Michelle Malkin » “Very disappointed in Vitter”

“Very disappointed in Vitter”

By Michelle Malkin • July 11, 2007 09:12 AM

Owen Courrèges at the Lone Star Times weighs in on the much-buzzed-about news of Sen. David Vitter’s apology following publication of his name on the D.C. madam’s phone records:

I suppose all of you have now heard that my senator, David Vitter, has admitted to being on the D.C. madam’s phone records. Words cannot describe my disappointment; with some missteps, Vitter has been a shining star in the GOP. Most recently, he led the fight on immigration against President Bush, and undoubtedly contributed to killing the wholly flawed bill. On virtually every other issue, he’s a reliable, conservative vote.

But now Vitter has placed himself into a Clintonian scandal. He sought out tawdry extra-marital sex with hookers, and previously lied about it through his teeth to his cons[t]ituents.

The Times-Picayune has more on the Louisiana madam making claims that Vitter was a client on Canal Street.

The New York Times is gloating, but the criticism isn’t relegated to the Left.

It was Republicans in Vitter’s home state who first exposed his alleged use of prostitutes five years ago (via The Daily Advertiser, which has much more on the potential political fallout):

Christopher Tidmore of Metairie, now a Republican candidate for the state Legislature, wrote the Louisiana Weekly article five years ago about Vitter’s relationship with Canal Street brothel prostitute Wendy Cortez. Vitter continuously denied any relationship. Tidmore said Vitter has tried to sabotage his career since he wrote the article.

“For five years, David Vitter conducted a pattern of lies. Now, we know it was to conceal a pattern of behavior,” Tidmore said. “He has to strongly consider his next action because his remaining in office will be very damaging to the people of Louisiana and to the State Republican Party.”

Another of Vitter’s disappointed constituents, blogger Laura at Pursuing Holiness, has a thoughtful post weighing whether Vitter should resign:

I’m disappointed that he’s committed what he rightfully classified as a sin. I’m dismayed that he may have broken the law, and I’m waiting to see what legal repercussions there may be for that. What shocks me is his poor judgment. I don’t expect an elected official, even a Christian, to be more moral than I am, but I DO expect him to have better judgment and self-control. Naive of me, doubtless, but I’d rather have high standards than low ones.

As to whether he should resign – the politicians and pundits are naturally lining up along party lines. Democrats are calling him a hypocrite, Republicans are invoking Clinton. Whatever… other people’s bad behavior doesn’t excuse our own. I’m withholding judgment for the moment to see how it shakes out – if laws were broken, were they felonies or misdemeanors, and so on. That there should be consequences for this is indisputable. What those consequences should be is very much up for debate.

A Hot Air commenter posts this reminder:

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) first got his start in Congress after replacing former Rep. Bob Livingston (R-LA), who “abruptly resigned after disclosures of numerous affairs” in 1998. At the time, Vitter argued that an extramarital affair was grounds for resignation:

“I think Livingston’s stepping down makes a very powerful argument that Clinton should resign as well and move beyond this mess,” he said. [Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 12/20/98]

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#103485

On July 12th, 2007 at 7:32 am, RobM1981 said:

Look at Kennedy, look at Frank, look at Clinton. They got away with it, so why shouldn’t we?

Simple: they are the problem. And look at the disaster that our government has become because we have allowed it.

Vitter broke the law. This has absolutely nothing about his morality. I could care less who he sleeps with, and if he wants to go to Vegas and pay for it – where it is legal – anything goes. Who am I to judge him.

But: He Broke The Law.

We’re not talking about a speeding ticket, here. This isn’t a case of someone forgetting to pay for his meal and accidentally walking out. This involved intent. Senators who knowingly break the law need to go. No exceptions.

This should be a point of pride amongst Conservatives. Instead, it’s a point of whining.
#103487

On July 12th, 2007 at 7:33 am, georgej said:

William Jefferson didn’t resign.

Patrick Kennedy didn’t resign.

Barney Franks didn’t resign.

John Murtha didn’t resign.

Gerry Studds didn’t resign.

Teddy Kennedy didn’t resign (even after killing Mary Jo)

I’m sick and tired of the “holier than thou” crowd of Democrats (and some Republicans) calling for Republicans to resign their office (like Trent Lott over his Strom remark), when NOT A SINGLE DEMOCRAT RESIGNING WHEN THEY GET CAUGHT!

I say, Vitter should stay and let the voters decide if they want him or not.

If you give in to the Democrats, it only whets their appetite and makes them demand more.
#103505

On July 12th, 2007 at 9:09 am, tommad said:

In Vitter’s case, he had ALREADY worked it out with his wife,

For the other potential flushees, yet again, having your number in an escort-service’s phone-records means NOTHING. Got pictures or witnesses?

Didn’t think so.
#103519

On July 12th, 2007 at 10:03 am, RobM1981 said:

Then, Georgej, you’re part of the problem.

My mom used to tell us “two wrongs don’t make a right.”

The stupidity of the Republicants is that they allowed Demoncrats to not only claim to be the party of ethics, but to get away with it.

I’ll support a team that can accurately say “We’re Right; They’re Wrong.” I’m not in if the argument is “We’re Bad; They’re Worse.”
#103520

On July 12th, 2007 at 10:05 am, nbarry said:

Did he break the law? The “DC madam” denies that her activities are prostitution as defined by the statute. As for violating the 7th Commandment (adultery), if we ran out all who violate the 8th (stealing), 9th (bearing false witness) and 10th Commandments (coveting), Washington would be a ghost town.
#103538

On July 12th, 2007 at 11:03 am, Memomachine said:

Hmmm.

This is why I generally despise Republicans.

** You folks pretty much do nothing but throw one another under the bus. **

Frankly it’s almost a sport with you guys. I seriously wonder if Republicans aren’t at their happiest when throwing one another under the bus. Is a Republican having a problem with his marriage? Guilty! Let’s kill his political career! It doesn’t matter if the guy’s been doing a good job. Doesn’t matter if he’s on the right side of most issues, unlike many Republican politicians, or if he’s effectively representing his constituents.

But if that bastard isn’t as pure as the driven snow or as holy as the Pope’s ass, then that Republican better get some lotion for the tire marks that are sure the follow.

No wonder you Republicans are so completely and utterly useless.

As a conservative I’m absolutely happy I abandoned the Republican party years ago.
#103561

On July 12th, 2007 at 11:46 am, swj719AWG said:

The dems need to take VERY long look at their own ranks before calling for Vitter’s head.

I think Vitter should keep his jopb just long enough to flush out the Dems who are also on that list and who demonize him, and then get exposed…

Line up 3 or 4, and then say “I’ll resign if they do”…
#104135

On July 13th, 2007 at 1:18 pm, Turbodog said:

So he slept with a hooker, GW is in bed with the Mexican Govt. I agree with #101
#104553

On July 14th, 2007 at 1:19 pm, Perseus said:

I do not expect Vitter to resign as it is par for the course for many in the GOP. Say one thing and do something totally different, the party of hypocrites. One wonders if they believe anything they say.
#124247

On September 5th, 2007 at 8:31 am, DanME said:

I like Vitter. He’s a solid conservative.
This issue is between Vitter and his wife.
It just angers me that the democrats are make out to be clean and pure, but the republicans are made out to be corrupt and untruthful. It’s all BS and media spin. William Jefferson had his freezer full of money and he’s still in the house. You don’t hear the main line media talking about that at all. Keith Obermann is a real slime ball. NBC sounds like the DNC.