I diaried about this a bit here:
I wanted to update everyone on the most recent events in a critical City Council race in New Orleans in light of a few key issues.
First and foremost is the ever shrinking opportunity to clean house on the City Council and bring leadership that's not corrupt to City Hall that will finally begin to stave the political patronage that's harming the rebuilding effort.
There are only 4 races left to do that and the one with the chance for the most marked improvement is in district A.
More on the flip....
District A is in the westernmost part of the city and has been held by a Republican for over 30 years.
The incumbent is disgustingly corrupt, so much so that a movement swept across the district called "Anybody But Batt" which has it's own website (www.anybodybutbatt.com) and have been running radio ads that highlight his most outrageous corrupt acts while in city hall.
The district now sits in disgust and fear of the levels that he sinking to in order to win a term-limited second term that will be unchecked and without fear of having to answer to the voters.
With BILLIONS of rebuilding contracts looming on the horizon everyone knows that the thousands of contributions by developers to his campaign -- his campaign will spend almost a MILLION dollars to win a $40k a year job -- is no coincedence.
New Orleans is going to change and the voters know that. The question is if it's going to change for the worse (Loosing what makes New Orleans great - it's historical neighborhoods and charm) or for the better (by turning off the spigot of political patronage that has resulted in New Orleans existing as a third-world country since I was born.
Just a few things that the Republcian incumbent Jay Batt has done in the final days:
-- Ran an absolutely disgusting race baiting radio and TV ad stating that Shelley Midura would bould projects in Lakeview.
-- Ran a false and misleading radio and TV ad, beyond the pale of anything I've ever seen in my life.
-- Created a third-party swiftboat attack via www.stopshelley.com to go after her for being "Hillary Clinton." I'm not making this up - he actually said "Hillary Clinton style liberal."
-- Lied about receiving the endorsement of Lt. Gov. and Mayoral candidate Mitch Landrieu, causing Landrieu's campaign to deny issuing that endorsement.
This race is much bigger than a city council race. It's a pivotal moment in which future New Orleans will choose. Will this great city shed itself of the corrosive politicians that use rebuilding money to line their own pockets, or will New Orleans residents choose a better way.
Right now it's the people vs. corporate money, and we need your help to stay in it.
If you have just a little bit to spare ... it will go a long, long ways for a vital cause.
Please take a moment to learn more about this race, and possibly donate to her campaign so she can respond to this. Your help can tip the balance in this election.
http://www.shelleymiduraforcitycouncil.com/...