Democrat Announces Senate Challenge to Vitter
In an Internet video statement, seen at left, Melancon called himself a "pro-life, pro-gun Southern Democrat."
That statement was the only time the three-term congressman from coastal Louisiana called himself a Democrat in the Republican-leaning state. Melancon repeatedly highlighted his centrist credentials in the three-minute statement, noting that he had an A-rating from the NRA.
"I'm a proud centrist, a Blue Dog, a straight-up-the-middle fighter for the little guy who is struggling to make ends meet," he said.
Melancon could be a strong challenger to Vitter, who was first elected to the Senate in 2004 and is most famous in Washington for his entanglement in the "D.C. Madam" scandal two years ago.
"With Sen. Vitter's involvement in a prostitution scandal still a cloud over his head, Democrats were hoping to find a strong candidate to take on the possibly vulnerable Republican incumbent," said CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris.
"On paper, the pro-life, pro-gun, Blue Dog Melancon is the perfect candidate for the Democrats as they try to steal a seat in one of the few states that continues to trend Republican. Melancon's moderate-to-conservative views are in step with the state, and he can play up those credentials as someone who won't be a rubber stamp for President Obama, who only received 40 percent of the vote there last November."
Vitter is already on the attack against Melancon, with an ad on his Web site trying to attach him to Democrats' health care plans, though it should be noted that Melancon voted against one of the plans in a House committee. Melancon's statement did not mention health care.
In July of 2007, Vitter apologized for a after his number appeared on the phone records of "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey. (Palfrey was later , but before she was forced to go to jail. Vitter was spared a trip to the witness stand during the trial.)
Melancon repeatedly made veiled references to Vitter's past troubles in his statement. He said he was a "proud family man" and noted that he just celebrated his 37th wedding anniversary with his wife, Peachy.
"Louisiana deserves better," Melancon said without specifically referencing the scandal. "Louisiana deserves a different approach -- more bipartisan, more discipline, more honest, and with a whole lot more common sense," he said.
And later, he closed by saying: "I'll be a senator who you can be proud of."