Blue Dog Chairman Launches Campaign Against Sen. David Vitter

27 Aug 2009 // Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), a co-chairman of the group of fiscal conservative House Democrats called the Blue Dog Coalition, on Thursday launched his campaign to challenge Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) next year, touting his record as a businessman and casting himself as a "pro-life, pro-gun" centrist "proud family man." Vitter is one of several Republicans that critics consider vulnerable in 2010 because of his ties to a prostitution ring.

In a video message, Melancon said, "Louisian deserves better. Louisiana needs a different approach, more bipartisan, more discipline, more honest and with a whole lot more of common sense. As a businessman, my background has been demanding accountability, getting results and solving problems. In these tough economic times, we've got to be a whole lot smarter. First, we must get government spending and this deficint under control while creating more opportunities for Louisiana by cutting taxes on small businesses and making responsible investments in job training and college opportunity. For me, it's all about the right priorities."

Despite his years in the state House and three terms on Capitol Hill, Melancon castigated "those insiders in Washington" and said they "need to spend a lot less time scoring political points or sticking it to the other guy. They need to come out of their corners and bring people together."

"It's not whether its a Republican idea or a Democratic idea, the only question is -- does it make sense for Louisiana?" the 61-year-old said. "I'm a pro-life, pro-gun Southern Democrat. I have an A rating with the NRA. I'm a proud centrist, a Blue Dog, a straight-up the middle fighter for the little guy who is struggling to make ends meet."

The congressman made sure to mention his wife Peachy twice in his three-minute video, telling voters at the start they just celebrated their 37th anniversary.

The comments ostensibly were targeted to remind voters about the controversy that clouded Vitter's public life over the past two years. The first-term senator admitted in July 2007 that he had ties to the escort service owned by Deborah Palfrey, the woman dubbed the D.C. Madam. He made his admission when phone records ordered released by a judge showed his number appearing in a February 2001 list.

The senator had been subpoenaed by Palfrey's attorneys to testify, but the trial ended in April 2008 without him testifying. Palfrey was found guilty of operating a prostitution ring but committed suicide after her trial and before she was sentenced.

In May last year, the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against Vitter filed by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, saying the lawmaker's ties the escort service began before his term as senator in 2005.

Vitter remains ahead of Melancon, 44 to 32 percent, in the latest independent survey by Public Policy Polling last month. In terms of favorability, the Republican also has the lead, 44 to 26 percent, but his job approval rating has plummeted and is now at 44 percent, down from the 58 percent reported by Southern Media/Opinion Research in April.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee welcomed Melancon's launch by dismissing the congressman in an web ad as a "liberal" who is a member of the group of fiscal conservative Democrats, the Blue Dog Coalition, but actually "Obama's lap dog" for supporting the President's "reckless spending."

"Whether he's championing President Obama's bloated spending agenda, supporting the Democrats' job-killing card check legislation, or voting hand-in-hand with Speaker Pelosi 93 percent of the time in 2008, Charlie Melancon has clearly demonstrated that he is not in touch with the issues that are important to the people of Louisiana," the NRSC said in a statement that cited Melancon's 93 percent rating on the Congressional Quarterly's 2008 party unity score.