Political Horizons for Feb. 15, 2009

• By MARK BALLARD
• Advocate Capitol news bureau editor
• Published: Feb 15, 2009 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal is traveling all over the country to raise money for his 2011 re-election run that, at least at this early date, appears unlikely to attract any serious competitors from the Democratic Party.

Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter also has drawn no significant competition for his 2010 reelection bid.

Last week’s national coverage of a porn star’s flirtation with the race against Vitter merely underscores how weak the state’s Democratic Party has become.

In either race, there’s simply no opponent in the wings — a role Jindal served when Kathleen Blanco was governor — reminding voters of the alternative point of view.

Jindal is undeniably popular with voters.

Vitter, on the other hand, should appear vulnerable. He acknowledged involvement with a Washington prostitution ring and refused to discuss it beyond publicly apologizing to his wife. Later there were allegations by a New Orleans prostitute.

In recent weeks Vitter has taken a higher profile, being one of two senators voting against Hillary Clinton’s confirmation as Secretary of State and railing against President Barack Obama’s plan to stimulate the nation’s sagging economy.

Vitter reported to federal election authorities that, as of Dec. 31, he had $2 million ready to spend on his re-election, much of it raised with Jindal’s help.

Chris Whittington, chairman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, said it’s still early and he’s optimistic that interest in challenging Vitter will increase — especially since the national party’s Democratic Senate Campaign Committee let it be known a few weeks ago that Vitter would be targeted in 2010, he said.

“In my world that’s a big thing. We’re talking about a lot of resources … a lot,” Whittington said.

But for the time being, Louisiana’s first Republican U.S. senator since Reconstruction is heading into his re-election campaign with no opponents —  save the possibility of a 29-year-old  Scotlandville Magnet High graduate who calls herself “Stormy Daniels” when starring in pornographic movies.

Daniels’ efforts landed Vitter — and Louisiana — on CNN, MSNBC, late-night television shows, in newspapers and in dozens of Internet blogs.

Vitter always has been quick to  criticize publicly the behavior of others. Being enmeshed in a compromising situation, then refusing to take responsibility for his actions has provoked attention that embarrasses women and the state, Blanco said.