Is it time for a change or will we see Mayor Nagin re-elected? After the flooded school buses, postK confusion and the MLK Day "chocolate city" remark the field seemed to be open. Landrieu jumped in and became the first white contender in 28 years. Of course each candidate has his eyes on the prize, namely the lead role in distributing tens of billions of federal dollars over the next four years.

When it was over at around 9:30pm on May 20th, Nagin had won another four years. This time he carried the black majority and got important support from conservative white voters (opposed to ultra-Democrat Landrieu). It was close, but a 52% victory is a victory indeed.

Abandoned by his base, Nagin may have made a deal to survive.  When he ran out of money a month before the election, Nagin went to Chicago and came back flush with cash. Now it's clear what happened. Jesse Jackson and the Chicago based Rainbow PUSH coalition are much more in evidence with Ray now days. Ray himself is not.  He has been on a nationwide tour. Ray may be looking ahead to his next job, but we need his office to provide some leadership now.