One of the things that I’m most excited about in this upcoming battle between Obama and McCain is the marked differences in look, presentation, style and delivery.

McCain is old (I’m don’t mean that in an offensive way, he is literally old), his speaking style is mundane and dry, his humor doesn’t always come across to his audience and his presentation is just generally lacking. Now, this is my opinion, but I have had the opportunity to hear Sen. McCain on the stump in the lead-up to the New Hampshire primary, so I do have a good perspective.

Now, juxtapose McCain’s style with Obama. His oratory is one of his most notable characteristics. He thrives off a large audience and he delivers soaring speeches with ease. He’s young (I don’t mean that in an offensive way, he is literally young), and he looks the part of a leader.

This dynamic is going to play out over and over throughout this general election campaign - in the debates, town hall meetings, television ads, etc.

When Obama and McCain are on stage together, there will be a clear difference in the way these two candidates present their ideas, and it will be interesting to see how that dynamic plays out in the press, as well as with voters

Take last night for example. It had been reported that McCain spent three weeks preparing to make a speech on the eve of Obama’s nomination. His team chose New Orleans as a perfect place to layout his vision for this campaign and for America in the years to come. However, something happened on the way to the podium…This great video from our friends at Talking Points Memo says it all. Enjoy.

Rep. William Jefferson (LA-2) is in trouble. Not only did federal agents recently find a stash of money in his freezer, but now he faces a political challenge by a Democratic State Senator in Louisiana.

From the Times-Picayune:

State Sen. Derrick Shepherd, D-Marrero, announced on Monday that he will challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, for the Second Congressional District seat in the Nov. 7 primary.

Shepherd, a 36-year-old lawyer, cited an ongoing federal investigation of Jefferson as one of the reasons to run, saying residents in Orleans and Jefferson parishes that the district include need to have a representative focused on post-Katrina needs.

“Congressman Bill Jefferson has become so ensnarled in scandal that he has lost the ability to deal effectively with the crisis,” Shepherd said.

“The needs of nearly one million people are more important than the desires of any single individual, including Bill Jefferson.”

Jefferson has not been charged with a crime as part of a probe looking into allegations that he engaged in a bribery scheme to promote projects in West Africa. He has said he did not commit any crime and that he will seek a ninth term for the seat he has held since 1990.

Shepherd, who represents areas in both the east and west banks of Orleans and Jefferson parishes, said residents are “in a desperate struggle” to get federal aide and services to rebuild.

“I know what must be done and I will be single-minded in the battle to get the federal aid we need to rebuild,” he said.

A former prosecutor in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, Shepherd worked in Jefferson’s campaign before being elected to represent the 87th District in the state House in 2004. He was elected to the state Senate’s 3rd District seat last year.

DoubleSpeak will keep you posted on this race.

While most Saturday’s in the Big Easy are spent re-hydrating from ‘huge ass beers’ and counting beads from the previous nights outing, this weekend was different.

On Saturday New Orleanians who are spread out all over America voted for their choice for the next mayor of New Orleans, a job that has taken on national significance as the city continues to rebuild from the ‘huge ass storms’ that pummeled the Gulf Coast last summer.

With 100% of the precincts reporting, it appears that there will be a run off election between the two top vote getters, Mayor Ray Nagin (D) and Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (D).

Ray Nagin, who won 38% of the 108,000 ballots cast in Saturday’s mayoral election, nevertheless is not considered the favorite in his May 20 runoff with Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, who garnered 29% of the vote.

Analysts think Landrieu is more likely to land supporters of runners-up Ron Forman, who won 17% of the ballot, and Rob Couhig, who received 10%.

“Landrieu becomes the odds-on favorite to win, partly because of his ability to appeal to some African American voters and to the generally white supporters of his opponents — if they vote,” said Brian Brox, a political scientist at Tulane University.

Thirty-six percent of the city’s 298,000 registered voters cast ballots in Saturday’s election, which fielded about two dozen candidates. In many neighborhoods, voting took place against a backdrop of abandoned cars, gutted homes and garbage-strewn streets.

This election is about rebuilding, but it is also about race relations and poverty issues that were sent to the forefront after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city and displaced thousands of NOLA residents.

For political junkies, this race is going to be a fun one. I know I’ll be glued to my TV! If I need a break from the election coverage, I can always change the channel.

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D), the son of former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu and brother of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), has entered the field to challenge current Mayor Ray Nagin.

Landrieu said five principles will guide his rebuilding vision:

* Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
* Louisiana’s economy must be expanded and diversified.
* New Orleans must work regionally to compete globally.
* Value must be added to raw materials, native talent and intellectual capital.
* Trying to achieve Southern average standards is not good enough.

Politicalwire is reporting that Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D) will challenge Mayor Ray Nagin in the primary in New Orleans. Ray Nagin has come under fire for his recent remarks about rebuilding a “chocolate New Orleans.”

I do love chocolate, but that comment hardly seemed appropriate…