Remember Ray Nagin? He was the mayor of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
He was such a media favorite and his constituents just adored him. So bright. So articulate. So caring. He was everywhere, doing it all. Anything goes wrong? Just blame President Bush or FEMA.
When help to his embattled city arrived several days or even a week late, he really let the administration have it. Isn’t it amazing that there is no national outcry now that President Obama’s response to Sandy is into its fourth month? Think there is a double standard?
Term limits prevented Mayor Nagin from running for a third term, so he had to find another source of income, and did he ever!.
Last week, the New Orleans mayor was indicted on 21 corruption-related charges including bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns. He seemed to have developed his own bailout by receiving cash and gifts in exchange for city contracts. Unfortunately for this now ex-mayor, his national political aspirations and his life after politics will be put on hold since he is now facing the next 15-25 years in a federal prison.
Remember Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels? He didn’t have that same dynamic personality or southern charm. But he too was a two termer and had national aspirations. But that’s where the similarities ended. Gov. Daniels turned Indiana’s $800 million dollar state deficit into a $300 million dollar surplus.
After decertifying the municipal unions, Indiana was transformed into a much more business friendly state. Companies and their accompanying jobs were heading into Indiana instead of leaving the state. Gov. Daniels was the first governor to introduce the voter photo-I.D., which was subsequently validated by the U.S. Supreme Court.
And to just do the right thing, he actually provided the photo-I.D.’s free of charge to anyone who could not afford one. I bet you never read that in The New York Times. Privatizing some state-run agencies, cutting expenditures and lowering taxes, basically turned his State around.
What did Gov. Daniels do with his life after politics? He accepted the job of president of Purdue University. So, what’s so unusual about that?
Wait till you hear about the actual contract that Gov. Daniels insisted on signing.
Purdue University had run up a $67.4 million dollar deficit and over the last 11 years, the number of Purdue administrators jumped 62 percent while the number of professors increased by a mere 8 percent. Unbelievable.
So what did this new college president insist on?
1- His base pay would be almost $100,000 less than his predecessor;
2- His base compensation was equal to the average of all the other Big Ten presidents;
3- He would earn additional bonuses only if his new administration improves student graduation rates, faculty hiring and achievement, student affordability and philanthropic support.
Two political icons. Two different lives after politics.
Dr. Stephen Morris
North Hills
