Earlier this week Bayoubuzz and The Louisiana Weekly newspaper broke the story that former state Sen. James David Cain is seriously considering a run for the U.S. Senate, and today longtime political columnist John Maginnis writes that a Cain entry - if he decides to run as an independent rather than a Republican - could work in Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon's favor.
Earlier this week Bayoubuzz and The Louisiana Weekly newspaper broke the story that former state Sen. James David Cain is seriously considering a run for the U.S. Senate, and today longtime political columnist John Maginnis writes that a Cain entry - if he decides to run as an independent rather than a Republican - could work in Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon's favor.
"The upshot of his candidacy, however, could be another senator for President Obama," Maginnis writes, "if Cain acts as a spoiler by drawing enough rural white votes from Sen. David Vitter to give Congressman Charlie Melancon a plurality in the November election."
Cain hasn't ruled out running as a Republican, "but the other way is a possibility too," he tells Maginnis. He did confirm that if he's elected he would caucus with the Republicans as "a check on Obama."
Cain acknowledges Vitter's vulnerability with social conservatives due to the sex scandal that has dogged the senator since 2007. "A lot of ladies don't want to vote for Vitter," he also tells Maginnis.
Now 71, Cain served 20 years in the House and 16 years in the Senate, losing a 2006 special election for insurance commissioner to Jim Donelon, 50-39 percent. The following year, he tried unsuccessfully to return to the House, losing to Rep. Dorothy Sue Hill.
Qualifying is July 7-9 for the Nov. 2 general election.