The Latest New Orleans Mayoral Debate: Some Quick Thoughts

I caught most of the debate on WGNO last night. Here are a few quick thoughts on the debate and each of the candidates that participated. This doesn't really reflect my opinion of each candidate, it's only what I saw last night.

Virginia Boulet- Mrs. Boulet seems to be informed and passionate. She is likeable and her resume is fairly impressive. Unfortunately, she stops and stumbles a little when she speaks off the cuff, much like our governor, and was not very impressive in the debate. She doesn't command attention. www.virginiabouletformayor.com

Rob "inconceivable" Couhig- Mr. Couhig, by his own admission, is a little abrasive at times. He showed it last night. He is the only one really taking shots at the other candidates. He told Mitch Landrieu that he had his chances over the last 20 years of being in Baton Rouge to make a difference and he hasn't done it. Like his politics or not, he clearly is passionate. He showed well last night. He had answers with some specifics for all the questions asked. www.robcouhigformayor.com

Ron Forman- Mr. Forman didn't really impress me at all. He offered no real specifics on any plans that he has. All he was able to do was point out the Zoo and the Aquarium and what a success story they are. No doubt he did a fine job there but, I was disappointed in his efforts last night. However, it was only one debate. www.formanformayor.com

Mitch Landrieu- Lt. Gov. Landrieu is clearly the most polished speaker and debater of the candidates present last night. He is also one of two candidates with a target on his back. Not surprising because he has been in politics for 20 years or so. He seemed the most informed about what is really happening in the reality of the situation. Obiviously, that is due to his present position. You may or may not like his politics but, last night he was clearly a prepared and an informed candidate. www.mitchformayor.com

C. Ray Nagin- Being the incumbent, Nagin has the other target on his back. It is easy for the other candidates to take shots. Nagin has done a lot to make it easy for them. However, the mayor also seemed to have more real information about what is really going on. Obviously, because he is living it right now. But, most of the debate he let the others talk and I thought he kept pretty quiet throughout the debate. I don't think he help himself much last night. www.reelectmayornagin.com

Tom Watson- (the pastor, not the golfer) Passionate and spirited, traits that I admire. However, he seems to be a little out of his league. He speaks his mind and isn't afraid to take on anyone, but he also could not offer specifics on anything. www.tomwatsonformayor.com

Peggy "Dreamworld" Wilson- What dreamworld is she living in? I really wish someone would ask her to explain her "Tax Free City" platform. How will the city pay for anything if there are NO taxes? Will I have to pay state income tax? Federal Income tax? Sales Tax? Property tax? Alcohol tax? What exactly is she proposing and what authority does she think the mayors office has to do it? She just keeps repeating the words, tax free city, and no one asks for explanations. www.peggywilsonformayor.com


And that leads me to the moderators from ABC 26, Liz Reyes and Michael Hill. I know they are bound to a certain format for these debates and the questions they ask are predetermined. However, the follow up questions they posed during the debate were very weak. The Peggy Wilson tax free city thing is the biggest example. They did a poor job in my opinion. It seemed that they were fishing for sound bytes and nothing else.