In this most-important Louisiana US Senate race, sometimes the proxies do the talking or the emailing. Here are two emails—one from the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the other from the Louisiana Democratic Party pitching their points against candidates David Vitter and Charlie Melancon.
National Republican Senatorial Committee
In light of the ongoing debate surrounding the Democrats’ costly and controversial proposed government-run health care proposal,the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) launched a new Websitetoday,HealthCareTaskForce.org, to inform voters about candidates’ positions and statements during this critical debate.
HealthCareTaskForce.orghighlights Democrat 2010 Senate candidates’ positions – or lack thereof – during the nation’s critical health care debate. Visitors can review detailed profiles on the candidate positions as well as the latest news coverage of recent health care developments in the Senate.
The NRSC’s new site allows visitors to share information through social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and other online communities. Thus far, thousands of individuals have already signed up online to become a part of the NRSC’s new task force.
(Baton Rouge) Less than a week after skipping a hearing on veterans homelessness, David Vitter went AWOL again yesterday as the Senate debated a bill to fund all Veterans Affairs and military construction programs over the next year. The bill included millions for construction at two Louisiana military bases.
"Once again, David Vitter has demonstrated that taking care of our veterans is not his top priority," said Louisiana Democratic Party spokesman Kevin Franck.
Yesterday, the Senate began debate on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which would provide $133.9 billion for military construction, military family housing and veterans' affairs programs for 2010, including $1.4 billion in funding for overseas operations. The body also held two roll call votes on measures introduced by Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn. Vitter was absent from the debate and did not vote on either provision.
"In the course of one week, David Vitter has gone AWOL on our veterans twice," Franck added. "I hope he can tell us what was more important that listening to the testimony of homeless veterans or voting on funding for veterans programs and military construction projects."
Last week, Vitter was AWOL from a Senate Banking subcommittee hearing on ending veterans homelessness. As the hearing was underway, Vitter updated his campaign's Facebook and Twitter accounts. Representative Charlie Melancon last week called on Vitter to explain why he played hooky from the hearing, but so far Vitter has not commented.
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act would provide millions in construction for Louisiana military installations, including:
$32 million for Fort Polk Warrior in Transition Complex
$18.4 million for FortPolk, family housing improvements
$17 million for FortPolk, land acquisition and purchases
$12.8 million for Barksdale AFB (Phase 5 ramp replacement, aircraft apron pavement)
