Louisiana: Dardenne Continues to Weigh Vitter Challenge

Roll Call ^ | March 26, 2009 | John McArdle

[Clintonfatigued]

While the names of other would-be primary challengers to Sen. David Vitter (R) have come and gone, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne (R) said this week that he remains on the fence about a 2010 Senate bid.

[Clintonfatigued]

There is hope yet. Dardenne has statewide name I.D. and a base in the politically marginal Baton Rouge area.

[Steely Tom]

I think he should go for it. His timing will be perfect. By 2010, Obama should be the most popular President in history, and the Democrats should be riding high on a wave of adulation. Piece of cake.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Unless Dardenne is prepared to go nuclear on Vitter, I don’t see him beating him in a primary, and if he does, the fallout might allow even a weak Dem an opportunity to win. Despite Vitter’s peccadilloes, I reluctantly support his renomination. LA voters seem more than willing to look the other way.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

Dardenne also starts out double-digits behind Vitter, so there’s no assurance that he’d win. He ought to wait to challenge Landrieu in 2014.

[Impy]

Man I hope some “family values” rat doesn’t end up in this seat.

DJ is right a primary may cause harm. I can envision poed Vitter supporters calling Dardenne a RINO whether he is or not and vowing not to vote in November.

Hopefully whatever happens LA will just be good and vote Republican.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

If Melancon doesn’t run, who else could do it? That’s what floors me. People seem to be under the impression that LA voters want to dump Vitter so badly, but he starts out nearly 10 points ahead of both Melancon and former Congressman Cazayoux, meanwhile, Richard Burr in NC is in a near tie with the state attorney general, and Burr’s as clean as a whistle. Who should we be more worried about here?

There would indeed be a danger of Vitter supporters staying home. Vitter’s core base is the two densely-packed suburban parishes outside N.O. Win over 60% in both, and you K.O. the fraud machine in Orleans. Vitter’s done that, and he’ll do it again. If he loses to Dardenne in an ugly primary, there could be recriminations here.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Why do you say that “there is hope”? Vitter is fighting tooth and nail against the liberals in this country, republicans and democrats alike. Have you been following all of the legislative amendments that Vitter has been introducing? Do you believe that we can get better representation from someone else?

[Clintonfatigued]

David Vitter has become a joke. Dardenne would be more credible in the general election. Vitter has put himself in political danger needlessly.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

So, I take it you are not familiar with all of the Vitter proposals and amendments. I'd really like to hear just which of those amendments that you think are a bad idea. If you are going to say that someone has become a "joke", you should really provide some information to support your claim.

BTW, what exactly is your interest in opposing and badmouthing the senator in Louisiana? Your home page indicates Indiana, which hasn't produced a conservative member of the US senate in quite some time.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Is there still a Louisiana ping list? I remember a Tulane student was keeping one some time ago, but I haven’t heard from him in a year or more. I’d be happy to develop and maintain a ping list if the need exists. Thanks!

[abb]

I have a few names but nothing extensive.

Pay no attention to the Dardenne rumor. That’s newspaper talk trying to gin up a primary race to sell newspapers. Even though Dardenne is a certified type specimen RINO, he’s not stupid.

[Clintonfatigued]

I realize that Vitter is good on the issues, but he’s still a joke. If you’re from Louisiana, than you know why. And my interest is in promoting credible Republican candiadtes (which Jay Dardenne definitely is if he runs).

[abb]

And my interest is in promoting credible Republican candiadtes (which Jay Dardenne definitely is if he runs).

You don't know what you're talking about. I know Jay Dardenne. I've followed his career and voting record for fifteen years.

He is and always has been a certified 'type specimen' RINO.

[Impy]

“BTW, what exactly is your interest in opposing and badmouthing the senator in Louisiana? Your home page indicates Indiana, “

Yes us Yankees should just shut the **** up about Southern politics right!!!!?? Blah. Let me tell you something, the US Senate affects us all. And us political junkies like to discuss and analyze all the races in every state as is our perfect right. Indiana Freepers are no more responsible for Bayh and Lugar than you are for Edwin Edwards or I (Chicagoan) am for Obama, I voted for the black guy (Keyes) in 2004 and the liberal (McCain) in 2008.

My only concern is Vitter (excellent voting record yes indeed) might be vulnerable to a fake conservative rat. No one from LA thinks that is likely so I’m very glad. Usually only rats get away with stuff.

Obviously a primary battle would create a vulnerability as well. The respectable thing would be for Vitter not to run again but since he is I guess an unprimaried Vitter is the best bet.

I know little of Dardenne if he is a RINO obviously that’s a non-starer anyway (do you have details on his RINOism ABB?)

Clintonfatigued is concerned with the party’s image, how can we be the party of reform when we have Senators who frequent whorehouses? Particularly in Louisiana it would be helpful to the clean party compared to the super-corrupt democrats.

I don’t care myself what Vitter enjoys sexually but I’m certain that if some rat Senator say oh Mark Pryor was involved in the same scandal as Vitter that freepers would universally call for his resignation.

Hopefully your state’s libertarian attitude toward personal behavior and increasing Republican trend will prevail.

[Impy]

Yeah Burr is not in a strong position. The trend in the state, a rat opponent who has won statewide, his own quality of what is the term? Liddy-Doleness? We need a good year to save him.

[abb]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g-hf2Xkb1RmQtnx9apn9JVNPbougD9775UF80
Opposition to Obama fuels Sen. Vitter’s resurgence

[Impy]

That doesn’t say why Dardenne is a RINO.

[abb]

http://www.nola.com/forums/amite/index.ssf?artid=25

Courtesy of Louisiana Political News ServiceINCOME TAX DAY ANALYSIS:May 15th—State Income Tax Day—brought to you courtesy of Senator Jay Dardenne.Jay Dardenne served as the Senate floor leader for The Stelly Plan, which raised state income taxes on individuals and families.Jay Dardenne has supported more taxes than virtually any other Republican legislator and even more taxes than the vast majority of Democrats.Here are a few of Senator Dardenne’s votes to raise our taxes.

SENATOR DARDENNE TAX VOTING RECORD: 2000 Special and Regular SessionsFrom: Legislative website Download at: http://www.forgotston.comTotal Taxes Supported: $1.415 BILLIONVOTED YES ON No.s 1-9, NO ON No. 11Y = yes vote; “N” = no vote; “A” = absent or not voting (counted as a vote against)Tax No.1 (HB 117 Tobacco Tax Increase = $18 MILLION)Tax No. 2(HB 299 Reduce excess itemized deduction & ed. tax credit = $88 MILLION)Tax No.3 (HB 254 Alcohol Tax Increase = $40 MILLION - Senate only)Tax No.4 (HB 295 Personal Income Tax Increase = $750 MILLION)Tax No.5 (HB 140 Sales Tax on food and utilities $110 MILLION)Tax No.6 (HB 193 Car rental Tax = $5 MILLION)Tax No.8 (HB 36 2000 E.S. Sales Tax on food and utilties $330 MILLION)Tax No. 9 (HB 299 Reduce inventory tax credit $74 MILLION - Senate only)Tax No. 11 (SB 1 Oil and Gas Processing = $900 MILLION - Senate only)Posted in Across Louisiana, Jay Dardenne

[abb]

2003 Tax Votes in Louisiana Legislature.
Dardenne voted for 42% of the taxes
http://www.forgotston.com/wp-content/2003TaxVotes.htm

2004 Tax/Fee votes
75% for taxes
http://www.forgotston.com/wp-content/2004R.S.FEEVotes.htm