Four More Years For Nagin

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was re-elected Saturday to another term as leader of the Crescent City:

Voters re-elected Mayor Ray Nagin, whose blunt style endeared him to some but outraged others after Hurricane Katrina, giving him four more years to oversee one of the largest rebuilding projects in U.S. history.

"This is a great day for the city of New Orleans. This election is over, and it's time for this community to start the healing process," Nagin said Saturday in a joyful victory speech.

"It's time for us to stop the bickering," he said. "It's time for us to stop measuring things in black and white and yellow and Asian. It's time for us to be one New Orleans."

Nagin won with 52.3 percent, or 59,460 votes, to Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu's 47.7 percent, or 54,131 votes. While the vote was split largely along racial lines, Nagin got enough of a crossover in predominantly white districts to make the difference. He also won a slim majority of absentee and fax votes cast by evacuees scattered across the country.

Landrieu's father, Moon, served in City Hall as New Orleans' mayor from 1970 to 1978. Nagin's father worked in the same building -- as a night janitor. In the end, Landrieu's family ties hurt him as much as they helped. It's hard to argue that you offer a new way when your father and sister (U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu) are so identified as part of the old way. (And Sen. Landrieu should be nervous if she seeks re-election in 2008. Were it not for a strong show in New Orleans in 2002, she would have lost to Suzie Terrell.)

Nagin now has another term to show real leadership in the city. He touted his past successes in television commericals and also played upon fears of changing mayors as the 2006 hurricane season approaches. And, then there was his flirtations with race-baiting.

Voter Elliot Pernell was philosophical about his vote for the incumbent.

"He's been through the experience already," he said, "and won't make the same mistakes."

Let's certainly hope not. Frankly, I'd rather have this mayor.