News -> INDReporter MON, AUG 9 9:56AM by Nathan Stubbs

Eating with the Enemy: Vitter chastises opponent for having dinner with Wayne Elmore

Senator David Vitter smells a conspiracy cooking. In a campaign bulletin to supporters on Friday, Vitter calls his Republican primary opponent Chet Traylor nothing more than a "tool and stalking horse" for the main Democrat in the race, Congressman Charlie Melancon. His evidence? Traylor was seen having dinner with Democrats who are trial lawyers in North Louisiana and with Melancon supporter Wayne Elmore at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Lafayette.

“Who's Wayne Elmore?” Vitter asks in his email. “Just Charlie Melancon's single biggest contributor, fundraiser, and fraternity brother. He and his family have directly given Melancon over $50,000. So much that Melancon made him King of the Washington Mardi Gras Ball.”

Elmore is well known in Acadiana’s business community as a top executive with media company ComCorp and for resurrecting and reintroducing Mello Joy Coffee Company. Vitter says the Lafayette businessman was spotted with Traylor at the popular local steakhouse  last Tuesday — gossip too juicy for Vitter to resist broadcasting three days later.

In the Friday email, headlined "Mud Alert!," Vitter told supporters that Traylor was preparing to launch an attack campaign against him, starting as early as Tuesday. "Vicious attacks are about to start," the message reads, "and Charlie Melancon is clearly behind the push. "He's desperate to use his 'Republican' attack dog to try to change the dynamics of his losing campaign and to talk about anything but his own record." In addition to eating with Democrats, Traylor also is accused of employing political consultant Roy Fletcher, who has worked for candidates from both parties. Vitter adds: "This isn't just guesswork or speculation."

State Democrat have seized on the email, questioning Vitter's paranoia. State Democratic Party Communications Director Kevin Franck writes in response: "First, David Vitter endorsed the debunked right-wing fairytale about the president's citizenship, now he imagines that Chet Traylor is at the center of some vast conspiracy against him. I'm not sure whether his next email will be about crop circles or the Kennedy assassination, but I can't wait."
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Comments (15)add
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written by Comma Splice , August 09, 2010 - 04:00 pm
Zany conspiracy theories, wacky sexual indiscretions and operating under the belief that people should dine exclusively with their own kind? Sounds like he's representing his constituency perfectly.
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written by Cajunhiker , August 09, 2010 - 05:15 pm
I kinda agree about the paranoia.

The more Vitter attacks Melancon - for no obvious reason that I see because I don't see how Vitter can lose against Melancon - the more I want to vote for Mike Spears or another conservative candidate besides Vitter.

The attacks are just ... disgraceful, the same ole politics of yesterday. I want to see someone run on their own record, their own beliefs, their own policy stances. Not based on how well they throw mud at another candidate.

Note to Vitter - Rise above making the attacks. Respond to attacks made against you, only if necessary. Be different.
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written by what is true? , August 09, 2010 - 05:50 pm
The Independent correctly reported that Elmore is Melancon's largest supporter. What the Article fails to make clear is that it is true that Elmore is helping Traylor raise money. That is just a fact. So, is he abandoning Melancon? Has he turned his back on his best friend? The only other explanation is that Traylor is his hired gun for Obama and Melancon. Why would truth be interpreted as paranoia?
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written by Unpaid Freelance Journalist , August 09, 2010 - 06:04 pm
TheInd makes too much of this. Melancon is history. As to Wayne Elmore, he is closely associated with the Crowley crowd, i.e. Edwin, Breaux, Reggie, etc.
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written by Joe Politico , August 09, 2010 - 06:07 pm
Sounds like Senator Vitter needs to thumb through his little black book and set up a tryst in order to relieve his tension!
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written by Turiddu , August 09, 2010 - 06:42 pm
"what is true" is right. Traylor is a traitor to his party and a pawn for Melancon. The republican party should kick him out. Vitter shouldn't worry, he's gonna win. Cajunhiker's note to Vitter is good advice.
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written by The Original Northsidian , August 09, 2010 - 08:50 pm
I think Vitter is a paranoid whore monger!! Our choice is like the choice we had with Edwards or the racist dude!! (David Duke). Louisiana is in deep trouble!!
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written by Citizen , August 10, 2010 - 12:07 pm
Gee, somehow I think eating out a prostitute would be worse.

Note to Vitter- Try to pretend that your are not a prostitute soliciting scumbag lying deceiving politician.
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written by why is his wife so quiet now??? , August 10, 2010 - 12:15 pm
As long as its not a whore.... as long as he's not committing adultery, why do I care, as compared to Vitter.... The more Vitter talks, the less I listen. If his mouth is moving, he's lying. I sure do wonder why I don't see his wife and kids anymore. The Mrs. is very quiet in recent times.
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written by If you can't win on your merits... , August 10, 2010 - 04:52 pm
Melancon cannot win in the current climate. But, rather than go down with some integrity, he will stoop to the politics of personal destruction. This will tell you a lot about the "compassionate democrat" that would want your vote. We have a clear choice. Make your decision on how they will vote on issues. on this, we are very fortunate to have such distinct choices.
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written by Unpaid Freelance Journalist , August 10, 2010 - 06:52 pm
Vitter learned everything about women from Bill Clinton. Remember him?
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written by RCajunrunner , August 10, 2010 - 10:55 pm
Meanwhile, the dirt-free GOP primary candidate, Dr. Nick Accardo, gets zero attention and recognition from the media and politicos.

Kind of makes you wonder. Maybe only those with shady pasts are seriously considered for jobs as high as U.S. Senate. That way, they can be blackmailed or compromised at some point.
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written by ragin_cajun , August 11, 2010 - 06:20 pm
RCajunrunner--

I was going to ask. I haven't heard a peep about Accardo, and I can't figure out why. Is he raising money? Has he come to Lafayette to speak? How about an article about him from the independent? What's his views on spending, taxing, would he support repealing healthcare, immigration, etc.?

I'd hate to have to hold my nose and vote for Vitter.
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written by RCajunrunner , August 11, 2010 - 07:19 pm
I don't know. I spoke with him once on the phone about a week after he qualified. Seems like a good guy, from what I've heard from people who lived around St. Mary Parish, he used to write letters and buy ads in the local paper promoting Constitutional government practices.

Sounds too reasonable and clean to be a U.S. Senator. He might want to not pay his taxes or date someone other than his wife to get some serious consideration.

For those Tiger fans in the state, two of his kids were LSU athletes.
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written by ragin_cajun , August 12, 2010 - 11:06 pm
Constitutional government?! Well, that explains it! NO WAY anybody gets to Washington with half-baked, hair-brained ideas like THAT!
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