Posted on 07/12/2007 2:40:39 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
U.S. Senator David Vitter's actions and his own campaign words are coming back to haunt the Louisiana Republican after his phone number was linked to a Washington, D.C., escort service. Michael McHale is the chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Democratic Party. McHale says, "I think the hypocrisy is really considerable. Here's a fellow who ran as a family values republican. This flies in the face of any family values I know of."
But for John Hoffpauir, chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Republican Party, Vitter's admission of a past indiscretion is old news. Hoffpauir says, "This is not something David has kept from us. This was out even when he was considering running for governor." And Hoffpauir is ready to forgive and forget. Hoffpauir says, "As far as I'm concerned he has taken care of it with the people he needs to take care of it with and that's good enough for me."
But even Vitter's public apology is not enough for McHale. McHale says, "I think he should resign the office. I think this is going to hurt Louisiana. It's going to hurt his clout on Capitol Hill considerably, particularly at a time when we need it the most, especially when we're trying to, recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita." Hoffpauir says, "David is a man of integrity. Did he make a mistake? Yes."
(Excerpt) Read more at kplctv.com ...
There are rumors of a deal in the works, in which Vitter would resign and Governor Kathleen Blanco would appoint 79 y/o David Treen as an interim Senator (thus clearing a possible primary challenge for Bobby Jindal). However, I’m not convinced that Blanco could be trusted to honor her part of the bargain.
Just another politician apologizing because he got caught and now he’s out there again with the same kind of charge. Guess this man and men like him are seriously lacking in something or other. Oh and by the way Vitter...I don’t guess you ever gave your wife and family any thought while you were having your own selfish needs serviced. How about their hurt feelings???? He is disgusting. Resign or fired...who cares. He’s pathetic.
Whatever Blanco does is irrelevant. Vitter isn’t going to resign. He’s not up for re-election until 2010 and will just hunker down and ride it out.
Vitter can offer to resign... as long as every other politician in DC who ever cheated on their spouse follows suit.
As for Democrats offering ANY criticism, they can shut the [bleep] up. Their defense of a rapist and chronic philanderer President ended any credibility to speak on the subject for the next 100 years.
If Vitter resigns, he’s a coward and he doesn’t deserve to win another office. He should stick it out. His base is in South Louisiana, and no South Louisiana Republican will consider challenging him if it means someone from North Louisiana could get the seat.
Agreed. He should stay put for now.
It's the driving force behind their entire ideology. Only the Moslems are honest enough to admit how important it is when they call for the death of hypocrites.
The Dems and Libs would like to kill too, but they aren't as honest as the Moslems.
Um, I seem to recall that sitting Senator Ted Kennedy KILLED A GIRL HE WAS BANGING, didn’t resign, and has been re-elected ever since. For the record, Vitter may be a two-timing dog, but I wouldn’t trust a Dem governor to appoint his replacement. Let him announce he won’t seek re-election but will serve out his term, then let Mr. Jindal run in the next regular election.
Isn’t Jindal the Republican candidate for governor this year? So how does appointing former Gov Treen as a senator help Blanco?
Actually, in Louisiana, there is no “formal” Republican candidate, per se. The establishment may go behind someone, but, everyone of all parties competes in one primary, and then the top two in that primary, no matter what their party is, go to a final runoff.
It may actually be the most democratic election system in the country, and yet, from what I’ve heard, they have made it so it no longer applies to federal races.
Nice rant. I hope you feel better.
Now, on to the facts: Sen. Vitter apologized to his family and asked for God's forgiveness for what he did, several years ago:
"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible. Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling."
There is talk that Treen (a former Governor) will challenge Bobby Jindal in the primary. If Treen were appointed Senator, it would clear the field for Jindal, who is the solid favorite to win the Governorship.
You’re right that it reflects terribly on Vitter, but this happened several years ago, not recently.
I was wondering when i first heard this rumor yesterday, What does Blanco get out of the deal?
Y’know, Blanco could appoint herself to the seat and elevate Mitch Landrieu to Governor. It would get her another year in public office before being crushed in ‘08 for pulling that stunt. She’s got nothing to lose by doing it.
The Treen appointment story is a wet dream ginned up by Gannetoid John Hill. Not gonna happen. THE authority on all things conservative in Louisiana, Moon Griffon, has been on vacation and will be back on the air Monday. Then we will hear the 1/3 of the information the Drive-By Media hasn’t told us about this story.
This whole story is a tempest in a teapot that only matters to the Drive-By Media. It’s over.
“What does Blanco get out of the deal?”
That’s a good question, one that I haven’t figured out an answer for. But I don’t think it’s likely to happen, unless Vitter is seen as damaging Bobby Jindal’s campaign for Governor.
I don’t know if she particularly has the intelligence for it, though, that might be what certain elements in Baton Rouge would want. Moon Landrieu has one thing going for him that he didn’t have before Katrina, alot more white people like him these days because he ran against Nagin.
Also, his sister has been moving steadily to the right on alot of things in the last 5 years, even more so after Katrina.
Best thing to do for Jindal would probably be to keep his mouth shut, cause for one thing, you never know when he could end up in a sitution like this.
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