WHAT HAPPENED TO NAGIN THE BUSINESSMAN?

ringsidepolitics ^ | 3/23/2006 | Jeff Crouere

[ncountylee]

Back in 2002, one of the refreshing aspects to Ray Nagin was his supposed business background. we had a man who supposedly ran one of the city’s major businesses, Cox Cable, and who understood the concepts of financial incentives, streamlining government, efficiently using public funds and working closely with the private sector to grow the economy. Unfortunately, it turned out to be all talk. I guess running a regulated monopoly does not take great business savvy.

Quickly, it became clear that Nagin’s ideas, such as selling the Louis Armstrong International Airport or redeveloping City Hall were only concepts in his imagination. Post-Katrina Nagin floated an idea of New Orleans as a Las Vegas South, thinking that a CBD filled with gambling entities would spur economic growth. The concept was not vetted with other politicians and was flawed, not showing any understanding why New Orleans attracts millions of tourists each year. People come to New Orleans because we are unique, not like Las Vegas or anywhere else.

During his tenure as Mayor, citizens have seen costly deals that rewarded close associates of his Chief of Staff. For example, the city chose a company with close connections to former Chief of Staff Charles Rice to operate an advertising campaign for all the city’s trash cans. It became clear the lowest bidder with the best deal for New Orleans did not win the contract.

snip

So, here we have another suspect deal, coming on the heels of so many questionable post-Katrina contracts where the citizens of New Orleans are made to pay more for incomplete services. It is politics as usual and financial mismanagement of the worst degree. I thought New Orleans had elected a businessman who knew how to provide a positive financial return? Obviously, his track record shows just the opposite.

[P-40]

I thought New Orleans had elected a businessman who knew how to provide a positive financial return?

Well...he brought in billions in government aid...and got rid of portions of the city that do not provide an economic benefit. Maybe they elected someone that took his campaign promises too seriously?

[JLAGRAYFOX]

American Blacks just don't get it. They have put themselves into the horrible position where they have no political power whatsoever. Another fifty years at the bottom of the economic, opportunity, education totem pole is at hand, and...I mean by their own hand. They have no racism and no one else to blame but themselves.

[Gordongekko909]

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[Gordongekko909]

The Dems are bleeding black votes like crazy, though. A chunk of the black electorate is waking up and smelling the coffee.

[luvbach1]

A chunk of the black electorate is waking up and smelling the coffee.

From which Condi will draw heavily if she runs for president(which to me is becoming more likely).

[Gordongekko909]

She has said repeatedly that she won't, and I am inclined to believe her. If she were to run, we would see a firestorm of "Oreo" and "House n*****" and "Aunt Jemima" like you wouldn't believe from the "tolerant," "anti-racist" left. I can't blame her for not wanting to subject herself to that.

Not that it wouldn't roxxor my soxxorz if she did run, though.

[76834]

A classic example of the "Peter Principle"

The original principle states that in a hierarchically structured administration, people tend to be promoted up to their "level of incompetence".

Did he ever!!!

[bpjam]

Nagin was elected because the political class thought he was the most electable alternative to the openly anti-business nutcase who was leading the Democratic primary. Nagin, while still a Dem, was supposed to be accetable to whites in the high districts while still being black so that they could get the votes in the low districts from their political machine. Its completely disgusting and this is exactly what happens when the political bosses pick your candidates.

[billhilly]

Still waiting for a reasonable comment.

[76834]

Precisely:
While he might have been a great businessman he allowed himself to be promoted to a position where he could not be competent.

While on this topic:
Arent most politicians the same??
Totally incompentent.

[luvbach1]

She (Condi) may not run, but they always say they won't. She has stopped short of a categorical avowal that she would not accept a draft.

[TexasTransplant]

Chocolate is it's own Reward.

[76834]

Yep:
That statement of a "Chocolate City" has to go down as one of the stupidest political statments ever.

What the hell was he thinking when he said that?

[bpjam]

Some are already openly corrupt and there are those like Nagin who they figured were corrupt but had yet to be proven out. But think of the city with a Democrat mayor which is not a disaster. And think of a city with a black mayor which isn't on the verge of bankruptcy or massive corruption.

Its sad but my theory is that if one candidate/party can get 80% of the vote - the people will get horrible representation since they have no competition. I'm looking for the except that will prove my rule.

[demkicker]

What happened to Nagin the businessman? Let's see....

I'm scratching my backside to figure out why anyone would think of Nagin AS A BUSINESSMAN!

Thank you, thank you very much (in my best Elvis voice)

[76834]

After reading your reply I cant think of a one.

Thoughts came to mind of Babyface Landreiu, the Klintoons, Swimmer Kennedy, Lurch Kerry, ETAL

All more crooked than a barrel full of snakes but they STILL get elected.

Makes you wonder!

[sefarkas]

Nagin was elected because the political class thought he was the most electable alternative to the openly anti-business nutcase who was leading the Democratic primary. Nagin, while still a Dem, was supposed to be acceptable to whites in the high districts while still being black so that they could get the votes in the low districts from their political machine.

As with many in politics, the whole being is dedicated to getting elected. No thought was given to all of the staff selected and promoted by the Morial family over the years, who were thwarted at the polls and dedicated their lives to making Nagin a one-termer. That campaign became evident during Katrina and the aftermath. You wonder why Nagin looked so lonely and incompetent on TV in those early Katrina days? "Oh sorry, Mr. Mayor, I need to take care of my [family/car/house/side-business/pets] so I won't be able to help you manage this mess."

The MSM has managed to turn every election in to a horse race. Voters and campaign material rarely cover the topic of how the official will govern, who will they select for key positions, and what success/experience they've had with the current generation of civil servants they will come to depend upon.

[manwiththehands]

Nagin was a businessman? I find that hard to believe. He didn't have enough sense to know to use his own buses to evacuate his city before Katrina hit.

[ncountylee]

Nagin was an EEOC type at the cable company.