Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), the Christian Right champion whose career became mired in the D.C. Madam prostitution scandal of 2007, could have a new threat from his right flank. Bob Lang, a 64-year old Vietnam veteran, has announced his candidacy as a conservative independent, the Ouachita Citizen reports:

"This country, in my opinion, is on the verge of a financial calamity and changing from a constitutional republic to a socialist/communist form of government. If the United States Congress and president continue to spend in such an insane manner and borrow at least half of everything we spend, that will be a guaranteed recipe for national suicide and nation failure."

Keep in mind that Louisiana is no longer using its runoff election system at the federal level, so right-wing protest votes could potentially do damage to the GOP.

"From what I've been hearing from people, I think I've got a chance at this deal, I really do," Lang told TPM. When asked whether he's met conservatives who say they don't like Vitter, Lang replied: "I'm meeting a lot of people, conservative voters, that are dissatisfied with the present representation."