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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