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Melancon Announces Senate Campaign Against Vitter

Eric Kleefeld | August 27, 2009, 11:30AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Charles Melancon (D-LA)

Charlie Melancon, David Vitter, House '10, LA-03, LA-SEN, Senate '10

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Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), a leading Blue Dog in the House, has officially his announced his much-expected Senate campaign against Sen. David Vitter, the Republican and staunch conservative whose career became mired in the D.C. Madam prostitution scandal.

This race could end up as a top-tier battle, with lots of money and lots of attacks between the two camps. A survey from a month ago by Public Policy Polling (D) put Vitter ahead of Melancon 44%-32% -- that is, the incumbent is below 50%, and the challenger lacking in name recognition. At the same time, the Republicans could be favored to pick up Melancon's House seat, as John McCain carried it by 61%-37% in 2008.

Here's Melancon's announcement video:

"I'm announcing my candidacy for the U.S. Senate to replace David Vitter, because Louisiana deserves better," Melancon said, taking a shot at the incumbent. "Louisiana needs a different approach: More bipartisan, more disciplined, more honest, and with a whole lot more common sense."

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Comments (8) | Join the Conversation!

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mike from Arlington

August 27, 2009 11:37 AM

I would just throw diapers at the guy during debates and let Vitter explain what is happening.

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Schmed

August 27, 2009 12:02 PM

I'm still looking forward to the Vitter/Daniels debate. I'll bet that she can make him blush.

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Michael A

August 27, 2009 12:46 PM in reply to Schmed

I am as well. How is she polling? Do you know? Stormy all the way in 2010.

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Mr.E.

August 27, 2009 3:29 PM in reply to Michael A

I'm sure there are videos that demonstrate her technique.

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magster

August 27, 2009 12:05 PM

Frankly, I'd rather have Diaper Dave continuing to be the embarrassing face of the Republican party than have another pseudo Dem undercutting reform from within the party. Re-electing someone who solicited prostitutes while preaching family values will continue to make the GOP a joke, and help progressivism overall more.

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Davis_X_Machina

August 27, 2009 12:15 PM

Say Melancon beats Vitter, still leaves LA with no Democratic Senator.

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FreeRider

August 27, 2009 12:16 PM

Who cares? As if we need another Ben Nelson in the Senate. The guy will vote with the Republicans 75% of the time.

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tosh

August 27, 2009 2:14 PM

Yeah... Melancon in the Senate is frightening. The exhange is that we can ignore Vitter since he's a hardline GOP'er. But with Melancon "inside the caucus", it gives another voice to the Blue Dogs. Worse, he has a high degree of flipping to GOP if it serves his purporses. We need to recall that Billy Tauzin did that in the seat that Melancon currently holds.

John

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