David Vitter (Getty)
Louisiana Rep.
Charlie Melancon hasn't even said publicly if he's going to challenge Republican Sen.
David Vitter in 2010, but that hasn't stopped the senator from launching a pre-emptive attack on Melancon to raise some campaign cash.
Vitter on Friday sent out a fundraising e-mail that says Melancon, a Democrat, was talked into running for the Senate by "President Obama and congressional liberals." The senator also criticized Melancon's political views, including his votes in favor of the economic stimulus law and a budget blueprint for the next fiscal year.
Vitter invoked the possibility of a 60-seat Democratic majority that in theory would allow the party to break Republican filibusters. Democrats operationally control 59 Senate seats and are targeting the seat that Vitter won in 2004.
The Vitter e-mail asks supporters to donate to his campaign by June 30, the last day of this year's second quarter. Candidates for Congress are required to file updated campaign finance reports by July 15.
Look for Melancon, who represents southern Louisiana's 3rd District, to announce his Senate candidacy soon and for Vitter to keep linking him to Obama, who lost Louisiana by a 19-point margin to John McCain in the 2008 election.
To see how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.
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Comments
This pre-emptive attack by Vitter suggests to me that he thinks Melacon will be a threat. That's good enough for me, if Melacon declares I'll contribute money to his campaign.
It's past time for Vitter to go. Him getting re-elected would be a further disgrace to America and an endorsement of moral hypocrisy.
Posted by: billp
| June 26, 2009 6:33 PM
The people of Louisianna can't be sure if Sen. Vitter is actually going to Washington to represent them, or if he's simply cruising the streets of New Orleans looking for prostitutes. No wonder he has launched this preemptive strike. Democrats need to hammer home how much of a failed moralist David Vitter is. He can vote against Hillary Clinton, against Sonia Sotomayor and against gay marriage all he wants. But in the end, he's still the same guy who committed a 'terrible sin' against his wife, his children, his constituents and God. This guy should be run out of the Senate the same way Larry Craig was.
Posted by: mag_amberson
| June 27, 2009 10:25 PM
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