Louisiana heats up with potential Vitter challenger

Former Rep. John Cooksey (R-La.) is in the process of
putting together a primary challenge to Sen. David Vitter in 2010, according to
a prominent Louisiana political website.

BayouBuzz.com reported Friday that Cooksey’s backers have
arranged a drafting movement to encourage him to get in.

{mosads}The site quotes an anonymous Cooksey adviser saying that
the Monroe ophthalmologist is prepared to enter the race and spend $200,000 of
his own money, provided the support is there for challenge to Vitter.

Cooksey represented the state’s 5th district for three terms between 1997 and 2003. He ran against Sen. Mary
Landrieu (D-La.) in 2002, taking 14 percent in an open, multi-party primary field
that included Landrieu and two prominent Republicans besides Cooksey.

His 2002 campaign was doomed by a remark he made
comparing terrorists’ turbans to diapers attached with fan belts.

There has been much talk about a potential Vitter primary
ever since the conservative senator was implicated in the D.C. Madam prostitution
scandal in 2007.

Given the nature of Vitter’s troubles, there is also a
drafting movement to lure porn star Stormy Daniels into the race.

Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and another
2002 candidate, Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, have also been
mentioned as possible GOP opponents.