If we are off, I’d rather err on the side of conservatism to make sure we have everyone out,

Every time we talk about re-entry into the city, some official pops up and says we’re not ready, … We are not rowing in the same direction in the same boat.

we’ll have to make another tough call.

We had people trapped on roofs, et cetera … and they didn’t know about it? That’s just impossible.

Basically, the start of my thinking process is: ‘OK, if you didn’t have to worry about re-election, what would you be doing?’ That’s kind of how I’m starting to think.

Too many cooks in the kitchen!

Do all things you normally do for a hurricane but treat this one differently because it is pointed towards New Orleans.

There are toxins in the air and natural gas leaks throughout the city,

When I talked to the people in the Convention Center, I was getting a much different story,

That should be flowing the other way.

This is a threat that we’ve never faced before, … If we galvanize and gather around each other, I’m sure we will get through this.

Technically today, we’re out of cash,

We’re a lot smarter this time around,

Next time, a cleansing Katrina-type storm will not leave anything for us to argue about, … The Bible says, ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will turn from their wicked ways, then...

The housing challenge, both temporary and long term, is the No. 1 issue, … Pre-Katrina, you could rent a decent place for $400 or $500 a month. Now, some landlords are charging $1,000 or $1,500.

We want to bring New Orleans back. Rita set us back about three to five days, but we are very much on schedule, … We will begin the re-entry plan with business owners and residents...

I’m a lifelong Democrat, but I have supported some Republicans. I’m all about results, man. If somebody can deliver, that’s where I’m gonna go. It’s about who can get the job done.

I think Congress and the federal government don’t fully understand the risk to this jewel of New Orleans, … They spend billions on the Everglades and on the Big Dig in Boston … yet our...

Our strategy is to re-populate the city in the safest areas first, … to get enough critical mass going so that the economics of the city starts to flow.

Board up your homes, make sure you have enough medicine, make sure the car has enough gas,

There ‘ s an incredible intensity of focus from the president and his staff to get stuff done, … They want to have accomplishments.

That four weeks is going to stop all commerce in the city of New Orleans. It also impacts the nation, because no domestic oil production will happen in southeast Louisiana.

We have to convince them to leave, … It’s not safe here.

I said, ‘Mr. President, Madam Governor, you two have to get in sync. If you don’t get in sync, more people are going to die.’

planned for them to be in there for four of five days.

We want our Saints, we may not want the owner back.

He came off the doggone chopper, and he started cussing and people started moving,

No comment, … The chief asks everyone to respect his privacy. He requested the press conference be held the way it was handled. He is a good man. Don’t mess with him!

We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild the greatest city in the world, … It’s been a wild ride, and we’re getting ready to get on another wild ride.

I would like to say, write e-mails, send faxes, send letters to your congressmen, to your senators, and tell them ‘Let’s not delay help anymore,’

stop it right now.

If it continues to shift to the west, then we know we’ll have to take action,

Get off your asses and let’s do something.

Promoting the return of commerce to New Orleans and the region is key if we are going to realize our common objective: to bring New Orleans back,

[But] now we have conditions that have changed. We have another hurricane that is approaching us, … very weak position.

This commission is charged with a fundamental goal, [which] is to advise, assist, plan and help the city of New Orleans as it makes recommendations for how we rebuild this city,

It’s tough. It’s really tough.

I think it’s amazing he’s making that claim. If he’s got that kind of money in the bank, God bless him. We’re gonna find out once the campaign reports start being filed.

The people of our city are holding on by a thread. Time has run out. Can we survive another night? And who can we depend on? Only God knows.

Hopefully we won’t have another event, … It’s like your washing machine. First, Katrina was kind of the wash cycle. Rita seems to be the rinse cycle. I hope we get the opportunity to hang...

I just can’t wait for the rhythm of New Orleans and the sounds of New Orleans to come back.

They are starting to get closer to heavily populated areas hotels, hospitals, and we’re going to stop it right now,

We’re bringing New Orleans back,

Our city is in a state of devastation, … we probably have 80 percent of our city under water.

there’s no beef.

I think the president is really focused on the job at hand, and they are really starting to move, … On almost anything that I want to do now, I get a nearly instantaneous response.

I don’t play around with hurricanes, … I’ve seen Katrina.

at all of our options.

Everything that you didn’t like about New Orleans, let’s get rid of it. Everything that you liked about New Orleans, let’s enhance it. Everything you dreamed about and wished New Orleans had, let’s make it...

People are saying it’s too early to bring back jazz, the gumbo and the red beans, … If it’s too early, when is the right time?