Name & Party:
Charlie Melançon
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REPUBLICAN
David Vitter
Basic Info:U.S. Rep. since 2005;
Age: 62One-term incumbent;
Age: 49
Issues:
- Voted for stimulus package
- Voted against health care reform bill
- Opposes Obama's ban on deepwater drilling
- Vigorously opposed stimulus
- Wants to repeal health reform
- Opposes Obama's ban on deepwater drilling
Polling At:36%51%Campaign Chest:$2.2 million$5.4 million
Key Quote:"I'm a pro-life, pro-gun, Southern Democrat."
"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God."
Petty Controversy:An aide arrested for attacking his girlfriend stayed on Vitter's staff until ABC News reported the storyProvoked outrage by telling victims of a local Ponzi scheme they "should maybe have known better"Wild card:This will be the first election for Vitter since 2007, when he was linked to prostitutes in Washington and New Orleans, primarily dating back to the 1990s.Dueling Ads:"Forgotten Crimes": This Melançon ad revisits Vitter's prostitution scandal and asks why there were no legal consequences"Luvfest": Vitter charges that Melançon is "cashing in big-time" after backing Obama and his "liberal agenda"
Charlie Melançon's "Truth":
David Vitter's "Luvfest":