New Orleans election results: Pretty good

Mayor: Yay, Mitch Landrieu won in the first round. No need for a run off, unusual in New Orleans. I smile at seeing that although John Georges spent far more than anyone else in the race (possibly more than everyone else in the race) he won only 9% of the vote; nice to know that it isn't always all about the money. On the other hand, James Perry was smart on all the issues and impressive in the debates, but never really generated campaign traction outside of the digirati. I hope New Orleans will be seeing Perry's name on ballots again in a few years. (&/or: Hey Mitch: How about hiring Perry for your staff?)

City Council: Fielkow also got in on the first round. Other at large seat will be a run off between Clarkson and Willard-Lewis. [Update: Final results show Clarkson just squeeking in to a first round victory.]

In District A, Susan Guidry and Jay Batt will face a run off, which I sorta expected (though I didn't totally count out Virginia Blanque). What I didn't except was that Guidry came in a strong first despite Batt's much higher name recognition and better funding. That doesn't look good for Batt in the run off; knowing Batt expect much mud to be slung and likely shenanagins. RightHandTheif: Guidry for Council

Froggy's first endorsement for the run off: Susan Guidry for District A

Less good news in the race for the new post of combined assessor. The most dedicated reform candidate Janice Lemle didn't make it into the run off. Erroll Williams will face Claude Mauberret in the run off. Froggy's second endorsement: Erroll Williams for assessor. Williams has been 3rd Municipal Assessor; if uninspiring he's a much better choice than Mauberret who has proven himself to be a real sleaze.

Rachael Maddow Sheaux

The Rachel Maddow Show was from New Orleans Friday. Lots of good local stuff, from the Who Dats to Po-boys from Parkway Bakery and the Sazerac cocktail.

However probably the highlight from the standpoint of reporting was the segment on the levees and floodcontrol, featuring Rachel with local writer John Barry.

Video on MSNBC

Celebrating New Orleans Style

Yesterday afternoon I was playing with a jazz band with a bunch of revelers, many in wacky costumes, out on a side street in Uptown New Orleans. A friend drove by and asked what the occasion was, and I said it was a pre-party for an upcomming party.

That got me to thinking... Where else but New Orleans do they throw parties to celebrate that they're going to have a party?