independent demographic analyst
Independent Louisiana political analyst and demographer, based in Shreveport
PROFILE
Elliott Stonecipher
Guest
FROM Elliott Stonecipher
Which Way, L.A.?
The President's Quick Trip to The Big Easy Senator Barack Obama went to New Orleans five times to criticize then-President George Bush for failing to rebuild New Orleans or protect it from future flooding. But today was his first visit as President, and he spent just a few hours before going on to a fundraiser in San Francisco.
To the Point
Obama's Quick Trip to The Big Easy As a Senator, Obama went to New Orleans five times to criticize then-President Bush for failing to rebuild the city or protect it from future flooding. He campaigned on the claim that George W. Bush had failed to rebuild New Orleans after Katrina or to invest enough in future protection. Now, with 65,000 homes still abandoned, no public hospital and levees that remain vulnerable to flooding, Obama’s being criticized for not doing enough. Today, he made his first visit as President, with only enough time for a box lunch, before going on to a fundraiser in San Francisco. Has his administration been good for New Orleans? Can the Army Corps of Engineers prevent another disaster? What about politics in a city focused on race in a state focused on partisanship?
To the Point
The Independent Factor The speeches have ended, the confetti's dropped and the candidates are hoping to translate the enthusiasm of the conventioneers to the electorate at large, especially the estimated 15% of undecided voters, many of them Independents. With John McCain and Barack Obama both now claiming the mantle of change and positioning themselves as the anti-Bush candidate, how will Independents decide? Jackie Salit is president of IndependentVoting.org, a national strategy center aimed at developing America's growing independent movement. Political and demographic analyst Elliot Stonecipher monitors independent voting, especially in the south.
To the Point
Mardi Gras Revelers Flood Big Easy, Residents Ponder Jump Ship Mardi Gras has been described as the tale of two cities: New Orleans before and after Katrina. Last year's Mardi Gras was the first after Katrina, and it was mostly a local affair. This year's will be a better measure of what's in store for New Orleans. Today is Fat Tuesday, and hotel occupancy is up, but so is the number of cops on the streets because of an increase in violent crime. Many residents who've qualified for government grants still aren't sure if they ought to rebuild or take buy-outs. With the city just half as large as it used to be, we hear about prospects for public safety, race relations and reconstruction.
To the Point
In New Orleans, the Disaster Continues Ernesto is now just a tropical storm, but it was the first hurricane of a new season. Meantime, politicians of both parties, including President Bush, are streaming into New Orleans for tomorrow's first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Under direction from Congress, the Army Corps of Engineers has spent a billion dollars to bring the city's flood protection back where it was before Katrina. Despite billions in federal spending, there's not even a plan for rebuilding 12 months after America's worst natural disaster. If there were another Katrina, could levees rebuilt by the Army Corps of Engineers hold back the water? What does race have to do with the lack of planning? We hear about the slow and painful process of recovery.
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To the Point
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