Early elections began today for New Orleans’ much-anticipated, long-overdue, and likely-to-be-challenged mayoral election. Pretty much every news source has the story, but Polimom was perturbed by the New York Times’ coverage.
As interesting as it was to read what voters were saying about how they were voting (according to the Times, the vote splits between Landrieu and Nagin), they lost me here (my emphasis):
This month’s election is widely viewed as a potential turning point for New Orleans, with the transformed demographics raising the possibility that a white mayor could be elected there for the first time in a generation.
None of today’s voters mentioned this, but several said they were sticking with the one major African-American candidate in the race, incumbent C. Ray Nagin, saying he had been unfairly blamed for post-Katrina foul-ups.
Others, though, said they would cast their ballot for Louisiana’s lieutenant governor, Mitch Landrieu, whose strategy is to assemble a biracial coalition.
What do you think Adam Nossiter is saying here? Did none of the voters mention the transformed demographics (from the prior paragraph), or did none of the voters mention Nagin’s race? And did voters say they would vote for Landrieu because of his biracial coalition strategy??? Why would Nossiter report what they didn’t say?
If an alien from Mars were to read the recent New Orleans election coverage, said alien would never know there are any other issues at stake: little tidbits like city services, or neighborhood rebuilding seem to rank far below what race everybody is.
The election in New Orleans – nay, the entire situation there – has become the ugliest of black vs white spin. Why does the MSM insist on presenting everything this way? Is it not even possible that the voters would consider the candidates on other issues?
Perhaps Polimom is being hopelessly naive again…. but it drives me nuts.
Update: As a bit of clarification: Obviously, the demographics of New Orleans, in combination with the city’s diaspora, has wreaked havoc on everyone’s ability to predict the election. My angst with the NY Times article is that they had to reach so far out of bounds to insert the racial component.
Time has a decent synopsis of what led to the current chaos, and Ray Nagin’s apparently changed base of support. I’m not convinced that people can’t see past a man’s skin tones, though, which leads to the depressing conclusion that they just won’t.
Okay, here I go again. Unfortunately race is a huge issue and I’ve said before that the city of NO is a tinderbox in that regard. You can feel it, it’s palpable. However, I met a guy on my block the other night from the 9th Ward. Black, about 50?, chronic alchohol abuse, for sure. He knew EVERYTHING about the elections, the war in Iraq, the insurance co’s issues, FEMA, you name it. He had decided to vote for Landrieu, interestingly for the same reason that a lot of people are citing—–his connections. This man had lost everything, family, home, you name it. FEMA had given him 3300 bucks, he sent it back with a note saying, “Screw you.” His home was worth more than that. He then went on a rant about the Chocolate City remark. He thought it was bunk. We both talked about how we actually liked a lot of Nagin’s ideas but that he seemed to waffle depending on what crowd he was talking to.
Yes, race is a factor. Period. Can’t get away from it, but I don’t think in the end, that will decide this election. I think everyone, regardless of class or race, understands the magnitude and significance of this election.
I’ll be writing on this whole thing tomorrow. Had a great conversation in the Marigny about this. But it is inescapable, Poli. It’s everywhere. Even among friends. :o(
Slate,
I guess my real question is: what is gained for New Orleanians if they vote along racial lines? If you are black, what does Nagin bring to the table for you besides skin tone?
Nagin alienated a lot of people with the “Chocolate City” remark, of all colors – but the assumptions (for instance, in the NYTimes article) that he’ll get the black vote just because are just crazy.
The guy you met on your block has it right. Does everybody? Has the entire “election according to race” meme been created and blown up by a small group into the MSM?
Yes, would be my short answer to your question re:MSM. As for your other question? Nothing would be gained for NOLA citizens. Interestingly, MOST people I know, and granted they are a “liberal” bunch, would prefer Forman. However, they dont’ think he has the ability to win, so will probably vote for Landrieu. That’s a sad commmentary in itself. This is important. And the fact that race is playing such a part, but again I say no way it can’t given the climate here, is a shame.
The support for Forman kinda stumps me… but then, I’m not there. The T-P’s endorsement, too, was a bit of a surprise.
Regardless, I still think this is likely to end up between Landrieu and Nagin… hopefully for the right reasons, rather than divisive ones.