The Commission on Presidential Debates announced on Monday that New Orleans would not be a site for a 2008 presidential debate.U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today released the following statement:
"The Commission appears to have lost sight of the public interest it was chartered to serve. New Orleans was the only site supported by a bipartisan number of presidential candidates. The most prominent news organizations called for a debate in the city, and voters across the nation have clamored for the discussion the venue would raise about the federal government's role, responsibility and competence in a catastrophic disaster. Now it seems some inside the Commission's deliberations set aside this unprecedented public consensus. It is a great disappointment not only to Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, but also to those of us who previously had faith in the Commission's impartiality."
Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco also issued the following statement:
"I am extremely disappointed to learn New Orleans was rejected as a site to host a presidential debate, especially for the reason given, that the city has not sufficiently recovered to be able to host such an event. Such large events are the city's bread and butter, and recognizing this, the city and state have worked to get convention capacity up and running quickly. As a result, New Orleans has played host to many large gatherings, conventions, music festivals and major sporting events since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, including NBA and NCAA championship games to be played in 2008. Such a decision is harmful to the region's efforts. There is no better way to help our recovery than to give a boost to the tourism engine driving New Orleans, and to debate issues important to the GulfCoast and to our country at ground zero of our nation's largest natural disaster."
Why would any respectable presidential candindate participate in a debate in a city where racial discrimination was practiced in it's own DA's office? Face it, they got caught and if some would have had their way it would have all been swept under the dirty rug. Wake up people, this DA payout (payoff!) debacle is hurting us badly. The DA lands a cushy job in the private sector and the people of the State have to pay! Outrageous! Questions linger of the possible involvment of an accused congressmans office. Get over it,quit whining, there will be no peresidential debate in New Orleans.We have a little more growing up to do. Written by poboy1
on 11/21/2007
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Ever love a woman - but wish you didn't? New Orleans is a "dirty, disfunctional, second rate city," nevertheless - just like with the Saints - I keep hoping things will get better. Maybe it's something in the water. Written by kerry fox
on 11/21/2007
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New Orleans flunked the Katrina test, before, during and after. What makes anyone think that they deserve to be recognized with a presidential debate? Just a dirty, disfunctional, second rate city. Written by V. Racer
on 11/20/2007
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WOMEN OF NEW ORLEANS, RAISE UP THOSE STEEL FISTS. Let us show them what rebellion means. Everyone in the media is coming out against the decision relative to the presidential debates. We cannot sit still. HELL KNOWS NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED!!!! NEW ORLEANS, THE LADY OF THE SOUTH WE CALL HOME, HAS BEEN SCORNED. NOW FOR THE FURY. Frankly, ladies, can't we do better than Lorena Bobbitt. Written by RhettsWife
on 11/20/2007
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The reason is obvious: the national public is tired of hearing about New Orleans and Katrina and wants to focus on issues that have more relevance to them. It does NONE of the candidates any good to focus more attention on an issue on which the public has lost interest.
We might not like that answer, but it is the truth - in my opinion.
We should focus on 4 years from now, after political changes at the state and local level have had a chance to make an impact. A reform-minded governor, some reform-minded legislators, by then a new mayor and council, reapportionment, a convicted Bill Jefferson, and significant progress in New Orleans due to the efforts of the citizens and the state and local government. Then we might have a chance for more sympathy at the national level. Written by chaubert
on 11/19/2007
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Of the three major Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton is the one with the least to gain and the most to lose in a debate in New Orleans. Edwards has been down here more than any other candidate; Obama has also had a strong presence and would be able to establish his credentials with the African American sector. But Hillary, like Jindal in the Governor's race, benefits most by not giving her competition a chance to shine. And lo and behold, Bill Clinton is an honorary co-chair of the Commission. Written by David (neither Vitter nor Duke)
on 11/19/2007
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Social standing does not get any results. You take off the gloves ladies and you let go with your steel fists. Hit them where they need to be hit - their reputations. This means every candidate of both parties. ASK EACH ALLEGED CANDIDATE WHY THEY WOULD NOT COME TO NEW ORLEANS FOR A DEBATE. ASK THEM PUBLICLY - LET'S SEE IF THE PRESS WILL DO THIS.
WHY NOT NEW ORLEANS, HILLARY????? WHY NOT NEW ORLEANS, RUDY???? AND ON AND ON. Written by RhettsWife
on 11/19/2007
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