The highly-anticipated U.S. Senate contest between Congressman Charlie Melancon and incumbent David Vitter is still more than a year away, but a new internal poll has surfaced that shows how the two men are stacking up. As expected, Melancon, D-Napoleonville, enters the race as the underdog, with a name-ID of only 48 percent, compared to Vitter’s statewide recognition of 86 percent. That alone is enough for the poll to put Vitter in the lead overall, 47 percent to Melancon’s 37 percent.
The poll was actually conducted in May by D.C.-based Anzalone Liszt Research, a Melancon vendor, and distributed throughout the Democratic campaign earlier this month. While Vitter’s lead is welcomed by the GOP, pollsters John Anzalone and Jeff Liszt contend the survey offers several bright spots for Melancon. For instance, Vitter’s 47 percent lead is below the 50-threshold — “a very troubling sign for an incumbent,” they comment in a memo on the poll.
When participants (800 likely voters) were given only positive information on the two candidates, such as party affiliation, background and future goals (about 100 words each, with Vitter listed first and no reference at all to the prostitution scandal), Melancon pulled ahead 49-41. Moreover, the poll revealed a net-negative re-elect rating for Vitter, which is a fancy way of saying that nearly half (45 percent) of the participants preferred “someone new,” as opposed to another term from Vitter.
The numbers aren’t earth-shattering and pretty much mirror the Vitter leads produced by a July poll from Public Policy Polling (44-32) and another from March by Research 2000/Daily Kos (48-41). If anything, the quasi-new poll is likely being distributed to help shore up fundraising, since it shows, like the other surveys, that the Democratic challenger has at least a fighting chance to topple the incumbent.
... written by whats missing... , September 11, 2009 - 06:03 pm
where is the poll that shows that melancon cannot even win his current seat back? His blind support for anything Obama, especially his support of unions has killed his chances.
... written by hello , September 11, 2009 - 07:50 pm
i concur with whats missing, melancon has done nothing for his congressional district. even allowing boustany to get fed $$$ for coastal restoration in dist 7, then later wanting dist 3 in while leavine a certain parish out of study. sounds like playing politics to me.
... written by Phil , September 12, 2009 - 02:16 am
Where is Melancon's facebook picture postings of his around-the-world tour, trudging through Antarctic snow, surfing in Australia. He's burning a million gallons of jet fuel, generating the deadly and much feared gas carbon-dioxide, to investigate global warming. Said carbon-dioxide, according to flat-earth mantra, is the cause of global warming. The unreason of cap-and-trade bs. So, if Charlie Boy is such hot stuff, why don't you label him "Pit Bull of the House". Do some investigative reporting of his voting record, committee appointments, some background like his military service, previous employments, etc. Let me know why Charlie Boy is my guy? How does he feel about concealed carry state reciprocity. Gun registration, ammo limitations. Oil drilling? Is journalism a dead art? You like chicks? Chicks with guns? Just ask these investigative journalistic questions, instead of puff-piece publishing. (Not trying to be offensive, just stating my take on the scene)
... written by LOUISIANA DEMOCRAT , September 13, 2009 - 01:31 am
David Vitter is a very negative politician. He is a family values guy who thinks that he is better than everyone else. He will vote for and has voted for anything as long as he can categorize is as "conservative" whether it makes any sense or not. I will support Charlie Melancon for senator. I do realize that he will have a tough time getting elected.
... written by justwundering , September 14, 2009 - 07:20 pm
Well, let's see if I got this right....Melancon commissioned a poll, then wrote 100 word positives about each candidate and given those write-ups those polled chose Melancon.....right? Surprise!Surprise!Surprise! Does Ind. have the 100 word write-ups? It would be interesting reading.......
... written by Jeremy Alford , September 14, 2009 - 07:32 pm
Below is a verbatim version of the two 100-word positives:
Let me give you some more information on the possible candidates for U.S. Senate in two thousand ten and get your reaction:
David Vitter is a Republican U.S. Senator who was elected in two thousand four. In the Senate, Vitter says he is a voice for Louisiana's conservative values -- leading the fight to defend the unborn, protect gun owners, and ban gay marriage. Vitter says he was on the front lines during Katrina and has fought for the funding needed to rebuild Louisiana after the hurricanes. He says he has been a strong fiscal conservative, working to cut wasteful spending and cut taxes for families and small businesses which will create jobs and grow the economy. Vitter says he's running for re-election to defend traditional conservative values, stand up to the big government liberals, and create jobs and opportunities for Louisiana families.
Charlie Melancon is a Democratic Congressman from Napoleonville, and as a small businessman and head of the state's sugar industry association fought to create and protect Louisiana jobs. Melancon says he is a fiscally responsible pro-life, pro-gun conservative Democrat who works with both parties on the important issues of healthcare, jobs, and education. Melancon says he secured funding to help recover from Katrina and Rita, and sponsored the bipartisan law that expands offshore oil drilling in the Gulf and fought to protect Louisiana's oil and gas industry jobs. In the Senate, Melancon says he'll work to continue rebuilding Louisiana, stabilize the economy and create better jobs, and will always be on the side of middle-class families.
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