Vitter building a $5M war chest for Senate race

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.thehill.com/campaign/121703.aspx

Rep. David Vitter (R-La.) is assembling an extensive Washington-based fundraising operation to reel in more than $5 million for his still-unofficial Senate bid.

That effort picked up momentum Monday when Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), who now holds the seat, said he would not seek a fourth term.

Vitter, a third-term congressman, has yet to announce his 2004 campaign plans. He said Monday that he probably would make a public statement by the end of the year.

But Republican sources in Washington and Louisiana have made it clear that Vitter, 42, a former state legislator, definitely is running for the Breaux seat.

[davidinalameda]

1. I'd hope that Breaux backs Rep. John

Still, several Republicans said that if Breaux backs John, as some observers expect him to do, the fourth-term congressman is likely to prevail in November

[Frodo]

2. I'm surprised he isn't running for President

He's a three term congressman who won his last election in a competitive state with 81% of the vote. That must mean lots of Democrats voted for him.


Seriously. I take it his seat won't be up for grabs. What happened to Jindal? He'd certainly have the name recognition.

[Frodo]

3. The effect of a Dean candidacy on this race?

From the article:

But perhaps the most serious obstacle faced by the Democratic Senate hopeful is
beyond his control: the presidential candidacy of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

Democratic and Republican officials agreed that Dean, the current front-runner, could make matters tough for John by highlighting the party’s anti-war and pro-abortion and gay rights agenda.

What’s more, the Democratic presidential nominee is likely to spend considerable time in Louisiana fighting for the state’s nine electoral votes. The state has backed both Democratic and Republican presidential contenders in recent cycles and is one of the only Southern states Democrats hope to win next year.

[GalleryGod]

4. Toss-Up Seat Goes R in a Landslide! Where's Stevie Nicks???

:shrug: Bye Bye Louisiana!

[tedoll78]

5. I'm going home to LA on Friday..

I'll take the tone of the state and report back. I usually just survey my family.. I have a pretty good record for predictions in LA races.