Posted on 05/21/2006 6:05:46 PM PDT by Jean S
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN MAY 21, 2006 20:00:02 ET XXXXX
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE WORKED TO DEFEAT NAGIN
**Exclusive**
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) secretly placed political operatives in the city of New Orleans to work against the reelection efforts of incumbent Democrat Mayor Ray Nagin, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
DNC Chairman Howard Dean made the decision himself to back mayoral candidate and sitting Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (D-LA), sources reveal.
Dean came to the decision to back the white challenger, over the African-American incumbent Nagin, despite concerns amongst senior black officials in the Party that the DNC should stay neutral.
The DNC teams actively worked to defeat Nagin under the auspice of the committee's voting rights program.
The party's field efforts also coincided with a national effort by Democrat contributors to support Landrieu.
Landrieu had outraised Nagin by a wide margin - $3.3 million to $541,980.
Preliminary campaign finance reports indicate many of Landrieus contributions came from out of state white Democrat leaders and financiers, including a $1,000 contribution from Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-NE) PAC.
The defeat of Mitch Landrieu is the latest setback for Dean's often criticized field operation.
In his victory speech late Saturday night, Nagin praised President Bush.
"You and I have probably been the most vilified politicians in the country. But I want to thank you for moving that promise that you made in Jackson Square forward," Nagin said.
Developing...
sheep just don't think.
Well their having a big discussion on this at DU and some guy from Chicago is poed
"Nationally African American Democrats backed him. . .
. . .he came to Chicago and a ton of powerful African Americans showed up and gave BIG! If this is true its a HUGE FU*K YOU to that crowd. I'm constantly trying to sell or better yet defend the Dems to my friends, all of who feel the Democratic party takes us for granted. . .if this is true they will just give up on the Dems. Most of us might not be familiar with the local politics of New Orleans, but on a national scale this will be taken as a huge FU*kYOU to many African Americans.
PERSONALLY, I'm not sure how I feel about the action, but I'm real concerned about the perception that it will create in African American circles.It will be interesting to see how the BLACK PRESS will handle this.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2639247&mesg_id=2639357
THe stars are my edit * lol dont want to get suspended
Its interesting the folks looked like hey who cares and that made this black DU guy even madder. Shows the problem
I was impressed with Nagin's speech, especially when he gave glory to God and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was also pleased when he sincerely gave President Bush credit for keeping his promises to New Orleans. I hope he turns out to be a good mayor after all.
It was odd that Clinton's stunt at the Ron Brown funeral never drew the first criticism from the liberal black community, wasn't it? Maybe it knows where its bread is buttered!
Nagin is a former republican and likes Bush...
no thanks, we have enough incompetent republicans-they're called senators.
I like the one "what happens if it's false?".
If it's false we'll do the same thing to Dean as they've done to Rove then in between Chrissy Matthews running the muck we'll play the Jefferson money for nothing tape.
I read most of that DU thread. It is good to know the DUMMIES have an even worse understanding of Louisiana politics than the posters here.
It really does sound like the blacks are looking to get off the plantation. Though that is not what happened in New Orleans.
Ya gotta wonder how effective the DNC is if it can't even ensure that one of its own is voted out.
First you make a roux...!
Any white man who even thought he could get elected in the Ghetto of Louisiana (New Orleans) probably also believes O.J. is innocent.
Howard Dean works against a Chocolate City?
Well you can count on 3 more votes from our family. My oldest son just turned 18 and can't wait to vote for a conservative Republican. Who do you think will be the most likely Republican to run against her?
Oh good! The only thing I regret about recently moving from Louisiana to Tennessee is that I can no longer vote against Mary Landrieu.
I am thrilled, though, to have the opportunity to vote against Harold Ford. :-)
Thank you for your insight, you have added a lot to the discussion.
Methinks it's that simple.
Actually, Nagin was a Republican until 2002; he switched parties to run for mayor.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.