Republican Win in New Orleans

A little more than 3 years following hurricane Katrina, a Republican wins Louisiana's 2nd congressional district race in the Crescent City. It marks the first time in over 100 years that a Republican will hold the seat.

The incumbent, William Jefferson, was infamous for his actions following the worst natural disaster in US history. Jefferson used government resources to save some cash he had stashed in a freezer, during the storm's aftermath when those services could have been better used helping those hit hardest by the hurricane.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the challenger is the first ever Vietnamese-American in congress, Ahn 'Joseph' Cao. Cao and his family left war-ravaged Saigon in the early 70's when he was a young boy.

This election, as well as the 4th congressional district race in Louisiana, was ironically delayed due to Hurricane Gustov and was held separate from the presidential race in November. Turnout was, according to this article, "abysmally" low (damn you lazy Democrats).

A couple of observations...
-Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 in the 2nd district of the Bayou State.
-A REPUBLICAN won in New Orleans!!
-A Vietnamese-American is a Republican!!
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The article also states...

Ironically, had Gustav not postponed the voting schedule one month, the general election would have been held the same ballot as last month's presidential election, when high turnout among African-American voters likely would have carried Jefferson to a 10th term.

Are they assuming that African-Americans would vote for any African-American, even if he was indicted of bribery and public corruption? Wouldn't that indicate a certain level of racial bias present in that voting block?
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In his victory speech, Cao spoke of his former homeland. He shed light on how a new generation of Vietnamese, who have seen the best and worst of democracy and communism, see the differences between the 2 political systems.

"I'd like to thank my Vietnamese community," he said, "and I'd like to encourage young Vietnamese in this country to work peacefully for a free and democratic Vietnam."

Hmmm, free and democratic. No spread the wealth. No government bailout of banking and other industries. No government stimulates the economy with massive spending on "rebuilding programs". No communism.

...enlightening.