This past Saturday, the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee held a meeting in Shreveport. One of the issues on the agenda was whether or not to open up the party primary to Independent and third party members. It was voted down by a vote of 114-5. They even made it one of the bylaws of the Louisiana Republican Party, making it even tougher to change it, as such a change would require a 2/3 vote to open the GOP primaries.
What does this mean? It means that the Louisiana GOP just made it much, much tougher for a challenger to defeat David Vitter in a GOP primary, especially since John Cooksey, and Tony Perkins have decided NOT to challenge the mercurial SINator.
The only potential challenger left standing amongst GOP elected officials is Secretary of State Jay Dardenne. While he has pointedly kept his name circulating in GOP circles by not issuing a Shermanesque statement closing the door on a potential challenge, I cannot see him challenging the SINator, as I believe he wants to keep his powder dry until 2015, when Governor PBJ will be term-limited, providing, of course, that he wins re-election.
All of this leaves Stormy Daniels as the only candidate still seriously considering a challenge to the SINator.
UPDATE: I'm hearing that the Big Orange blog will be releasing polling data on Louisiana later this week.
Sinator Vitter dodged one potential opponent in the Republican primary in the person of former Rep. John Cooksey, who was reported to be setting up a committee to explore the idea of running for the seat.
"I am not running for the U.S. Senate against David Vitter."
That's fine ... as we are still looking at a nice GOP menage a trois - the Sinator, the Adult Film Star, and the Moralizer. Should be fun!
On the Democratic side, Congressman Charlie Melancon has repeatedly been asked to consider running for state-wide office. Thus far, he has refused to make a run, preferring to remain in the House, where he leads the Blue Dog Caucus. For the 2010 Senate race, that seems to be the case as well:
"Never say never, but I'm not contemplating a run at this time."
That leaves the field to two candidates that are actively considering making the race:
Jim Bernhard: the former Chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, and founder of one of Louisiana's Fortune 500 companies, The Shaw Group, has been out and about meeting folks up in Washington and here in Louisiana about making a run for the Senate. I have no doubt that the DSCC LOVES the idea of a Bernhard run, because Mr. Bernhard can self-finance.
Honestly, I'm not impressed by the Democratic field right now. Chris John is a conservative pro-business type that will run a center-right campaign, which will not go anywhere. I don't know Mr. Bernhard's politics, other than he's a Democrat. But I do know that uber-wealthy candidates often lose. I'll keep an open mind on him, but I'd like to know where he stands on various issues. I'd also like to see a certain CenLa Mayor get in the race. He knows who he is.
"John is willing to put up $200,000 of his own money to take on Vitter. He only wants to know that there is public support for a run," said a senior advisor to the former Congressman-who asked not to be named.
Friends of Cooksey are reportedly in the nascent stages of forming a "Draft Congressman Cooksey" organization that already has a telephone number. The politically interested, particularly Republicans, are being encouraged to dial (504) 552-9273, and--if they so desire--express their willingness to support Cooksey in primary challenge against David Vitter.
Sources close the congressman say that he is ready to take on the incumbent, but only if sufficient Republican support truly exists for a primary challenge.
Mr. Cooksey, a social conservative from North Louisiana, would present the strongest challenge to Sinator Vitter in a Republican primary to date. Vitter's weakness is in the northern parishes of the state, since he's perceived as a New Orleanian, and the fact that he engaged in extramarital affairs with prostitutes is not looked upon favorably by voters up there, who are overwhelmingly Baptist.
If Mr. Perkins stays out of the race, Sinator Vitter will be in the fight of his life. However, if Mr. Perkins gets in the race, it will help Sinator Vitter, as Mr. Perkins will split the conservative vote with Mr. Cooksey, leaving Sinator Vitter to battle Ms. Daniels for the country-club set.
So, folks, see that phone in bold? (504) 552-9273. Call it and express your support for Mr. Cooksey's challenge!
