On November 2nd, 2004, Congressman David Vitter won the seat of retiring senator John Breaux. Vitter Blog's mission is now complete, and we acknowledge and honor the hard work of all that worked to elect Louisiana's first Republican senator since Reconstruction. With that, we now turn our attention to other blogs, who will be documenting the races in their states.
Well, election day is just around the corner. I wish I could be here blogging at my usual pace, but demands on my time have made that impossible. As it stands now, Vitter is doing very well and is brushing that 50% he needs to win outright. Of course nothing is guaranteed, and a runoff is still expected. So hopefully, after the presidential election, if there is a runoff, I'll be back at my regular pace.
Go Bush, Go Jindal, and Go Vitter!
From Bayoubuzz.com:
The Vitter Campaign:
While the Democratic Party sends mail around the state featuring veterans from Washington, veterans from across Louisiana today stood with U.S. Congressman David Vitter on his record of support for veterans´ issues.
“A veteran with a VFW Post in a Seattle, Wash., suburb is featured in a democratic mail piece circulating this week that attacks Vitter’s work for veterans. But Louisiana veterans are uniting behind David Vitter.
State Republican Party:
In a desperate attempt to save a failing campaign, the Chris John campaign is relying on the support of well-known Hollywood liberals to influence Louisiana voters.
California actor-turned-leftist-poster-child, Edward Asner, has joined Congressman Chris John’s Democratic group of liberal out-of-state supporters. Most of Chris John’s financial support has come from outside Louisiana, and now he is receiving vocal support from Hollywood’s socialist elite as well.
Asner, former president of the Screen Actor’s Guild and current member of several socialist organizations, claims Congressman David Vitter´s views on social welfare are out of sync with Asner’s opinions on how Louisiana should operate.
“Ed Asner and the other Hollywood liberals should stay on the Left Coast and out of the business of Louisiana voters,” said Roger F. Villere, Jr, Chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana.
“The people of Louisiana don’t need the likes of Ed Asner and Barbara Streisand telling them what’s best for our state,” Villere continued.
In the past, Asner has been vocal in his opposition to the War on Terror, has blamed the United States for driving Cuban leader Fidel Castro to Communism, and has attributed American job losses to laziness, saying that "we [Americans] don’t do a damned thing in our country, because we are pigs".
Recently, in an attempt to discredit conservative journalists, Ed Asner has made comments attacking Sean Hannity of Fox News´ Hannity and Colmes claiming "We´re going after him just like we went after Limbaugh."
“Contrary to what Mr. Asner has said, Congressman Vitter is the only candidate who has fought and voted for stronger welfare reform for Louisiana.
“Congressman Vitter believes that taxpayer dollars should never be used in a way that discourages work, but rather as a helping hand for those who need temporary assistance,” Villere concluded.
From Channel 10 KLFY.
...the latest poll on the Senate race shows Representative David Vitter, trending up, with 49 percent of the vote.
From The Advocate.
The signs point to Republican U.S. Rep. David Vitter making an all-out push to win the U.S. Senate seat Nov. 2 without the necessity of a Dec. 4 runoff.
Vitter says he doesn't expect it.
A week before the election, political observers and analysts say it's a long shot but not impossible.
They say it's the Republican Party's best shot at gaining its first-ever U.S. Senate seat because on Nov. 2 Vitter can ride the coattails of President Bush.
Vitter needs a majority of the votes cast Nov. 2 to win. Otherwise, he faces the second-place candidate in the runoff Dec. 4, when little else will be on the ballot.
Vitter has placed far ahead of the major Democratic candidates, U.S. Rep. Chris John and state Treasurer John Kennedy, in statewide surveys. Polls consistently give him the support of more than 40 percent of the voters polled.
(snip)
"I'm frankly expecting a run-off," Vitter said last week.
But Vitter's primary campaign more resembles a runoff campaign, with John as his opponent. Vitter's aim is to peel moderate white votes away from the centrist Democrat.
Vitter attacks John specifically in TV ads, and Vitter targeted likely friendly households with a massive mailout piece outlining his agenda.
"David Vitter has a decent shot at winning Nov. 2 if he gets the lions share of the undecided white (voters)," said pollster Bernie Pinsonat of Southern Media & Opinion Research.
His opponents must believe that, Pinsonat said. Otherwise, "The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee wouldn't be attacking him unmercifully," he said.
"He's got to be going for it in the first -- all out -- because of the uncertainty of a Dec. 4 turnout," political analyst Elliott Stonecipher said.
The more votes Bush gets Nov. 2, the day of the presidential and U.S. Senate election, the greater the chances of a Vitter first-round victory, Stonecipher said.
Republicans make up 24 percent of the state's 2.9 million voters. Bush carried the state four years ago and is expected to once again -- the question is by how much.
"I think Vitter can win in the first. If I were him, I'd try. But that's difficult with two serious, well-financed candidates also running," Loyola University professor and pollster Ed Renwick said.
(snip)
Pinsonat said Vitter is garnering about 55 percent of white voters in most polls. Vitter could win outright if currently undecided white voters go with Vitter in the same percentage as white decided voters have in recent polls, Stonecipher said.
On the Democratic side, John and Kennedy need to pull together a good enough coalition of white and black voters to force a run-off, Pinsonat said.
John and Kennedy are heavily courting black voters, a key to Democratic victories.
But they need to do better among white voters than they are today "or it won't matter how well they are doing among black voters," Pinsonat said. "Who has a better balance of whites and blacks is the one that will make it."
Unfortunately, I have quite a few demands on my time, which is making blogging a little difficult at the moment. There is plenty of good stuff out there and I'll try to get it all in in a few days.
In light of the recent poll showing Kennedy pull ahead of John, I thought I'd pass this along.
From Bayoubuzz.com
Here is a just released memorandum issued by Chris John campaign. Bayoubuzz has contacted Ed Renwick. A spokesperson for WWL said “it stands behind the accurancy of its poll“.
With the pending primary day a little more than a week away, four of the five most recent polls show Chris John in a solid second place and headed for a December run-off in the U.S. Senate race. The recent Renwick Poll by WWL television does not pass the smell test. If these numbers were true, both of his major opponents would not be attacking him in paid media, including television and radio ads, nor would the National Republican Senatorial Committee be running its negative attack campaign on television. Not to mention, the Renwick poll is counter to every other recent major poll relating to the race.
Excerpted from Bayoubuzz.com
The other night I had the extreme pleasure of watching the Houston Astros take a 3-2 lead in the NLCS. Neither the Astros or the visiting St. Louis Cardinals had scored come the bottom of the ninth inning. Second Baseman Jeff Kent was at bat as the St. Louis pitcher hoped to force a double play from Kent to end the inning.
Kent, on the other hand, knew that all he had to do was hit the ball out of the infield to advance the runner at second to third or possibly home. With the lead in the National League championship series on the line Kent, who was not considered much of a homerun threat, swung away and not only knocked the ball out of the infield but out of the park as well to win the game for the home team. What relevance does this have to Louisiana´s US Senate primary in two weeks? Plenty.
Though they have advanced to the playoffs many times, the Houston Astros are somewhat of a cursed team as they´ve never been able to advance in post-season play. Though their misfortunate legacy is not as extensive as that of the Cubs or the Red Sox (1918!), the Astros are never taken seriously in the playoffs because of their streak of defeats.
The Louisiana Republican Party could say the same when it comes to US Senate races. Sure, the Bayou State is more Republican than our Arky neighbors to the north and the President will carry the state in a cake-walk, but there is one thing the LA GOP has never been able to do: elect a Republican US Senator.
(snip)
It is ironic that the very seat Republicans held so much hope for winning 18 years ago is now pegged to once again be a golden opportunity to "reverse the curse". Metairie Congressman David Vitter is the first candidate the party establishment and grassroots types have been able to rally around since the ill-fated Moore candidacy.
Vitter is polished, well financed, and cagey...at least for a reformer. Like 1986, the Democratic Party is seriously divided between several candidates, though with two exceptions. The first is that unlike that election, there isn´t a clear frontrunner within the Democratic ranks as polls show Chris John and John Kennedy trading second place over the past few months.
And secondly, Vitter has the advantage of being on the same ballot as a popular Republican president...at least popular in Louisiana.
(snip)
Polls have also shown that Vitter´s numbers are in the mid-forties, easily within striking distance of a primary victory. The national Democrats, who are going to take it on the chin on a swath of southern US Senate contests, cannot afford to let Louisiana slip through their fingers and began attacking Vitter in a spate of media buys in order to slow the Republican candidate´s momentum.
As alluded to earlier, the true x-factor in this election is Bush...2004 is the first time a strong Republican presidential candidate will be on the same ballot as a strong Republican US Senate contender, creating a very promising scenario. The closer Bush comes to 60%, the closer the straight-ticket vote will push Vitter towards 50%+1...
Since general elections have historically not been kind to Republican candidates for the US Senate, you can appreciate the quiet, yet desperate drive for Vitter to swing for the fences and end this race in the primary. For a state party that has been more Bill Buckner than Babe Ruth in US Senate elections, the threat of extra innings is terrifying.
The Chris John vs. John Kennedy contest for second place has yielded a turnover, at least according to this poll. Kennedy is certainly the more desirable opponent for Vitter in a runoff, however the congressman would probably prefer to win outright and avoid a runoff altogether.
Per press release from the Kennedy campaign:
After beginning his new statewide television campaign this past Thursday, U.S. Senate candidate John Kennedy has risen dramatically to second place in the latest Ed Renwick poll conducted for WWL-TV in New Orleans. Source: www.wwltv.com
Ed Renwick/WWL-TV Poll
600 Voters
October 15th to 18th, 2004
David Vitter 39
John Kennedy 18
Chris John 15
Arthur Morrell 2
Per press release from the Vitter campaign:
(Metairie, La.) – The Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police today endorsed U.S. Congressman David Vitter to fill Louisiana’s open U.S. Senate seat, saying he is the best candidate to help Louisiana fight crime.
“Today, the Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police is proud to endorse David Vitter for the U.S. Senate. While in Congress, David has been a champion and strong proponent for issues near and dear to the law enforcement community. We know that David will continue to be a strong advocate for us in the U.S. Senate,” said Patrick Yoes, president of the Louisiana FOP.
The FOP cited Vitter’s work on behalf of the law enforcement community and his efforts to help fight crime during the endorsement. As Louisiana’s only member of the House Appropriations Committee, and vice chair of the committee that funds Justice Department programs and grants, Vitter has worked aggressively to help fund valuable law enforcement programs and projects statewide, including a $1 million statewide initiative to upgrade Louisiana’s DNA labs.
“I am honored to have the support of policemen and women across the state,” Vitter said. “I have long stood proudly with the entire law enforcement community in support of their hard work and goals and am grateful for their continued support.”
“Keeping our streets safe and our communities drug-free has never been more important. Every Louisianian has a right to live, work and raise a family in a safe, crime-free neighborhood, and every child has the right to go to a safe, drug-free school. I will continue working closely with law enforcement across the state to help achieve these goals, and will act as a partner to provide the resources they need in the process,” Vitter said.
Vitter has also secured funding to help local police departments around the state with technology upgrades and mobile command posts, and he has supported law enforcement training programs. In addition, he has worked to expand the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking network to include more Louisiana parishes, providing more communities with additional resources to fight drug abuse.
Victims and Citizens Against Crime endorsed Vitter earlier this year. He has received their Lifetime Achievement Award for his support of victims’ rights legislation and for his efforts to fight for tougher penalties for criminals.
It's a "see it to believe it" moment:
From Bayoubuzz.com.
Speaking of heads, the complaint dejure by the parties is that David Vitter’s campaign is sending out money in the face of a one dollar bill to perspective donors. The democrats are crying foul.
As reported in The Advocate today, the Vitter campaign sent dollar bills and an accompanying letter to Louisiana homes this week seeking support for Vitter’s candidacy and noting, “The enclosed $1 bill is real and yours to keep if you like.” (copy of letter below)
The state democratic party calls it influence. “Vitter’s stunt is a shameless attempt to influence the outcome of this election,” said Mike Skinner, Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “It’s offensive for David Vitter to think that Louisianians cast their votes based on anything but the issues.”
Vitter is quoted to say, “"It was just a simple way to get folks´ attention and focus on the fundraising required, which was very urgent," Vitter said. "Hopefully, it got the people´s attention."
So, if you follow that logic, if I go up to John Doe on the street with a dollar and tell him to keep the money but it came from David Vitter and he needs more money, there is nothing it is just an attention getter.
Well, I agree, the public needs an attention getter. It needs to look how these campaigns are being run and demand accountability and mere business ethics. Maybe we can hire Donald Trump to clean up the whole mess. Gee, how about a new realtime TV show called, “You’re elected”
Jeff Sadow commentary from Bayoubuzz.com
Less than two weeks until the Senate election, on the field of campaign honor Rep. Chris John and Treasurer John Kennedy have done the equivalent of pacing, turning, firing, and killing each other.
The unusual dynamics of this race continue to favor Rep. David Vitter to the point that he may wrap it up on Nov. 2. Pres. George W. Bush’s lead is slowing expanding nationwide but here, given his larger beginning base in Louisiana, is increasing even more rapidly the coattails that Vitter can expect. Further, a judicial ruling that puts into constitutional question the recently, overwhelmingly-passed same-sex marriage amendment keeps that issue alive and reminds religious conservatives they may well wish to vote for their compatriot in Vitter.
(snip)
Vitter’s goal at this point is to capture at least 45 percent of the vote on election day. Even with minimal second-choice voting for him, that would be enough to win in December. In a three-horse race as this appears to be, the optimal strategy for the leader is first to give a reason for people to vote for you, and only secondarily to discourage votes for other candidates. One needs a more positive campaign because, unlike in a two-person contest, a defection from the other candidate has at least one other likely option to consider besides you.
However, for the candidates who are behind, they must avoid attacking each other at all costs. This is because together they may drive away supporters from themselves right into the arms of the leader. They may do this so effectively that, in Louisiana’s blanket primary system, they help the leader capture an absolute majority on the first ballot. Their common goal should be to hold down the leader’s total so at least one can force a runoff with a realistic chance of winning on the second ballot. But that means they must cooperate and thus each takes the chance he’ll lose out.
(snip)
Vitter should be delighted that, in the best scenario for him, each Democrat attacking the other causes voters to come his way and at the same time depresses overall turnout for Democrat candidates. Each makes it easier to boost his percentage closer to the magic 50 percent plus one mark, and it costs him nothing to do it. If he’s smart he’ll put a tremendous positive spin on his campaign not only to attract more votes but to place himself in contrast to the others which itself may encourage a few more votes to come his way.
Not only may Vitter become the first statewide Republican who has always been a Republican in the modern era in Louisiana to win, but he may actually pull it off without a runoff.
In addition to the text I posted below, there was an additional piece from that Times Picayune article, a true study in irony:
Zac Wright, spokesman for Rep. Chris John, D-Crowley, one of Vitter's opponents in the Nov. 2 Senate primary, said the event shows that Vitter is too tied to the Republican establishment.
"The nation's Republican Party wants a puppet whose strings they can pull for the Washington party instead of a voice for Louisiana like Chris John," Wright said.
Apparently Mr. Wright is blissfully unaware of the national Democratic Party's ads running in Louisiana against Congressman Vitter, or the money from liberal Democrats such as Pat Leahy that Chris John receives. Who is who's puppet, Mr. Wright?
From The Times Picayune.
Former President George H.W. Bush helped raise more than $300,000 for David Vitter's Senate campaign at a New Orleans fund-raiser Sunday in which Bush, not unexpectedly, put in a word on behalf of his son, President George W. Bush.
"It was a great success," said Vitter, a Republican U.S. representative from Metairie, who later joked that the former president's appeal for votes for Vitter's Senate candidacy and his son's re-election "weren't necessarily in that order."
The $5,000-per-ticket dinner was held at the Lakefront home of Philip Montelepre, an attorney and member of the Louisiana Economic Development Corp. board. The dinner was closed to the news media, but participants said that the former president, in brief remarks, said he believed his son would prevail over Democrat John Kerry.
"He reminisced a little bit about his boys, and his family was very supportive of David Vitter and his efforts in Congress to date," said Woody Gagliano, an environmental consultant from New Orleans.
During his remarks, the former president joked that his "feelings were hurt" because so many of the guests seemed disappointed that his wife, Barbara Bush, didn't attend. Mrs. Bush, the president explained, stayed behind at the Bush home in Houston so she could toss out the first pitch in Sunday's playoff game between the Astros and St. Louis Cardinals.
(snip)
Vitter said that he is running his own campaign and complained that the "liberal" Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee continues to run ads "lying about my record." Vitter began running an ad this week suggesting that while he has been consistently for legislation to allow importation of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, John embraced the idea only when he started running for the Senate.
Plenty of stories this morning from The Times Picayune.
Vitter urged to go for broke
With U.S. Senate candidate David Vitter inching toward the 50 percent mark in recent polls, some Republicans are urging the Metairie congressman to pull out all the stops to try to win a majority in the Nov. 2 primary and avoid a runoff. The latest independent poll of 600 likely voters by Verne Kennedy showed Vitter at 47 percent, with 53 percent of sampled voters viewing him positively, the highest by far among any of the four major candidates. The poll, commissioned by a group of business leaders, was conducted Oct. 4-7 and has a margin of error of 4.1 percent. Vitter plans to continue a major television and public presence during the next 16 days, but he apparently is not going to empty his war chest. Someone familiar with the financial disclosure report that Vitter's campaign sent to the U.S. Senate on Friday said the document shows him with about $3 million in the bank as of Sept. 30. The Kennedy poll showed U.S. Rep. Chris John, D-Crowley, in a solid second place with 20 percent, while state Treasurer John Kennedy was at 14. State Rep. Arthur Morrell, D-New Orleans, was well back with 3 percent.
John makes gains, takes hits
Rep. Chris John's surge in the latest Verne Kennedy poll is likely attributable to his heavy television presence and the decision by fellow Democrat John Kennedy, who is not related to the pollster, to pull his ads through September to save money. John Kennedy announced late last week that he is back up on the air. However, a Verne Kennedy tracking poll of 200 people a day last week may give John some pause. It showed his unfavorable ratings rise from 9 percent on Monday to 19 percent Thursday. Could it be that those HumaneUSA television spots blasting John for defending cockfighting have drawn blood? Or could it be that the Kennedy-sponsored phone bank targeting African-American voters and questioning John's commitment to civil rights issues is having an impact?
Kennedy keeps low profile -- for now
While Senate candidates David Vitter and Chris John have been all over the state the past two months, John Kennedy has kept a remarkably low profile. Those close to him say he has spent much of his time working the telephones raising money to stay competitive on television. Kennedy finished the third quarter with $803,126 in the bank, having raised $302,630 between July 18 and Sept. 30, according to his campaign finance reports. Kennedy is said to be banking on an aggressive get-out-the-vote effort in New Orleans spearheaded by Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, who also is working to turn out voters for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. In Baton Rouge, Kennedy hopes he will be helped by expected heavy turnout for state Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, who is running for a seat on the Public Service Commission. In Lafayette, Kennedy is hoping the congressional campaign of state Sen. Donald Cravins, with whom he shares political adviser Roy Fletcher, will drive turnout. And in north Louisiana's 5th Congressional District, Kennedy is encouraged by the Democratic Party's plans to get out the vote against Rep. Rodney Alexander, who switched party affiliation in August. The party is putting resources into the race on behalf of Alexander's lone Democratic challenger, Zelma Blakes.
Blanco not taking sides in Senate race
It was thought that the endorsement that could really move votes in the U.S. Senate race was that of Gov. Kathleen Blanco. But it appears the governor is going to stay mum until the runoff. A source close to the Blanco administration said the governor has decided it's too much of a political risk with the leading Democrats, Chris John and John Kennedy, apparently duking it out for a place in a potential Dec. 4 runoff with Republican David Vitter. And, the source said, "Neither of these guys bled for her when she was running."
(snip)
Landrieu backs John campaign
Rep. Chris John, D-Crowley, traveled around the state last week with Sen. John Breaux, D-La., the man he hopes to replace in the Senate. John also picked up the long-expected endorsement of Sen. Mary Landrieu, who said she took her time making up her mind because there are "two other good Democrats in the race," state Treasurer John Kennedy and state Rep. Arthur Morrell, D-New Orleans. Landrieu said she'd be happy to back either of them if John doesn't make it into an expected December runoff against Republican Rep. David Vitter. Landrieu said she settled on John because his experience in the House means he won't "require much on-the-job training" to "fill the big shoes of Sen. Breaux."
Roemer lines up behind Vitter
U.S. Senate candidate David Vitter picked up the endorsement last week of Buddy Roemer, although the former governor was a no-show for the official announcement. Vitter's campaign said Roemer had planned to attend but was held up by urgent banking business. Roemer is president of Business Bank of Baton Rouge. Roemer, who was elected to Congress and the governor's office as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party, passed over one of his former aides, who also is in the Senate race. State Treasurer John Kennedy was part of Roemer's administration and managed his unsuccessful gubernatorial comeback effort in 1995. Both men agree they are not close.
From The Times Picayune.
While the war in Iraq and terrorism have emerged as the major issues in the presidential race, all four of the major Louisiana Senate candidates -- Republican Rep. David Vitter of Metairie and the three Democratic candidates, Rep. Chris John of Crowley, state Treasurer John Kennedy of Madisonville and state Rep. Arthur Morrell of New Orleans -- are making proposals to improve Louisiana's economy a top priority of their campaigns.
(snip)
Vitter, who often talks about his desire to boost Louisiana's economic opportunities so the state's young people will make their future here instead of going to Atlanta or Houston, said his emphasis will continue to be on helping small businesses.
"The best thing the government could do to spur job creation is to reduce government mandates on small businesses, who are the job creators in our economy, through better tax policy and regulatory reform," Vitter said.
(snip)
Voters are offered some strikingly different views by the four candidates on such issues as tax policy, whether to impose new homeland security restrictions on the state's chemical industry, and the minimum wage.
Vitter is the only one of the four to oppose legislation to raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour.
"Raising the minimum wage would kill job growth by eliminating many entry-level jobs, dramatically increase the costs of doing business and lead to inflation," Vitter said. "All of these effects would be a burden on small businesses and will hurt job-creation efforts."
(snip)
On chemical plant safety, Vitter said that enacting a rule to require companies to use less-volatile substances, when available, would cause major economic problems for one of the state's dominant industries.
(snip)
The biggest disagreement among the candidates is on taxes.
Vitter wants to make all of President Bush's tax cuts permanent, while the three Democrats said they would prefer to let cuts benefiting the wealthiest taxpayers expire.
(snip)
Vitter said Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's plan to rescind the cuts for Americans making more than $200,000 would hit not only the wealthy, but also small businesses whose tax liability often is based on individual income tax rates.
"Tax relief has been a big part of our economic recovery and is crucial to continuing economic growth," Vitter said.
Vitter is the only one of the four major Senate candidates to support a flat income tax or national sales tax, proposals President Bush said he would consider if elected to a second term.
"Our tax system is too complicated and too expensive to comply with, and I will continue fighting to replace it with a fairer, simpler system," Vitter said. "I am open to exploring all options to reduce the intrusion of the IRS and provide tax fairness to all Americans."
From The Times Picayune.
The four major candidates jockeying to replace retiring U.S. Sen. John Breaux will face off in a statewide televised debate Thursday. The forum pits Republican Congressman David Vitter against three Democrats: U.S. Rep. Chris John, state Treasurer John Kennedy and state Rep. Arthur Morrell. Sponsored by Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Council for A Better Louisiana, the debate will be held at Angelle Hall on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The debate will be carried on all Louisiana Public Broadcasting stations across the state on Thursday at 7 p.m., as well as on WLAE-32 in New Orleans. It will repeat Saturday at 7 p.m. on WLAE and Sunday at 4 p.m.
From The Times Picayune.
Republican David Vitter tried to capture a few votes Saturday in Democrat Chris John's hometown, and both candidates attempted to rouse interest in a Senate contest that some voters say has been overshadowed by the tight presidential race.
The two candidates, both U.S. House members, along with Libertarian Party candidate Richard Fontanesi, campaigned at the International Rice Festival in Crowley...
(snip)
...Mark Johnson, 46, an auto mechanic who backs Vitter.
"They're all throwing mud at each other, and I think Vitter is throwing a little bit less of it," Johnson said. "And it makes sense that since I'm for President Bush I'd be for the only Republican in the Senate race.
(snip)
Vitter, a Metairie Republican, said he got a friendly reception from John's hometown and that he thinks the focus on the presidential race helps him.
"I suspect that 90 percent of the people you're talking to in Crowley are for George Bush," Vitter said. "And I'm the only Senate candidate for the president."
But not every Vitter supporter in Crowley is willing to say so publicly.
"I'm for Vitter because of his position against abortion and embryonic stem cell research," said one man sitting in an LSU folding chair and waiting for the parade to begin. "But don't use my name. I live near one of Chris John's brothers."
(snip)
Before the parade, John and Vitter denounced some of their opponents' campaign tactics.
(snip)
Vitter, meanwhile, complained that ads being run by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee are distorting his record of trying to protect Social Security and allow seniors to buy cheaper Canadian drugs.
"I don't particularly like it that they are actually lying about my record, but it is a high compliment," Vitter said. It means, Vitter said, that Democrats consider him the clear front-runner.
From The Daily Comet.
Two new independent polls differ broadly on the Bush-Kerry matchup in Louisiana, though both show the president continuing to lead his Democratic challenger in the state.
One of the new polls, by American Research Group Inc. (ARG) of New Hampshire, narrows Bush's lead over Sen. John Kerry compared to other polls, suggesting the same tightening of the national race seen elsewhere.
That poll, of 600 likely voters taken Sept. 17-21, before the presidential debates, gives Bush a lead of 50 to 42 percent, about half the margin of other recent polls, and closer to the six-point spread of early summer when Kerry thought he had a chance in the state. The ARG poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four points.
The other new poll continues to show Bush with the same double-digit lead over Kerry as in other recent surveys, 51-36. That poll, of 600 Louisiana voters taken Oct. 4-7, after the first debate, is by Verne Kennedy of Marketing Research Institute of Pensacola, Fla.
(snip)
Meanwhile, in the U.S. Senate race, front-running Republican David Vitter appears to be increasing his margin, putting him within striking distance of winning the contest without a runoff.
The same MRI poll shows Vitter, the congressman from Metairie, with 47 percent, his closest challenger Chris John, the Democratic congressman from Acadiana, with 20, state treasurer John Kennedy with 14, and state Rep. Arthur Morrell with 3 percent.
Vitter has increased his share by 4 percent since the last survey, probably because of an offbeat, family-oriented advertising campaign that has won praise from political professionals.
Vitter's latest total puts him within the margin of error of an outright victory - over 50 percent. Pollster Kennedy puts the Republican's chances of such a win at 30-40 percent, since the Republican is now getting some 58 percent of the white vote.
Vitter is doing unusually well among white women, Kennedy said. "The gender gap has disappeared in the Senate race," he said, speculating that female votes appeared to be going to Vitter because of his tough stand on terrorism.
If you regularly visit Vitter Blog, you know I have an ever growing "opposition section" on the right hand side. I put this up to show where the Democratic candidates stand on issues such as taxes, government spending, etc. This being Louisiana, out and out liberalism simply will not do, and Democrats running statewide must do so as conservatives or moderates. But the cracks are showing in the illusion, and here's one of the big ones. Congressman Chris John, according to the Federal Elections Commission, has received campaign contributions from liberal Democratic senator Pat Leahy of Vermont.
With all this manufactured outcry over Tom Delay's contributions to David Vitter, I felt there was something more disturbing on the Democratic side. Leahy is one of the most liberal senators in the Senate and one of the most fiercely partisan, and has been admonished for leaking classified information from the Senate intelligence committee. Apparently, Senator Leahy's money does not clash with Louisiana's values. Or does it? I believe many residents would believe it does. Leahy gets a mere "6" from the American Conservative Union's lifetime average rating. On the other hand, Louisiana Republicans like David Vitter and Richard Baker score in the nineties.
Chris John has said over and over that he will build bridges in Congress. However, he is being funded by a man who had done his best to tear them down. Thus I have put up "The Chris John-Pat Leahy Connection" so this information will be front and center to Louisiana voters.
When I first heard about it, I had to wonder if they were in fact serious, but it is now obvious that they are. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the DSCC, has launched a website called DavidVitter04.com. Don't be fooled by the domain name, this site is really a hatchet job on Congressman Vitter.
Obviously this is an attempt to misled internet users who might type in the name hoping to find Vitter's campaign website. This site is pretty bare, just a few press releases and two goofy pictures that looked like outtakes from Vitter's driver's license photo. (At least I was able to put a UN helmet on Chris John's head. Show some originality.) Frankly this effort is rather weak, especially when you line it up to this site's quotes and snippets of articles detailing the Democratic candidates' positions and their support for higher taxes, for judicial filibusters, against medical liability reform, against school vouchers, and their endorsement of the liberal Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards. But it comes as no surprise. Now that the local candidates have failed to make a case against Vitter, they are calling in the national Democrats to do it for them.
The latest from the Vitter campaign:
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mac Abrams
October 14, 2004
(504) 833-1163 or (504) 481-8308
Chris John's Real Campaign Team
(Metairie, La.) Today, U.S. Congressman and the hand-picked senate candidate of the Washington Democratic establishment Chris John announced the endorsement of Senator Mary Landrieu.
During this endorsement, John referred to his Louisiana team, but he forgot to mention the people who are actually running his campaign: The liberals at the National Democratic Senatorial Committee.
"It is interesting to hear Chris talk about his Louisiana campaign team, when he is relying on the DSCC to push him into the runoff. This week the DSCC began their million dollar negative assault on Louisiana. The Washington insiders are going to use negative attack ads to try and deceive Louisiana about my record," said Vitter
Added Vitter, "After complaining about the National Republicans attacking her in 2002, it seems odd that Senator Landrieu would endorse Chris John the same week that the National Democrats began attacking me on his behalf. Does Louisiana really need another Senator that says one thing one day and another next?"
The Facts on Chris John's Campaign Team
* “Committee Backs John in Effort to Chase Kennedy From La. Race” Roll Call, July 6, 2004
* “With a new poll commissioned by Republican U.S. Senate candidate David Vitter showing him maintaining a substantial lead over Democratic rivals, the Democrats' national Senate elections committee launched a two-front, television-and-manpower attack on him Tuesday.” AP, October 11th, 2004
* “Landrieu said she was discouraged by the harsh tone that the race took on, largely due to influence by the national Republican Party.”
Baton Rouge Advocate, December 10th 2002.
Full piece from bayoubuzz.com here. A quote from a press release from the John campaign is just under the "snip."
As expected, the two leading democrats have started to throw the gooey stuff at each other and it stinks, really bad.
Bayoubuzz is not taking sides on this issue but is republishing a press release sent out by the Chris John campaign. The totality of issue presented reeks of political infighting, racism, and self-destruction. There are no winners, except for perhaps David Vitter.
(snip)
(NEW ORLEANS) – In an attempt to pull out of third place, trailing candidate John Neely Kennedy launched a campaign of vile mischaracterizations against Chris John.
With recent polls putting John Kennedy in third place in the race for the U.S. Senate, trailing Democratic Congressman Chris John and Republican Congressman David Vitter, the state treasurer launched a vicious round of negative, attack-style automated calls to African-American households in a failed attempt to inaccurately link John to former Rep. David Duke.
Kennedy is the last person in the race that should be using David Duke’s name to criticize a fellow Democrat.
“John Neely Kennedy’s failing campaign is desperate to pull out of third place. In his desperation, he is even resorting to race baiting. When John Neely Kennedy was Buddy Roemer’s campaign manager, he hired a top David Duke lieutenant and even recruited Duke supporters,” State Rep. and Jefferson Parish NAACP Counsel Derrick Shepherd (D-87) said. ”John Neely Kennedy has done nothing for the African American community, and helped David Duke’s message stay alive. We don’t need him in office.”
More from the LA page on NRSC.org:
Excerpted from the Associated Press; October 13, 2004
With a new poll commissioned by Republican U.S. Senate candidate David Vitter showing him maintaining a substantial lead over Democratic rivals, the Democrats' national Senate elections committee launched a two-front, television-and-manpower attack on him Tuesday.
The poll, by Public Opinion Strategies, gives Vitter 43 percent, more than the three Democratic candidates combined. In an independent poll in September, the Republican congressman from Metairie had 42 percent — a result that already had analysts speculating that he could win the race outright on Nov. 2, and avoid a December runoff.
The latest poll, of 600 registered voters, was conducted Oct. 6, 7 and 10th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. Public Opinon Strategies is run by one of the Republicans' leading pollsters, Bill McInturff.
His poll gives U.S. Rep. Chris John, the Democrats' officially anointed candidate, 17 percent, and state treasurer John Kennedy 14 percent. State Rep. Arthur Morrell has 2 percent....
...Vitter's campaign, meanwhile, was not ceding any ground Tuesday. The poll "basically shows why the DSCC is investing all this money to send their top staffers down here," said Vitter spokesman Mac Abrams.
Meanwhile, a new anti-Vitter ad paid for by the DSCC began airing in Louisiana Tuesday, the beginning of a $1.5 million television campaign the Democrats are planning between now and election day....
"The invasion from the liberal Washington Democrats has begun," Vitter responded Tuesday. "They started running attack ads against me this morning which completely distort my record. They are also sending major high level staff as part of this assault against Louisiana," said Vitter. "I just think it's a shame."
Vitter criticized the new ad as inaccurate, noting that he voted for a drug reimportation bill opposed by John...
..."I don't really care what the Washington establishment thinks that's trying to control this campaign," Vitter said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mac Abrams
(504) 833-1163 or (504) 481-8308
Governor Roemer endoroses Vitter for U.S. Senate
(Baton Rouge, La.) - Former Gov. Charles "Buddy" Roemer, III, today endorsed U.S. Rep. David Vitter for the U.S. Senate.
"I'm humbled and honored to have Buddy Roemer's support," Vitter said. "Gov. Roemer knows how important it is for our next U.S. Senator to put Louisiana first. His endorsement is significant because it demonstrates that my bold vision for Louisiana's future can help move Louisiana forward."
Roemer cited Vitter's strong record of putting Louisiana first and his history of reform and independence. "As state legislator and a Member of Congress, David has always been a solid and effective voice in support of Louisiana values. He is independent, a reformer, and has consistently put Louisiana first," Roemer said. "His bold leadership and record of effectiveness are exactly what we need in the U.S. Senate."
More commentary, courtesy of The Times Picayune. John Maginnis has a piece on the senate race, saying that rather quiet pace of the senate race is about to be broken.
Click here for the piece.
This press release from the Louisiana GOP website was made in reference to a Democrat running for Congress in Louisiana's Third Congressional District. However, I believe it is extremely relevant as far as our senate race is concerned because Chris John is a member of the Blue Dog Democrats and champions their "Pay as you go" methods of budgeting that leave the door open for higher taxes.
Click here for the press release.
The Congressional “Blue Dog” Coalition is made up of so-called moderate Democrat members of Congress whose biggest legislative agenda item each year is the federal budget. Because that’s the case, it’s important for Louisianans to know just what the “Blue Dogs” think a federal budget should look like.
The “Blue Dog” budget this year would have:
* Raised taxes $192 billion over five years, eighty percent of which would be borne by job-creating small businesses
* Increased federal spending by $1.8 billion next year alone
* Cut Medicare funding $1.7 billion over five years
(RCV# 89, 03/25/04)
The “Blue Dog” members opposed the budget resolution that eventually passed the House. That measure called for:
* Extending the Marriage Penalty Tax relief
* Maintaining the expansion of the 10% tax bracket
* Preventing the $1000 per-child-tax credit from decreasing
* Keeping current tax relief from expiring
* Ensuring there are no tax increases over the next 5 years
* Reducing the deficit drastically in 2005 and halving it in 4 years
* Targeting waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending areas
(RCV # 92, 03/25/04)
From the LA page on NRSC.org:
Excerpted from the Associated Press; October 11, 2004
...Republican David Vitter, the U.S. Rep. from Metairie, took shots from Democrats Chris John and John Kennedy for his support for President Bush’s proposals to reform Social Security, and for backing the president’s big tax cuts...; Vitter says the cuts — also supported by John — have contributed to what he deemed a growing economy.
The two Democrats adopted a newly aggressive tone, reflecting Vitter’s clear polling lead and the waning number of campaign days....
The candidates’ encounters to date have been mostly well-mannered, but that changed Monday night in the forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters and KTBS-TV here. John and Kennedy were on the offensive; Vitter appeared unperturbed.
John, the 7th District U.S. Rep., whose strategy has been to stay in the middle, was the first to jump in, raising the specter of Social Security privatization and accusing Vitter of supporting such a move....
...Bush has proposed voluntary contributions of 2 percent of contributors’ payments into private funds.
“Chris, don’t scare people with all this talk of privatization. You know, and I know, that what I’m talking about is purely voluntary,” Vitter responded....
...Vitter got in a few knocks of his own, attempting to tar John with the “liberal” brush, and trying to link him to John Kerry, “Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.”
“I do think President Bush supports mainstream Louisiana values and John Kerry is a classic Massachusetts liberal,” Vitter said....
Just released from the Vitter campaign:
(Metairie, La.) – A Public Opinion Strategies poll released today showed U.S. Rep. and Senate candidate David Vitter increasing his lead over other candidates in the race for Louisiana’s open Senate seat.
Vitter leads the race with 43 percent of the vote. Chris John is at 17 percent, and John Kennedy is at 14 percent. Arthur Morrell is at 2 percent.
Kennedy leads John among African American voters, 30 to 22 percent.
The survey of 600 registered voters was conducted Oct. 6, 7 and 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percent.
Local Democrats, including Democratic Party chairman Mike Skinner, have critcized Republican candidates in Louisiana for taking contributions from Tom Delay's PACs. Rep. Tom Feeny had a great piece in National Review that pretty much lays this silliness to rest.
For years, House Democrats have been scheming against Majority Leader Tom DeLay; for years, they have been unsuccessful. In recent months, a lame-duck Democrat, Rep. Chris Bell (D., Tex.), filed years-old allegations against DeLay that were full of headline-guarantees that were short on facts.
Bell has a history of throwing politically opportunistic ethics complaints against the wall in the hope that one of them might stick. According to the Houston Chronicle, Bell accused his 2004 Democratic-primary opponent, former local-NAACP leader Al Green, of violating House rules by not disclosing the source of $300,000 in campaign contributions. Green explained the omission was an oversight by his campaign and that he had mortgaged his own home to run and would be filing the proper forms. Bell so angered local African-American ministers with this charge, that they called on the Texas Democrat-party chairman to withdraw his endorsement of Bell. Green trounced Bell 2-1 in the Democratic primary even though Bell outspent Green 2-1. And for this rejection by his constituents, Bell seems to hold a grudge against Majority Leader DeLay.
Click here for the rest of the piece.
I'll also have something to say about what the Democrats are doing in trying to link Delay to Vitter, Tauzin, etc. Stay tuned.
The latest debate between the candidates for John Breaux's open senate seat wrapped up on C-SPAN 2 nationwide and in local stations in Louisiana. This debate was a bit livelier than the last televised debate. After viewing the debate, I must say Vitter did a good job in laying out his agenda and drawing a distinction between himself and the three Democrats he was running against. This was especially important in the case of Chris John, who is attempting to run to the center and a bit to the right to capture conservative Democrats. But Vitter nailed him on key issues, especially in an exchange when he asked John to lay out three areas where President Bush is wrong for Louisiana, since John had authorized a radio ad that had some words that attacked Bush. John was quite uncomfortable with this question and he squirmed a bit, saying he was a Democrat, he supports his party's national ticket, and he came with CAFTA as an issue that he opposed Bush on, but his response was very dodgy. (It should be noted that Vitter also opposes CAFTA provisions that would weaken Louisiana's sugar industry.)
State Treasurer John Kennedy continued to push his mantra that tax cuts raided the Social Security trust fund. Someone should ask him just how that came about, since tax cuts are a reduction in income going to Washington, not from pre-existing funds in the treasury. I think Kennedy was too bullish, too hyper, but it may work to bring Louisiana voters who will vote for Kerry on his side, yet it could hurt him if he reaches the runoff.
Vitter proved why is the candidate for Louisiana's mainstream conservative values. He supports making the president's tax relief permanent, opposes judicial filibusters, is staunchly pro-life, a fighter against corruption, and a true fiscal conservative that will curb spending and not raise our taxes. That's what people got if they saw this debate, and that's why Congressman Vitter will become Louisiana's next senator.
Look for more updates this week as I continue to cover the latest debate. I'll be drawing attention to what the Democratic candidates said.
Following the debate tonight, the Vitter campaign sent out this press release clarifying distortions Democrats made against Vitter's record, and verified claims Congressman Vitter made about his opponents.
For Immediate Release Contact: Mac Abrams
October 11, 2004 (504) 481-8308
Louisiana Senate Debate Watch
Fact Check
Claim:
John Kennedy claimed David Vitter voted against a lock-box for Social Security.
Fact:
David Vitter voted for a Social Security lock box.
Roll Call # 13, HR 2, 2/13/01.
Claim:
John Kennedy claimed David Vitter voted against prescription drug reimportation.
Fact:
David Vitter is the only candidate who has voted to allow reimportation of prescription drugs.
Roll Call # 445, HR 2427, 7/25/03; Roll Call # 1, Committee Mark Up to HR 2673, 7/25/03; Roll Call # 217, H Amt. 150 to HR 2330, 7/11/01.
Claim:
Chris John claimed David Vitter is against concurrent receipt for veterans, and John Kennedy claimed David Vitter does not support veterans.
Fact: David Vitter went against his own party and signed the discharge petition to bring full concurrent receipt to the House floor for a vote. (He is one of only three Republicans in the Congress to sign).
Fact:
David Vitter authored and passed into law a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible military retirees and their dependents.
Claim:
John Kennedy claimed David Vitter voted for Congressional pay raises.
Fact:
David Vitter has voted against pay raises every year he has been in Congress.
Roll Call # 451, H Res 770, 9/14/04; Roll Call # 463, H Res 351, 9/4/03; Roll Call # 322, H Res 488, 7/18/02; Roll Call # 267, H Res 206, 7/25/01; Roll Call # 419, H Res 560, 7/20/00; Roll Call # 300, H Res 246, 7/15/99. (Each vote was on ordering the previous question.)
Claim:
Chris John claims he’s against taxpayer funded abortions.
Fact:
Chris John voted to allow taxpayer money to be used for abortions.
Roll Call # 360, H Amt. 380 to HR 2606, 8/3/99.
Amendment: None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be made available for (1) population control or population planning programs; (2) family planning activities; or (3) abortion procedures.
When it comes to certain issues, Chris John has a way of shifting his positions, a la' John Kerry, such as on the issue of school vouchers. Here's a press release showing more John flip flops. (Hey, he supports John Kerry, after all.)
From the LA GOP website.
Chris John: Saying One Thing One Day, Another the Next
“Chris John is constantly saying one thing one day, and another the next. In today’s example, we see how John tells the Baton Rouge Advocate that David Vitter is pro-tax cut, and then turns around and runs a false, negative attack ad claiming the opposite,” said Jon Bargas, Executive Director of the Republican Party of Louisiana.
“One would think that after so many years in public life, Chris John would have a record of his own to promote, instead of spending all of his time distorting his opponent’s record,” said Bargas.
Chris John talking about David Vitter on Taxes in September:
Of Vitter, John said, "He's never met a tax cut he hasn't wanted to vote for, whether it's fiscally the right thing to do or whether it helps Louisiana's middle-class people or not."
Baton Rouge Advocate, 9-25-04
Chris John talking about David Vitter on Taxes in October:
“[He] opposed tax cuts for Louisiana's families”
Voice Over in a Chris John approved Radio ad running on KPEL in Lafayette
“How can Louisiana trust Chris John in the U.S. Senate, when he says one thing one day, another the next?” Bargas added.
We're making them nervous, friends. The talk that Vitter could win outright is prompting Democrats to take further action.
From LApolitics.com:
Media sources say the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee is scheduling commercials starting October 19 on New Orleans and Baton Rouge TV stations with the likely intention of attacking Republican frontrunner David Vitter. Local Democrats speculate that the national committee sees the need to go negative on Vitter in order to keep him from finishing in the high 40s or even winning outright on Nov. 2.
This comes from a story analyzing the various senate races. Louisiana is a ways down, but here is the snippet from FoxNews.com
According to state law, one of these candidates racing to replace outgoing Democratic Sen. John Breaux will have to get more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright. If not, the two top vote-getters will meet in December for a run-off. According to a recent Democratic poll, Vitter leads John, the top Democrat, 44 percent to 24 percent.
"I would give a slight edge to Republicans but it’s going to be close," Fortier said in contrast to the polling data.
From The Advocate.
U.S. Rep. David Vitter stood in a children's museum in Alexandria, unveiling his plans for improving the nation's education system.
A handful of Republican Party faithful listened as Vitter talked about the commitment of President Bush and the Republican Congress to education through school accountability and increased funding. He mocked Democratic claims to the contrary.
Vitter chose to make his speech in front of a poster at the museum headed "Vote -- Election 2004." Beneath were drawings of Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry.
The 43-year-old congressman plays presidential politics as he campaigns for the U.S. Senate, trying to replace retiring U.S. Sen. John Breaux.
Vitter stresses his alignment with Bush on "mainstream" Louisiana values as he travels through north and south Louisiana. He notes that his Democratic opponents endorsed Kerry.
Vitter is banking that Bush's popularity in this Democratic state will help him make history this fall, becoming the first Republican U.S. senator elected from Louisiana after the Nov. 2 primary and Dec. 4 runoff.
Bush's name is among the first words out of Vitter's mouth wherever he goes.
At a Pineville restaurant, its Republican owner, Sherry Perkins, let Vitter take a few minutes to address the luncheon crowd.
"I support President Bush on the war on terror, on keeping taxes down," said Vitter, who has a near-perfect voting record with Bush and the Republican leadership.
In the next breath, Vitter talks about his political independence and willingness "to stand up to powerful people and powerful special interests."
It's the latter propensity that thrust him into the headlines as a state representative from a conservative, suburban, heavily Republican Jefferson Parish district.
(snip)
"In this race, every Republican in the delegation is supporting me. I'll stake my record of achievement against anyone else's in this state," Vitter said.
At the end of his freshman year in the Congress, Vitter got a prized seat on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.
"That's what Louisiana needed. That's very unusual to do so quickly. I worked my butt off for it, made the argument why I would be good in that role," Vitter said.
Vitter said the assignment paid off because he's been able to get money for key projects, not only in his district but around the state.
(snip)
As he campaigns for Senate, Vitter runs into Democratic critics who contend he's too much of a lap dog for Bush and kowtows too much to GOP leadership for Louisiana's good.
Vitter is unapologetic about his voting record. But he said he bucks Republicans on occasion.
An example Vitter frequently gives is opposition to a health-care provision that would have stopped patients from suing health maintenance organizations.
Today, he also says he opposes a provision of the Bush-approved Central American Free Trade Agreement that threatens Louisiana sugar-cane interests.
Presidential politics looms over U.S. Rep. David Vitter's Republican campaign for the U.S. Senate. Vitter is making the race a referendum on Louisiana voter support for President Bush.
Steve Sabludowsky continues to monitor the e-war taking place between David Vitter and Chris John. Here is a snippet from that piece in which Vitter responds to John's negative attacks, courtesy of Bayoubuzz.com.
From David Vitter
(Metairie, La.)Today, U.S. Congressman and Senate Candidate David Vitter expressed disappointment in Chris John’s decision to go negative in a media ad against him.
“It is disappointing that Chris John feels the need to attack a fellow candidate, instead of promoting his record. With a little less than a month to go in the primary, Chris John has decided to join with his partners in crime, the National Democratic Senatorial Committee and go negative. Now, Louisiana can expect Chris John to follow their lead in lying, distorting, and scaring people for votes. Chris John and the National Democrats can be assured that I will not allow my record to distorted,” said David Vitter.
A Line by Line of Chris John’s Negative Attack
“David Vitter has misled you about our Congressman Chris John. When our government invited an international group to monitor our elections, Chris John opposed it. Chris John opposes U.N. monitoring of our elections period.”
· “John voted ‘no’ on an amendment by U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., that said none of the money in a congressional appropriations bill could be used to the United Nations to monitor the U.S. presidential election in November. Lake Charles American Press, “Political parties have tremendous egos”, Jim Beam, 8/15/04
“Vitter voted to cut veterans benefits by $25 billion dollars.”
· The total VA budget has been increased from $48 billion in FY 2001 to over $71 billion in the FY 2005 budget resolution, almost a 50% increase in just four years. U.S House of Representative Committee of Veteran’s Affairs Committee
“He voted against granting soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan combat bonuses,”
· Since he has been in Congress, David Vitter has voted for pay raises for our troops every year. H.R. 2561- FY 2000 Defense Appropriations, H.R. 4576- FY 2001 Defense Appropriations, H.R. 3338- FY 2002 Defense Appropriations, H.R. 5010- FY 2003 Defense Appropriations, H.R. 2658- FY 2004 Defense Appropriations, H.R. 4613- FY 2005 Defense Appropriations.
“voted for tax breaks for the biggest corporations but opposed tax cuts for Louisiana Families”
· David Vitter is the only candidate who supports making all of the tax cuts permanent
“Vitter voted to allow Louisiana’s military bases to be closed next year”
· Through his position on the Military Construction Subcommittee, David Vitter has secured over $300 million in upgrades and improvements for military bases in LA to protect them from being closed. H.R. 4425-FY 2001 Military Construction Appropriations, H.R. 2904-FY 2002 Military Construction Appropriations, H.R. 5011-FY 2003 Military Construction Appropriations, H.R. 2559-FY 2004 Military Construction Appropriations, H.R. 4837-FY 2005 Military Construction Appropriations
Vitter Blog was not the first of its kind. It was inspired by Toomey Blog, the site that touted Rep. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, who attempted (and nearly succeeded) to unseat Senator Arlen Specter in the Republican primary. Though Toomey did not succeed, its owner has continued on and has formed the new site Grassrootspa.com Well, Chris gave us a mention on his site.
Click on this page.
For Immediate Release Contact: Mac Abrams
October 4, 2004 504-481-8308
Vitter Responds to Democratic Attack #24
(Metairie, La.) – Today, U.S. Congressman and Senate candidate David Vitter responded to Democratic attack number 24.
“I’ve been fighting since 2001 to make prescription drugs more affordable by allowing reimportation. Today’s attack is another opportunity for the Louisiana Democratic Party to try and switch the focus off of Chris John’s slack record on the issue,” Vitter said.
Vitter is the only member of the Louisiana delegation to vote against the big drug companies and for reimportation. Vitter was also among a bi-partisan group of 228 House members who wrote Sen. Bill Frist in May to urge that he schedule a Senate floor vote on reimportation. Of the signers, 148 were Democrats. Unfortunately, John did not bother to send a letter to the Senate Leader until two weeks ago, when his campaign decided to make drug reimportation a campaign issue.
Reimportation Record
5-21-2004 Vitter wrote Sen. Bill Frist urging a Senate vote on Reimportation.
7-25-2003 Vitter voted YES and John voted NO on HR 2427, Roll Call No. 445, Pharmaceutical access Act of 2003 (AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION: To prevent Food and Drug Administration funds from being used to take enforcement actions related to prescription drugs being imported by individuals, wholesalers, or pharmacists, unless those drugs are misbranded, adulterated or unapproved.
7-25-2003 Vitter voted YES on Roll Call No. 1, House Appropriations Committee Mark Up of HR 2673, Agriculture Appropriations Bill.
7-11-2001 Vitter voted YES and John voted NO on H Amt. 150 to HR 2330, Agriculture Appropriations Bill, Roll Call No. 217 (AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION: Amendment allows individuals to import a prescription drug that appears to be FDA approved and manufactured pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and does not appear to be a narcotic.)
Today, the Club for Growth, one of the top conservative political organizations in the country, made its recommendations for candidates that are running for U.S. Senate across the nation. Among their endorsements are Tom Coburn (OK), Pete Coors (CO), Mel Martinez (FL), and John Thune (SD).
Here is a snippet from their recommendation. This information is from the "members only" section of the website, but membership is free.
Vitter's pro-growth rhetoric is as solid as they come. At our candidate forum in Florida last February, he was solidly popular with Club members...A win here would also have extra benefits for growth issues, as it would put more pressure on Louisiana's other Senator, Democrat Mary Landrieu, to vote more often for pro-growth legislation.
Congratulations are in order to Congressman Vitter for his defense of Louisiana taxpayers and for ranking above average in the Club's ratings.
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