Mitch Landrieu would have stepped in as NO mayor and then challenge Blanco next year for governor.
Now Mitch is weakened and Blanco is stronger, which means it well may be a Jindal vs. Blanco race and Blanco has a 35% approval rating. In addition, the Landrieus and Dean have angered Nagin and Orleans Parish blacks which will hurt Democrats in 2007 and 2008.
Now the Democrats must hope for is John Breaux to run for governor.
If Howard Dean heard that a Breaux was running for Governor, he's support his opponent in the primary.