Nagin, Landrieu exchange words

[Freddie Stubbs]

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin accused U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu of hypocrisy Tuesday after she suggested he had betrayed the Democratic Party with his endorsement of Republican Bobby Jindal for governor.

Landrieu, who is backing Democrat Kathleen Blanco, issued a statement Monday saying she was "surprised and disappointed" that Nagin would support a candidate "whose national party advocates the lowering of the minimum wage, cutting of health care and underfunding of education reform efforts."

On a radio show and through a spokesman Tuesday, Nagin pointed out that Landrieu had touted her own support of President Bush and his GOP administration while campaigning for re-election last year. "The mayor and many other Democrats were just as surprised when Landrieu took a stance in the runoff for Senate that she voted 74 percent of the time with President Bush," said Nagin spokesman Patrick Evans, echoing the mayor's comments on a radio show Tuesday morning. Nagin also said Landrieu failed to endorse Democrat Cleo Fields against Republican Mike Foster after she was edged out of the 1995 gubernatorial runoff by Fields.

A spokesman for Landrieu declined to comment on Nagin's response. "We'll just stick with the (Monday) statement," said Mark Mintz. "Going tit-for-tat is not in the best interests of anybody."

more: http://www.nola.com/elections/t-p/index.ssf?/base/news-0/106801924231070.xml

[helleborient]

1. Yep, I think Nagin had a point...

But ultimately the tit-for-tat is not a good thing either.

Do we call this one a draw?

[ronzo]

5. Nagin's a putz.

He probably handed Jindal this election with his endorsement. He's the one that needs to back off.

[BurnInHellFoxNews]

6. Fun link

http://www.mayornaginsucks.com

[dfong63]

2. don't know whether to laugh or cry sometimes

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. I hope that all Dem's be pragmatic and support Blanco...

next week!!! Remember what happened in NYC in 01', the Dem's were divided and Bloomberg, or should I say, ("Doom"sberg) got in by 2 points!

Also, remember; Mary Landrieu never endorsed Bush for anything!!!

:dem:

[AP]

4. I like that final paragraph. That's smart and classy.

A spokesman for Landrieu declined to comment on Nagin's response. "We'll just stick with the (Monday) statement," said Mark Mintz. "Going tit-for-tat is not in the best interests of anybody."