The Craig/Vitter Double Standard

Leahy pointed it out on one of the morning programs this morning. The scripted republican response was predictable: "Craig pleaded guilty. Vitter did not. No crime so Vitter gets to stay." (And they say we Louisianans are shifty.)

Steven Benen has a good comment on the "no crime" defense.

his may not be wisest strategy. For one thing, confronted with evidence that made use of a prostitution service, Vitter conceded immediately that he’d “sinned.” I’m not an expert in the subject, but as I understand it, paying for sex is a crime, and Vitter publicly conceded that he’d violated this law. He would have been subject to criminal charges, but the statute of limitations ran out. For the GOP, that makes the “pretty big distinction” fairly small — Craig pleaded guilty to a recent crime, Vitter acknowledged guilt of a less recent crime.

Moreover, the whole argument seems premised on strained legalisms. Remember when the president urged Republicans to hold themselves to the highest moral standard? “We must always ask ourselves not only what is legal, but what is right,” Bush said in 2001. “There is no goal of government worth accomplishing if it cannot be accomplished with integrity.”

So much for that idea.

Benen has a great memory for fine, aged hypocrisy, a rare talent in a time when there seems to be so much cheap nouveau hypocrisy.

Hey, even conservative Hilary-haters are disgusted with the sleaze on their side of the aisle.

And Ramesh Ponnuru at the "Corner" has an interesting take. "I don't think they're as worried that Vitter will be frequenting prostitutes." I wouldn't be so sure. And even if he does, he's still got Larry Flynt dangling the penis of Damocles over his head.

But the real reason for the double standard. If Craig quits a Republican governor names his replacement. If Vitter quits, Blanco names . . . who?

Vitter slammed by"The Conservative Voice."

Rudy is the main target, but Vitty gets slammed in passing at the end.

Personal Character DOES Count, Rudy G by Michael Gaynor

“Political freedom is not – and cannot be – based upon the relativistic idea that all conceptions of the human person’s good have the same value and truth,” the Doctrinal Note warned.

The Doctrinal Note rejected moral relativism and related the essential basis of democracy in the clearest terms: “If Christians must ‘recognize the legitimacy of differing points of view about the organization of worldly affairs,’ they are also called to reject, as injurious to democratic life, a conception of pluralism that reflects moral relativism. Democracy must be based on the true and solid foundation of non-negotiable ethical principles, which are the underpinning of life in society.”

Rudy's "private life" disqualifies him as a nominee of the pro-life, pro-family values party (and perhaps Senator David Vitter, Republican of Louisiana finally will realize it).

"The Doctrinal Note" is someting issued by the Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It's full title is "Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life." After slogging through Jindal's theological underbrush this morning, I wonder what our good Catholic Representative is thinking about his mentor, David Vitter.

UPDATE: The article turns up here, too.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Vitter: Pushing his luck in senate debate.

The Shreveport Times: "

Vitter insisted the defeated plan be revived as part of a consensus batch of amendments put together by the bill's floor managers — who included a still-seething Murray.

She said no way.

It was around 10 p.m. Everybody wanted to go home, and Vitter seemed to hope the threat of delay might cause Democrats to bend.

Wrong.

'You've done enough,' hissed a furious Reid in an exchange audible in the Senate Press Gallery. Reid poked angrily at Vitter, making it plain that despite his earlier niceties, Reid thought the junior Republican had way overstepped the boundaries.

After yet more parliamentary moves, this time by Democrats, Vitter was forced to back off."

The CREW report can be found here.

Do NOT diss a YAT!

Bayou Buzz:

I'm a typical New Orleans girl, born and raised. Call me a "Scat," a "Yat," a "Gentilly Brat." You won't bother me.
But I do believe that Wendy Vitter' "cousin Jimmy Baldwin," just called me a drunk. Me and a few other hundred thousand "typical New Orleans girls."

Be careful what you say -- someone might be listening.

Not at all humbled . . .

The Raw Story | Madam's favorite senator not making friends in return to Capitol:

"Sen. David Vitter doesn't seem troubled by his recent exposure as a onetime client of the so-called DC Madam. His brash return to the Capitol is apparently rankling lawmakers of both parties."

Go. Read. What a sense of entitlement this guy has!!!

Update: Vitter confused, squabbles over his own amendment.

Pretty good analogy here, re Vitter.

Ross Douthat:

"If a politician were caught with his name on the 'call list' of a prominent drug dealer, he wouldn't be able to wriggle out of it by admitting to a 'serious sin' and leaving it at that. And unless prominent Republicans are prepared to join Matt in supporting the repeal of laws banning prostitution - which I certainly hope they aren't - then they shouldn't be backing Vitter's 'it's a private matter' line. It isn't. It's a crime."

The above-mentioned Matt seems to be arguing for the legalization of drugs and prostitution.
Drugs and prostitution? No way!!!
But Amsterdam is still standing, no rain of fire there.

Do not click on the link!!!

You should not see this.

Is this bad taste, or just the truth?

Blame it all on Your Right Hand Thief

Vitter's words come back to haunt him.

The Shreveport Times

Back in the early 1990s, when former Gov. Edwin Edwards was pushing gambling, young David Vitter used to say that EWE had made Louisiana "the laughingstock of the nation."

That line, repeated over and over in press releases during the period, came back to me last week, when a karaoke singer dedicated a song to Vitter: Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With." The audience laughed and hooted.

The rest of the article is pretty funny.

Will Reid take this seriously?

CREW files Ethics Complaint Against Senator David Vitter (R-LA) | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

Reid said he wanted an airing of the scandal. But this might be too much for the Washington establishment.

CityBusiness turns against Vitter

Vitter stonewall won't hold.


This is what Your Right Hand Thief said Monday after the "press conference." Go read all the posts--and check out the clip from Leno.

Flynt: Vitter Lied

Check out Your Right Hand Thief for all the details of Flynt's interview with Larry King, and with WDSU.

An "airing" but not a hearing?

Senate leader wants 'airing' of Vitter scandal NOLA.com:

"WASHINGTON - The Democratic leader in the Senate said Tuesday the call-girl scandal that has engulfed Sen. David Vitter, R-La., should have 'a full airing' and noted that there is an open criminal investigation into the escort service that Vitter acknowledged calling."

There needs to be an ethics hearing on Vitter, not just an "airing." Reid should take a stand for Louisiana's sake, and for the senate.

It's not over yet, David

washingtonpost.com:

"The first-term Republican said he wanted to resume his normal Senate schedule, but that proved difficult as news crews camped outside his office and chased him down hallways."

Yeo, the press senses blood in the water.

MSNBC: Vitter apology "borderline disastrous."

Via The Raw Story

Cruel Wonkette Headline #2

Filthy Whoremonger Scum-sucking Diaperman David Vitter Won't Resign - Wonkette

NOLA Poll

Are you satisified with Wendy and David Vitter's statement?

Yes--32.7
No --67.3

Just an unscientific web poll, but pretty emphatic.

Vitter keeps lying.

Your Right Hand Thief: "

This statement virtually guarantees that Vitter will be forced to resign sometime this year, probably in weeks, as more disclosures and corroborative evidence is unveiled."

UNO College Republicans call for Vitter's head

THE DEAD PELICAN

The past week has unearthed several seedy situations concerning the current Republican Louisiana Senator David Vitter. Between being on the D.C. Madam’s list and reportedly having relations with two prostitutes in the New Orleans area, Vitter has certainly rebuked his promise with the people of Louisiana.

Moreover, by deciding to hold a press conference at 5 pm Monday afternoon, just as Bobby Jindal’s plane is taxing into Armstrong Airport, David Vitter has once more shown a blatant disregard for the political position of Louisiana Republican Party.

It is clear that Senator Vitter cares little for his fellow Republicans in Louisiana. After a week of silence, Vitter choose the day, almost to the hour, where all eyes were to be on Bobby Jindal and his vision for a better Louisiana.

W00T!

Vitter should have known -- don't step on Jindal's lines!

UPDATE: Now The Dead Pelican on the same subject. Mad as a wet republican, but not calling for resignation. Yes.

Vitter's "Press Conference"

More of a photo-op. Summary:

He says: No questions now or ever. I'm going back to Washington to try to screw over some immigrants. Bye.
She says: Leave us alone. Quit camping out at our church. Bye.

Looking at the video with the sound off was revealing. Both looked like kids in the principal's office in detention. Both gave a funny chin-grimace. She did not look very affectionate with him, to say the least, and she looked like she would like to jump down and rip out the throats (or cut off the naughty bits?) of everyone in the room. Both were carefully scripted, and the hand-holding at the end was both phony and touching.

Oh, yeah. And he sucked all the air out of Jindal's announcement for governor.

Sex and wrecks. And money.

You're perhaps wondering why all the interest in Vitter? Take a look at what the viewers of KTBS, Shreveport seem to be interested in as well.


KTBS :: View News:

"Most Read News Articles

* Students allegedly had sex in classroom during assembly
* Webster Parish coach arrested for inappropriate behavior with student
* Holiday In Dixie AmSouth Treasure has been found
* Still no sign of minister's missing wife
* Woman dies in shootout between her husband and her lover
* Twist in internet sex predator arrest
* Wreck victim identified
* Students arrested for creating fake myspace page
* Grand jury clears husband who killed wife's lover
* Southwood softball coach accused of sexual misconduct"