With U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) facing re-election next year, potential opponents are now starting to seriously consider the race. Former Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco is working to find a credible and well financed Democratic candidate to oppose Vitter. She said that “there are three people” who are eyeing a challenge to Vitter. Former U.S. Congressman Chris John, Shaw Group Chairman of the Board and CEO Jim Bernhard and U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-Napoleonville) have all been approached by Democratic Party leaders and encouraged to enter the race. Of the three, the most probable candidate is Bernhard, who would have the ability to personally contribute significant resources into the race. Other Democrats being encouraged to enter the race include State Senator Eric LaFleur (D-Ville Platte) and New Orleans Councilman-at-large Arnie Fielkow.   In the last few months, Senator Vitter has taken a very high profile role among Republicans in the U.S. Senate and has crafted a solid conservative voting record. He has also been leading the charge against several Obama cabinet nominees. For example, he was one of only two Republicans to oppose Hillary Clinton’s nomination as Secretary of State. While he has worked hard to secure conservative support in the Republican Party, he is still vulnerable to a GOP primary challenge. He has political baggage from the 2007 revelation of his involvement with the D.C. madam prostitution ring. In a recent Southern Media and Opinion Research poll, Vitter received a respectable 58% approval rating; however, only 30% said they would definitely re-elect him. In addition, 35% of the respondents said they would consider another candidate, while 28% said they would definitely vote against Vitter.   The latest controversy involving Vitter pertains to his “hold” of the Obama administration’s nominee for FEMA Director, Craig Fugate. Vitter claimed that he had a list of questions which had not been “adequately addressed” by Fugate; however, his position was viewed by many as political grandstanding. Predictably, Vitter was blasted by Senate Democrats, including U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). He was also roundly criticized by members of the press and fellow Republicans such as U.S.. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL). With hurricane season only a few days away, Vitter’s stance was seen by many observers to be counter productive to the interests of Louisiana, a state still vulnerable to the ravages of storm season. Eventually, Vitter released his hold on the nomination, citing satisfactory answers he had extracted from FEMA.   This latest controversy has encouraged more Republicans to take another look at challenging Vitter in the 2010 GOP primary. Just this week, Suzanne Haik Terrell, former New Orleans Councilmember and Louisiana Elections Commissioner, confirmed her interest in the race. Terrell previously ran for the U..S. Senate in 2002, losing a very close race to Mary Landrieu. Starting in October 2005, Terrell served a three year stint in the Bush Commerce Department, specializing in economic development. If she decides to run, Terrell could be a very formidable opponent for Vitter. She is the only Republican woman to ever win statewide office in Louisiana. She continues to have strong support from a range of Republican activists in the state. Women compose a majority of the Republican voters in Louisiana and Terrell might be seen as a more palatable candidate than Vitter. While Vitter’s wife forgave him for his escapades with the call girl ring, Republican women across the state might not be so forgiving. Other potential GOP opponents for Vitter include Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and retiring Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor.   Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com

 Advertise on Bayoubuzz.  Be seen by a great audience
Louisiana Calendar  Post your own events.  Over 1000 visitors/day
Join BayoubuzzDance.com & input your own content

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

Do you want to write for Bayoubuzz?  Email us.
See the "hot" topics on our discussion boards and chime in