Skip to content

Louisiana: Melancon Finally Goes Nuclear on Vitter

In his most brazen attempt yet to thrust Sen. David Vitter’s 3-year-old prostitution scandal into the forefront of their Senate race, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) has released a new commercial that hammers the Republican for his “forgotten crime.”

In 2007, Vitter’s phone number was found in a list of clients of the “D.C. Madam.” Vitter promptly issued an apology. “This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible,” Vitter said in a statement at the time. Ultimately, Vitter wasn’t charged in the matter, but the implication of illegal behavior is at the heart of the Melancon video.

Shot and edited in a television news magazine format meant to look like an independent exposé, the commercial is compiled from a series of Web videos first launched by the state Democratic Party earlier this year. Vitter holds a comfortable lead in the polls over Melancon, which is somewhat implicit in this new ad’s message that Vitter faced no consequences for his past troubles.

Recent Stories

States’ Medicaid directed payments targeted for potential cuts

House Transportation advances reconciliation plan; focus on EV fee

Oversight panel endorses cuts to federal retirement system

2026 is shaping up as a ‘Year of the Woman’ for Democratic primaries

A tale of two leaders: Pope Francis and Trump

Capitol Lens | ‘The tall and the short’