Majority of NOLA Residents Approve of Mayor's Response to Katrina

[sabra]

http://poll.gallup.com/content/?ci=21709

Majority of NOLA Residents Approve of Mayor's Response to Katrina
Blacks much more likely than whites to approve of job done by local leaders



PRINCETON, NJ -- A majority of current New Orleans residents say they approve of the job mayor Ray Nagin did in responding to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, according to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll. Residents also have a positive view of how the city's police handled the situation, but are much more critical of Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, President George W. Bush, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Most residents are not offended by Nagin's recent statement that New Orleans should be rebuilt as a "chocolate city." A majority of residents also express confidence that the votes in the city's mayoral election in April will be accurately cast and counted, and half say they will definitely vote or might consider voting for Nagin.

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When asked whether they approve or disapprove of the way five government leaders or organizations handled the response to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans residents give the most positive ratings to the city's mayor and the city's police. Fifty-four percent of New Orleans residents say they approve of Nagin's response to the hurricane, and half say they approve of the New Orleans police. Residents are much more negative in their other assessments, giving the state's governor, Blanco, a 33% approval rating, Bush a 23% rating, and FEMA a 22% rating.