As the re-election campaign of U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) draws nearer, the prospects for the incumbent are improving.
According to a recent survey by Public Policy Polling, Vitter leads potential opponent U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-Napoleonville) by a comfortable 44-32% margin.
Vitter has had tremendous success in uniting the GOP behind his candidacy, resulting in a formidable campaign war chest. Almost every major Louisiana Republican official has either officially or unofficially endorsed Senator Vitter, including Governor Bobby Jindal who headlined a major fundraiser for the incumbent.
It is an amazing turn of events for Vitter, who two years ago admitted to “a serious sin” in connection with his involvement with the D.C. Madam call girl ring. Vitter has never disclosed the extent of his “serious sin,” but his phone number appeared multiple times on the call list for the madam. Many speculate that Vitter was a frequent and longstanding customer for the D.C. Madam.
Once the story broke, Vitter went into seclusion for a week. He emerged with his wife and together they held a memorable press conference where they were united in dealing with the issue. Wendy Vitter’s support helped Vitter survive the incident. In contrast, in the recent Republican sex scandals, the political wives have been nowhere to be seen.
Fast forward to today and the state is witnessing a revitalized U.S. Senator Vitter. In the last six months, Vitter has found new life by attacking President Obama’s nominees and his agenda. Conservatives have heralded Vitter for his staunch opposition to the liberal policies of Obama. He has also been very supportive of the grassroots tea party movement that has flourished in Louisiana in the last six months.
In contrast, his potential opponent Congressman Melancon is saddled with supporting an unpopular President and has to find as many issues as possible to oppose the Obama administration. Melancon also faces a financial disadvantage against Vitter and will have a hard time matching the Senator’s fundraising success.
Throughout his political career, Vitter has been aggressive politician, vigorously attacking his opponents. This style was on display last week when Vitter wasted no time in attacking Melancon for attending a Democratic Party gathering in Martha’s Vineyard, calling it a liberal lobbyist love fest.
Vitter has his own challenges, as his 44% approval rating is rather anemic. However, he is in much better shape than many political analysts would have predicted two years ago. As long as the economy is troubled and President Obama is suffering in the polls, Vitter can continue to saddle with opponent with the political baggage of the administration. At this point, it looks like Senator Vitter has the advantage in his quest to get re-elected to the U.S. Senate, which is quite a surprise to many of the so-called experts in the state.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
I do not follow congress as closely as I did in the early nineties - without doing so you are relying on second hand (the media) information as to what your representative is doing. How they vote on issues isn't as revealing as you might think. Daniel Patrick Moynihan - one of this country's all time greatest statesman - often did his best to steer his party away from enacting legislation, but would vote the party line when roll call time came. Anyway ... my point is Cao seems to be willing to 1) go against his party and 2) vote his conscious even if he knows the majority in his district disagrees with him. I for one admire that whether I agree with him or not (just as I often admired Moynihan despite nearly ALWAYS disagreeing with him). "Yes men" who parrot the party line are useless (any fool can do that), Cao is as good as one can get as a representative in our form of government. I may lose him as the representative in my district next election, but he won't be going away. Written by kpf
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Well DQ, I guess you like it that way, I am sort of saddened by this news..... Now we have a Supreme Supremacist on the way that appears to be intent on racism becoming forged into some kind of a new type of reality...... Oh, by the way DQ, do you know what news stands for? Written by
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to confirm Judge Sotomayor by a 13-6 vote. Lindsay Grahmn joined Committee Democrats in voing for confirmation. It now goes to the full Senate where 5 Republicans have said they will vote for confirmation. Written by David Quidd
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Nah, Cao needs to run for Guv, and there needs to be good replacements for Vitter, Melacon, and Carville..................... Written by
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
"Watch some unknown like Cao sneak into the race ".........WHOA!!! ...The DARK HORSE, indeed....... I love it, JG...... I LOVE IT!!! (Okay, Mr. Carville-- you can stay wherever you’re hiding for now)......... Start the polling: Would you cross Party lines for a neutral Senator like CAO-- or would you stick with David Vitter? Written by KJ
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Watch some unknown like Cao sneak into the race and then into the winner's circle. I'm fed up with both Vitter and Melacon. I think a lot of voters feel like I do and will cross party lines to vote for new blood. Written by jg
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
"You can't fool all the people all the time" saith Honest Abe, but in Louisiana, if you're a whoremongering senator who not only committed immoral acts but rather illegal acts as well, you can fool most of the people--at least enough to get re-elected. We sent Sen. Vitter to Washington to make laws--not break laws! He was never honest and forthcoming and attempted as all villains do, to portray themselves as being the victim. He would never, ever, ever have confessed "his sin" had he not been outed by Hustler Magazine. There is no sincere remorse or contrition on his part nor has there ever been. There are still a few of us left--not enough regrettably--who take breaking the law seriously, regardless of what law one breaks. The same individuals who will defend the likes of Vitter adamantly were chomping at the bit to see Clinton removed from office. THEY WERE BOTH WRONG AND BOTH BROKE THE LAW! Clinton for deliberately lying in a federal court under oath--the Lewinsky dalliance was immoral, but not illegal--he was impeached for the former, not the latter. When the House was taking votes regarding such apparently trivial issues as national security and the state of the economy, then Rep. Vitter was dialing the Madame.
W.C. Fields said famously, "a fool is born every minute." Louisiana voters are starting to make W.C. look a genius! Written by Randall
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Come on Krazy lady, Carville for Senator? Ooops, I forgot about Franken...two comedians in Congress to add to the other comedians, maybe you have something there. Written by CN
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
It will be very funny to watch Melancon, Carville or whoever runs agains Vitter, attempt to run as far away from Obama as they can. Written by Nolaboy
on 7/28/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
And who says that Melancon is Diaper-Dave's only competition? We have as yet to see all the horses in this line-up....I agree - Charlie Melancon can not defeat David Vitter.... but, James Carville can... Oh, let the fun begin. Written by KJ
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Charlie will win. You can bank on it. The Big O is going to, or at least come very close to, win LA in 2012. Written by swampwiz
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Unlike Charlie "Stimulus” Melancon, Vitter has not been unfaithful to the voters. Written by Nolaboy
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Sales were up however prices continued to decline. I think the reason sales are increasing is people are "speculating" that prices will increase soon and they can turn a profit. That is their gamble. Please Mr. Obama - if they are wrong and lose their shirts on this gamble - do not bail them out with money taken from our taxes, or print money to bail them out causing inflation, or have China cover our deficit spending to bail them out. After all, it IS THEIR gamble - their PROFIT if they are right - please don't make it OUR LOSS if they are wrong. Let's keep the risks of the free market the sole responsibility of those who ... well ... "risk" for profit OR LOSS. Written by kpf
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Mr. Vitter, at 44%, is hardly an overwhelming favorite, yet in the current turbulent times confronting Republicans generally, and given the earliness in the process, that degree of support is remarkable. What this speaks to is the political philosophy he espouses, not his personal failings. And his philosophy is one that will resonate more as time goes by, during which his approval ratings will also further rise. As this occurs, the lack of substance in the left, liberal socialist political philosophy, though in vogue currently, will when subjected to critical analysis, be made fuly manifest, hurting all those under its big D banner as they seek to return to Congress, whether blue-dog or straight socialist/liberal. And these mid-term election results will further set the stage for a one-term Obama Administration, making timely the reemergence of the Newtistas to retake the White House in 2012. Written by The Real NotSoFast Eddie
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
By the way Jeff, new home sales were up 11% in June, the biggest increase in 8 years. Written by David Quidd
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Jeff when is 44% a comfortable lead for an incumbent US Senator? If Mary Landrieu had polled only 44% against Congressman Steve Scalise in this poll you would be declaring that Mary Landrieu was in serious trouble. Written by David Quidd
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
Jeff,
When Jindal headlined that fundraiser, he made clear in the article he was NOT endorsing Vitter.
Once again, he has not endorsed Vitter yet. Written by Not So Fast
on 7/27/2009
REPORT SPAM OR ABUSE
