Oops, that's my number (Senator Vitter)[MULTI-MERGED] (1 Viewer)

[bclemms]

For some reason he thinks just because his wife has forgiven him the voters will too. Mr. Vitter, your wife is getting all the "perks" of being the wife of a politician, the voters do not.

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Anyone who defends this filthy piece of human debris (Vitter) is THEMSELVES a hypocrite and needs to look in the mirror.

 

[champ76]

Anyone who defends this filthy piece of human debris (Vitter) is THEMSELVES a hypocrite and needs to look in the mirror.

Forecast: Temperatures in the fever swamps will rise now that it's apparent Sen. Vitter isn''t going to resign.

 

[jimwnola]

I thought his statement was more effective than the media gave him credit too. I was listenign to 99.5 and they were also very negative. I think it is because he attacked the media in his statement.


Of interest, he has now flat-out accused the Times-Pic of running a front page headline story against him that he says was false. I don't think that story can just drop. Did Times-Pic publish a false smear job as a headline relying only on a convicted felon of fraud as its source, or is Vitter taking a calculated risk that it can never be proven? If it is, he's toast.
If he is telling the truth, the Times-pic was pretty disgraceful. If he is not, that would be a potentailly resignable offense, similar to Clinton's wagging finger to the public. I wonder if we will ever know?

 

[SaintsFan11]

I thought his statement was more effective than the media gave him credit too. I was listenign to 99.5 and they were also very negative. I think it is because he attacked the media in his statement.


Of interest, he has now flat-out accused the Times-Pic of running a front page headline story against him that he says was false. I don't think that story can just drop. Did Times-Pic publish a false smear job as a headline relying only on a convicted felon of fraud as its source, or is Vitter taking a calculated risk that it can never be proven? If it is, he's toast.
If he is telling the truth, the Times-pic was pretty disgraceful. If he is not, that would be a potentailly resignable offense, similar to Clinton's wagging finger to the public. I wonder if we will ever know?

I didn't listen to any of the coverage, but I listened to the statement. It was effective in that it was very well written and obviously had the consultants touch. The only thing he said that was going out on a limb was that the stories about the New Orleans Madam are false. What's funny about this is that no one really knew about the DC Madam but in fact the stories that circulated in the past were about the New Orleans Madam. If these allegations are proven to be true then he is toast, and will probably have to resign. If not I think he'll win re-election. Larry Flynt claimed he had five prostitues who were linked to Vitter in New Orleans.

This could get even more interesting, but I would imagine that Vitter never would have addressed the New Orleans Madam if the situation wasn't under control. He could have easily moved on and not addressed those specific allegations. My guess is that he is betting that there is no proof.

My own opinion is that where there is this much smoke, there is likely fire, but I can't see Vitter playing with fire at this crucial juncture in his political career. Although he is not politically savvy and smooth, rather strident and abrasive.

Only time will tell.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

I commented right after the statements that I thought they were well delivered, but that the WWL TV crew seemed critical both before and after. It seems that jimwnola found the same media response from the radio station he was listening to.

I don't know what to think about the New Orleans allegations. On the one hand, the smoke has been substantial over the years, and there are the allegations by the madam and the prostitute. On the other hand, the public comment by the attorneys for the madam and by Jim Letten that they know of no evidence of Vitter's involvement was strong. And short of documentation or video, how do you prove this?

Saint El Lay, I don't know what you mean by "defend," but your statement is out of line. I don't think I have defended Vitter, but yes, I have said let's put it in some perspective, and I do not want to see him resign because he used a prostitute years ago.

I am a registered Republican. I am somewhat conservative, which means not conservative on all issues, especially social issues. I voted for John Kennedy, not Vitter, in 2004. I certainly prefer Vitter in the Senate over someone Blanco would appoint like Chris John. I have never liked politicians--including Bobby Jindal whom I support--using social issues as clubs in political campaigns. Vitter admittedly has done that. He was wrong to do it regardless of whether he cheated on his wife.

However, if we throw out of Congress everyone who is a hypocrite on some issue, we'll have about five people standing. And for what it is worth, hypocrisy is not necessarily a politician saying I consider marriage a sacred and incredibly important institution, and then cheating on his spouse.

One can know the difference between right and wrong, believe the difference is important, and still do wrong. That's not necessarily hypocrisy. It can simply be human weakness.

I keep hearing all this talk about hypocrisy and engaging in illegal conduct. It comes down to a politician cheated on his wife with a prostitute, and we don't know how often though it appears it happened in the past.

In a strange way, because Vitter who has always come across as haughty and arrogant has been brought down a peg or two, he might just become a better human being and in the long run a better Senator. Admittedly, this is the contrarian view. But as people on this forum know, I am often a contrarian.

 

[HouDat]

But...but...RJ, don't you know you're supposed to fall in line with what other posters here have as pre-conceived notions of you?

Good take, all the way thru. Pretty even-handed and fair-minded.

In my outsider's view, I don't think Vitter should resign, but he should begin to prepare for a life after politics. On one hand, Louisianans who consistently re-elected Edwin Edwards have no right to gripe about Vitter's misdeeds. On the other hand, those who hoped to change Louisiana's poor image with their vote have every right to be concerned here.

As we've seen, Louisiana politics often defies party-line logic (largely due, IMO, to the blistering incompetence of most candidates from both parties, combined with the blistering incompetence of significant percentages of the electorate). It will be interesting to see how much (if any) party-line ideology comes into play in the wake of Vittergate.

 

[THAJCODE]

If the allegations by the T/P, the NOLA madam & "Wendy Cortez" are all false, shouldn't we see a defamation suit?

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Saint El Lay, I don't know what you mean by "defend," but your statement is out of line. I don't think I have defended Vitter, but yes, I have said let's put it in some perspective, and I do not want to see him resign because he used a prostitute years ago............ I certainly prefer Vitter in the Senate over someone Blanco would appoint like Chris John.

- Maybe I was out of line, RJ, and I'm sorry about that- but as you just said yourself, you hate the idea that Vitter would resign and Blanco would appoint a Democrat. Seems to me that this is the reason people like yourself are finding "perspective" and trying to put Vitter's duplicity and phoniness in the best possible light. Just my two cents.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

El Lay, I appreciate the response. And most of us--and I am sure I do--occasionally use principle in argument to mask self-interest.

 

[SaintsFan11]

Maybe the Democrat that Blanco would appoint in that situation would be Kennedy, to save her girl Landrieu.

 

[Broad St. Saint]

If the allegations by the T/P, the NOLA madam & "Wendy Cortez" are all false, shouldn't we see a defamation suit?

If Vitter brings a defamation suit, then anything relevant to his prostitution-related conduct becomes fair game for the TP's attorney, including depositions.

Even if Vitter is telling the truth about his NOLA activities -- and right now, he may just be betting that Flynt is bluffing -- he may have other yet unpublicized whoremongering or other doings that he would just as soon keep out of a court of law.

 

[gaminerie]

If Vitter brings a defamation suit, then anything relevant to his prostitution-related conduct becomes fair game for the TP's attorney, including depositions.

Even if Vitter is telling the truth about his NOLA activities -- and right now, he may just be betting that Flynt is bluffing -- he may have other yet unpublicized whoremongering or other doings that he would just as soon keep out of a court of law.

Oh, but he APOLOGIZED. Doesn't that make it all okay?

What a slimeball. i have never been able to stand the sight of him. i can't remember the last time i detested a Louisiana official so much.

Marc Morial maybe. Yes, Marc Morial. Same "every word out of his mouth is a lie, and can i really believe that's his real FACE even" effect. just ... ew.

 

[bienv]

Oh, but he APOLOGIZED. Doesn't that make it all okay?

Worked for Bill Clinton.

What a slimeball. i have never been able to stand the sight of him. i can't remember the last time i detested a Louisiana official so much.

So the name Edwin Edwards means nothing to you?

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

There will be no defamation suit. If he files one, then he is too stupid to be my US Senator, despite the Harvard degree and the Rhodes on the resume.

And it will be a record cold day in hell before Kathleen Blanco names John Kennedy to the Senate. Blanco's dislike for Kennedy--who has been a vocal and frequent critic of the governor and who is talking about turning Republican--far exceeds any fondness Blanco has for Mary Landrieu.

On both matters, I am giving long odds if anyone has an interest.