Louisiana Sen. David Vitter (R) doesn't enjoy great numbers in the latest PPP poll, but they could be worse.

Thirty-eight percent think the first-term senator deserves to be re-elected, while 47% say it's time to give someone else a chance. Piling on, 44% approve of the job he's doing and 44% have a favorable opinion.

That looks less than encouraging, until you see his numbers against the competition: Vitter leads a generic Democrat 44%-38%, and potential opponent Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) 44%-32%.

"David Vitter's polling in the mid-40s is a very similar position to where Mary Landrieu was a couple years ago at this time," said PPP president Dean Debnam. "Republicans were never able to translate that into a serious challenge, so it will be interesting to see if Democrats are better able to capitalize on Vitter's vulnerability."