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Louisiana US Senator, David Vitter, had a terrific August.  So far, his September might be one he would prefer not to remember.   In fact, he's recently left Louisiana citizens with some real perplexing questions that need clearly needs straightforward answers and one issue is beginning to make a lot of splash in the national political news.  .

In August, Senator Vitter really connected with his constituency over the issue of health care reform.  The Senator took advantage of a very unpopular program favored by the Democratic-controlled Congress and President Obama.  Obviously, the national Democrats are not the favorite sons or daughters in this very conservative state.

Although Vitter's initial health care reforms drew criticism (such as being controlled and not accommodating the large crowds), he felt home with most of the state who bonded with him over an issue that much of Louisiana abhorred.

Vitter also had Charlie Melancon almost helping him in the existing Senator's efforts for re-election.  There were revelations concerning a trip that Melancon  took 'down under' and a side trip to Martha Vinyard.  Vitter also hit very hard over the fact that Melancon did not engage in 'health care' town hall meetings while Vitter attended approximately twenty.  Vitter began to insinuate that Melancon was cowardice, however, various columnists noted that it did not take a great amount of courage for Senator Vitter to attend these forums since he and the audience were so much 'in sync'.

Then mid-September has come roaring for Melancon.

Early this week, Senator Vitter endorsed a position by the new conservative think tank, the Pelican institute for Public Policy.  After the Times Picayune reported on Vitter's approval of a study, Charlie Melancon seized the moment by stating via e-mail 'Late Monday night, the New Orleans Times-Picayune released a story noting that Vitter has "endorsed a new study from a conservative think tank that calls for scrapping the nation's employer-based health insurance system."

If Vitter's plan were instituted, almost 2 million Louisianans would be thrown off their existing health care plan and forced to buy insurance on their own. How can David Vitter justify putting that additional financial burden on working families, especially during these tough economic times?'

Senator Vitter has not answered Melancon's charge although the Institute (through its President Kevin Kane) sent an email to Bayoubuzz saying 'I did want to provide some clarification in response to the Times-Picayune's coverage of our press conference and Charlie Melancon's subsequent comments.  Sen. Vitter did not call for scrapping employer-based coverage, nor did he call for converting the entire Medicaid program into vouchers.  While he did endorse our report, this study was focused on the economic impact of President Obama's proposals.'

Also, today, the Monroe Star reported in a related article, 'Kane said Vitter said "nothing about 'scrapping employer provided healthcare' or vouchering the entire Medicaid program. Our report doesn't even say that."

The report suggest beginning "with individual ownership of insurance policies. The tax deduction that allows employers to own your insurance should instead be given to the individual."

Yet, the Louisiana Republican Party said on their website, 'U.S. Sen. David Vitter has endorsed a new study from a conservative think tank that calls for scrapping the nation's employer-based health insurance system in favor of individually owned policies and converting the Medicaid program into vouchers for private insurance.'

Also, Senator Vitter on Monday wrote on Twitter in referring to the Pelican study, 'common sense conservative reforms'.

Thus, perhaps due to mistake by the Senator, or an overstatement by Senator Vitter, or a possible misquote by the TP, Melancon has a campaign issue hitting Senator Vitter at his strength'health care reform.

Senator Vitter really should respond immediately. Specifically, he should explain exactly what part of the Pelican study he agrees with and what part he does not.  He also should explain whether the employer-based insurance system should change.  To me, it would appear that giving tax deductions to the employee who cannot buy the same quality insurance as they would be able to do if they were employed does not make sense.  Taking away the employer's deduction would cause employers to be dissuaded from purchasing health insurance policies for their employees.  Employees almost always get better coverage if it is provided through their employment.  All too often, individual policies include 'pre-existing condition' and other exclusions which is why so many individuals want to be employed rather than go solo.

This Pelican study and this health insurance deduction question could clearly be a big issue given the GOP website and Vitter's twitter statements.  Senator Vitter really should explain his position and tell the public his true and accurate feelings about the Pelican Study and how employees and individuals would be better off getting tax deductions instead of employer-based insurance.  I am willing to be persuaded to understand why this proposal would make sense and whether the "study" was endorsed or if Senator Viter and/or the GOP feel it should be supported.  Right now, I admit, I am totally confused.

Out of fairness, I also believe that Rep. Melancon needs to clearly explain his position on health care reform especially in light of President Obama's speech and the Max Baucus plan that was released yesterday.  Until the past few days, Senator Vitter has owned this issue and Rep. won't gain much mileage unless he totally and fully explains his own positions.

Also, this week, Senator Vitter appeared to be vindicated after the videos appeared from an Acorn office that very strongly shows that workers were helping to disguise the activities of a bogus prostitute and a pimp.

Vitter has long championed shutting off funds to Acorn and had filed Amendments to legislation calling for the federal government to do exactly that.  On Monday, Senator Vitter took credit for his efforts in fighting Acorn.  Also, on Monday, the US Senate voted to cut off certain funds to the organization.  However, the vehicle utilized to cut off the federal funds was not by Senator Vitter.  Instead, it was what appears to be an exact instrument by another Senator with numerous co-sponsors, none of them being Senator Vitter.  In fact, the 'champion' of crushing Acorn wasn't even at the vote and many are now wondering why?

Here is a segment of a column by ThinkProgress which sheds further light and which is beginning to resonate throughout the national media:

'Vitter missed the vote that cut off federal funding for the group. A spokesman said that there was 'a scheduling error' that caused the senator to miss his flight back to Washington in time for the roll call, but he still 'called colleagues and urged them to support the amendment.' Vitter's outrage over the latest ACORN scandal seems extraordinarily hypocritical, in light of what he went through in 2007: A woman accused of running a Washington prostitution ring placed five phone calls to David Vitter while he was a House member, including two while roll call votes were under way, according to telephone and congressional records. Vitter, a Louisiana Republican now in the Senate, acknowledged Monday that his number was on the woman's call list and apologized for a 'very serious sin.' Vitter, of course, kept his federal funding, and remains in the Senate.

While Senator Vitter explains what his health care program is, and how he agrees and/or disagrees with the Pelican Institute, he might also want to disclose Monday's schedule timeline and events to the public.  Otherwise, this story will have legs as it has already been picked up by Gannett ,ABC and other national publications .such as the conservative National Review.



Putting all of this in perspective, without question, Melancon has an uphill battle in beating David Vitter who would be winning in a cakewalk had he not been tripped by the DC Madam scandal.  Without doubt, Melancon has to straddle between voting with the Administration and the Democratic Congress on crucial votes.  He must show he is a true blue Blue-Dog Democrat and not a Johnny-come-lately-moderate-conservative.   Louisiana is as conservative of a state as it comes.  Obama is playing right into Senator Vitter's hands.   However, this election is not over.  When a US Senator starts making statements that are confusing or even harmful, he needs to explain his position.  And, when the media starts to suggest that he is avoiding embarrassing personal issues,    that directly hurts this state.  One must question why the conservative National Review would make an issue of his Acorn vote incident.  It can only mean that our Senator still has a prominent Scarlett Letter on his forehead, hurting his effectiveness in Congress.  That could be an image that diminishes his chances during this election season--even in a state that is substantially RED.

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