Vitter Blog: Retired from active duty, but still observing other races across the nation

Happy 2nd to Toomey Blog! (And a new surprise as well)

2005-11-22T19:18:00.000-04:00

Phew.

Well, retirement has been, well, busy. Katrina has turned my state into a mess. In any event, I've come out from the woodwork to post this celebratory notice. As you may know, Vitter Blog was inspired by a similar blog named Toomey Blog, which followed and promoted the candidacy of Rep. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, who was trying to unseat liberal Republican Senator Arlen Specter. Needless to say...it didn't turn out as well as we hoped it would. But it inspired a slew of candidate centered blogs determined to get the message out on the internet about conservative Republicans running in their prospective states. Some like David Vitter and John Thune succeeded. Others, like Herman Cain and Miller in Alaska, did not. This time around blogs are following the candidacies of people like Mark Kennedy of Minnesota as well as....well you'll find out in the link below.

Click on this link and read Chris' notice, plus his little surprise!

Grassrootspa.com

My letter to Bayoubuzz

2005-05-08T14:08:00.000-04:00

I had recently written a letter to Bayoubuzz.com in response to an opinion piece written on their site concerning Senator Frist and the battle over judicial nominees. I wanted to share it with you.

You can find it here.

Kansas Blog Says Fire Lone Dem in Congressional Delegation!

2005-04-25T22:25:00.000-04:00

Rep. Dennis Moore is the lone Democrat in Kansas' congressional delegation, and as such is always heavily targeted by Republicans. Moore has survived up until now, but his luck could run out. Check out this blog to see if Kansas goes all GOP in 2006.

Firedennismore.blogspot.com

P.S. I finally cleaned up my tagboard, and will be monitoring it much more closely in the future.

Vitter most conservative of GOP freshmen senators!

2005-04-22T22:12:00.000-04:00

This will come as a bit of a surprise to some, as Senators DeMint and Coburn have been touted in many circles as the most conservative, especially the Club for Growth. But hey, it's great company. This story is actually two months old, but I have been meaning to post it.

The Senate's seven freshman Republicans, whom the GOP refers to as the Magnificent Seven, are a pretty conservative group. Turns out, according to National Journal, Louisiana's David Vitter is the most conservative of the bunch. The magazine's survey is based on voting records compiled by six of the freshmen when they served in the House, although their years of service differ. Former Bush housing secretary Mel Martinez, R-Fla., never served in the House and therefore isn't included in the survey, although few considered him in the running for the group's most conservative. According to National Journal, Vitter compiled a cumulative conservative voting record of 89.2 percent, meaning he took the "conservative" option on nearly 90 percent of the votes cast during his five-year House career. No. 2 was Jim DeMint, R-S.C., who scored a conservative voting mark of 88.6 percent, followed by Richard Burr, R-N.C., 76.6 percent; Tom Coburn, R-Okla., 75.5 percent; Jim Thune, R-S.D., 74.6 percent; and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., 73.1 percent. During his Senate campaign, Vitter tried to modify his image by putting an emphasis on legislation not normally seen as conservative causes, mainly legalizing the importation of drugs from Canada and other industrialized nations.

From The Times Picayune

Vitter supports Coburn amendment to limit spending, Landrieu opposes

2005-04-22T21:46:00.000-04:00

Senator Tom Coburn R-OK., pledged to crack down on pork in spending bills, and he got his chance this past week. Senator Coburn introduced an amendment to remove $486 million from an appropriations bill. Freshman Senator David Vitter voted along with GOP freshmen Richard Burr R-NC, Jim Demint R-SC, Johnny Isakson R-GA, and John Thune R-SD against tabling the amendment. Senator Landrieu, on the other hand, voted in favor, and Coburn's amendment was defeated. Check on the link below, and you'll find Vitter, Coburn, etc, had some interesting company on their side.

Check out this entry from the Club for Growth blog. It has the full story behind Coburn's efforts.

List of roll call votes.

New blog for Tennessee senate race

2005-04-22T20:24:00.000-04:00

With Bill Frist stepping down in 06, Tennessee will be electing a new senator. This blog will follow the campaign of former Rep. Ed Bryant, a conservative Republican running in the primary. Bryant ran for another open seat in 02, but lost the primary to Lamar Alexander. Ed clearly deserves the shot this time, so lend him your support!

http://bloggingforbryant.blogspot.com/

Stick With Rick!

2005-04-11T23:06:00.000-04:00

Another blog dedicated to re-electing Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. I am following the race closely and I invite you to take a look at this site. Looks very good!

http://www.stickwithrick.com/

Other Campaign Blogs

2005-04-07T00:40:00.000-04:00

I'll be compiling a list of 2006 campaign blogs to watch. Given that Louisiana will be quiet this election season, it's now time to focus on other contests. I should have a list up soon.

I'm back...

2005-03-22T19:37:00.000-04:00

Retirement is a wonderful thing, but I'm thinking of spiffing things up a bit around here. Louisiana does not have a Senate race next year, so I may redirect attention to other races. There are some good ones shaping up, including Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

Here's hoping for some more gains in 06'!

Already Starting in Minnesota

2004-12-24T17:02:00.000-04:00

Election 2006 is still two years away, but it's never too late for some to start their own candidate blogs. Here's a race that's sure to be a top-tier one, Senator Mark Dayton D-Minn versus Rep. Mark Kennedy R-Minn. Kennnedy is a prospective candidate against the senator, who is considered vulnerable. Check out the new blog, and if Mr. Kennedy should throw his hat in the ring sometime in the future, give him your support!

http://daytonvkennedy.blogspot.com/

Moving on to other things

2004-12-04T20:09:00.000-04:00

Time really has not been kind to me, or I would have been back here sooner. In any event, I hope you liked visiting here and I hope you're as excited (not to mention relieved) as I am about our historic victory here in Louisiana.

As for myself, it is time to move on. I've secured a job at a new conservative website, TheAgendaOnline.com, where I'll be offering my thoughts on what's going on in our country. My writings can be found at theagendaonline.com. I'll be working on other projects as time goes on, and I'll probably drop in for some more updates. But as of now, I'm just eager to take some time and rest.

All the best and Merry Christmas.

Vitter's thank you letter to his supporters

2004-11-08T17:08:00.000-04:00

From the Official Vitter Website:

Dear Friends,

Louisiana made a bold statement this week that we’re going to Fight for our Future. And I want to say thanks to all of our supporters across Louisiana who helped make it happen.

As Wendy, Sophie, Lise, Airey, Jack and I traveled all over Louisiana this year, we asked you to make calls, put up signs, talk to your neighbors and help get out the vote. We prayed together, hugged together and kicked up our heels together. And for that opportunity, we say thank you.

In the Senate, my top priorities will be focusing on the crucial issues that will allow all of our families to create bright, prosperous futures right here in Louisiana. I’ll fight for our Louisiana values, for better health care, for quality education, for Social Security benefits, for access to cheaper prescription drugs and for good paying jobs.

We have one state and one future that binds us all. As our next U.S. Senator, I will serve all Louisianians, represent all folks of all parties, creeds and colors. Because when we’re talking about the things that matter most in life – we’re not Republicans, Democrats or Independents. We’re all parents and grandparents, children, teachers and students. We’re all Louisianians.

I look forward to working with all of you to build the wonderful future that our great state deserves.

God bless you and your family, God bless Louisiana, and God bless America.

Gratefully,

David Vitter

VICTORY!!!!!

2004-11-03T17:39:00.000-04:00

Congratulations, Senator-elect Vitter, and President George W. Bush!!

Vote Today!

2004-11-02T10:22:00.000-04:00

The headline says it all. Vote Bush and Vitter (and Republican in whatever congressional district you live in).

Predictions

2004-11-01T17:42:00.000-04:00

Professor Larry Sabato: Vitter wins.

Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke of Fox News' "The Beltway Boys": Vitter wins.

Not too much longer to go...

2004-10-30T20:36:00.000-04:00

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!

Vitter campaign, Republicans comment on Chris John

2004-10-27T16:40:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter at 49% (One point shy of 50% and outright victory!)

2004-10-26T19:40:00.000-04:00

From Channel 10 KLFY.

...the latest poll on the Senate race shows Representative David Vitter, trending up, with 49 percent of the vote.

Can Vitter break 50%?

2004-10-26T19:30:00.000-04:00

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."

Sorry for the lag...

2004-10-24T16:47:00.000-04:00

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.

Chris John responds to recent poll

2004-10-22T21:12:00.001-04:00

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.

Could Vitter take the race?

2004-10-22T21:12:00.000-04:00

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.

Trouble for Chris John...John Kennedy retakes second place

2004-10-20T22:16:00.000-04:00

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

Vitter wins support of Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police

2004-10-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

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.

Democrats fume over...one dollar bills?

2004-10-20T22:11:00.000-04:00

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”

Sadow: Vitter may win while Dems fight each other

2004-10-20T17:08:00.000-04:00

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.

National Dems pull Chris John's strings

2004-10-18T19:03:00.000-04:00

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?

Former President George Bush fundraises for Vitter

2004-10-18T19:00:00.000-04:00

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.

Six Stories on the senate race

2004-10-17T10:08:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter on taxes, economic growth

2004-10-17T10:01:00.000-04:00

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."

Debate Alert

2004-10-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter looks for votes in Chris John's hometown

2004-10-17T09:58:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter hits 47% in new poll!

2004-10-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

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.

Debuting "The Chris John-Pat Leahy Connection"

2004-10-15T18:05:00.000-04:00

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.

National Democrats launch silly site to misled LA voters

2004-10-14T23:10:00.000-04:00

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.

Liberals, national Democrats back Chris John

2004-10-14T22:24:00.000-04:00

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.

Getting nasty between John and Kennedy

2004-10-14T22:18:00.000-04:00

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.”

National Dems on the attack against Vitter

2004-10-14T01:05:00.000-04:00

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.

Former Governor Buddy Roemer endorses David Vitter for senate

2004-10-13T16:25:00.000-04:00

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."

Calm Before the Storm

2004-10-13T16:19:00.000-04:00

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.

Local papers comment on debate

2004-10-13T16:16:00.000-04:00

Here are two newspaper articles concerning the recent debate between the senatorial candidates.

Click here for a piece from The Times Picayune.

Click here for a piece from The Advocate.

Commentary on senate race

2004-10-13T16:11:00.000-04:00

Jeff Crouere has some commentary concerning the recent debate. Click here.

In addition, Steve Sabludowsky also has a piece on how national politics will play into our senate race. Click here.

Beware the Blue Dogs

2004-10-12T23:25:00.000-04:00

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)

Vitter challenges Chris John's scare tactics

2004-10-12T16:16:00.000-04:00

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....

Vitter continues sizable lead in Senate race

2004-10-12T16:13:00.000-04:00

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.

Florida congressman puts to rest ethics issues surrounding Tom Delay

2004-10-12T14:29:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter shines in latest debate

2004-10-11T22:27:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter campaign issues fact check following debate

2004-10-11T22:19:00.000-04:00

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.

Chris John: Say one thing, does another

2004-10-11T17:33:00.000-04:00

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.

National Dems prepare to attack Vitter

2004-10-08T18:53:00.000-04:00

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.

Edge to Republicans in Louisiana Senate battle

2004-10-07T22:17:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter supports Bush, conservative ideas

2004-10-07T19:36:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter vs. John- The Internet War

2004-10-07T19:28:00.000-04:00

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

Grassroots PA touts Vitter Blog

2004-10-05T16:24:00.000-04:00

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.

Vitter Responds to Democratic Attack #24 (Feels Like #24,000)

2004-10-04T16:36:00.000-04:00

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.)

The Club For Growth recommends David Vitter for U.S. Senate

2004-10-04T15:58:00.000-04:00

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.

Sabludowsky: Give Vitter His Due

2004-09-29T22:17:00.000-04:00

Steve Sabludowsky of Bayoubuzz.com devotes a whole opinion piece on David Vitter. Interestingly, he brings up the possibility that Vitter might win on the first ballot. The full article can be found here.

Give the guy his due.

Congressman Vitter is leading the pack of Senate hopefuls. He is the only Republican in the race. He has the support of Governor Foster who considered him a trouble maker in the past. He has a little Al Gore inside--stiff. He has had his enemies even from his party. Yet, he has successfully cleared the field of any Republican competition which is no small task for a Republican—considering the recent statewide elections of bruisers.

Vitter has pushed the right buttons from national, to state party to locals and has a chance to be the first Louisiana Republican Senator in a long line of Democrats.

(snip)

Now, the question becomes—can Vitter take it in the first? A lot of pundits are saying, “it seems impossible, but, you know, there’s a chance”. Certainly with Kerry AWOL in Louisiana those odds increase.

There is also a second question—should there be a runoff, will he fall prey to the great Louisiana democratic coalition? The two most likely candidates are Chris John and John Kennedy. Although this is not a scientific analysis of great proportions, consider the close race of Jenkins versus Landrieu. Both of those candidates had major detractors. The same goes with Landrieu versus Terrell.

In this race, assuming that Chris John or John Kennedy make the runoffs, it could be anyone’s game. Although a lot of words venom have been spewed between the state Democrats and Republicans, the runoff election could be a civil exercise of election chaos.

I know that sounds like an oxymoron and it is. But, make no mistake about this Senate race. None of the candidates are political morons and will get the full support of their respective parties. And, given David Vitter’s track record, that is unquestionably a major accomplishment for which he should be given tremendous credit.

Vitter on issues of transportation

2004-09-29T22:15:00.000-04:00

From The Advocate.

When it comes to transportation, Louisiana is a "donor" state, meaning it gets back only 90 cents of every $1 in gasoline taxes its motorists send to Washington.

With critical projects, such as the $2.2 billion Interstate 49 extension on the priority list, fighting for transportation dollars is going to be a major necessity for the state's new U.S. senator.

Four major candidates are vying for retiring U.S. Sen. John Breaux's place in the Senate. The primary election is Nov. 2.

All the candidates have some thoughts on the state's transportation needs.

(snip)

U.S. Rep. David Vitter, R-Metairie, has co-authored a bill to increase Louisiana's share of road money to at least a 95-cent return on the dollar.

"Obviously, I think we can do better than that," Vitter said.

One way to improve the state's share is to fund I-49, Vitter said. Vitter is a member of the I-49 caucus and recently pushed to get the highway designated as a corridor of national significance.

Vitter also supports creation of a Baton Rouge bypass, he said.

"It's long overdue," he said. "In the next census, it is likely that Baton Rouge is going to be the state's largest metropolitan area."

Vitter opposes the federal government's forcing of area motorists to use reformulated gas to cut down on ozone.

"The science doesn't support mandates coming down on Baton Rouge," Vitter said.

Vitter's views on homeland security

2004-09-28T16:22:00.000-04:00

From The Advocate.

As homeland security coordinator for the harbor patrol of the Port of New Orleans, Capt. Kevin Newman and his officers stand as Louisiana's front line of defense.

Newman acknowledges that since Sept. 11, 2001, his agency has received its share of federal money.

But Newman said the needs continue to exceed the available resources. Take, for example, the patrol boats the agency requested.

"But we didn't get approved for that," Newman said.

Port officials have received $8 million for homeland security since 2001 but list $16 million in needs ranging from more officers to security gates.

"It's like getting a tube of toothpaste without a toothbrush," said Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the port.

Louisiana's next U.S. senator will need to deal with federal funding for law enforcement and rescue agencies in the state.

As Congress considers moving its funding formula from a population base to a critical-needs criteria, Louisiana's junior senator also will be forced to show the importance of the state's homeland security needs.

In addition, he'll have to defend the state's military bases as Congress prepares to go through the next round of military base closures.

Four major Senate candidates are on the Nov. 2 presidential-election ballot, seeking to replace retiring U.S. Sen. John Breaux, D-La.

The candidates were asked about security issues.

(snip)

Rep. David Vitter, R-Metairie, has been pushing for a regional homeland security headquarters to be placed in Louisiana and said he feels good about the state's prospects.

Vitter would also place priority on port security and safety of the chemical plants throughout the state.

Vitter said the homeland security funding formula should include a critical-needs component.

"You don't want to approve the money per capita because the risk is not per capita," Vitter said. "We should fare well under any scenario."

On the issue of base closings, Vitter is not only aiming to prevent Louisiana bases from closing but would like to see the state inherit its share of new military operations from bases that close in other states, he said.

"What I want to do is not just to play defense but to play offense," Vitter said.

Roll Call: Kerry pullout bad for Louisiana Democrats

2004-09-27T22:44:00.000-04:00

I found this RollCall.com article excerpt from the NRSC.org website on its Louisiana webpage. I've excerpted it further to highlight the relevant points.

The decision by Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry to cancel advertising in several battleground states that also feature targeted Senate contests this fall is worrying Democrats in at least one, Missouri, and leaving strategists scratching their heads in two others, Colorado and Louisiana.

Faced with a dwindling pot of money, Kerry has eliminated seven states from his initial crop of 20 in which his campaign began running advertisements over the summer.

Included in that list are Missouri, Colorado and Louisiana — three states in which Democrats had hoped for serious spending and attention by the Kerry campaign, under the belief that it could boost turnout and aid downballot races such as theirs. The pull-out also suggests a pessimism that could hurt morale among local party activists.

While it’s still possible that the Kerry pull-out could be reversed in certain states based on changed circumstances later in the campaign, most observers view a return to those states as unlikely at best.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman George Allen (Va.) called Kerry’s decision a boon for GOP candidates.

“It shows the president is doing well,” said Allen. “The president is strong, and that is beneficial to Pete Coors, Kit Bond and David Vitter,” referring to the GOP Senate candidates in Colorado, Missouri and Louisiana...

(snip)

The impact of a diminished Kerry presence in Colorado and Louisiana...

(snip)

Louisiana, which Bush carried by 8 points in 2000, is even more difficult to predict because of the state’s election laws.

On Nov. 2, Vitter will take part in an all-party primary against Rep. Chris John (D), state Treasurer John Kennedy (D) and state Rep. Arthur Morrell (D). If no one receives 50 percent, the two top votegetters, regardless of party, advance to a Dec. 4 runoff.

Because of the likelihood of a runoff, neither national party has yet focused much attention on the Louisiana race...

...Vitter spokesman Mac Abrahms said Kerry remains active in the state because John, Kennedy and Morrell are “surrogates promoting his campaign.” All three have endorsed Kerry, but neither John nor Kennedy has trumpeted his support of the Massachusetts Senator.

One Louisiana Democratic operative said Kerry’s diminished presence “cuts both ways” for the party’s candidates. “You don’t have [Kerry] down there, which is a good thing, but at the same time [he] is not down there defending himself,” the source said.

Chris John's campaign takes contributions from liberal Democrats obstructing judicial nominees

2004-09-27T17:11:00.000-04:00

According to the Federal Elections Commission website, Congressman Chris John, a candidate for the Senate from Louisiana, has received campaign contributions from liberal Democrats in the Senate who are participating in the judicial filibuster. One of John's contributors is the Leahy for Senate Committee. This refers to Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont's re-election committee. Leahy is the very liberal Democrat who obstructed President Bush's judicial nominees while chairman of the judicary committee, and still acts to do so today.

Another contributor to the John campaign is Friends of Carl Levin. Carl Levin is a liberal Democrat from Michigan. Levin also has acted to filibuster the president's nominees. Furthermore, John is the only one out of the three Democrats to receive such contributions from liberal Democrats in Congress.

Congressman John has been portraying himself as the "moderate" candidate, but he has no compunctions about being supported by some of the most liberal politicians in Washington. We currently are suffering a judicial crisis, and we do not need to give Senator Leahy an ally in perpetuating that crisis.

Here is the data from the FEC webpage:

LEAHY, PATRICK
VIA LEAHY FOR U.S. SENATOR COMMITTEE - 06/14/2004 - 2000.00
24020631601

LEVIN, CARL
VIA FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN - 03/05/2004 - 1000.00
24020181333

LEVIN, CARL
VIA FRIENDS OF SENATOR CARL LEVIN - 03/05/2004 - 1000.00
24020181333

The record can be found here on the FEC.gov website.

New Quotes added to "The Hillary Doctrine"

2004-09-26T13:23:00.000-04:00

The past week I've been able to add new quotes from the Democratic candidates concerning tax relief. As you have seen, the "opposition" section on the right hand side details the Democrats' liberal positions on judicial filibusters, taxes, and school choice. In fact it has grown so much that "The Hillary Doctrine," which was the first one that I set up, is down the page somewhat. Here are the three newcomers to "The Hillary Doctrine."

[State Treasurer John]Kennedy has taken a more populist approach by, among other things, criticizing the Bush administration for promoting tax cuts that he said favor mainly the wealthy." Senate Candidates Keep It Clean at Debate, The Times Picayune,09-20-04

[Chris]John said he voted against the Bush-Republican tax plan in 2003...Democrats criticize Vitter for missing tax-cut vote, The Advocate,09-25-04

[State Representative Arthur]Morrell said he opposes tax-free health savings accounts because they ignore low-income people. He also said he is opposed to the Bush tax credit for insurance...Senate Candidates Differ On Health Care Remedy, The Times Picayune, 09-26-04

Scroll down to "The Hillary Doctrine," for links to the articles. The election is heating up, so keep it here at Vitter Blog to track the election. Geaux Vitter!

Barnes: Things Look Good For Republicans (Mentions Louisiana)

2004-09-26T13:10:00.000-04:00

Fred Barnes, writer for the Weekly Standard and one half of Fox News' "The Beltway Boys," ran through the senate races in his latest piece. Here's what he has to say about Louisiana:

Republican representative David Vitter has gradually widened his lead in Louisiana, a state that Kerry has now conceded to Bush. But he's unlikely to reach 50 percent in the state's jungle primary on November 2, forcing him into a runoff in December. He'd rather face liberal state treasurer John Kennedy than the more conservative Rep. Christopher John. And, lucky for Vitter, Kennedy was endorsed last week by the most important black Democrat in the state, Rep. William Jefferson. If Vitter wins the seat being vacated by John Breaux, he'd become the first Republican since Reconstruction to represent Louisiana in the Senate.

Full article available here.

Louisiana a draw for Bush administration officials

2004-09-26T13:08:00.000-04:00

From The Times Picayune

Louisiana not off the national radar

Louisiana may be sidelined for the moment as a battleground state in the presidential election, but the state's Senate and congressional races are attracting attention from some of the top names in the Bush administration. Laura Bush is scheduled to be in Shreveport on Thursday for a fund-raiser for Senate candidate David Vitter, the Republican congressman from Metairie. The event is being co-hosted by Rep. Jim McCrery, R-Shreveport, and will be held in the city's Petroleum Club. Also, 7th Congressional District candidate Charles Boustany got a boost from Vice President Dick Cheney's appearance last week at a fund-raiser in Lafayette.

Candidates differ on health care

2004-09-26T13:02:00.000-04:00

From The Times Picayune

As medical costs soar and employer-sponsored health insurance coverage erodes, Louisiana's candidates for U.S. Senate are offering starkly different opinions on the best way to improve the nation's health care system.

Their views could be pivotal in what is expected to be a closely divided Senate that will preside over major changes in the Medicare program, consider how to treat 43 million uninsured Americans and decide what to do about spiraling medical malpractice costs that have led some doctors to stop delivering babies.

The four major candidates, three Democrats and one Republican, are running to replace Democratic Sen. John Breaux, an acknowledged expert on health issues who frequently sided with Republicans in advocating free-market approaches to government programs.

Breaux was an architect of the Medicare law last year that will create a private-sector drug benefit for 39 million Medicare beneficiaries starting in 2006. But the three Democrats running to replace him disagree with a key provision of the new law, which bans Medicare from negotiating directly with drug companies for lower prices.

(snip)

Rep. David Vitter, R-Metairie, disagreed. He said Medicare, which would control about 40 percent of the drug market, would wield bargaining power so awesome that it would be tantamount to government price-fixing. That, he said, would be a financial disincentive for drug makers to take the risk sometimes entailed in developing new, life-saving medicines.

"I'm concerned that it would decrease research and development and delay or quash new drugs from coming onto the market," Vitter said.

The new law will feature private health plans competing against each other for seniors' business, and Vitter said he thinks those companies will use their market shares to negotiate the lowest prices they can for members. Democrats have questioned whether health plan competition on its own will be able to make much of a dent in drug costs.

(snip)

But Vitter accused John of just toeing the line of U.S. drug companies that have donated $61,054 to John since last year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The drug industry has staunchly opposed reimportation, which would cut into their U.S. profits.

"Much of the safety argument is a smoke screen by pharmaceutical companies," Vitter said. "If Chris was concerned about (safety), he could have offered amendments to address that."

(snip)

John, Vitter and Kennedy said they support tax-free health savings accounts, such as those proposed by President Bush, to allow people to put away money to cover medical costs that insurance doesn't. They also support a Bush-backed tax credit of $2,000 to help people buy the private high-deductible insurance policies those people are likely to purchase. Bush has called for a $3,000 tax credit for families who want to buy more traditional coverage, such as from an HMO.

(snip)

Although Vitter likewise favored an expansion of CHIP for middle-income disabled children, he drew the line at a proposal by Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, who has called for opening up the federal employees' insurance program to all.

Kerry would allow individuals and businesses to sign up with the program, which offers an array of government-subsidized private health insurance policies to 9 million federal workers and members of Congress. He would offer a tax credit to small businesses to cover as much as half the cost. Cost estimates of the plan have ranged from $300 billion to $700 billion over 10 years.

Vitter said the proposal is "dangerously close" to the doomed 1994 Clinton health care plan. He said he preferred private-market approaches instead, such as allowing companies to band together into purchasing pools to bring down the cost of health insurance.

(snip)

Partisan lines were clearly drawn over placing federal limits on jury awards in medical malpractice cases. Vitter, the lone Republican, said frivolous lawsuits are driving up insurance costs and forcing doctors to scale back their practices.

Two Vitter press releases

2004-09-24T16:14:00.000-04:00

Vitter Welcomes Chris John to Fight for Cheaper Prescription Drugs

(Metairie, La.) – U.S. Congressman and Senate candidate David Vitter today welcomed news that Chris John was weighing in on the fight to provide Louisianian’s with access to cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.

“I’ve been fighting for several years to make prescription drugs more affordable by allowing reimportation. I’m glad that 40 days before the election Chris finally realizes how important this issue is to our families,” 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.

“I was disappointed in May when Chris chose not to join the 228 of us who wrote Sen. Frist underscoring the importance of passing reimportation legislation. It’s disappointing that it took a political campaign for Chris to get involved,” Vitter said.

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. John does not serve on the Appropriations committee.

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.)

Vitter Responds to Democrat Attack #20

For Immediate Release Contact: Mac Abrams

September 23, 2004 504-481-8308

Metairie, LA - Today U.S. Congressman David Vitter responded to the latest Democrat attacks about his voting record. Vitter has a 93 percent attendance rate for all votes in the 108th Congress, but John has missed more than twice as many votes.

“It’s interesting that my opponent would choose to attack my voting record when he has missed more than twice as many votes as I have in the 108th Congress. In terms of percentages, I get an “A” for attendance and doing the job the people of the First Congressional District have elected me to do, while he is slipping to almost a “C,” said Vitter.

Thursday’s votes centered around protecting the pledge of allegiance and giving tax relief to working families. Vitter said his record on these issues makes his position absolutely clear and that he made sure the three bills would pass with overwhelming bipartisan support before he returned to Louisiana.

“I’ve voted three times to protect the words ‘under God’ in the pledge. These three measures passed with an overwhelming bipartisan margin each time,” Vitter said. “As a sponsor of the Pledge Protection Act – which Chris John did not sponsor – I was pleased to see that the measure passed with 247 votes.”

Regarding the tax relief votes, including those for the middle class, Vitter said, “Again my record is clear. I have always voted for measures that will reduce the tax burden on Louisiana families, and help grow jobs. I can understand why Chris John stayed to vote – he has opposed these family tax measures in the past. Much like John Kerry who he is supporting for President, he flip flopped on tax relief and must have looked at the polls tell him where Louisianian’s stand, thus changing course 40 days before the election.”

Vitter is a cosponsor of the Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act, which makes permanent the adoption tax credit that would expire in 2010 and he has voted in favor of the tax credit twice before.

Key provisions of the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 include marriage penalty relief, the expanded 10 percent income-tax bracket and the $1,000 child-tax credit. Additionally, this act extends relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax.

“It is equally disappointing that the Democrats and Chris John are using partisan substitute votes, an inside Washington tool of the minority party, to try and hide their true record on these issues,” added Vitter.

Vitter’s Pledge Record

3/20/2003, Vitter voted YES on H. Res. 132, Roll Call 77

10/8/2002, Vitter voted YES on S. 2690, Roll Call 445

6/27/2002, Vitter cosponsored H. Res. 459 and voted YES, Roll Call 416

Vitter’s Adoption Tax Credit Record

5/17/2001, Vitter voted YES on Hope for Children Act, Roll Call 124

5/26/2001, Vitter voted YES on Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, which included adoption credit, Roll Call 149

Vitter’s Family Tax Relief Record

5/26/2001, Vitter voted YES on Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, which included the marriage penalty relief, expanded 10 percent income-tax bracket and $1,000 child tax credit provisions, Roll Call 149.

3/8/2001, Vitter voted YES and John voted NO on H.R. 3, Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001, which includes provisions outlined above, Roll Call 45

5/23/2003, Vitter voted YES, John voted NO on Jobs and Growth Reconciliation Tax Act, H.R. 2, which accelerated the phase-in of tax relief in three provisions referenced above, Roll Call 225

5/9/2003, Vitter voted YES, John voted NO on Jobs and Growth Reconciliation Tax act, H.R. 2, Roll Call 182

4/28/2004, Vitter voted YES on the H.R. 4181 for marriage penalty relief, Roll Call 138

5/13/2004, Vitter voted YES on H.R. 4275 to permanently extend the 10-percent individual income tax rate bracket, Roll Call 170

6/13/2002, Vitter voted YES on H.R. 4019 to make the marriage penalty relief provisions permanent, Roll Call 229

5/20/2004, Vitter voted YES on Child Credit Preservation and Expansion Act, Roll Call 209

5/5/2004, Vitter voted YES on Middle-Class Alternative Minimum Tax Relief, Roll Call 144

The Times Picayune profiles Vitter

2004-09-23T19:20:00.000-04:00

The Times Picayune has a great bio on David Vitter. I urge everyone to click on the link above and check it out.

Louisiana Democrats divided on senate candidates

2004-09-22T16:08:00.000-04:00

Steve Sabludowsky of the great website Bayoubuzz.com had this to say about Congressman Jefferson's endorsement. Seems there could be trouble on the horizon for the Democrats.

Here's an excerpt from his piece.

Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-02) endorsement of Treasurer John Kennedy (D) over the DSCC preferred candidate/Rep. Chris John (D-07) might have its pros and cons.

The Jefferson endorsement could give Kennedy additional leverage in the African American community at the expense of both Chris John and black Louisiana State Representative, Arthur Morrell who is running for the Senate seat. There is significant importance to the Jefferson endorsement. For one, it can be perceived that winning is more important than “race”. It also shows that Louisiana politicians have come a long way in not making race the primary or sole issue in endorsements. On the political front, it puts more pressure on the state democratic party to clear the field. Republican David Vitter can coast to the runoffs and some say even take the election on the first ballot. A divided Democratic party will hurt that party’s chance to gain momentum for the runoff, if it should occur at all.

Vitter touts plans for welfare reform

2004-09-22T15:58:00.000-04:00

Here's a press release from the official Vitter campaign website. The full text of the release is right below.

In addition, here is a story from the Shreveport Times on the same issue.

For Immediate Release Contact: Mac Abrams
September 21, 2004 (504) 833-1163 or (504) 481-8308

“Honest wages for honest work. It’s a big part of what has made America great. Unfortunately, there are some that would rather take advantage of the welfare system, than work. I believe that welfare should be temporary assistance that helps folks through tough times and not a way of life. As our next U.S. Senator, I will work to ensure that our public ‘safety net’ is never so comfortable that it acts as a hammock and I am releasing a plan on how I will improve the welfare system,” said David Vitter.

In his latest installment of Fighting for Our Future: David Vitter’s Bold Louisiana Agenda, Vitter has outlined specific areas in welfare reform he would address as Louisiana’s next Senator.

In his plan, David Vitter will fight for further federal welfare reform based on the very successful 1996 model, which honors and rewards work, and strongly oppose measures to weaken these reforms. He will support welfare reform that nurtures families, rather than encouraging dependent behavior. Also, Vitter stressed his desire to provide more flexibility for states and localities to spend federal dollars in accordance with their own initiatives.

“As the only candidate in this race that supports welfare reform, I believe that we should demand an initial goal of at least 7 in 10 welfare recipients doing some form of work for their benefits. Right now it’s only 2 in 10,” said Vitter.

Vitter also highlighted his record of achieving results in Congress in regards to welfare reform. He is the only candidate that to support and vote for legislation to reform the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to help provide better job training and more flexibility and funding for states. He authored an amendment to WIA that would better coordinate federal and state efforts with local employers, helping ensure that local people who are getting training have better access to local opportunities. In addition, Vitter highlighted his push for better access to quality
child care--$2 billion over five years. This will allow states to devote more money to expand access to quality child care, which is essential to helping welfare families move from welfare to work.

David Vitter’s entire welfare reform agenda can be found at www.davidvitter.com.

State GOP catches Chris John in flip flop

2004-09-22T15:52:00.000-04:00

From The Times Picayune

The state Republican Party on Monday accused U.S. Rep. Chris John of "flip-flopping" on the issue of government vouchers for public school students.

John, one of three Democrats running to succeed John Breaux in the U.S. Senate, has said that he opposes using taxpayer money to pay for children to attend private or parochial schools. He repeated the statement in a debate Sunday night at Xavier University in New Orleans, saying, "I have a pretty clear record of opposing vouchers."

But the Louisiana Republican Party cited a 1997 House vote in which John was one of only four Democrats to support a school voucher bill that was at the top of the legislative agenda of GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

The so-called Help Empower Low-Income Parents scholarships would have allowed states to tap federal dollars so that children in low-income families could attend private or religious schools. The bill failed, 191-228, when 35 Republicans crossed the aisle to side with the Democrats, who said it would have eroded financing for public education.

"Once again, we see a Chris John who says one thing in Louisiana but votes the other way in Washington," said Roger Villere, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party.

Candidates debate, discourse civil

2004-09-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

From The Times Picayune

The four major candidates for Louisiana's open U.S. Senate seat clashed politely over the war in Iraq, the expired assault-weapons ban and a host of other issues in their first statewide televised debate Sunday night.

With barely six weeks remaining before voters begin picking a replacement for retiring Sen. John Breaux, D-La., the candidates struck few blows in a debate that was far more civil than the high-decibel wrangling that has characterized other races in this contentious election year.

(snip)

With Republicans unified behind Vitter's candidacy, the main suspense in the Nov. 2 election is which of the leading Democrats will join him in the Dec. 4 runoff, which will decide the winner if no candidate finishes with more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary.

A recent Marketing Research poll showed a commanding lead for Vitter, who tallied 42 percent support, compared with 19 percent for Kennedy, 16 percent for John and 3 percent for Morrell.

(snip)

If Vitter wins, he would be the first Republican ever to represent Louisiana in the Senate, where voters typically have sent conservative Democrats such as Breaux and Sen. Russell Long.

As he has done throughout the campaign, Vitter portrayed himself as the candidate of change and independence. "Politics as usual -- go along to get along -- has gotten us where we are today in Louisiana," Vitter said.

Vitter's claim to be an independent voice if he's elected was challenged immediately after the debate by Louisiana Democratic Party staffers, who distributed fliers to reporters noting that Vitter voted with the Bush administration 96 percent of the time in 2003.

In a conservative state where Bush is expected to win decisively in November, Vitter's policy positions hewed close to the administration's line on everything from taxes and health care to the war in Iraq.

Vitter said in the debate that he "fully supported" the war in Iraq, though he acknowledged that America "went into that conflict with a lot of bad information" since inspectors did not find the weapons of mass destruction that the administration cited as a chief reason for the invasion.

Candidates debate issues

2004-09-20T16:38:00.000-04:00

From The Advocate.

School vouchers got a thumbs down from three of the four "major" U.S. Senate candidates participating in a Sunday night televised forum -- the first of the campaign season. There are seven candidates vying for the seat.

Democratic contenders U.S. Rep. Chris John, state Treasurer John Kennedy and state Rep. Arthur Morrell said vouchers take money away from already poorly funded public schools struggling to educate youngster.

Republican U.S. Rep. David Vitter said he favors vouchers so some children can attend private and parochial schools on taxpayer dollars.

(snip)

Louisiana has its school accountability program and there's the federal No Child Left Behind initiative trying to improve public education, Vitter said.

If those efforts fail, "I believe we must give students trapped in those failing schools .... publicly funded scholarships or vouchers," said Vitter.

(snip)

On the assault weapon ban, Vitter and John said they favored letting it expire. Vitter called the ban "clearly superficial and political."

(snip)

On the war in Iraq, John and Vitter said they stand behind their votes that gave Bush the authority to enter into the conflict.

Vitter touts conservative principles, honest government in bid to win voters

2004-09-17T19:50:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of NRSC.org

Excerpted from The Hill; September 15, 2004

MORGAN CITY, La. — In 2004, as in years past, the Thibodeauxs, Bedards, Heberts and other descendants of the French émigrés who came here two and three centuries ago will play a critical role on Election Day, this time helping to choose Louisiana’s next junior senator.

The 15,000 people who live here, in the heart of Cajun Country, like their neighbors from Terrebonne Parish to the Texas line, tend to be blue-collar, Catholic, conservative Democrats, the kind of people who have been voting for Sen. John Breaux and Rep. Chris John for years....

...That may be so, but the Republicans are hardly conceding Cajun Country this year.

In fact, many in the GOP believe that Vitter is well-positioned to tap into deep veins of discontent with the Democrats — over gay marriage, abortion, national security and a host of other issues — and become the first Republican ever elected to the Senate from Louisiana.

Vitter is helped, Republicans say, by Louisiana’s peculiar election system. Instead of holding primaries earlier in the year and a general election in November, Louisiana will conduct a general election Nov. 2 (along with the rest of the nation) that is open to all candidates from all parties (unlike general elections elsewhere in the country).

If no candidate garners a majority, the top two vote-getters proceed to a Dec. 4 runoff.

Vitter, who most everyone predicts will win the most votes on Election Day but doesn’t expect to snag 50 percent plus one, said his supporters “are particularly engaged” this year and would return in larger numbers than those of the Democratic front-runner — whomever that turns out to be....

...“I really think that, in some sense, history is in our favor because we’re overdue,” Vitter said in an interview. Repeating what has become a mantra on the stump, the congressman added: “It’s not just electing a Republican. I have a very long record of targeting corruption and cronyism.”

That record, encompassing eight years in the state House of Representatives and nearly two terms in the U.S. House, includes taking on ex-Gov. Edwards, the gambling industry and abuses by state legislators of the Tulane Legislative Scholarship program...

...With barely six weeks before Election Day, supporters say Vitter is on the verge of transforming Louisiana democracy — replacing the old, backroom politics with a more transparent, more conservative kind of government.

“Bear in mind that Republicans have come close in Senate races and in governors races for the last 10, 12, 14 years,” said Rep. Jim McCrery, a Republican from Shreveport, in the northwest corner of the state. “Vitter’s job is to do what other Republican candidates have done, which is solidify the New Orleans suburbs and carry the rest of the state and not get hurt too bad in some particular region that favors the Democrat.”

New Orleans — with its large black population and its French Quarter with artists, musicians, gallery owners and restaurateurs — is expected to give the Democratic front-runner a big boost. Outside the city, especially in the north, Vitter should do well among the Southern Baptists and evangelicals who live in sleepy towns surrounded by corn, cotton and soybean fields. Unlike many in the Big Easy… voters in this part of the state, from Shreveport to Monroe to the Mississippi border, are, for the most part, unequivocally pro-Bush, pro-Iraq war, pro-tax cuts.

Over the summer, Vitter moved out of his home in the suburbs north of New Orleans to a temporary house in central Louisiana. The goal, Republicans said, was to be closer to the day-to-day fieldwork of the campaign — to be closer to the GOP stalwarts, conservative Democrats and undecided voters Vitter needs come December to prevail over John or Kennedy.

“I think where some statewide Republican campaigns have faltered in the past is grassroots organization,” Vitter said....

Be safe from Hurricane Ivan

2004-09-13T18:54:00.000-04:00

With the possible coming of Hurricane Ivan to Louisiana's shores, I will probably not be doing any posts for a few days. If you live in southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, please be safe. We'll see you again soon.

Mort Kondracke: Vitter wins if Kennedy makes runoff

2004-09-12T11:28:00.000-04:00

On yesterday's edition of Fox News' "The Beltway Boys," commentator Mort Kondracke predicted, as he and co-host Fred Barnes were going through the list of competitive senate races, that if John Kennedy makes the runoff against David Vitter, Vitter will likely prevail.

Bush, Vitter gets bumps in polls

2004-09-12T11:26:00.000-04:00

From The Times Picayune

Bush gets bump in latest poll

A new statewide poll shows President Bush comfortably ahead of Democratic nominee John Kerry in Louisiana. The survey by the Marketing Research Institute showed Bush leading 53 percent to 36 percent, a difference of 17 percentage points. A poll by the same firm in July showed the president up by 16 points. Some 600 registered voters were surveyed between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2, and the poll has a margin of error of 4.1 percent. The survey was conducted for a group of business people. The results come on the heels of a visit by Kerry to New Orleans last week and an announcement by the campaign that Louisiana is one of 20 battleground states targeted in a $45 million television ad buy. The Kerry camp said it hadn't seen the Marketing Research numbers but that it is undeterred. Since the most recent poll, the campaign has increased its Louisiana staff by about 30 people and by this week will have opened offices in seven cities. "We are charging forward," said Renee Lapeyrolerie, Kerry's spokeswoman in Louisiana.

Vitter pads early lead

The new Marketing Research Institute poll of 600 registered voters shows U.S. Rep. David Vitter, R-Metairie, widening his lead over three Democrats in the U.S. Senate race. Vitter collected 42 percent in the survey, conducted Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. State Treasurer John Kennedy got 19 percent, U.S. Rep. Chris John, D-Crowley, 16 percent; state Rep. Arthur Morrell, 3 percent; and 21 percent were undecided. The poll has a margin of error of 4.1 percent. Head-to-head matchups in theoretical runoffs show Vitter beating both John (47-33) and Kennedy (47-35). But with 51 days until the election and with a large group of undecided voters, there is plenty of opportunity for change. John began running statewide television ads last week, and Kennedy said his will go up next week.

Vitter catches Morrell in flip flop

2004-09-11T10:38:00.000-04:00

I've come across this story before but I've been a little too busy to post it until now. Anyway, at a forum hosted by the Louisiana Bankers Association and the Consumer Bankers of Louisiana a few weeks ago, things got a little heated.

From The Advocate

A U.S. Senate forum took on a feisty tone Friday as Republican U.S. Rep. David Vitter accused two other candidates of lying to the host Louisiana bankers.

(snip)

The liar remark Friday came in response to a question about whether Vitter and Democrats state Treasurer John Kennedy and state Rep. Arthur Morrell would favor banks getting into the real-estate transaction business.

Vitter said he does not support the idea. Kennedy, Morrell and John, who was on a bus tour, took the same position at a recent Realtors forum.

On Friday, Kennedy and Morrell told the bankers they support the move.

"With all due respect, my opponents just lied to you on this issue," said Vitter. "There's something here more important than a position on a specific issue ... whether someone is going to be straightforward and consistent with you."

Then Morrell came back and made this remark:

Morrell said Vitter has lied many times, including when he accused Morrell of not supporting tax reductions. "I've never stated anywhere that I believe in increasing taxes," said Morrell, a New Orleans lawyer.

Really? Then where did this come from, Representative Morrell?

"[State Representative Arthur]Morrell calls for a repeal of the Bush tax cuts...'I would start repeal at the top levels.'...Even the $1,000 refundable tax credit for children would be under consideration for repeal, Morrell said." The Weekly's Inside Political track....By Christopher Tidmore and Mario Gintella, 3-15-04

Arthur Morrell is the staunchest supporter for John Kerry among the three Democratic senate candidates, so it would seem he had picked up his penchant for flip flops as well.

Vitter responds to more Democrat claptrap

2004-09-11T10:32:00.000-04:00

The state Democrats once again show their commitment to running a positive campaign by lying about Vitter's record (sarcasm intended). Well, here's what Congressman Vitter had to say about their latest ditribe:

From Bayoubuzz.com

Another Day, Another Democratic Attack

Today, U.S. Congressman David Vitter, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, responded to the State Democratic Party’s latest daily attack.

“Once again the Democratic Party and the U.S. Senate candidates they represent are sticking to their daily game plan of attack, lie, and scare the people of Louisiana. In their desperate attempt to gain traction, the Democrats are using smoke and mirrors to disguise the facts on education funding,” said David Vitter.

·David Vitter has appropriated $1.3 million for technology in Louisiana schools

·David Vitter has supported historic funding increases for education. According to the Department of Education, total federal education spending has increased 50 percent in the last four years.

·Louisiana will get $1.9 Billion in federal education FY 05

“Only political demagogues and career politicians would call a fifty percent increase in education a cut. Comparing authorization to appropriation funding is like comparing apples to oranges. One is a goal and the other is reality. If you use their logic, one of my opponents voted to ‘underfund’ No Child Left Behind by $5 billion this year. Unfortunately, it looks like Louisiana can expect more of these Democratic scare tactics and distorted attacks rather than a real debate on the issues,” said David Vitter.

Vitter leads expands to 42%

2004-09-10T23:36:00.000-04:00

From The Advocate.

Republican David Vitter is consolidating his front-running status in the U.S. Senate race, jumping to 42 percent in the latest poll by pollster Verne Kennedy.

The Metairie congressman's three Democratic rivals -- state treasurer John Kennedy, U.S. Rep. Chris John, and state rep. Arthur Morrell -- are at 19, 16 and 3 percent respectively in the 600-person poll, taken while the Republican National Convention was held in New York between Aug. 30 and Sept.r 2.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percent.

Vitter leads at 40%, John Kennedy in second place

2004-09-10T15:59:00.000-04:00

A little snippet from Bayoubuzz.com that shows a latest poll showing a Vitter-Kennedy runoff. Chris John, despite being backed by John Breaux and the national Democratic Party, is still not polling high enough to make it into the runoff.

From Bayoubuzz.com

According to John Maginnis today, a Verne Kennedy Poll shows David Vitter at 40 %, John Kennedy 19% a few points ahead of Chris John. Bayoubuzz has contacted Verne Kennedy for the poll so we can put the complete poll and questions up on Bayoubuzz for your review. We do not like--in this day of technology-- to put up any poll results unless we see all of the questions. However, assuming the accuracy of the poll results at this point in time, there has been some reaction in the political world. We have just received a response from Verne Kennedy´s Office. The spokesperson told me that “our policy is to verify numbers not give out the poll results”. Why? Others do!!

“We’re delighted”, said John Kennedy, state treasurer and Senate hopeful. “We really have not started any of our advertising yet and we are still second in the polls and our opponents have spent almost up to one million dollars, so we’re very pleased”.

State GOP fights back against Louisiana Dems

2004-09-09T20:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I pointed out how the state Democrats have a big double standard when it comes to negative campaigning. Today state Republican Party responded to the Democrats' press release.

From Bayoubuzz.com

Villere to Dems: ‘Tell the Truth!’

Yesterday, Mike Skinner, Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, issued a press release about so-called negative attacks by U.S. Congressman David Vitter. Unfortunately, Mr. Skinner and the Democratic Party were off base and left out an important element…the truth.“It’s only two days after Labor Day and the old political machine is already in full blown attack mode. Only the Louisiana Democratic Party can get away with a negative attack by calling another candidate negative.

If one looks at the facts, it is clear that U.S. Congressman David Vitter is making factual statements about his record compared to his opponents. It is unfortunate that the Louisiana Democratic Party would rather spin a negative than discuss their candidate’s stances on the issues,” said Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Roger Villere.

Facts:

* First paid advertisement of any U.S. Senate Candidate was Chris John. In the ad, he stated, “President Bush´s priorities are wrong for Louisiana.” Louisiana Political Fax Weekly, John Maginnis, 8/27/04

* U.S. Senate Candidates Chris John, John Kennedy, and Arthur Morrell are supporting John Kerry for President

* On April 6th, U.S. Senate Candidates Chris John, John Kennedy and Arthur Morrell told realtors that they opposed a proposed federal regulation that would allow banks to get into the real-estate brokerage business. Times Picayune, Jan Moller, 4/7/04 On August 27, John Kennedy and Arthur Morrell told the bankers that they support the move. The Advocate, Marsha Schuler, 8/28/04

· On July 15, Chris John was the only member of the Louisiana delegation not to support an amendment to prevent American tax dollars going to pay for United Nations election monitors to observe our elections. House Roll Call Vote 385, 7/15/04

Louisiana Democrats hypocrites for decrying Vitter for negative attacks

2004-09-08T15:56:00.000-04:00

Local Democrats are apparently taking their cue from their presidential nominee and are flip flopping on negative attacks. Here's a press release the state Democratic party released today criticizing Vitter for negative campaign rheortic.

From Bayoubuzz.com

U.S. Rep and GOP Senate candidate David Vitter has hit the airwaves with negative radio advertisements that criticize his Democratic opponents and demonstrate Vitter’s own lack of a positive vision for Louisiana’s future.

(snip)

According to The Times-Picayune, Vitter’s radio spots tell “listeners of conservative radio that while the Metairie Republican backs President Bush for re-election, his three Democratic opponents ‘support Massachusetts liberal John Kerry’ for president.”[1][1][1]
Vitter then goes on to specifically criticize one of his Democratic opponents without naming him.

“It’s unfortunate that the first words many Louisianians will hear from David Vitter come in the form of negative attacks,” said Mike Skinner, Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “There are real and serious issues facing Louisianians that need to be addressed in a positive manner.”

So now the Democrats don't like negative campaiging? I suppose they haven't dared to engage in negative attacks, goodness no. Or have they?

Let's see, here's some negative attacks to date:

“David Vitter was wrong to oppose the creation of the Commission,” said Derek Wooley, Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “David Vitter is also wrong for Louisiana and wrong for our country.” Bayoubuzz.com, 7/22/04

“David Vitter abandoned Louisiana´s workers when they needed him the most, cutting their only lifeline during a time of economic distress,” said Mike Skinner, Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “If David Vitter wants to understand the plight of Louisiana’s workers, he might try talking with them instead of bringing his friends from Washington down here.” Bayoubuzz.com, 8/2/04

“This is a classic case of Republican double speak. David Vitter is pulling the wool over the workers’ eyes, snatching the carpet out from under their feet and stealing food off their tables all the while proclaiming to be a friend,” said Derek Wooley, Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “If David Vitter thinks he can ignore the needs of Louisiana’s workers, he’s going to find out first hand what unemployment is like.”Bayoubuzz.com, 8/2/04

“It’s no secret that David Vitter puts the interests of national Republicans above the interests of Lousianaians,” said Mike Skinner, Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. “What’s shocking is David Vitter’s hypocrisy in claiming to run a ‘Louisiana-based campaign’[4][4] at the same time national Republicans are criss-crossing the state stumping for him.” Bayoubuzz.com, 8/10/04

What can I say but, checkmate.

By the way, if you wish to see where Vitter stands on the issues, check out this post. Or just go to his official campaign website.

Proposed consitutional amendment would have limited power to increase taxes (John voted no)

2004-09-07T15:41:00.000-04:00

With the Republicans in control of the House of Representatives, every now and then they try to limit government's power to tax and spend. On June 12th, 2002 the House took up a constitutional amendment that would have limited tax increases to a two thirds vote in the House.

Here is a summary of the amendment:

Requires that any bill, resolution, or other legislative measure changing the internal revenue laws shall require for final adoption in each House the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of that House voting and present, unless the bill is determined at the time of adoption, in a reasonable manner prescribed by law, not to increase the internal revenue by more than a de minimis amount. States that for purposes of determining any increase, there shall be excluded any increase resulting from the lowering of an effective rate of any tax. Requires journal entry of any vote.

Permits the waiver of such requirement, for up to two years, if there is a declaration of war or if the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution which becomes law.

The amendment was cosponsered by almost every Republican in Louisiana's congressional delegation, David Vitter, Billy Tauzin, John Cooksey, and Richard Baker. The amendment received the yea votes of all of the above plus Sheveport Republican Jim McCrery.

On the other hand, Louisiana's two Democrats, Bill Jefferson of New Orleans and Chris John, both voted against.

Coupled with the Spending Control Act, this further proves that Chris John is not interested in limiting government's power to tax and spend in any meaningful way.

Amendment Summary.

Roll Call Vote.

La Dems criticize Vitter (sort of)

2004-09-06T13:49:00.000-04:00

Sometimes listening to Democrats just brings a smile to my face. Here's a bit from their latest press release.

Excerpted from Bayoubuzz.com

BATON ROUGE – U.S. Rep. and GOP Senate candidate David Vitter is skipping his party’s convention this week, attempting to distance himself from his congressional voting record. Over the past two years, David Vitter has voted in lockstep with the Bush administration and House Republicans, putting their interests above the interests of ordinary Louisianians.

In the last two years…

Percent of the time David Vitter voted with House Republican leaders: 99%

Percent of the time David Vitter voted with the Bush administration: 96%

[CQ Voting Studies; Roll Call Votes]

Okay, now. As I recall, Bush is leading Kerry by double digits in Louisiana (as he is doing nationwide). So we could say that the interests of ordinary Louisianans and the Bush administration very much coincide. I'd say the problem is not the Republican candidate, it's the Democrat's chosen candidate Chris John, who is saying he voted with Bush 51% of the time but thinks Kerry would be a better commander in chief than Bush.

This from the party of "Two Americas!" There seems to be two John Kerrys, two Chris Johns, etc...

Listen to a real conservative Democrat

2004-09-05T13:24:00.000-04:00

While Louisiana's Democrats are generally thought to be conservative, many of them, including all of the candidates for Senate, our two senators, and our governor, are backing liberal Democrat John Kerry for president. At the Republican Convention this past week, Senator Zell Miller of Georgia showed what's truly at stake in this election, and he pulled no punches in showing how weak Kerry's record is on defense. How nice it would be if our own Democrats realized how big a risk it is to put Kerry in the White House in this time of war, but it seems intellectual honesty is sorely lacking among some in our state.

Read the RNC transcript here.

Vitter makes his pitch on radio

2004-09-05T09:53:00.000-04:00

From The Times Picayune

Rep. David Vitter has started running ads for his U.S. Senate campaign, telling listeners of conservative radio that while the Metairie Republican backs President Bush for re-election, his three Democratic opponents "support Massachusetts liberal John Kerry" for president. The ad also criticizes one of his Democratic opponents, Rep. Chris John, without naming him, for voting against a resolution that would have denied financing for U.N. elections officials to monitor the Nov. 2 elections. John has said that the GOP amendment was a political grandstanding because, in fact, there was no money in the federal budget to assist U.N. observers. John said he also opposes sending in international observers for the Nov. 2 elections. The other major Senate candidates are Democratic state Treasurer John Kennedy of Madisonville and state Rep. Arthur Morrell, D-New Orleans.

Hmmm....pointing out that the Democrats support Kerry, Chris John's vote on UN funding, do you think Congressman Vitter visits my site?

Be a part of a candidates forum!

2004-09-01T16:16:00.000-04:00

From Bayoubuzz.com.

Press Release:

Audience members are needed for "It´s Your Vote: The Race for U.S. Senate," a candidates forum to be televised live on Cox 10 in Greater New Orleans & other cable systems throughout Louisiana

WHERE: Xavier University - University Center - Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor

WHEN: Sunday, September 19, 2004 Live broadcast 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Doors open at 6:30PM

WHO: Hosted & produced by Xavier University of Louisiana, co-sponsored and televised by Cox Communications New Orleans, the Press Club of New Orleans and the Louisiana Cable & Telecommunications Association.

Xavier University of Louisiana presents a U.S. Senate candidates public forum, "It´s Your Vote: The Race for US Senate" on Sunday evening, September 19, 2004 at the University Center, Grand Ballroom.

The hour-long televised forum is being co-sponsored by Cox Communications New Orleans, the Press Club of New Orleans and the Louisiana Cable & Telecommunications Association (LCTA). It will air LIVE at 7:00 PM on the Cox 10 cable channel in the metropolitan New Orleans viewing area; it will also be carried live by other cable delivery systems throughout the state of Louisiana, courtesy of the LCTA.

The forum will feature the four major declared candidates hoping to capture the office of U.S. Senator from Louisiana including Chris John, John Kennedy, Arthur Morrell and David Vitter.

The forum will be moderated by Warren Bell, the Associate Vice President for University & Media Relations at Xavier and a former Press Club president. Panelists will include print and broadcast journalists from diverse regional media outlets. The forum will be videotaped and replayed prior to the primary election on Cox Communications cable TV systems, as well as other cable systems throughout Louisiana.

Our latest addition to the blog: Louisiana Dems support Kerry

2004-09-01T16:10:00.000-04:00

As the presidential campaign gears up, I thought I would provide Louisiana voters with a reminder as to who is backing him and his liberal views. "Conservative" Democrats like Chris John and John Kennedy have no problem picking Kerry over Bush, while true conservatives like Rodney Alexander and Zell Miller are sticking with the best man to lead this country in this time of war.

So again, my fellow readers, Louisiana's Democratic senate candidates support Kerry!

Internet and Louisiana campaigns

2004-09-01T15:59:00.000-04:00

Steve Sabludowsky had an interesting piece today on the role of the internet in Louisiana's elections this year.

From Bayoubuzz.com

“Too good”, or “too bad”

It might just depend upon how you like your bread spamed.

The Louisiana elections are certainly taking to the Internet to get out their message. Some say it is a powerful way to engage in political “free speech” to an audience that can read.

Some of these emails are very targeted like radio station commercials. The difference is the air waves are essentially free and the Internet costs time and money to remove unwanted electronic mail. John Kennedy, who is running for U.S. Senate continues to pay to use a New Orleans African American-based newsletter to showcase his support within the New Orleans black ministers. Ultimately, it is up to the voters and the subscribers to determine if this type of campaigning is intrusive.

The Louisiana Democratic Party is continuing to use the power of the Internet to criticize David Vitter’s voting record. Yesterday, the focus was on Vitter’s vote regarding LAChip program. The email was coupled with a request to join a telephone conference to discuss Vitter, and the health insurance issue.

(snip)

The State Democratic Party has been particularly active. Yesterday, it sent out an emailer criticizing the Bush administration and quoting Congressman William Jefferson who is a candidate for the Second Congressional District.

More locally, or perhaps, even more nationally, Bobby Jindal who is running for Congress in the First Congressional District announced, of course, by electronic mail that Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert has agreed to come to Kenner on September 16 to do a fundraiser for his campaign. Within the electronic mail was a link to a page where supporters could make contributions.

The Chris John for Senate campaign is also utilizing the Internet by sending out daily updates and by blogging. According to the John campaign, Chris John is personally engaging in the blog writing and is getting national recognition for his efforts by the National Democratic Party.

All of these efforts show a marked change in political use of the Internet, even in Louisiana. Some of these tactics might seem over-the-top and others might appear within the clear boundaries of acceptable practices. The end result is that more people are online at home and at work and on the wireless road. The Internet has always received the promise of being the great democratizer. Depending upon how this new means of communication is being used, it could end up being the “great demonizer”.

In case anyone was wondering, Vitter Blog was not mentioned in the story.

The internet is certainly going to play a prominent role in political campaigning. But just as Chris John has his blog and the Democrats have their email notices, we here will do our part to spread Vitter's and the Republicans' conservative message to Louisiana voters this fall.

Vitter to visit Monroe Wednesday

2004-08-31T15:14:00.000-04:00

From The News Star.

U.S. Rep. David Vitter, R-Metairie, will visit Monroe and Ruston on Wednesday as he campaigns for U.S. Senate.

Vitter will attend a Ruston press conference with the National Federation of Independent Businesses at 1:30-2 p.m. at Power Products, 1800 Trade Drive.

He will then come to Monroe to watch Vice President Dick Cheney address the Republican National Convention on television with residents at Bubba Luigi's restaurant, 1210 North 18th St., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Latest poll

2004-08-30T16:17:00.000-04:00

I got this little blurb from Lapolitics.com

GOP Senate Poll Shows Little Change

A poll done for the National Republican Senate Committee shows Congressman David Vitter leading with 35 percent, followed by Congressman Chris John, 18 percent, Treasurer John Kennedy, 16 percent, state Rep. Arthur Morrell, 3 percent. Public Opinion Strategies sampled 1,000 voters on Aug. 10-12.

Presidential campaign will have impact on Senate race

2004-08-30T16:09:00.000-04:00

From The Advocate.

There's a presidential flavor to Louisiana's U.S. Senate campaign.

That's not surprising, since both elections will be on the ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The four major U.S. Senate candidates say they are running "Louisiana-based" campaigns, stressing issues important to state voters.

But it's not unusual for the names of President George W. Bush and U.S. Sen. John Kerry -- the two presidential contenders -- to roll off the tongues of the candidates seeking to replace retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. John Breaux.

U.S. Rep. David Vitter, the lone big-name Republican in the field, frequently notes that his major Democratic opponents are supporting "liberal" Massachusetts Democrat Kerry for the presidency.

"I think the biggest thing that helps me is that voters are going to decide very clearly that in the presidential race President Bush represents conservative mainstream Louisiana values, and John Kerry is very out of touch with Louisiana," said Vitter.

(snip)

Vitter, of Metairie, represents the 1st Congressional District. He is a big Bush backer, and the president supports his candidacy.

John, Kennedy and Morrell are in Kerry's camp, but Morrell is the only one actively campaigning for Kerry.

(snip)

Vitter is considered to be sitting in the catbird seat, leading in a variety of public-opinion polls, with John and Kennedy fighting it out for the No. 2 spot in a Dec. 4 runoff.

(snip)

Vitter said Democrats will have a hard time convincing voters that his campaign is being orchestrated by Washington interests or that he's in lock-step with Bush.

He points to Louisianians who form his top campaign staff.

"I'm certainly running a very Louisiana-based campaign focused on Louisiana issues," said Vitter. He noted his campaign platform is: "Fighting for Our Future: David Vitter's Bold Louisiana Agenda."

Vitter said he's skipping the Republican National Convention in New York City this week, opting instead to underscore convention themes out on the campaign trail.

Interesting article about Bobby Jindal

2004-08-30T12:09:00.000-04:00

It's taking a bit of a detour from our coverage of Vitter's campaign, but I found this fascinating, plus Bobby will be my next congressman.

From the Atlantic Journal Constitution.

They were just children when he was president. But last June, Ben Domenech and his wife, Caroline, waited six hours to walk past the casket of Ronald Reagan as it lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda.

"My wife and I were both born in the '80s, and when we were young, the only president we ever remembered was Ronald Reagan," said Domenech, a 22-year-old speechwriter for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

That devotion to Reagan's legacy is a defining characteristic of Domenech and five other young Republicans, ages 22 to 35, profiled in the Journal-Constitution today, on the eve of the Republican National Convention. They represent a sampling of young party activists.

They aren't the rebels that Lee Atwater, Karl Rove and Ralph Reed were in the 1970s, when they mounted their first political campaigns for offices in the College Republicans organization. But, thanks in large part to the efforts of that earlier generation, Reagan's conservatism displaced the moderates who once led the party and is now a pillar of Republican identity.

"I see a lot of young conservatives now that are intelligent and more aware of what they believe at a younger age than many you would have seen in another generation," said Domenech.

Young Republicans such as Louisiana congressional candidate Bobby Jindal and Virginia Republican Chairwoman Kate Obenshain Griffin see themselves as inheritors of a broadening conservative tradition

(snip)

A central concern of this younger generation is that the party get over the demographic hurdles that have kept its membership mostly white and native-born.

"To be true to its principles, my party has to stand strongly and unambiguously for opportunity for all Americans," said Jindal, a 33-year-old Indian-American. In campaign speeches, Jindal relates the GOP's conservative, free-market philosophy to the values of his industrious immigrant parents, "who could have gone anywhere, but chose to come here."

(snip)

"We have a real choice," said Jindal, who has held several high-profile government health care positions. "We can either let government take over more and more of the responsibility for our health care system, or we can rely on business to fill the gaps that exist now. But if we do that, we've got to confront a lot of issues, not only price of care and drug costs, but emergency room accessibility and a whole host of issues."

(snip)

Some polls this year have shown younger voters leaning toward Democratic Sen. John Kerry, but Domenech expressed confidence they'll come around to Bush by Election Day.

Younger voters aren't as familiar with the importance of issues like tax cuts and tax breaks for families, he said, noting a survey that showed a high percentage get most of their news watching Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." "So if they're only getting their news from 'The Daily Show,' then they're not getting much news."

Vitter says no to third party ads

2004-08-27T15:54:00.000-04:00

From the Official Vitter Website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mac Abrams
(504) 833-1163

David Vitter Comments on Third-Party Ads

“Watching my local news last Friday night, I was surprised to see a television ad featuring myself. While it was a positive piece, I was disappointed that third parties have already begun their assault on Louisiana. In the past few elections, our state has been a victim of inaccurate and troublesome third party ads and I express my strong desire that all third parties stay out of this Senate race and let the candidates run their own campaigns. I hope that Louisianians and the media will hold all commercials, whether third party or candidate sponsored, to the highest level of scrutiny for their truthfulness and accuracy,” said David Vitter.

We're Still Here...

2004-08-25T19:32:00.000-04:00

Campaign news has suddenly slowed to a trickle this week, mostly overshadowed by the ongoing Rodney Alexander saga as well as other things, so that's why the blog has gone a little cold. I am working on something to show you, hopefully it'll be very soon when it's ready.

Vitter has solid lead, but second place remains unclear

2004-08-21T15:09:00.000-04:00

Recent polls show David Vitter increasing his lead in Louisiana's senate race. However, the man he will face off with in the runoff remains unknown. In the first poll, Chris John leads Kennedy by 7 points for second place, in the second poll, Kennedy outpaces John by 3.

Perhaps, not surprisingly, the polls that show John and Kennedy in the lead were each conducted by their own campaigns.

NRSC.org

Excerpted from the Louisiana Political Fax Weekly; August 20, 2004

A new poll conducted for the Chris John campaign shows Republican Congressman David Vitter consolidating conservative support and John moving into second place over John Kennedy.

The survey results by Greenberg Quinlan are: Vitter, 42 percent; John, 21; Kennedy, 15; Arthur Morrell, 3; Undecided, 19. The Washington pollster's 600-sample of likely voters was taken Aug. 9-15 and has a margin of error of 4 percent.

A source that has seen the poll's internal numbers says Vitter has consolidated conservative support now that qualifying has passed and he is the only major GOP candidate...

From Bayoubuzz.com

State Treasurer John Kennedy leads Congressman Chris John for one of the runoff spots in the November 2nd primary for U.S. Senate. According to results of a survey taken by Penn-Schoen & Berland Associates of 734 likely Louisiana voters taken from July 8th to 12th, with a margin of error of 3.62%.

Kennedy enjoys his lead despite Congressman Chris John receiving the endorsement of retiring Senator John Breaux.

Here are the poll results:

Republican David Vitter 33%
Democrat John Kennedy 18%
Democrat Chris John 15%
Democrat Arthur Morrell 3%
Don’t know/refused 31%

Novak: Vitter fights invitation of foreign observers to monitor U.S. election

2004-08-21T15:07:00.000-04:00

From Townhall.com

FOREIGN ELECTION MONITORS

Republican members of Congress are furious with Secretary of State Colin Powell for inviting international observers to monitor November's presidential election despite a House-passed bill, pending in the Senate, that would prohibit public funds for such purposes.

Republican Rep. David Vitter has written Powell a letter of protest. Vitter, running for the Senate from Louisiana, called on State to "rescind the invitation" and "devote its time to diplomacy and pressing events overseas, rather than playing some role in domestic political events."

Following the 2000 Florida recount, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) sent 10 observers to the 2002 Florida elections and two observers to the 2003 California recall. The Congressional Black Caucus and other Democrats have demanded foreign monitoring of this year's voting.

Vitter opposes foreign observances, remains consistent on issue

2004-08-18T17:09:00.000-04:00

From the same article, here is what Congressman Vitter has to say. Unlike Chris John, Vitter remains consistent on the issue and has criticized the state department for inviting the OSCE to monitor our elections.

Rep. David Vitter, R-Metairie, the only Republican in the race to replace Breaux, made it clear he thinks the issue should be part of the Louisiana campaign, pointing to a House vote last month on a resolution to block United Nations involvement.

(snip)

The House vote Vitter highlighted was on a GOP amendment to prohibit any taxpayer money from being used to give the international organization any authority over U.S. elections. The amendment by Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., passed on a largely party-line vote.

(snip)

The issue sparked to life again last week when Secretary of State Colin Powell announced that he had invited the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to send observers to the United States for the election, pointing out that the group previously sent observers with little fanfare to U.S. races in 2002 and 2003.

Vitter said he was "absolutely outraged" by Powell's action, saying he found it "offensive" and a threat to U.S. sovereignty. In a letter to Powell, Vitter said he doesn't deny past or potential problems with voting security or voting rights issues, but suggested the solution isn't international oversight.

(snip)

Vitter said he will seek to expand the Buyer amendment when the bill comes up next month before a House-Senate conference committee to ban both the United Nations and the OSCE from involvement in U.S. elections.

John finally explains UN Vote!

2004-08-18T16:53:00.000-04:00

At long last, the odyssey of Chris John's unexplained UN vote comes to an end. Here is what Chris John had to say, straight from The Times Picayune:

...John said the vote was just a meaningless political ploy, and that he supports meaningful efforts to block any international involvement in U.S. elections.

John, who was asked to defend his vote against the GOP resolution during a meeting last week with members of the Louisiana Federation of Police, said the amendment was strictly a political ploy given that it asked to stop financing for United Nations oversight that "can only be requested by President Bush, which he clearly isn't going to request."

John said he opposes any international oversight of U.S. elections and would strongly support any legitimate congressional effort to block the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe from playing any role in the fall elections.

So the effort to ban the funding was not legitimate?

Congressman John's explanation is rather paltry. He must be the only "moderate" Democrat to come to that conclusion. The complete vote is here. Again, many of the Democratic moderates like Gene Taylor, Jim Matheson, Jim Turner, etc, voted for this while John and liberals like Barbara Lee, Corrine Brown, etc, voted against. Whether you take legislation seriously or not, when you cast a vote you are putting your voice on the record. Yes, the ban probably would not be necessary, but principle is involved here.

The bottom line is that Chris John has not repudiated or apologized his vote. He can try to explain his vote away with a cynical rejoinder, but the fact remains that there is a "No" on that roll call vote, and there are no footnotes to a congressman's vote.

Chris John makes statement on foreign observances of American elections (Is John being inconsistent?)

2004-08-18T16:51:00.000-04:00

It seems we finally got an answer on how Chris John feels on foreign observances of our elections. Readers of this blog will recall that John voted against a ban of federal funding for the United Nations to observe our presidential elections. However, upon recent news that the state department has invited the OSCE to observe our elections, Chris John has since come out with a statement. Here is what he said, straight from the website.

From the official Chris John website.

"I strongly oppose international organizations' monitoring U.S. elections.

"The Bush administration recently announced it had invited the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to monitor the upcoming election in November. They allowed this group to monitor our congressional elections in 2002, and now they invited them back. I adamantly oppose the Bush administration's request for international monitoring of our elections.

"I believe it is the responsibility of American election officials to protect the voting rights of American voters, not the responsibility of foreign agencies. I supported strong election reform after the 2000 elections in order to safeguard voting rights because a strong America begins here at home with every vote being counted - counted by Americans."

Chris John's stated position simply does not jibe with his UN vote. If he does not think the OSCE should monitor our elections, why did he not make sure the UN could not either, at least not with American tax dollars?

After John's statement, the press release also included this background information. I've highlighted some key sections, and then I will explain:

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe plans to observe the US presidential election this year, concerned by the disputed results in 2000, a spokeswoman said. OSCE members, which include the United States, agreed in 1990 to invite the group to observe their elections. This would be the first invitation to a US presidential election the OSCE accepts, spokeswoman Urdur Gunnarsdottir said.

The agency observed the 2002 congressional election and reported that many of the problems found in the 2000 vote were fixed. US elections officials "succeeded somewhat, but not entirely" in correcting problems encountered in the election of President George W. Bush four years ago, Gunnarsdottir said. The OSCE consists of 55 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and North America working on security-related issues.

The OSCE observed the gubernatorial election in California last year, the State Department said.

Given that OSCE observances have been established to be nothing new, Chris John would have had plenty of time to comment on it. I checked the Lexis-Nexis database and Google to see if Chris John had any statements regarding the OSCE observances prior to his press release. Nothing turned up.

Since Chris John has had no stated record on this issue, all we have so far is his UN funding vote. If this statement truly represents his beliefs, than there is no way he would have voted the way he did. He still has not explained it. As long as Chris John has this unexplained anomaly in his voting record, there will always be reason to doubt where he truly stands.