Vitter wastes no time- Blasts Melancon
by Bill Barrow - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

Addressing a friendly crowd Friday afternoon in Kenner, Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter repeated his opposition to Democratic proposals for an overhaul of the U.S. health insurance system, and he took a few swipes at his potential re-election rival, Rep. Charlie Melancon of Napoleonville. On his first mention, Vitter said Melancon has refused to support the idea of requiring members of Congress to join any public insurance plan that is created. The senator later lumped Melancon in with House Democrats who have scuttled Republican amendments that would block a public option from covering all abortion services. Melancon actually voted twice with Republicans for that change in House committee. But Melancon helped make possible the second ballot, which majority Democrats won, when he voted with his Democratic chairman on a procedural vote. Melancon said at the time that he agreed with the GOP-backed amendment but respected a colleague's request for another vote. On Friday, Vitter called on Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, who also participated in those committee votes and called Melancon's action a "a procedural trick." Melancon continued as a topic of discussion when Vitter called on a man who thanked Vitter for hosting almost 20 town halls during the August recess, "unlike your opponent." Melancon has not hosted such a forum.