New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin spoke recently at a memorial service on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, the controversial leader of the Crescent City during Hurricane Katrina, will not seek the governorship of Louisiana.
Nagin, who won re-election to lead New Orleans through its rebuilding efforts after the devastating hurricane, did not file the necessary paperwork to seek the state’s highest office. The deadline to do so has passed.
Had Nagin decided to throw his hat in the ring, he would have faced Republican Rep. Bobby Jindal, whose congressional district includes parts of New Orleans, as well as several other candidates. Nagin, current Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and President Bush all were criticized for poorly preparing the city for the storm and then not acting quickly enough to help residents after it hit.
Nagin was a cable company executive before becoming mayor of New Orleans in 2002. He won re-election in 2006, beating Mitch Landrieu, the brother of current Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu.
- CNN Political Ticker Producer Xuan Thai
This Chocolate Mayor is not gubernatorial material, even in a backwater swamp like Louisiana, with its Cold Cash Congressman Jefferson and DC Madam Patron Senator Vitter.
Dear Ray Nagin,
Fix New Orleans first, then we'll talk about you running an entire state.
Ray Nagin needs to stay in NO and become Mayor For Life, and federal funding to rebuild should be revoked.
He is so smart, they trust him so much, he will fix everything just fine.
Or the mob will eat him...
Nagin failed to pull the trigger on N.O. emergency evacuation plan when they needed him most. People died that day because of his inaction. No one else but Nagin could have helped N.O. on that day. He should not even be mayor.
I have to say I'm very RELIEVED.
That Jeff dude, could not be more on target.
What a joke some of these folks... Yeah Craig is a weird-sick-o, but look in the mirror...
Most of the Shananganns goes on with Dems. and not to mention black Dems.
Check the FACTS!
THE CHOCOLATE MAYOR ! I love it
Thank you, oh God, for small favors
People blame Bush for the death of people in New Orleans and they are flat wrong! This guy should be tried in court for murder for forgetting that his city was at risk of flooding and leaving all his people behind. This guy as far as I am concerned is an idiot who is 100% reponsible for the deaths of the people in New Orleans after Katrina you Mr. Mayor.
This man is so out of touch with reality! His city leads in the highest crime rate in the USA, and he made a mess out of Katrina and he thinks he should be the state's Gov?
Orly? Do not want chocolate state?
Maybe he'll be appointed head of FEMA in a Clinton administration?
In related news, he's also not running for local dog catcher, either, as his political team has determined his chance of success is somewhere between slim and none. You go, Ray! You make FEMA look competent!
Nagin did some good things early in his first term. But he didn't take Katrina seriously. He never seemed to understand the difference between something being below sea level and above sea level. If you're threatened by flooding, don't put your rescue vehicles below sea level!
Since Katrina he's become somewhat unhinged, full of self-aggrandizement and conspiracy.
I realize that qualifications don't seem to matter anymore when it comes to running for office. I mean, look at our current President and the field waiting to replace him. But, man, this guy has nothing to run on except disaster. Which makes me think he should declare for President.
I think actually that he wants to be bus driver when he retires.