Sen. David Vitter’s (R-La.) campaign fundraising is beginning to get predictable.

For the third quarter in a row Vitter raised about $1.2 million for his 2010 re-election. But Vitter also spent about $600,000 on his campaign efforts for the third consecutive quarter, leaving him with $4.5 million in his campaign account at the end of December.

Vitter –‘ a family-values Republican who was caught up in a prostitution scandal in 2007 — is facing Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) in a race in which national Democrats are working hard to drive a wedge between the Senator and female voters.

Late last week, Melancon took a shot at Vitter for holding up the confirmation of Genevieve Lynn May, who would be Louisiana’s first female U.S. Marshall.