If you're a Louisiana Democrat dreaming that your nominees can knock off the incumbent Republicans (Sen. David Vitter and Rep. John Fleming), independent candidates will likely crush any hope Dems have.

Let's take the 4th District Congressional race and John Fleming, who barely escaped a showdown with conservative Dem Paul Carmouche two years ago. This time, Fleming faces another conservative Dem in David Melville, who's also a Methodist preacher from Bossier.

"A good Democratic challenger, formidable candidate," KTBS 3 Political Analyst Scott Hughes says of Melville.

But you also have to factor in the independent candidate, Artis Cash, who, after two failed runs before, dodged the Democratic primary this time so that he could be on the ballot in November.

"Every vote Dr. Cash pulls is very a likely a vote that could've gone to Melville," Hughes explains. "Dr. Cash running as an independent will likely hurt the Democratic party, thus hurt David Melville."

Now to the Vitter race. His GOP "challenge" caved, and the Senator took 90 percent of the vote in Saturday's primary. Now he has to dispatch Democrat Charlie Melancon, who not only has a financial mountain to climb, but will also be dragged down by a slew of independents on the ballot, including former Republican Ernest Wooten, who's put the "I" next to his name on the ballot.

"Vitter's voters are going to vote for Vitter. That's what we saw (Saturday). Despite his history, his voters came out," Hughes says, noting Vitter's DC Madam and troubled aide scandals. "A lot of these independent candidates are probably going to peel more votes off of Melancon."

Of course, there's nothing wrong with voting for a candidate -- not a party. But the incumbents on this menu in November smell of spoilers.