The May 21,2001 edition of The Wall Street Journal at page A22 had a lengthy editorial critical of attempts by elected officials in various States to avoid the ''self-serving nature of incumbents pushing to water down term limits.'' The Journal noted that ''the prize for incumbent arrogance goes to New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, who has gotten a ballot measure approved to try to evade the city's two term limit. According to the paper, ''Mr. Morial says he has 'unfinished business' to complete and wants to call a special election to allow him to run again.'' City Council members are reported to be grumbling that ''the term limit change applies only to Mr. Morial and not to future mayors, and also won't adjust the two-term limit that council members face.''

Any thoughts?

He's Not Stupid

Morial isn't stupid. Why not try and stay on to a job that gives him power. What else would he do? Have a real job? Have to drive himself around town? Have to park in regular spots at the airport? With the defeat of Algore, he had no other prospects, except to stay in his current office. Fix education? What has he done for education in the last 8 years? Apparently, just four more will turn the system around. Yeah, right.

Good Points!

I think you are right. It seems hard for Morial to fathom himself ''out of power.'' Certainly, any job that does not come with the appropriate accoutrements of power and an accompanying, subservient entourage would be beneath his own vision of the way things should be.

Glenn Orgeron