Looking at the damage estimate maps and previous election county by county maps, I'm almost certain the Democrats are afraid they've just lost their southern voter base for generations. Which will end the Democrat party as a national party.
Rehnquist just died per cnn
Landrieu and Blanco were elected only because of New Orleans. Gonna be an interesting political shift in La if NO doesn't get rebuilt fast and all those people get back so they can do the dead people vote.
I believe that this is one of the reasons for all the talking points and the circling the wagons. NO and LA in General have a terribly corrupt Democrat run existence. I have noticed some areas are Pubbie and a lot of LA is conservative, but because of NO and the surrounding parrishes they can corrupt almost any election. Take away those people and spread them throughout the Country, and they will not come back. They will prosper and wonder why they ever stayed in that corruption.