LA-Sen: Melancon to Challenge Vitter

[ccharles000]

Looks like we can already add a new name to the House Open Seat Watch:

While he is not ready to make a public announcement, John Maginnis reports Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) has decided to run for the U.S. Senate. Sources say he "he has told national Democratic campaign officials" he will challenge Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) in 2010.
"While Melancon earlier this year seemed to have ruled out running, a renewed press by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, armed with a poll showing Vitter's vulnerability, got Melancon to reconsider."

This is a tremendous get for the DSCC, though of course holding Melancon's R+12 seat in LA-03 will probably be an extreme challenge.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/5140/lasen-melancon-to-challenge-vitter

[rurallib]

1. I am hoping the porn star beats Vitter in the primary

As she said we both do the same thing, I am just open about it.

[ccharles000]

2. kick

[PBS Poll-435]

3. A strong LA name

Not going to be progressive by any means, but better than Vitter (Or any post-diaper Republican)

[DatManFromNawlins]

4. Heh.

Melancon would have a very hard uphill battle to unseat Vitter for that spot. People here have largely forgiven Vitter for his prostitution scandal in light of all the work he's put in with Landrieu on hurricane protection issues, and the entire Northern half of the state would be very, very wary about putting another Democrat from the New Orleans area (specifically, south of Lake Ponchartrain) in the Senate. They very much want someone who will serve their social and economic interests.

I think Melancon would make a fine Senator for the state. I also think he'd be crucified daily by DU, because he is largely an old school conservative in the Billy Tauzin mold. The only reason he got the seat to begin with is because Tauzin decided to go lobby for big Pharma and the only person who cared enough to run and challenge Melancon was Billy's son, who hadn't even finished college yet. Most of the Democrats from Melancon's district are Democrats because it's a way to get connections in the patronage that runs rampant down here.

[Honeycombe8]

5. Well, he has the right name. And he's been elected there before. Here's hoping...

Vitter goes down and Melancon goes up.

I'm in TX now, but I'm from LA and my family still lives there. Whatever happens in Louisiana ALWAYS fascinates me! Politics in LA has NEVER been boring!

:hi:
Cajun Gal

[PBS Poll-435]

6. Hello, fellow Texan!

I wish Breaux would had never retired because he was at least a 60% Dem as opposed to diaperboy.