Why New Orleans not chosen to host a Presidential Debate?

[BOSSHOG]

Could it be that the republican party doesn't want its nominee to be seen there? Doesn't want bush's failures used as backdrops to what a republican says we would look forward to if we vote again for a member of the party of nixon, agnew, ray-gun, limbaugh, hannity, cheney and scooter libby?

Reps from New Orleans were told the host city would need at least 3,000 hotel rooms to accomodate journalists, etc. No problem for the Big Easy. So how come Oxford, Mississippi got chosen to host a debate. According to the Oxford Convention and Visitors Bureau, the town has a grand total of 650 Hotel Rooms. Could it be that Oxford is in Haley Barbours state, you know the governor bush favored after Katrina so the right wing noise machine could "compare and contrast" favorably to the gop governor? Or could it be that the New Orleans debate would have been held at a historic Black College? Highlighting their failures? Having to be close to non-white people? Lord, how horrific would that be for those wonderful patriotic, lapel pinning wearing republicans.

I don't care where the debates are held, but I do appreciate the opportunity to shed light on nonsense. Mission accomplished.

Source: Jarvis Deberry column in T-P of 20 Nov. (Got info from column, wordsmithing my own.)

[dsc]

1. Oxford is one of the few liberal places in MS

but I still would perfer New Orleans.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Oxford - The Home of the Rebels

I don't put too much stock into location of debates but this scenario begs at least a hearty chuckle. New Orleans shouldn't be given a nod over any city for this event but the city officials shouldn't be lied to for the reasons they weren't selected.

[dsc]

3. also home of a great indy bookstore

and some hot, hot fratboys. Plus a great country resteraunt. ah I miss grad school.

[BOSSHOG]

4. I do enjoy Faulkners Bookstore

on Pirate's Alley in the Quarter. One with clautrophobia would not be able to stay too long but it is chock full of great reading.

[dsc]

5. Honestly I never look for books in New Orleans

I must admit I am after other stuff when there lol. Maybe now that I don't drink anymore I should go again and take in the non partying things that New Orleans has to offer.

[BOSSHOG]

8. There are several

nice used book stores in and around the quarter and plenty of other stuff to do before the sun goes down. Then you can pursue "other stuff." Its a one stop shopping kinda situation.

[dsc]

9. I am more mature now

so I would definately like to go down there some time and see the daytime stuff.

[KamaAina]

6. The fabulous NOLA blogosphere is all over this

as you might imagine.

http://ashleymorris.typepad.com/ashley_morris_the_blog/2007/11/debate-this.html

In any case, the Commission on Presidential Debates yesterday said that New Orleans was not ready to host a national debate. The question is, "why"?

Since the federal flood, we've been able to host 2 Carnivals, the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the State Farm Bayou Classic, the NCAA BCS national championship, the NBA all star game, Jazz Fest, and NFL playoff games....

The candidates who endorsed NOLA for a debate were: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, John McCain and Sam Brownback....

If you don't vote for one of the seven (six, now that Brownback dropped out) on that list, then just move. New Orleans is all that matters. Yes, I am a single-button-issue voter, and New Orleans is that issue.

http://worldclassneworleans.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-am-disgusted-with-my-country-today.html

Read the link to listen to the passionless, ostrich-like, pitiful excuses.

New Orleans didn't deserve a debate because we suffered a tragedy. We don't want pity.

New Orleans was the best place for a debate (or even all four of them) because all of the major issues facing our country and world have been on display here for over two years: a national infrastructure at risk, homeland security (our port and levees), race, education, economic opportunity, global climate change, wetlands degradation, agriculture and aquaculture, crime, corruption, crony capitalism.

http://gentillygirl.com/2007/11/20/were-not-ready

Yesterday the Prez Debate Commission put out their list of localities where the Prez debates next year are to be held. They passed New Orleans over because "the city isn't ready". What a crock of elephant and donkey poop that statement is.

The PTB isn’t ready for US!

I know why the Repugs don't wanna be here: they can't take the heat of appearing in a city that was so badly damaged, and the fact that their "appointed by God” Warlord President has reneged, with their aid/non-concern, upon his promise of the rebuilding of our homeplace. SE Looziana is the poster child for the neglect that the "Gov'mit don't work" shit they spout for the entire Nation. (Check this out.)...

I’m not flying off the handle about our city getting passed over on this, but about the fact that the example of how the Social Contract being disassembled here and along the Gulf Coast not being a backdrop for such an important event as helping folks to decide who they wish to lead the country and what is most important to their lives, children and Fate. Americans are concerned about Americans: we see that all through the ravaged areas down here whether the destruction was Natural or Man-made. Thousands of people have flocked to the Coast and the City in an attempt to help in the rebuilding process. Many have opened their wallets too.

You can easily see why someone called "KamaAina" feels compelled to contribute to blogs based 4,000 miles away!

[Dulcinea]

7. They don't have the nerve!

Because then they might have to actually look a New Orleanian/Gulf Coast resident in the eye and tell him/her just why this admininstration hasn't done anything to help them get back on their feet.

And, maybe have to explain why we're throwing good money after bad in Iraq rather than help restore a special part of our own nation.

And, explain why their city was left to drown two years ago while Boy George went fundraising.

They just don't have the guts for that.