Many of you have probably already heard about Ray Nagin comparing New York’s Ground Zero to a “hole in the ground”. Totally belittling the significance of the site. One would think, that given some time, Mayor Nagin would swiftly and formerly offer a full apology for that comment when directly asked. But it turns out he was unable to do so on today’s airing of NBC’s Meet the Press. Any consolatory comments he made only came after host Tim Russert continually questioned and pressed him on the matter.

Here is the text transcript of how Nagin initially responded today, when Russert asked him point blank if he would apologize.

Notice, he was asked directly if he will “apologize” and he did not in his initial response. He got into spin about “context” and the “e-mail”, then says he “probably” should have used a term like “undeveloped site” and he ends his statement by saying we should watch him tonight. I don’t think it’s going to cool anything over, because tonight his statement about Ground Zero will be the same. He called it a hole in the ground. Of course if his city were ever called a “hole” in Louisiana, I don’t think he’d appreciate it. He was given a free opportunity to put an end to this with a full apology and he decided to get into spin about “context”.

Mr. Russert pressed him more on the matter and only then did Nagin say things like he was sorry for those who lost loved ones on 9/11, he wishes he would have used other words and he “meant no disrespect”. Why did Russert have to detail question after question and continue on this issue for Nagin to say any of this? Why did he not offer a proper apology when first asked? I say it’s because the man is simply not very bright.

Hear Tim Russert’s discussion with Ray Nagin on this issue using the audio link below.
Tim Russert question Ray Nagin about his “hole in the ground” comment - WMA Audio
(If linking, please link to this post, not the audio file. For the sake of bandwidth there will be no other formats made.)

update 8/28/2006 12:00PM: You can view the actual video of Nagin making his comment in that mentioned “context” using this link courtesy of CBSNews. Seeing it in what Nagin says is its proper context does not change my opinion on the matter. All he had to say is that he’s working on cleaning things up and as he previously stated he can’t touch private property. There was no reason for him to even mention Ground Zero, especially as a “hole in the ground”. The video also points out how Ray Nagin has a long history of making stupid statements. But hey he was re-elected and I’m still waiting for those who claim they care about voters’ “rights” to file those lawsuits they claimed were on the way.