2010 elections

TPM Approves These Messages: Five Great Ads Of 2010 (VIDEOS)

Eric Kleefeld | December 31, 2010, 3:07PM

With the year 2010 coming to a close, and a truly raucous election season behind us (and another set to begin), let's take a look at a real highlight of the cycle: A sampling, even just a small one, of some great campaign ads we got to see over the past year.

Unlike some of our other lists, we're not talking about a mix of great ads and awful ones that took on a kitsch value. (I'm looking in your direction, "I'm not a witch. I'm you," and also at you, "Aqua Buddha.")

No, here we're talking about truly great ads that applied ingenuity, creativity and pure guts to an election. We're talking about the ones whose creators deserve accolades and good spots on campaigns for 2012 -- and might just get them.

So get out your popcorn and your New Year's alcohol, and watch our five picks.

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LA-SEN

Vitter Shellacks Melancon

Brian Beutler | November 2, 2010, 9:35PM

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

How's this for a new standard of conduct in politics? A "values" Republican can weather a prostitution scandal in a conservative state as long as it occurs a couple years before his re-election bid in a GOP wave year.

If the Louisiana Senate race was a referendum on Democratic rule, it was also a referendum on Sen. David Vitter (R). He joined the House in 1999 as a values conservative on the right flank of the Republican party, replacing the disgraced Bob Livingston. Rumors swirled around Vitter for years, but he nonetheless moved to the Senate in 2005 replacing the retiring Democrat John Breaux. His reputation was shattered in 2007, though, when he was discovered to have solicited prostitutes in both Washington DC and Louisiana.

Tonight, however, he defeated Democratic Rep. Charlie Melancon in one of the most vicious campaigns of the 2010 cycle.

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Democrats

Dead Dems Walking: TPM's List Of Candidates Who've Been Written Off By Their Party

Brian Beutler | November 2, 2010, 7:24AM

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with other House Democrats

Returns for 435 House elections will start rolling in a few hours from now. Well before they do, though, most Dems had long conceded that more than a handful of races are already lost. With these seats for all intents and purposes off the table before the polls opened, the number of truly contested seats the GOP needs to win control of the House is effectively much smaller than the magic 39.

Assuming the House does change hands, then, the big open question is how big the swing will be. There are scores of seats in play, but the battle lines have already moved past over a dozen House members who, in most cases, have already been written off by their own party.

If you're keeping score tonight, don't hold your breath for any of these Democrats.

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David Vitter

Vitter Refuses To Say Whether He Broke The Law In Prostitution Scandal

Brian Beutler | October 29, 2010, 11:18AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) hearing testimony from oil executives.

At the final Louisiana Senate debate last night, incumbent David Vitter (R) dodged repeated questions about whether he broke the law by soliciting prostitutes in Washington, D.C. and Louisiana.

"[Y]ou can look back, you can continue to write stories in the media about it," Vitter told moderators. "That's your decision. It's a free country. I looked the voters of Louisiana in the eye. I spoke to them sincerely. I think they heard me and I think they understood me. And now I'm looking forward, I'm not looking back."

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David Vitter

Melancon Ad: Vitter Used Taxpayers' Money To Pay For Prostitutes (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 28, 2010, 9:47AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

No more beating around the bush. In a brutal new segment running on network and cable television in Louisiana through election day, Rep. Charlie Melancon makes a final, daring pitch to voters that Sen. David Vitter's sex and abuse scandals make him unfit to serve.

"Our tax dollars pay David Vitter's salary, and he used it for prostitutes," the ad's narrator says. "Our money paid for Vitter's serious sin. Phone calls to prostitutes during official votes and tax dollars to help defend an aide who violently abused his girlfriend. In return, we got a disgraced senator ranked among the least effective in Congress."

Melancon hasn't exactly been shy about discussing Vitter's past. It's an issue he's highlighted around the state, and in a two minute that ran on cable TV earlier this cycle. But his camp's long been aware that it has to be fresh on voters' minds if Melancon's going to win.

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David Vitter

New Radio Ad Highlights Vitter Vote To Protect Companies That Block Rape Lawsuits

Brian Beutler | October 27, 2010, 11:44AM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

A new Charlie Melancon radio ad running in Louisiana highlights Sen. David Vitter's (R-LA) opposition to legislation that would have barred the government from contracting with companies that prevent victims from taking cases of assault, discrimination, rape, and other forms of abuse to court.

The segment is narrated by Jennie Waldrop, a rape victim who confronted Vitter at a town hall last year over his vote on that.

"I asked him how could you support a law that denies victims like me the right to defend myself," she says in the ad. "He told me I didn't know what I was talking about ... and then he walked away. I never thought I'd get involved in politics, but David Vitter is a man unfit to be my Senator."

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David Vitter

Religious And Ethnic Coalition Presses Vitter To Take Down And Apologize For Insensitive Ad

Brian Beutler | October 19, 2010, 10:12AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

If constituent anger is any indication, the most truly offensive campaign ad this season comes from David Vitter featuring actors playing illegal immigrants, sneaking into the country to a welcoming parade and a big fat taxpayer check, thanks, supposedly, to the liberal politics of his opponent, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA)

A coalition of about two dozen high-profile religious and ethnic leaders in the state was so put off by the segment that they've asked Vitter in a letter and a petition to take it down and apologize.

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Jack Conway

Six Brutal Ads That Put Conway's Aqua-Buddha Segment To Shame

Brian Beutler | October 19, 2010, 8:51AM

Kentucky Senate candidates Jack Conway and Rand Paul talk with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

The campaign season was rocked this weekend when Senate hopeful Jack Conway (D) unveiled an ad raising questions about the sincerity of his opponent Rand Paul's faith in the deeply Christian state of Kentucky.

The ad quickly became the most contentious of the cycle. On Sunday, the two met for their second-to-last scheduled debate, which ended with Paul refusing to shake Conway's hand and threatening to skip their final encounter.

As is common when Democrats punch below the belt, the episode inspired an earnest round of handwringing among party members and progressive commentators, some of whom went to go so far as to call Conway's segment "illiberal" and "despicable."

Looking back on the past several weeks, though, there have been a number of ads (both Democratic and Republican) that are -- pick your adjective -- harsher, sleazier, bolder and more damning. Here are our top six.

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Veterans

Melancon Wins Endorsement From Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC

Brian Beutler | October 13, 2010, 1:43PM

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA)

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW PAC) has endorsed Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) in his bid to unseat Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).

"This endorsement is based on your strong support for veterans, national security and defense, and military personnel issues," the endorsement letter reads.

The PAC has been rebuked in recent days by its parent organization for endorsing liberal candidates including Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).

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LA-SEN

Vitter Ad Features Garish 'Welcome' For Mexican Illegal Immigrants (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 8, 2010, 3:33PM

Ad from Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), "Welcome Prize"

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) has what might be the most amazing ad that a Republican has ever put out on illegal immigration -- featuring a gang of shady Mexicans sneaking through a fence, being greeted by a welcome sign in both English and Spanish, an oversized novelty check giving them "a lot of taxpayer money," and a limousine to ride them off in style. And of course, all of it is blamed on Vitter's Democratic opponent, Rep. Charlie Melancon.

"Charlie Melancon. Thanks to him we might as well put out a welcome sign for illegal aliens," the announcer says. "Melancon voted to make it easier for illegals to get taxpayer funded benefits, and actual welfare checks. Melancon even voted against allowing police to arrest illegals. Thanks to Charlie Melancon, it's no wonder illegals keep coming, and coming..."

It does seem odd that a demographic known for doing menial labor at below the legal minimum wage would get a ride in a limo. Also, it should be noted that among the crowds of Americans being taken advantage of by the illegal immigrants in the ad -- taxpayers, police, that old-fashioned Louisiana marching band -- all but one of them are white.

The TPM Poll Average puts Vitter ahead by 47.6%-34.6%.

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LA-SEN

Vitter A No-Show At Debate, Attends Republican-Only Event Instead

Brian Beutler | October 6, 2010, 1:16PM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) hearing testimony from oil executives.

Louisiana's leading Senate candidates gathered last night for their first scheduled debate in Houma, LA. Well, one of them gathered. Front-runner David Vitter (R) didn't show.

Instead of joining his Democratic rival Charlie Melancon for an hour-plus long, unscripted Q&A, Vitter skipped the session entirely, according to tracker footage taken by the Louisiana Democratic party, headed to an event for Republicans only in Kenner, some 50 miles away.

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Larry Flynt

Larry Flynt Renews Million Dollar Offer For Dirt On Vitter, Other Politicians' Sexual Affairs (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | October 4, 2010, 2:25PM

In the course of lambasting Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) for his repeated dalliances with multiple prostitutes, Hustler publisher Larry Flynt renewed his million-dollar offer to anybody who can prove they had extra-marital sex with Vitter or any high-ranking official.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE SCANDALS]

In so doing, he also previewed what he says will become the next big political sex scandals.

"We know we've got a gay senator," Flynt said on CNN yesterday evening. "We just like to see him come out of the closet. And I think we'll be exposing that in the next few months if he doesn't."

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LA-SEN

Melancon Turns Vitter Prostitutution Reenactment Video Into Two-Minute TV Ad (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | September 29, 2010, 9:04AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) hearing testimony from oil executives.

This summer, Louisiana Dems hinted that their fall strategy to defeat Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) would be to vividly remind voters of Vitter's prostitute-laden scandal sheet. They unveiled a five-minute web ad that included a reenactment and a recreation of the "crime scene" where Vitter and a prostitute liaised.

Now, his challenger, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), has turned that web ad into a two-minute long TV spot, which will run on Louisiana cable statewide starting tonight or tomorrow.

The web-ad went viral on YouTube, and its successor contains much of the same footage that made Internet version so compelling. Melancon has lagged about 10 points behind Vitter for most of the campaign, but polls show that many Louisiana voters remain unaware of Vitter's previous scandals. In the final stretch of the campaign, Dems are hoping to change that.

Watch:

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David Vitter

Vitter At 9/11 Tea Party Rally: Obama's 'Grave' Policies 'Killing Americans' (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | September 13, 2010, 1:05PM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

At a 9/11 rally in Louisiana on Saturday, Sen. David Vitter compared President Obama's domestic policies to the threat of terrorism, and charged that those same policies are "killing Americans."

Vitter first criticized Obama's foreign policies, charging that they've left the country "less secure" from foreign attack. He went on, adding that, "as grave as these threats from outside our borders are, threats from inside our borders - bad policy, economic policy, threats to our fundamental freedoms - are just as grave."

From there, Vitter cited a familiar litany of conservative complaints about Democratic policies, from stimulus to health care reform, to the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. Those he described as "dangerous stuff."

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2010 elections

TPM's Top 10 Senate Races To Watch

Brian Beutler | September 13, 2010, 8:35AM

Kentucky Senate candidates Jack Conway and Rand Paul talk with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Campaign season doesn't really heat up until September ... which means now. That means all the scandals and ads and ups and downs you've heard and read about in the last several months were just stage-setters. Most voters really begin paying attention now.

It's looking like a tough year for Senate Democrats, almost of whom are polling below 50 percent. Several weeks ago, many Republicans -- including NRSC Chair John Cornyn -- thought Republicans wouldn't be able to retake the Senate. Today, it's a distinct possibility. There are a number of critical races, but you should really keep an eye on these 10.

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Bush Tax Cuts

Vitter: 'Virtually Everybody' Would Get Hit If Tax Cuts For The Rich Expire (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | September 9, 2010, 2:00PM

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

At a public forum hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in Crowley, Louisiana yesterday, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) attacked his Democratic opponent Charlie Melancon for saying people in the top income bracket should pay higher taxes. But in doing so he implied that "virtually everybody" in attendance would see their taxes raised.

"I hate to tell you, by Washington's definitions that [Melancon]'s using, virtually everybody in this audience is the wealthy."

Though the event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, it was open to all residents. According to the U.S. Census bureau, the average household income in Louisiana was $43,635 in 2008.

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David Vitter

Underdog Challenges Vitter To Mixed Martial Arts Steel Cage Match

Brian Beutler | September 8, 2010, 6:21PM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

Mike Spears, a real dark horse independent candidate for Louisiana Senate has come up with a great stunt for getting votbloggers' attention: Challenge David Vitter to a Ultimate Fighting Championship-style steel cage free for all.

The Daily Advertiser reports:

Spears issued the challenge at a press conference to announce USA-MMAS "Return of the Champions" on Oct. 16 at the Cajundome.

Citing the 2007 scandal in which Vitter was linked to a Washington D.C. prostitution ring, Spears billed the bout as a modern day duel.

"Sen. Vitter's behavior - his admission to breaking the law in 2007 - has insulted the honor of Louisiana and the Louisiana Senate seat," Spears said.

"I'm in this race, and this fight, to restore the honor of Louisiana and of the nation as well."

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David Vitter

Jindal Won't Endorse Vitter -- But He's Endorsed Louisiana Republicans In The Past

Brian Beutler | September 7, 2010, 10:29AM

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal

Louisiana's Republican governor, Bobby Jindal, isn't planning on endorsing Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) in his Senate race against Democrat Charlie Melancon.

"Voters can make up their own minds," Jindal said late last week, according to The Advocate.

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David Vitter

WATCH: Dems Recreate Vitter-Prostitute Encounter In New Web Video

Brian Beutler | September 2, 2010, 11:48AM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

The Louisiana Democratic party has produced an extremely potent video recapping, and even re-enacting, the full history of David Vitter's prostitution scandals. Though the segment is web-only, it's easily the farthest the party has gone to highlight the indiscretions -- a task they usually leave to surrogates, but which they view as the key to unseating him.

The five minute, 32 second documentary-style video includes testimonials from what the Louisiana Democrats describe as real Louisianans who've lost faith in Vitter for using his office to get away with criminal activity. That's the broad point the segment makes.

But more than that, it's a vehicle for reminding viewers of the scandals -- it includes audio testimony of the DC Madam, and a re-enactment of the "crime scene."

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LA-SEN

Melancon Challenges Vitter To Series Of Unscripted Town Hall-Style Debates

Brian Beutler | August 31, 2010, 1:16PM

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

Louisiana Senate hopeful Charlie Melancon has challenged David Vitter (R) to a series of debates today, in an effort to make him account publicly for recent scandals, TPM has learned.

Melancon issued the challenge this afternoon in letters to Vitter, and other qualified candidates, and will argue that all major candidates agreed to five debates in 2004, when Vitter first won his Senate seat.

As part of the challenge, Melancon is asking that the debates be town hall-style, without podiums, pre-screened questions, pre-selected questioners. Vitter has been avoiding reporters for most of campaign season, and has confined himself for the most part to events with pre-screened questions.

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LA-03

Louisiana Republicans Agree: Scrap Birthright Citizenship, 17th Amendment

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2010, 1:35PM

Tea Party activists in Washington, D.C.

At a Tea Party-sponsored debate in Louisiana last night, two House Republican hopefuls found a great deal of common ground. According to the Advocate, both support repealing the section of the 14th amendment that establishes birthright citizenship. Both would repeal the 17th amendment, which allows for direct election of U.S. Senators. Both would like to cut, and limit access to, Medicare and Social Security, and let charity organizations fill the gaps.

The two candidates -- Jeff Landry and Kristian Magar -- are vying to replace House Democrat Charlie Melancon of Louisiana's third district. They have third opponent as well: one-time Democrat, and former Louisiana House Speaker Hunt Downer, who didn't attend the debate. Downer is well liked, with broader appeal than his conservative rivals, but a recent change to Louisiana election law means that only registered Republicans can vote in the primary. And in Louisiana -- and the third district -- that's a minority of deeply conservative voters.

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LA-SEN

Vitter Struggles In Primary Campaign -- If Voters Know About His Scandals

Brian Beutler | August 17, 2010, 2:30PM

Senate candidate Chet Traylor (R-LA) and Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

A new poll out of Louisiana finds that David Vitter could be forced into a runoff against his main primary rival, former state Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor, if voters are kept aware of Vitter's scandalous past.

The survey, conducted by the Market Research Institute, finds Vitter leading the pack of Republican hopefuls with 46 percent support, followed by Traylor with 34 percent, and 21 percent undecided. Vitter would have to secure more than 51 percent of the votes in the August 28 primary to avoid a runoff.

The poll was conducted on behalf of Traylor's campaign and the results reflect voter opinion after being reminded of Vitter's connection to the D.C. madam prostitution scandal. Vitter, according to the poll, has similar numbers when voters are informed that Vitter employed aide Brent Furer for roughly two years after Furer was arrested for violently assaulting his girlfriend.

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Charlie Melancon

Melancon's New 'Serious Sins' Ad Asks Voters To Consider 'David Vitter On Women' (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | August 13, 2010, 10:09AM

The Louisiana ad war between Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) and Sen. David Vitter (R) continues today with a new volley from Melancon -- and it's a doozy. Earlier this week, Melancon accused Vitter of not being "honest" with Louisiana; Vitter responded with an ad linking Melancon to "millionaires [and] illegals." So Melancon broke out the big guns, and linked Vitter's prostitution scandal, his abusive staff member and his legislative record in a new ad.

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David Vitter

Vitter Goes Negative In New Ad: 'Millionaires, Illegals And Charlie Melancon' (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | August 12, 2010, 6:55PM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) responded to Rep.Charlie Melancon's (D-LA) television advertisement with one of his own today, hitting back hard at Melancon's allegations that Vitter "hasn't been honest" with Louisiana. Unlike Melancon, though, Vitter relied on a scary voice-over to attack his opponent.

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Charlie Melancon

Melancon's First TV Ad: 'David Vitter Hasn't Been Honest With Louisiana' (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | August 11, 2010, 10:21AM

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) spent $115,000 on his first television advertising buy in his effort to unseat incumbent Sen. David Vitter (R). In the advertisement, Melancon touts his own conservative credentials, but pulls no punches when it comes to Vitter.

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David Vitter

Vitter Rival Vies For Key Sheriff's Endorsement -- And He's A Former Sheriff

Brian Beutler | August 2, 2010, 4:19PM

US Senate candidate Ernest Wooton (I-LA)

Last week, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) was making the rounds, seeking the support of Louisiana's Sheriffs ahead of the November election. One potential problem: one of his rivals, State Rep. Ernest Wooton, is a former two-term sheriff himself.

Today, in an interview with TPMDC, Wooton suggested there may not be a Sheriff's endorsement at all this election.

"That's a win for me, if they're not going to endorse the incumbent," Wooton said. "Coming away with an endorsement would be wonderful for me...but coming away with no endorsement," would be a victory as well.

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LA-SEN

Vitter Seeks Key Law Enforcement Endorsement

Brian Beutler | July 30, 2010, 4:07PM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

Notwithstanding his 2007 prostitute scandal and a more recent controversy surrounding his retention of a top aide who attacked his girlfriend with a knife, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) is seeking the endorsement of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.

"I write to request that you support a Louisiana Sheriffs' Association endorsement of me for the U.S. Senate at your conference in Destin next week," writes Vitter in letters he sent to Sheriff's around the state, obtained by TPMDC. "I have worked hard to earn your support in a number of ways."

Among his pitches, Vitter notes, "Just recently, for example, I strongly opposed and helped defeat attempts to impose mandatory collective bargaining on your departments. This was included in a U.S. House-passed bill, which received the support and vote of my opponent Congressman [Charlie] Melancon."

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Charlie Melancon

Melancon Makes Steady Gains On Vitter, Internal Poll Shows

Brian Beutler | July 26, 2010, 11:41AM

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

Last week, Louisiana Democratic Senate hopeful Charlie Melancon released an internal polling memo that showed that he had erased Republican David Vitter's double digit lead in their upcoming electoral showdown.

Internal data for that poll, conducted by Anzalone Liszt Research and obtained by TPMDC paints a picture of an electorate that still favors the GOP, but which increasingly mistrusts the incumbent Vitter in the wake of a recent scandal, and is now considering Melancon as a viable alternative.

Of 800 likely voters surveyed, 37 percent said they're likely to vote Democratic compared to 42 percent likely to vote Republican, and 20 percent undecided.

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LA-SEN

Internal Dem Poll Has Vitter, Melancon In Dead Heat

Brian Beutler | July 22, 2010, 4:05PM

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

Democrats are circulating an internal polling memo out of Louisiana that finds Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) in a dead heat with David Vitter in the race for Vitter's Senate seat.

"The race for Louisiana's U.S. Senate seat has undergone a fundamental shift in the past few weeks," the memo reads. "Vitter's mishandling of the [a recent scandal] and the emergence of a strong Republican primary challenger are new, dramatic hurdles to Vitter's already imperiled re-election prospects. Charlie Melancon's active role during the oil spill has provided him with a platform to demonstrate his strong leadership on behalf of Louisiana voters on a statewide platform. The head-to-head vote with Charlie Melancon is now a dead-heat, fifty percent of voters prefer someone new to another Vitter term, and voter perceptions of Vitter are tanking as the electorate continues to warm to Melancon."

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David Vitter

Conservative Women's Groups Mum On Vitter Scandal

Brian Beutler | July 12, 2010, 10:27AM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA)

It seems like everyone has an opinion about David Vitter these days. Dems want him ousted from the Senate; Louisiana Republicans are divided on that question. Reporters just wish he'd take their questions. But there's one demographic that has been studiously silent about Vitter ever since his prostitution scandal gave way to the scandal over his sheltering an aide who violently attacked his girlfriend: conservative women's groups.

Last week, TPM reached out to several conservative women's organizations, both on the national level and in the state of Louisiana, for comment on Vitter's actions. Few of them responded at all.

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LA-SEN

Melancon Hits Vitter Hard Over Ex-Staffer Accused Of Assaulting Girlfriend With Knife (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 1, 2010, 9:58AM

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

Rep. Charle Melancon (D-LA) is stepping up his attacks on Sen. David Vitter (R) in the Louisiana Senate race this week, using the recent revelations about a Vitter staffer allegedly assaulting his girlfriend with a knife to slam the incumbent Senator on women's issues.

"What does he have on you?" a new web ad asks Vitter, referring to Brent Furer, a legislative aide Vitter continued to employ to work on women's issues after he was arrested and charged with assaulting his girlfriend while drunk. (Vitter has said he wasn't aware of the assault charges, just the DUIs.) Furer resigned last week after the assault allegations came to light in an ABC News report. But if Vitter hoped that getting rid of Furer would make the story go away, it's clear the Democrats aren't going to oblige him.

Melancon, trailing Vitter badly in polls, is clearly trying to connect this new flap to Vitter's scandalous past when it comes to women.

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Charlie Melancon

Melancon Holds Fire On Vitter Sex Scandal

Brian Beutler | June 21, 2010, 4:02PM

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

It's still early in the campaign, but -- at least for now -- Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) is keeping his thoughts on David Vitter's past sex scandals to himself.

We asked Melancon in an interview this afternoon whether he'd force Vitter to explain his prostitution scandal to voters. Melancon mostly kept his powder dry.

"What you say you are is what you should be," Melancon said. "I think that the people of this state realize that he's not been honest with them. If he's not honest with his family and his friends, what makes anybody think he's gonna be honest with the voters and the people of this state."

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Charlie Melancon

Melancon: Obama Gets A 'C' On Oil Spill Response

Brian Beutler | June 21, 2010, 2:01PM

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA)

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), who hopes to unseat Republican David Vitter in the Senate this fall, publicly parted ways with President Obama over the government's response to the oil spill in the Gulf. In an interview this afternoon, Melancon gave Obama's response a middling grade.

"Probably a 'C'," Melancon told TPMDC. "Even though his secretaries engaged, he himself didn't really get engaged immediately. I see him making up for that or trying to make up for that, but it's hard to play catchup when you start off slow."

Melancon isn't just upset about Obama's public response, but about the administration's decision to place a moratorium on deep water drilling.

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2010 elections

Have Republicans Already Blown Their Chance to Recapture The Senate?

Brian Beutler | June 15, 2010, 1:19PM

(clockwise, from top left) Sen candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV), Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Sen candidate Carly Fiorina (R-CA), Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

With nearly five months to go until Election Day, Republican hopes of retaking the Senate have dimmed and they're privately lamenting their lost opportunity. Until just a few weeks ago, Republicans considered winning a Senate majority a long shot but by no means out of reach. But the euphoria over Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts in January seems a distant memory now, especially after the latest round of primary results last week.

Primary victories by Carly Fiorina in California and Sharron Angle in Nevada bolstered a growing national narrative that Republican candidates are lightweights, or too outside the mainstream, to survive in the fall, and that could harm even top tier Republicans.

"There's now a path to 'acceptable losses' for Democrats," notes one cautiously optimistic Democratic strategist.

"I totally see how the number stops at five to seven [Republican pickups]" says a Republican consultant, speaking of an optimistic scenario for the GOP.

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John Boehner

Boehner Says BP On Hook For All Oil Spill Costs

Brian Beutler | June 10, 2010, 6:50PM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) And House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

House Minority Leader John Boehner fully broke ranks with the Chamber of Commerce today by accepting that under no circumstances should taxpayers be on the hook for any clean up costs or damages resulting from the Gulf oil spill.

"No taxpayer money for cleanup or damages -- period. BP pays," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel tells the Washington Post.

It's an uncomfortable departure for Boehner who got hammered all day, after he appeared to agree with Chamber President Tom Donohue that the government should pitch in to pay those costs. But it remains unclear how or when Boehner proposes to force BP to cover damages.

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | April 30, 2010, 5:45PM

Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL)

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), Senate candidate Marco Rubio (R-FL).

• Fox News Sunday: Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senate candidate Marco Rubio (R-FL).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM).

2010 elections

First-Quarter Fundraising Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 16, 2010, 6:25PM

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA)

Here are some highlights from the first-quarter political fundraising:

• In the Republican primary to face Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA), the incumbent Perriello raised about three times more than the entire GOP field combined.

• Businessman Bruce O'Donoghue, who is seeking the Republican nomination to run against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), announced that he raised $305,000, plus $50,000 of his own money, and has $308,000 on hand. Grayson, who is well known for his attacks against the Republicans, previously announced that he raised $803,000, and has $1.5 million on hand.

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Health Care

Against It: A Look At The 34 Dems Who Voted No On Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | March 22, 2010, 9:50AM

Clockwise: Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO), Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY), Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL), Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA)

The 34 Democrats who voted against health care reform last night are by and large a familiar set. They overlap significantly--though not entirely--with the 39 Democrats who voted against the House health care bill in November. Just as in November, most hail from contested districts, in the south and the midwest. But just as in November, there are some surprises--members you wouldn't normally expect to see voting against legislation so closely associated with the Democratic party.

Most of the Democratic "no" votes are as you would expect: conservative members from conservative districts, in many cases facing difficult re-election challenges. Blue Dog chair Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) is one such member. So is Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA).

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LA-SEN

Melancon: 'We Can Only Guess' Vitter's Reasons For Opposing Anti-Rape Amendment

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 10:28AM

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

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), who is running for Senate in 2010 against Republican Sen. David Vitter, is now stepping up his attacks on Vitter -- declaring that "we can only guess" why Vitter voted against a Senate amendment to crack down on rape.

In a new campaign e-mail, Melancon slams Vitter for voting against the Franken Amendment, which would cut off money for military contractors that force employees into arbitration, rather than a court of law, if they are raped:

If a company wants to receive taxpayer dollars, they should not be able to force victims to give up their constitutional rights as a condition of employment.

David Vitter has refused to explain why he voted to allow taxpayer-funded companies to sweep rape charges under the rug. We can only guess what his reasons were.

Tell David Vitter that sexual assault victims deserve their day in court.

(Emphasis in the original.)

Check out the full e-mail, after the jump.

Late Update: NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh sends us this comment: "If Charlie Melancon is truly 'shocked' that David Vitter would vote against this amendment, one can only imagine his thoughts on President Obama and Obama's Department of Defense having the exact same position on this amendment as the Republicans - which they do. Considering Charlie Melancon's strong endorsement of Obama in last year's election, it's fair to ask how Melancon squares this cheap partisan attack today with the Obama Administration's own position on the Franken amendment? Is Charlie Melancon seriously suggesting that President Obama does not care about victims of sexual assault because that would be news indeed. We look forward to his response."

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David Vitter

Vitter's Office On Justice Of Peace: 'Judges Should Follow The Law As Written'

Christina Bellantoni | October 21, 2009, 3:31PM

Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace

Sen. David Vitter's office has finally offered a comment on the Louisiana justice of the peace who refuses to marry biracial couples.

Though other statewide officials including the governor and his fellow senator called for Keith Bardwell's resignation, Vitter (R-LA) was silent.

But today a Vitter spokesman told the Washington Post the senator's sentiment on the issue.

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