The Times-Picayune is reporting that Congressman Melancon has decided to plan a run for the Senate against the Sinning Senator David Vitter.
I'll believe this when I see the following occur:
An announcement from Shaw Chairman (and former Democratic State Party Chairman) Jim Bernhard that he will NOT be a candidate for the Senate in 2010.
An announcement of a committee being set up by Congressman Melancon to start raising money for a Senate campaign.
While Congressman Melancon may be a good candidate for the Senate, I have some concerns about a Melancon candidacy. The weakness of the Sinning Senator David Vitter lies not in South Louisiana, but in Central and North Louisiana, where he spends the majority of his time in-state on campaign style events.
Thus, it makes more sense in my mind, at least, to have the Democratic candidate come from this region. Now, don't get the idea that I'm advocating for Foster Campbell to be the Democratic standard bearer against the Sinning Senator ... I'm not.
But unless a candidate from Central or Northern Louisiana emerges, (paging state Senator Eric LaFleur) the Democratic nominee, if it is Bernhard or Melancon, better be prepared to spend A LOT of time next year in Central and Northern Louisiana pressing the flesh. And I'm not confident that Congressman Melancon would be willing to do that.
Hopefully, if he is the nominee, he'll prove me wrong.
