“Very disappointed in Vitter”
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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- Should David Vitter Resign? - Updated - Pursuing Holiness
- Conservatives Under New Thinking » Thoughts On Senator Vitter
- Should Vitter Resign? | Adam's Blog
- Michelle Malkin » Craig press conference: Stepping down to “pursue legal options;” “I apologize for what I have caused”
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As a republican, I think he should step down. If he cannot commit to his wife, who he swore to God to love and remain faithful, he cannot be loyal to me. The comparison to Clinton though is off base. Although I did not like Clinton’s affairs, I was incensed with his lying. Big difference. ww
WW, so the same standard would apply to Newt Gingrich?
On one the hand, we all need forgiveness.
OTOH, I am wondering what took so long for this story to be posted as it seems that the problems are continuing to mount for the Senator.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288868,00.html
Yes, Darkknight the same standard applies to Newt Gingrich. Speaker Gingrinch won’t be able to win any office. Yes, we all need forgivness, but we also need to be held accountable. Note to blogosphere Goddess: Thank you for not giving him a pass. What about that scum bag LA Mayor Villarogosia?
Not sure about this. But, doing as I say and not as I do, is toublesome.
The question is, will he live up to his earlier protestations? If not, the hypocrisy deepens.
I don’t view this in a global way, I view it against the standards the man (Vitter) set for himself. Quite simply, he failed himself. Now is the time that he does as he has said.
I am very dissappointed in Vitter, as he fought against shamnesty. However consevatives have to lead the way by example. Behavoir problems is part of what got the DEMS elected. Sad.
I think resignation is a bit much. Senators are humans too and humans make mistakes.
It will be interesting to see if he faces and Republican challengers next election cycle. He has three years until he crosses that bridge. Plenty of time to make good with the voters.
The controversy over Sen. Vitter misses an even bigger story. Ms. Palfrey claims that legally speaking her business is not prostitution. For years, escort agencies have put out a legal disclaimer that states, “This is not an offer of prostitution. Money exchanged is for time and companionship only. Anything that may or may not occur is the personal choice of two or more consenting adults of legal age, and nothing additional is contracted for, requested to be contracted for, or compensated for in any manner.” Until now, law enforcement has been most reluctant to challenge this disclaimer, fearing an extended, costly court fight it may end up losing.
Palfrey has had to use public defenders in her defense following the federal seizure of her assets. (The Feds, like Mike Nifong, believe a suspect is guilty until proven innocent, and even then she is still guilty.) However, if she wins, the effect may be to legalize the escort form of commercial sex no matter what names the media calls it.
Resignation?
Please, Senators have been going to visit prostitutes long before we all were born. Yes, they are human. At least he has decided that he won’t deny his behavior as he has in the past.
Let’s just let the voters decide when his term is up. I am sure he is NOT the only Senator on that list. Let’s wait until this all is revealed and see just who on both sides of the aisle are on this list.
Having an affair is one thing. But having an affair after having exploited the affairs of others for political gain takes things to a different level. Show some dignity. Resign.
Any talk of Bill Clinton is a red herring. We all know he was not fit for office.
How did they find out about him so fast, when they said it would take weeks or more to go through all the records? I just wonder… Did maybe HUSTLER just call every REPUBLICAN senator’s office “fishing” and say something like: “Your name is on the phone records of the DC Madame, care to comment?”
Whatever, he publicly lied about the whole thing, and that’s the important point.
He should acknowledge his misdeeds and surrender his office.
We would demand it of a Democrat accused of such activities, we should even more vigorously demand that our own party’s officials keep the same standard.
At least OUR party can clean out its ethics violators.
First, if this was a Democrat, he would not resign, nor would his party pressure him to resign. Look at all the Democrat criminals that continue to infest Congress even though their evil deeds are well known.
Second, this Vitter guy obviously has issues. He is corrupt. He is a deceiver. He has caused even more problems for his pathetic party. Whether Republican OR Democrat, I want all the scum out of Congress, so he’s got to go!
If:
He just had $90,000 cold hard cash bribe money in his freezer
Or, if he was black
Or, if he was a Dem
Take your pick, he would be ok.
Yes, he should resign.
A difference between he and Clinton is that Bill was “on the clock” and “at the office”.
People, who cares in this day and age? Let’s get over this obsession the MSMers have with Republican sex!! The tinfoil hatted leftist loons cavort in each others beds every day so it’s only the right that concerns itself about “paid” sex. Better “paid” than what our mayor in Los Angeles was doing to his wife for the past several years with “other” women.
A bigger difference is that he admitted to the “sin” and received his wife’s forgiveness.
Nbarry’s comment above is right-on though…merely being on a phone-record proves nothing.
Madam Pelosi claimed that she would clean house. Jefferson still there. And so is Reid. By the way, when is a formal investigation going to take place on Reid’s land deal in Nevada?
When I see DemocRats resigning their posts, then and only then, we should talk about to Vitter.
Corruption is corruption, but don’t tell that to Mrs Clinton. After all, it is a Vast Right Wing Conspiracy!!
Rio
Semper Fi!
Why is that only Republicans resign or step aside?
No he shouldn’t resign.
He should resign. What part of illegal don’t we understand?
We love Milwaukee – and what Milwaukee Mike said. (Add “Oval” to “office”.) Our Times newspaper says Gov. Blanco is concerned Vitter’s adultery will spoil Louisiana’s chances of milking more money out of the federal government for … what else? … Katrina. OK, she didn’t use those words. That state has a lot of problems and they keep trying to make them everyone elses. (Semper Fi – come back safe and soon.)
Well, as I already said, it’s not about sex. It has been shown conclusively that he lied to his constituency about this. That was my issue with Clinton when he did it, and that’s my issue with Vitter. I couldn’t care less about schtuping some whore.
As much as I want him to stay, especially after what he did forus with the immigration bill I think he has to resign ror two reasons:
1) The GOP really needs to distinguish itself from Dems, like Jefferson and Reid. It would be nice to say that when Nancy “stretch” Pelosi is refering to a culture of corruption and a lack of ethics that she must be talking about her party
3) Bottom line–If you can’t make the right decision for you and your family, then how can you be expected to make the right decisions for the country?
While I do not think what Senator Vitter did was right, I do not buy into the arguement that he should resign because of his past mistakes. I know that many of you view this sin as the end all for Republican and/or Conservative politicians. In the past, I would agree with that notion as well. However, we need solid men of political conviction in Washington. His personal sins are something he will need to address with God and, more Earthly, his wife. This self-immolation that Republicans put themselves through everytime this happens just makes the Democrats and Liberals laugh at us. Again, I am not trying to discount what the Senator did. Let’s not throw this guy under the bus yet until he can prove that his past sins are merely that…in the past.
derel: It’s about time that someone got to the heart of it. He committed a crime. Time to go.
Someone also mentioned, although I have no details, that he lied about it to his constituents. That’s also grounds for calling for his resignation.
Adultery? That’s his business. The issue with Clinton wasn’t adultery – it was sexual harassment. Monica Lewinsky WORKED for him. There’s not a CEO in America who would keep his job if he was caught fooling around with an employee – even if it was consensual.
This is SUCH common sense, it gets me crazy. Even if the employee says “yes” – even if the employee *initiates* it – it’s still wrong. Here’s why:
What about the other girls that say No? Do they get treated the same? Do they feel pressured? Do they believe that you have to sleep with the boss if you want your career to stay on track?
Is that a hostile work environment?
Of course it is.
Even if Bill Clinton had looked into the camera and said “You’re darned right that I had sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky, and that’s none of your business…” what he did was grounds for expulsion at any company in America.
Except inside the beltway.
And they wonder why we think, more than more, that the whole lot of them are soul-less gutter snipes?
Vitter committed a crime. Clinton sexually harassed the whole Intern Corps. I’ll grant you that common sense has never been common, but it was always easy to understand.
Vitter committed a crime. Throw him out. If he lied about it, that just means throw him out faster.
All,
Senator Vitter, didn’t apologize until he knew he was going to be OUTED!!! There is a phone list he was on. This is just a politician getting caught, no more and no less.
I would be interested in some back ground on his voting record Michelle? That is really the only important part of this story to Americans. Vitter is a United States Senator, he is sitting at the Federal Level so his voting history actually would effect all of us.
Vitter’s infidelity, is his wife’s concern not mine.
Paying to have sex with a woman is immoral but allowing people of the same sex to become legally married and adopt children is OK ? What warped sense of morality is driving the leaders of our country.
I do not respect anyone who would cheat on their spouse . But it seems he has been forgiven by his wife and also repented to God.
However the point is that prostitution is illegal where he lives . During shamnesty we all said repeatedly what part of illegal don’t you understand. So it has to apply here as well .
Very disappointing .
Sure, let’s throw out every Republican who can’t keep it in his pants and turn his (or her) seat over to the Democrats. That’ll show them. Find me one politician who has completely clean hands and I’ll show you somebody who isn’t in politics. One further point. That weasel from Hustler declared quite openly some weeks ago that he would be combing the list for REPUBLICANS. Flint has no interest in outing his fellow liberals. And if every Republican member of Congress who stepped out on his wife with a pro is going to be considered ineligible, you may as well forget ever electing another Republican, because Democrats just don’t care. All they’re interested in is people who will advance their agenda.
Vitter could always switch party affiliation to Democrat, in which case his personal life will have nothing to do with his ability to perfom his job.
Plus, the story will immediately be moved to page 19 or higher in MSM newspapers and not even show up at all on TV. Additionally, the moonbatosphere and leftist organizations (even N.O.W.) will zealously defend him.
He’ll retain job security and enjoy instant adoration from the left. It’s a no-brainer.
“We would demand it of a Democrat accused of such activities”
And they would ignore us. Barney Frank, Gerry Studds, and yes, cold-cash-standing-ovation Jefferson ignored calls for their resignation and helped preserve power for their party. We can’t win if the playing field isn’t level, and it isn’t. Democrats caught with their hand in the till, or in the page’s pants NEVER give up power voluntarily. We can desire the moral highground on these issues, and end up with President Hillary and a democratic House and Senate.
Antonia Viagragossa is Hillary’s national co-chair to her campaign and since the MSM is asking Rudy about Vitter being on his campaign shouldn’t they ask Hillary about Antonio?
You know, the guy that said there are no Illegal people.
Since Mayor Antonio Villa is National co-chair to Hillary’s campaign, shouldn’t the press ask her about his activities as they did of Rudy about Vitter?
What a breathtaking bunch of sanctimonious drivel I’m hearing in these posts. David Vitter is a good man who made a mistake in his life. Wow, that’s a first! Chances are that the “holier than thou” crowd have screwed people in other ways in their lifetime.
I hope that the good Senator ignores the idiots who want him to resign and that the good people of Louisiana realize what a good, and decent, public servant they have.
Apology? Yes. Resignation? No. Kennedy killed a woman. Reid was involved in land deals. Representative Alcee Hastings was a federal judge before being impeached for accepting bribes. Jefferson faces fraud charges and over 230 years in jail. Need I mention Hillary?
The Democrats are infested with corruption. They haven’t resigned. Why should Vitter resign for something he’s willing to acknowledge, and apologized for a while ago? He did this before he was even a Senator.
#30, the man isn’t “good and decent” if he’s boinking hookers. That’s adultery PLUS commiting a crime (soliciting a hooker).
This is hardly the worst case of corruption we have in the Senate. Let’s clear out the high level of corruption, then we can worry about a guy who admits he used an escort service several years ago, and has already apologized for it, calling it a “sin”.
Vitter opposed Amnesty hmmm he was doing the people’s business. Is he going to get whacked for it?
Maybe, but we don’t want to play like them now, do we? It reeks of rationalizing the wrongs of our guys. How can we make accusations against them stick, when we do the same thing?
Don’t hurt yourself when you fall off that high horse. You see, the difference is obvious. No matter if we did, or did not ’screw people’ as you say, WE are not elected officials. WE are not elected and paid to represent a constituency with integrity.
Vitter is. He willingly took on that responsibility, and has intentionally lied to those he claims to represent, only coming clean when caught. That’s not the behavior of a “good man who made a mistake in his life”. That’s the behavior of a man who attempted to cover up his bad behavior with more bad behavior.
I live in Louisiana and can assure you that if one of our politicians was not seeing prostitutes, that would be news. The fact that Vitters opinions on “family values” is contrary to his personal life only emphasizes the need to get such discourse out of the government and the desire for politicans to try and legislate morals. Vitter did exactly what we voted for and that was to stop the idiotic immigration bill and other junk like it. If he continues to vote like that then we should chip in and but him a couple of prostitutes. His crime is nothing more serious than getting a traffic ticket. I am amazed at the amount of sanctimonious bull you people spout.
Look! For whatever reason the guy needed a little strange! He’s made his peace with his wife and that’s good enough for me! At least he stood up and took responsibility! Did Bill?????
And by the way Yashmak, I didn’t see anything in the paper stating everything you’ve ever done wrong in your life! (Oh yeah..but I”m not an elected official! blah blah blah)
We elect humans and, from what I can tell, this guy is about a human as they come!
You’re obviously oblivious as to who is on the high horse. Maybe you’re not an elected official, but certainly are a hypocrite.
Hold on now. The phone number collected go back many years. I know that Vitter was elected in 2004, but it is known that Vitter already admitted to his wife previously his sins. I am not trying to explain away poor behavior, but I am trying to point out why he might not have publically admitted any wrong doing. I think you are right about the American people wanting someone to have integrity when serving in office. However, unless I am mistaken, it says nothing in the Constitution about personal daliances. The Founding Fathers would be called hypocrites if that was the case. Again, I agree with your thoughts about intregity, but I think the idea that he was covering up his sins (ala BJ Clinton) is not exactly the case.
#34, I didn’t say he was good and decent. I just thought that since the media is asking questions of Rudy about Vitter, why not ask Hillary about Mayor spermanator?
Fallible Human Beings, Judge away it isn’t going to change the state of Human exsistence. I care about what kind of Senator he was and how he voted so I looked him up.
Do Republicans really want to loose a seat in the U.S. Senate? I mean isn’t the Senate even, with one Independent Joe Lieberman. I know there is an extra Dem but isn’t he out on Medical still the Senator from South Dakota. I am an Independent and I don’t want the Senate changed, in this current political climate. There is a Bigger Picture here.
This is another good argument for term limits in both houses of congress. The longer they spend in office, the more corrupt they become. They can’t help it, the system almost forces it.
Let’s limit them all to two terms. . .one in office one in jail.
Perhaps when I see Dianne Feinstein prosecuted and convicted for her conflict-of-interest awards of contracts to her husband’s companies; Jefferson convicted for his bribery; Reid convicted for his land scheme/bribery activity; and the rest of criminal Congressmen convicted for their non-sexual offenses, then I might feel that Republicans-only should suffer for their moral lapses. Until then, I think that Sen. Vitter should NOT resign.
I am pretty sure that he will not resign. It seems to be a standard within the GOP that you have a large number of hypocrites that for talk about family values while at the same time visiting prostitutes on multiple occasions.
You have people like Republican Mark Foley demanding that the state investigate a summer nudist camp for kids in Pasco County, warning it could expose innocent children to pedophiles while at the same time acting pretty close to a pedophile himself.
You have people like Newt Gingrich talking about family values who dumped his ex-wife while she was in a hospital bed suffering from cancer and at the same time as publicly calling for Clinton to resign and be impeached was cheating on his wife.
True there is an occasional Democrat such as Jefferson but when you stack him up against your GOPs Neys, Abramoffs, Foleys, Vitters etc. etc. there is no comparison.
My bad, John Ansell. I addressed a comment in #32 that I accidentally attributed to you.
Perseus, What about Barney Frank? Forget about his run with prostitution?
On another topic, you mention Newt. He’d wipe any candidate out in a debate on any topic. He’s got solutions. You’ve got insults. Whose better?
Newt. Newt and Fred, enough said
46# Jesse Jackson a Dem, didn’t he councel the then President Clinton, during his infidelty? I know depending on what Is-Is, the same Jesse Jackson who had a child out of wedlock about the sametime period? Do you really want people to go rummaging through the Donkey’s closet? Tit for Tat.
Foley was almost a pedophile? is that like being a little bit pregnant? either you are or you are not a pedophile. Last I looked he is Gay, I have not seen him arrested or convicted of molesting children.
Gary Hart, why couldn’t he make a run at the white house again?
JFK booyah..
There is somekind of purity streak running through the Democrat Party?
What are we just going to give this guy amnesty on this one?
What part of illegal didn’t he understand?
I like how Persues expects us to believe that by only listing one of the many dems with problems and substantially more Republicans that we’ll think Republicans have more ethics issues than dems.
Well, yeah Perseus, if you only mention one Dem, and then recite a list of Republicans, there’s not comparison.
However, there’s a whole list of Democrats involved in scandals of varying sorts too, be it cash in a freezer, assaulting White House guards, or what-have-you. Shall I provide you with a list of Dems too? Play the one-upmanship game? I mean, it took a single Google search to come up with a list several pages long:
Jim Traficant (D-OH) – Convicted of financial corruption, expelled from the House.
Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) – Corruption scandal
Dem members associated with Abramoff:
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), James Clyburn (D-SC), and Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
Lest we forget Gov. Jim McGreevey, who admitted to not just an extramarital affair, but to one with another man. At least Gingrich cheated with another woman.
West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise (D), in 2003, sex scandal with a state employee.
Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton (D), sex scandal in which his mistress alleged retaliation against her business after his affair with her.
Gary Condit (D), CA, Chandra Levy affair
President Clinton. . .need I say more?
You just can’t claim there’s “no comparison”. Both sides of the aisle are dirty. We’ve seen, under Pelosi, that there’s no intent on the part of the Democrats to do anything about it. . .at least the Republicans can make an effort to clean its side.
Indeed. Honestly, I have far less issue with that, than the dishonesty to his constituents.
Sure … what we really need is to elect our representatives strictly on their moral purity. Now…how about _us_? Should we have to prove our moral purity before we vote?
Vitter (and other candidates for other offices) might have a moral problem, but as long as you can’t show me that he’s been successfully blackmailed by someone using that moral failing to get something legislated, then his personal morality is none of my business – and I don’t think it’s anyone else’s either.
The legal question is something else – but I suspect that’s passed the legal time period for prosecution. Hypocrisy is also another consideration – but that’s just one small factor among many. In other words – make note of it and move on. When he’s up for election again, judge him against whoever he runs against and vote accordingly. Until then, leave him be.
Laree, interesting that you think calling a 15 year old boy ‘my favorite young stud’, asking the same boy ‘are you getting horny’ and ‘did you spank it this week?’ is acceptable behaviour. Unless you are a member of NAMBLA then I do not think it is acceptable to ask a boy that you would ‘love to see him unload’ even if he does have a (R) after his name.
With people like Laree excusing Foley’s behaviour it is not surprisng the GOP are in such trouble. It is out of touch with mainstream America, where excusing behaviour like that is not alright. And yes people have been sent to prison for behaviour like that so he is very close to being a pedophile depite Laree claiming that he is only gay.
Laree, you claiming that Foley talking to a 15 year old page and telling him he had ‘a totally stiff wood’ and ‘I am as hard a rock now so tell me when you reach rock’ is a total disgrace.
You are either so blind with politics or you are of the same opinion as people like NAMBLA that believe sexual contact and behaviour to children should be legal. It is not clear which although if there are any members of law enforcement reading this I would suggest they have a look at Laree’s computer because he is so far out on a limb defending this one.
I didn’t think the kid in the foley case was 15…in fact, I’m pretty sure he was over 18. But then that info wouldn’t help you make your point, so you just changed the facts. kudos
Fact, there were numerous pages he had improper contact with including at least 3 under the age of 18.
Gerry Studds (D)
Google it.
58# your equating Gays with Pedophiles Really?
When did Foley, have sex with a child?
All for the record, I am NOT equating Gays with Pedophiles.
David are we really talking about something that happened a quarter century again? At least keep it to within a few years of this century, I really do not want to rehash Nixon again and as for the Civil war…
It shows the desperation to excuse Foley (R) when people are going back so far.
54# The GOP is in such trouble, read my comment, I am an Independent.
Again If Foley is a pedophile why isn’t he being prosecuted?
I can’t get very worked up about Vitter consorting with a prostitute. Granted, some places prostitution is legal and some places it’s not. But he said he worked it out with his wife and his church. I don’t see any reason to get involved. It seems like such a non-story, unless I’m missing something.
54#
Laree, is a woman a married woman boy are you way out in left field, send me the report on Foley that shows he was improper with children…post the link right here, let everyone read it. My name is pronounced La Ree.
I was a Democrat for years and when Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid took over, I watched what the far left did to Joe Lieberman, I left…I am now an Independent. No I did not vote for John Kerry, in 2006, I am quite proud of that.
Laree, the term pedophile is also used to denote an adult who is sexually attracted to children or sexually attracted to adolescents below the local age of consent.
Under no recognized medical definition of pedophile is there a requirement for having sex with a child.
I would say the evidence strongly suggests that Foley was sexually attracted to children under the age of consent, as such that would make him a pedophile.
Once again, this has nothing to with being a homosexual.
Laree, I would suggest if you feelings such as this you should seek professional help. Your defense of Foley against all the evidence is somewhat ‘off’. The term may well apply to you if you are having these feelings, failure to address this at an early stage in some circimstances can lead to a person taking action on their feelings.
54#
I am a woman why can’t you figure that out a married woman, I don’t think I would take advice from a person who can’t even get that through their thick head.
I think Michelle should do something about your post Perseus!!! and maybe before you use this ploy of attacking the person who disagrees with you you should check their gender!!
Laree, your defense of Foley is somewhat creepy. I do not know what happened to you or the relationship you are in but something is ‘off’ and you can still seek help for someone close to you.
I don’t need advice from a person who can’t even figure out who they are directing comments at. This ploy of yours is an old one not new to me, I have seen it before. You don’t have any evidence fact to back up anything you are posting so you attack me.
Again all the evidence you have on Foley post the link right here for everyone to read. If what you say is true everyone should be enlightened, the FACTS should be known.
Who. gives. a. rats. ass?
No he should NOT resign.
Or at least, Teddy Kennedy should resign for Chappaquiddick, Dianne Feinstein should resign for corruption, Dick Durbin should resign for slandering our troops in the midst of a war….
lets not get all holier than thou. What Sen Vitter did is not something we advocate or endorse, but unless someone can show how it is affecting his work as a Senator, he should be allowed the same indulgence tthat the electorate has given every adulterous politician..
INCLUDING SLICK WILLIE…
from time immemorial.
PS: Lets see how long it takes Democrat Mayor Villaraigosa of LA to resign following his own extra-marital hijinks with a TV reporter no less ….
Perseus:
Your comments are among the most insulting personal attacks I’ve seen on this site.
Stick to the issues and refrain from such attacks in the future or you’ll be banned from commenting.
Moderator
Yet another so-called “family values” conservative to be filed under “do as I say, not as I do”. He’s certainly in colorful company:
-Bill O (falafel-gate)
-Mark Foley (IM-intern-gate)
-Ted Haggard (gay-sex-on-speed-gate)
-Rush Limbaugh (perscription-gate)
-Newt Gingrich (cheating-on-wife-during-Clinton-impeachment-gate)
Did I forget anyone?
What these people do in their private lives is no concern of ours – *unless* they use their bully pulpit to preach the “family values” they clearly lack. Then it’s open season.
Vitter should hold himself to the same standard which he held Clinton. To not do so demonstrates a complete lack of character [and what little character he has ain't lookin' too good already], and automatically disqualifies him for public service.
Huggy bear is right.
The Democrats are so lacking in morals and family values, that when they do these things, it’s not a story. Just par for the course.
Thanks for clarifying the issue, HB.
Hey, the democrats may be scumbags, too. But at least they’re not hypocritical scumbags.
BTW, I love how when a person points out that some of the most vocal so-called conservatives are lying hypocrites, the default assumption is that you 1) are a democrat, and 2) support and/or condone the improprieties of those on the polical left. They’re all a bunch of bloviating gas bags as far as I’m concerned.
Hey Huggybear…just because you believe in or preach family values, doesn’t mean you’re not human! We all sin some way or the other, but it doesn’t stop us from “trying” to do the right think. If I follow your logic then if I preach to my kids that drugs are bad and they shouldn’t do it, but wait, I took drugs when I was younger, so I can’t preach to them! and sex, I had sex when I was 16, but I don’t want my daughter to, am I now banned from preaching to her the negative aspects of early sex?…must I just let them do what they want?..So we should never have any judgements within our society?, silly…and your list is flawed, why Bill O and Rush, they aren’t elected officials, nor and if they mad bad choices in their life doesn’t mean they can’t have opinions about society! and FYI, some of those charges on your list were NEVER proven but just more Air America talking points (i.e. Newt, was legally seperated from his wife during that time, still not admirable, but not illegal, or out of our cutural boundries. I do agree with your final point, these folks should be run out of office if they broke the law. Hell we can’t even get Jerrerson out of office and he was caught red handed (and amazingly enough, re-elected AFTER he was caught taking bribes)
If the Senator broke the law, he needs to resign. It’s sad, but he’s suppose to be a law maker, not a law breaker.
So, we’re going to deport a bunch of poor foreign workers because they are lawbreakers, correct? I support that. They are criminals. Misdemeanors, but nevertheless criminal.
But this Senator can break the law, apologize to Jesus and his family and it’s all ok? I don’t think so.
I’m against Shamnesty for Vitter. You should be too.
Again, people comparing Newt to Clinton. Clinton lied under oath. He obstructed justice. I looked straight into that camera and pointed his fat finger at us and told us a bold faced lie.
Hillary comes to his defense and blames a non existant entity and then…BOOM!!!!! The truth comes out. Again, I’ll return to my original post. When will the Media ask Hillary if she agrees with the actions of Mayor Antonia Viagragrossa who is Hillary’s national co-chair?
As long as Vitter didn’t use public funds or public places, I could care less. It’s between his wife and him. Voters can weigh the issue when he’s up for re-election. As far as I’m concerned, he earned a “santimounious” pass on this one for his superb policy performance on shamnesty. Politics is dirty business and we will lose important policy matters if we run out a man who’s done nothing to screw America, like the D leadership does daily, just because he screwed someone who he isn’t married to for some money. At least he didn’t run a prostitution ring from his home, leave a girl to drown, make millions off his office improperly or lie under oath.
Ah Perseus,
So quick to point the accusing finger at the Republicans.
So quick to announce you’re an independent when you’re shown the Dems have the same problems.
That’s a real nice coincidence, especially since you stated that corruption/scandal is primarily a Republican problem. It takes any responsibility for defending that stance off of you, now that long lists of Democrats with scandals have been posted.
I recognize they’re not all elected officials, but they are all people whose are politically active, and whose private lives were in direct conflict with the values they preached ***even as they stood before their constituents/audience/congregation*** and preached those values.
For example, if Ted Haggard had a few gay experiences in his youth but *ahem* “went straight” afterward and never went back, then his preachiness would be excusable. HOWEVER… he was cheating on his wife, taking drugs, and doing unspeakable things [in this forum anyway] with a male prostitute, while he was 1) an active minister, and 2) actively campaiging against pro-gay laws. That, my friend, is not in the same league as the kids and drugs example you mentioned.
^^previous comment is directed at jferg49
I mentioned a Bigger Picture, earlier in this thread, what is the balance of the US Senate? Does everyone think, it is in America’s best interest to tip it in favor of one Political Party, over the other. There is more at stake then counting coup here.
So fron reading all of these comments, I’ve reached the following conclusion:
Democrats are allowed to make mistakes because Republicans make them too.
Republicans are allowed to make mistakes because Democrats make them too.
Now that saves people 15 minutes of reading.
I guess it’s a sad situation all around. He is thoroughly embarrassed and will have this following him the rest of his life. So if a law was broken, let the law deal with it. But I am going to give him the privacy that he should be entitled too.
As O’Reilly says, the American people are a forgiving people if you admit you made a mistake and apologize for it. But they are not so sympathetic to people when they lie about it.
BTW, #38… ROTFL *shakes head*
If he didn’t do it in his Senate office, I don’t really care. He’s not supposed to be a saint, he’s supposed to be a Senator – and after the way he fought against the amnesty, I think we should keep him.
You know…there might be an up side to this….
There are how many pages of phone numbers? And we have to assume that those who have possession of them seem to inclined to make public Republican names, but not Democrat names…so we’ve had only two names disclosed so far, and no Democrat names, right? OK…so if we assume that all Republican names will be publicized, and all Democratic names will be withheld, then maybe it would be safe to assume that there are _only_ two Republicans on the list, and all the rest are Democrats….ya think?
He should resign today. Right now.
What is happening with our creepy party? I just came across this note. The left is going to go crazy with this. Why are we the only one’s busted in public restrooms? The joke is on those of us who do the grunt work and put our faith in these creeps.
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=58785
Of all the offenders mentioned, most likely the worst is Randall Tobias, who admitted to patronizing Central American “masseuses” at the time he was leading the State Department’s campaign against international human trafficking. Yet nobody from the media picked up on the implications of this admission.
No debate – resign.
We have far more important problems than a Senator using hookers prior to being a Senator. Let’s judge him by what he is now, and what he will accomplish for us. If you want only ‘morally perfect’ leaders, you may not have many leaders. Losing a Senator who has done as much for us as Senator Vitter would be a severe blow. I prefer his past to a open-borders future.
But, I thought you wanted him to hold himself to the same stand
ard as Clinton? Clinton’s actions didn’t disqualify him from public service, did it? So why should Vitter’s actions disqualify him?