Posted on 08/27/2009 1:03:25 PM PDT by OldDeckHand
Louisiana congressman Charlie Melancon, the only Democrat in the state’s seven-seat House delegation, announced today that he’s challenging Sen. David Vitter (R-La.).
"Today, I'm announcing my candidacy for the US Senate to replace David Vitter because Louisiana deserves better. Louisiana needs a different approach. More bi-partisan. More disciplined. More honest and with a whole lot more common sense," Melancon said in a videotaped statement sent to supporters.
"Because no matter if you are in Mamou or Monroe, it's not whether it's a Republican idea or a Democratic idea - the only question is: does it make sense for Louisiana?"
Melancon, a Blue Dog Democrat who touts his opposition to abortion rights and strong ratings from the National Rifle Association, will be holding campaign events later in the year.
Melancon’s decision to run is a recruiting coup for Senate Democrats, who believe he is one of the few Democratic officials who could seriously challenge Vitter. The three-term congressman has shown political strength in a reliably Republican Cajun country district. Last year, he faced no GOP opposition even as John McCain carried 61 percent of the district-wide vote at the top of the ticket.
Vitter took a political hit in 2007 when he acknowledged that he committed “a very serious sin” with a prostitute. But despite the controversy, few Democrats were initially interested in challenging Vitter in the solidly-Republican Bayou State.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Best thing that could happen to Vitter. People will forget his indiscretions in a minute if the only other choice is closet liberal Melancon.
Vitter has made a remarkable comeback. He is a fighter and will retain his seat.
I hope they’re right.
We right. David Vitter is very popular and works very hard for the people of LA.
Ha, they just handed us his House seat on a platter. It also means the Dems don’t come out of LA with a net gain; if Cao loses, as many think he will, we’ll pick up Melancon’s old seat and still be 6-1 Republican in House seats.
This could be a replay of Pryor vs Hutchinson in Arkansas.
Goodness, I hope not. Pryor ran unopposed in the last election (2008).
I thought that when the scandal first broke, Vitter should have resigned, for the good of the party. Everyone keeps telling me that he's come out of it unscathed and he'll be easily reelected.
The GOP is sailing into a headwind in next year's senatorial campaigns, even if they're set to have a banner year in the house. They can't afford anymore questionable Senate elections than they're already facing.
“Vitter has made a remarkable comeback. He is a fighter and will retain his seat.”
Agree...voters are not as stupid as they (often) appear to be. They know what counts is to have someone who will, without a doubt, oppose Obama, and Vitter definitely fits that bill much better than ANY Democrat ever will.
Sure, his personal life was less than stellar, but we’ll defer indulging in personal purity for the time being, until Obama is stopped.
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