Sen. Vitter Apologizes for Number Showing Up on Phone Records of Alleged Prostitution Ring

FOXNews.com ^ | 10 July 2007

[Aussie Dasher]

WASHINGTON — Louisiana Sen. David Vitter apologized Monday for his telephone number showing up on the old phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, the alleged prostitution ring run in the nation's capital by Deborah Jeane Palfrey.

"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter said in a statement.

"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there --with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way," he wrote.

The acknowledgment from Vitter, a Republican who recently won praise from conservatives for his opposition to the immigration reform bill, comes days after U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler lifted a restraining order, allowing Palfrey, 51, to distribute pages of phone records that she and her attorney said contains up to 15,000 names.

On Monday, she released the numbers on her Web site.

[flaglady47]

I hope the Pubs somewhere are sifting through these phone numbers, because I can assure you that the Dems are, looking for Republican officials of any sort. We better be looking too to check out any Dem gov’t types who may also have participated in the “good life”, so we can fight fire with fire. Dem Underground is probably already having at it. Or Huffington blog, etc.

[nathanbedford]

Let's see ...

The Supreme Court has ruled that sex in the privacy of one's home between cornholeing adults is a constitutionally protected act. It is a constitutionally protected act shielded by the "penumbras" of privacy.

I live in a country, Germany, where a " poof" is an entirely legal enterprise. One Cannot Drive into our county seat without crossing over the river Inn and observing immediately to the left a building with a giant symbol of a heart affixed to the outside wall. This is the local whorehouse. I am told that it is decently run and hygienic. It is only after years of living here that I find this establishment as unremarkable as do the rest of the good burgers in my very conservative and Catholic area.

Why is it that the right of privacy has come to hold such a distorted meaning ?

[Goldie Lurks]

The LA mayor has had more than one affair as been reported. It is public knowledge he had another affair while his wife was seeking treatment for thyroid cancer. Been also reported he is devoted to his family. The Mayor’s wife is seeking a divorce. Two of their children are from a previous relationship of the Mayor’s.

Salinas is being investigated for a possible breech of journalistic ethics. Did she slant media coverage of the Mayor? The Mayor’s PR staff has done a great glossy cover up with photo ops etc. He has been made to look as if he were working feverishly but has accomplished very little while in office. He is pro amnesty and political buddy to Bill Clinton.

Vitter is no better, but he and his wife at this time are attempting to work through their problems. Strange his number would appear after the illegal immigration legislation failed. Anyone could have been vindicative enough after legislation failed to make sure only his name was released.

Then again, Palfrey could be after any Republican at this time because of the racketeering and money laundering charges brought against her. Palfrey’s website stated it crashed after the phone list was posted. How convenient/sarc. Notice she is from the Bay Area of California? Not exactly conservative in nature herself.

Not shocking, but out of all those names on the phone list seems only members of the Republican Party are being outed.

[Mila]

I'm flabbergasted! My mouth is hanging open! Of ALL of the pols I could have imagined who would possibly be on this list, David Vitter would be the very,very, very last. In fact when I saw the article posted here, I originally thought it was some sort of spoof. What was he thinking?

[Aussie Dasher]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

[DreamsofPolycarp]

He asked forgiveness. He got it. Why drag this up now????

Because a public servant surrenders many of his rights to privacy when he takes public office, whether he is a Democrat or a Republican. I am glad he sought (and apparently obtained) forgiveness from the people who matter, God and his family. Now he has to deal with the effects from the "other people." It is just life, and choices have consequences.

[Ken H]

What was he thinking?

And what was he thinking it with?

[DreamsofPolycarp]

Why is public the place to discuss a politicos sex life ?

Because publicly discussing their spending our money and infringement on our liberties is so damn depressing.

[elli1]

Why drag this up now????

Because it's not 'News' until it's discovered. The list was just released yesterday.

[mewzilla]

I hope the Pubs somewhere are sifting through these phone numbers...

FWIW, I rather doubt Palfrey released all of them. She started up her business in 1993 after all...

[mewzilla]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone...

The last time the nation convinced itself character didn't count we elected Bill Clinton twice.

[ran20]

Good point, I wonder if he just happens to be the first one they found so far? I’ve been watching this story develop for some time waiting for the blow up. The madam even said listen I will keep the names secret if you are lenient. But they had to push it, and she released a couple names as a warning shot.. who they quickly resigned if I remember, it was at least one social conservative republican. Now 15,000 numbers out there!, as they decided to prosecute fully.

There must be incredible fear in Washington right now with careers on the line and marriages.

[Liz]

If her husband were unfaithful would she be as forgiving as Hillary Clinton? “I’m a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt,” Wendy Vitter said. “If he does something like that, I’m walking away with one thing, and it’s not alimony, trust me.”

O-o-o-o-o-o, that's gonna smart.

[mewzilla]

There must be incredible fear in Washington right now with careers on the line and marriages.

Careers might be on the line. I doubt the marriages are.

[Aussie Dasher]

I don’t recall Clinton being so repentant...

[Liz]

An active member.......in more ways than one.

Vitter was just "exercising" his Senatorial preorogatives.

[mewzilla]

I don’t recall Clinton being so repentant...

And you believe Vitter is?

Why is it so freaking hard for political parties to find someone who can keep his/her pants zipped?! I don't think that's a lot to ask.

[ran20]

You are probably right the marriages would last.. maybe some of the lower down bureaucrats who were paying with their expense accounts their wives wont’ look as kindly upon them as a powerful Senator.

[Aussie Dasher]

The BIG difference is Vitter was sorry BEFORE he was caught.

[Glenn]

Why drag this up now????

Because it is a Paris Hilton world.