I worked for the Ways and Means committee before beginning law school and Jefferson was highly thought of amongst Republicans and quite often went against his party to vote with the Majority (as he did with CAFTA which only passed by 2 votes). Not saying what he did in New Orleans was right, it certainly wasn't, but among members of the committee he is not viewed as your typical Dem.
just watched Ted (my hair sux) Koppel do him in on Niteline. Nagin was there too, he has no comment yet as this is all new to him.