Cook Report Downgrades Vitter's Louisiana Senate Race To 'Lean Republican'

[KingFlorez]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/07/cook-report-downgrades-vitter-to-lean-republican.php?ref=fpblg

The Cook Report has now changed its rating in the Louisiana Senate race, where Republican Sen. David Vitter is seeking a second term, from "Likely Republican" to the less safe "Lean Republican."

The Cook Report cites three factors that could drag Vitter down a bit: His tough job balancing the needs of Gulf Coast recovery with the needs of the oil and gas industry in the BP spill; his mishandling of a case involving a staffer who resigned in June after ABC News reported that he had assaulted an ex-girlfriend in 2008; and the fact that Vitter has now attracted a primary challenger, former state Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor. That primary is August 28.

[WI_DEM]

1. I'm almost certain he'll be forced into a run-off.

[Bozita]

2. Depends

[monmouth]

3. Bwahahahahaha..n/t

[FBaggins]

4. Unfortunately, he also moved WI from "solid D" to "lean D" and

CA from "lean D" to "tossup".


On edit - and WV has been added to the list at "likely D" - making it potentially competitive.


There are now 13 variously competitive Democratic seats. A year ago there were six (and we've already lost one). Right after the 2008 elections there wasn't a single Democratic seat that was even a tossup. Now there are 11 at that rating or worse.

[Arkana]

5. Has anyone even heard from Charlie Melancon?

He's Vitter's opponent and he has no chance. Even if he won, it would be replacing Vitter with Vitter-lite.