Ray Nagin

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've talked directly with the president, I've talked to the head of the Homeland Security, I've talked to everybody under the sun, I've been out there.

because it's a health risk.

I'm tired of hearing these helicopters. I want to hear some jazz.

I am tired of hearing these helicopters. I wanna hear some jazz, ... awesome.

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

I'm cautiously optimistic. I want to see it happen (Saturday). I want to see it happen next week. Then, when I see consistency of delivery, I'll feel like there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

You have drug addicts that are now walking around this city looking for a fix, and that's the reason why they were breaking in hospitals and drugstores. They're looking for something to take the edge off of their jones, if you will.

We are facing a storm that most of us have long feared.

If we're unified, there's nothing we cannot do.

Get off your ass and get down here to fix the goddamn biggest disaster in the nation's history.

We could receive a storm surge of three to five feet.

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

Now is not the time to change leadership. I ask the citizens of New Orleans to let me continue this important job of rebuilding our city.

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.

This mayor is a very bright and innovative thinker. He is analytical, while at the same time being a risk-taker. I believe he was the perfect person to handle the monumental task dealt to this city as a result of Katrina.

If it's too early, when is the right time

I feel like Sisyphus a lot of times, pushing a rock up a hill.

Today I feel better about Rita, and I'm not as prone to do a hard, mandatory evacuation, ... But I want to leave that open as an option.

Technically today weaare out of cash, ... The city is bankrupt a We have no money.

Today was a turning point, ... Desire - If you want it badly enough it will happen.

The reality is this city will not be the same for a while, ... We're not saying bring New Orleans back today.

a tragedy, a disgrace.

He was brutally honest. He wanted to know the truth.

He was brutally honest. He wanted to know the truth, ... ... And we talked turkey. I think we're in a good spot now.