Vitter takes preemtive shot at likely Dem. opponent

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) fired across the bow of likely general election opponent Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) on Friday, attacking him for taking campaign contributions from President Barack Obama’s “liberal buddies.”

The junior senator took to Twitter to share a new web ad with his tweeps that slammed Melancon for fundraising in the Northeast:

Just posted a video of Charlie Melancon raising campaign cash from Obama’s wealthiest supporters in Massachusetts. http://snipurl.com/nv9ct

The video hit Melancon for endorsing Obama in the 2008 elections and said “Congressman Charlie Melancon is cashing in bigtime” as a result of his decision.

“Instead of returning home to his Louisiana congressional district this past weekend, it turns out Charlie boy jetted off to posh Martha’s Vineyard for a lobbyist lovefest,” the voiceover said.

The video ends with a photoshopped image of Melancon and Obama posing together on the beach.

Melancon has declined to officially declare his candidacy against Vitter, but reports have suggested the third-term congressman is seriously considering a run. In late June, Melancon said he would make an announcement regarding the race in “the coming weeks.”

A Democratic poll released this week showed Vitter leading Melancon by 12 points. Vitter did not have high negatives in the poll considering he is recovering from a prostitution scandal.

A link to the video is here.