Ray Nagin

MINNEAPOLIS--New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin told Oregon’s democratic delegates on Wednesday that New Orleans was a city that was still struggling with the affects of Hurricane Katrina, shortly before he had to leave the Democratic National Convention in Denver early to prepare for Hurricane Gustav’s landfall.

DENVER -- New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin urged Oregon delegates to unite behind Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Wednesday, saying that Obama would bring change to the Federal Emergency Management Agency which he says was inept in its reaction to Hurricane Katrina when it struck New Orleans in 2005.

"FEMA is not an agency you want to deal with," Nagin told the breakfast of about 100 people. "My hope is that Barack Obama will retool the agency. You know, three years ago, right after the storm, Senator Obama came down to New Orleans and pledged his support. Senator McCain, I don't think he showed up till after he received the nomination."

Nagin also told the delegates that as the election cycle heated up, they had to be sure to remember their goal of electing Obama even as he was attacked.

"They're going to throw the kitchen sink at Obama," Nagin said.