From TP:
Editorial: A shameful rebuff
How naive of New Orleanians to think that a sense of justice and site logistics -- not politics -- would determine the locations for next year's presidential debates.
What else but politics explains the indefensible decision by the Commission on Presidential Debates to leave New Orleans out?
The commission's official line is that the city, recovering from Hurricane Katrina, is not ready to host such an important event. That's what commission Co-chair Paul Kirk told Anne Milling, founder of Women of the Storm, which together with four local universities sponsored New Orleans' proposal.
''Politics trumped the moral decision,'' an incensed Ms. Milling said Monday.
The commission's explanation is a slap in our face. It also contradicts the reality on the ground.
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Commission member Mark McCurry would have us believe that the group actually did us a favor. He said the staff was not convinced the city could pay for the required police overtime and that the expense was not "a fair thing to do to ask the citizens of New Orleans ... to pick up all these financial costs." Maybe next he'll ask the tourists to do us a favor and not visit us. Please, Mr. McCurry, no more favors!
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The debate commission claims our city is not ready for their event. But their decision to select the University of Mississippi in Oxford makes it clear that readiness and logistics had nothing to do with it.
New Orleanians do not begrudge the people of Oxford having been selected. But if big-event logistics was the yardstick, there's hardly any comparison. The commission said it needed a minimum 3,000 hotel rooms for journalists and others attending the debate. Fact: New Orleans has 24,000 hotel rooms. Oxford, according to the Oxford Convention and Visitors Bureau, has 650.
The commission also said New Orleans fell short on press facilities and broadcast logistics. That's just not believable. Since Katrina, the city has been swarming with media. And the Morial convention center has state of the art media facilities. Do they really want us to believe Oxford is more media-ready?
Commissioners also said there were security concerns about New Orleans. But several major presidential candidates and President Bush have visited the city multiple times in recent months with adequate security.
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More importantly, New Orleans' argument was not only that it could host the debate, but that it should. There's no better place to debate the domestic issues of a presidential campaign than a great American city recovering from a national tragedy. From education to health care to emergency preparedness, some of the nation's most innovative solutions are being tested here. That is why several presidential candidates from both parties have campaigned here and supported New Orleans' proposal.
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The Women of the Storm and the four universities that put together our city's proposal deserve our gratitude for their efforts. It's a shame they were defeated by politics as usual.
Politics trumped the moral decision
Isn't it about time we just put that on the US flag or Presidential Seal or something?
Posted by: virgotex | November 21, 2007 at 10:14
As I said before - New Orleans has hosted TWO Mardi Gras, JazzFest, VooDoo Music Experience, Celebration in the Oaks, Halloween, Endless Night, etc...but it 'can't' handle some gasbag debate??!?!??!??! The smell of bovine fecal matter is everywhere on that stupid decision.
Elspeth
Posted by: Elspeth R | November 21, 2007 at 12:02
As I said before - New Orleans has hosted TWO Mardi Gras, JazzFest, VooDoo Music Experience, Celebration in the Oaks, Halloween, Endless Night,
Plus the ALA Annual Conference in '06 and this year's Episcopal Church convention, I believe.
Yes, security would be more of an issue with politicians about. But if they really wanted it I think NO could pull it off.
It does seem to be about not embarrassing the Republicans. After all, NOLA was in the Katrina track and still hasn't fully recovered (and what recovery there has been there has been in spite of, not necessarily because of, federal/state aid). Oxford has all the old-school-tie goodness of Ole Miss, and it's northern Mississippi, so the Republicans can go "aw shucks" about the pore folk on the MS coast without actually being confronted with the devastation.
Posted by: TheaLogie | November 21, 2007 at 14:11
Yeah, I knew there were more large-scale things that had gone on, but just not by name. I stuck to what I know or had actually participated in. :)
S'okay - I am hoping to go visit again shortly and will be happier not having the blowhards around. However if DK and his truly lovely wife are in town, I shall be happy to share New Orleans w/them!
Peace,
Elspeth
Posted by: Elspeth R | November 21, 2007 at 14:30
Well, what I was going to say has already been said. It could be done; it has been done.
New Orleans is an embarrassment to the Republicans. That's it.
Posted by: Grandmère Mimi | November 21, 2007 at 17:03
republicans only know how to make messes, not clean them up. NO just reminds people democrats aren't in charge.
Posted by: pansypoo | November 21, 2007 at 22:39