/2007
Walter, is the air thin on your planet? You surely cannot be from Earth. Or did you forget that C. Ray holed up in a luxury hotel right next door to the Superdome while many of his fellow race lanquished there? He is in charge of this city and did nothing immediately following Katrina, never mind since. He knew the people at the Convention Center were suffering and did nothing. That is his mo. Do nothing. Just run your mouth, say inappropriate things and aggravate the people who pay his salary. He is too arrogant to admit when he makes a mistake and just blunders along making more. There is plenty of blame to go around, but ultimately, he is responsible for the citizens of this city and he has failed miserably at his job.
Written by Domino
on 5/10/2007
Once again we have to tell you european people this poll is a fraud taken by europeans surveying europeans.The black citizens approve of the mayor and hope all you europeans leave we do not need yall.You europeans supported him as long as yall thought he was going to keep his foot on black folks necks and the reason black new orleans coming back so strong is because we know how much jefferson parish hate us and St Tammany also but they come here to new orleans to make money That is why I never spend a dime in neither of those parishes And why are you not reporting on the rigamer report of how this city have the most resilient black people on this earth who have increased this cities population by 14 percent over the past year Without you europeans goverment's help but because we have a strong brother like Ray Nagin leading the charge so yall keep hating him cause all it does is bring us brothers closer to him It is getting time where we blacks start to take a stand against you hate mongers like you the times picayune people do not come to new orleans for what europeans do but they come for the what the talented brothers do You europeans never never never tell the truth. Chocolate City Forever.
Written by barry
on 5/10/2007
Well Patriot Warrior he got re-elected due to the circumstances of the election. Look who was running against him a Landrieu! Now as far as I know Mitch "Baby Moon" Landrieu does a good job as Lt Gov. BUT the people of No had a choice they could pick the (crooked) guy they knew or a (crooked) guy that was running merely on his Daddies name.. They chose the one they knew. Plain and simple. Barry Glad to hear you only spend your money in NO thats great man. You want all the "Europeans" (this means white people for you libs)to leave? Isn't that RACIST? Ohh my you were called Racist, call Rev Sharpton! You say your rebuilding without the "European government" money? WRONG! there is TONS of "Government Money that goes to NO don't disillusion yourself. I hope NO recovers totally and completely, but I know many of its former citizens that are in Texas that say "There is no way in HELL I am going back." Good Luck with that!
Written by Ole Jarhead
on 5/10/2007
Oh, please, you're really scraping when you have to harp on Nagin for messing up a name. And as for Jeff Parish's satisfaction with recovery...THEY DIDN'T GET DESTROYED. I fail to see the point of constantly pulling against the Mayor who is in charge for the next three years whether you like it or not. Constant horranging and putting the blame of the recovery on him, by people such as you is one of the reasons his polls may be low. Why not get on the real culprit - GWB.
Written by Walter
on 5/10/2007
These numbers are great! If Nagin sticks to the status quo, and if Walter Boasso's bill changing recall rules passes, Nagin will be sent packing within a year! No one's more deserving of being the first to be recalled!
Written by Maxwell
on 5/10/2007
To: "Ole Jarhead" - "HOORAH", Semper Fi. 2nd. Recon.
PATRIOT WARRIOR
Two recent polls show that 
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