Comments (66)

Sojourner wrote on July 10, 2007 11:37 AM:

Whatever Vitter might have done to have his phone number appear on the list, it was obviously hypocritical, considering his previous stances.

However, I want to applaud him for at least standing up and admitting it! At least he is not trying to make everyone crazy with the denials and half-truths that the administration is using in its problems. I am so tired of that crap...

JEP wrote on July 10, 2007 11:47 AM:

so we're talking Louisiana here, folks, what do you expect?

Ever seen Oliver Stone's "JFK", you know that even the 'Loozianins poke fun at their own legendary promiscuity.

This line made me chuckle, "Vitter arguing that President Clinton should step down for his extramarital affair", ...so, apparently, according to Vitter's 'looziana logic, if he pays for it, it's not an affair?

Hypocrisy, ala(R).

Jake wrote on July 10, 2007 11:54 AM:

Hypocrisy, or schizophrenia?

SCHIZOPHRENIA: contradictory or antagonistic qualities or attitudes.

dan wrote on July 10, 2007 11:54 AM:

man oh man, this guy should be forced to answer questions about his rendervouz with hookers. when did it happen? is it still going with other hookers?

one by one, the rethugs are going down and hopefully, people realizes that these guys are hyprocrites like any other cheating hubbies.

bubba wrote on July 10, 2007 11:55 AM:

Vitter is hypocritical on many, many levels. Regarding the immigration bill, Vitter's position is:

"But Vitter has staunchly opposed any pathway toward legal status for those who sneaked across the border. "In this year's bill, the federal government would forgive an entire class of law breakers," Vitter said. "As in 1986, they'd have to pay a few fines and take other, modest action, but they would never have to leave the country for a day and they would never have to spend one day in jail.""

I bet, however, the good senator scold from louisiana would have no problem "forgiving an entire class of law breakers" so that the class members would "never have to spend one day in jail" if the crimes committed by the members of that class were solicitation of a prostitute or similar crimes.

What a pompous, condescending, hypocritical piece of garbage.

Huey Long wrote on July 10, 2007 11:56 AM:

Mr. Vitter needs to spend some time praying with Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. On of the "motels" on Airline Highway would be a good place.

nofltwlt wrote on July 10, 2007 12:06 PM:

It is still a GOP culture of corruption. Very few Democrats have been caught up in influence peddling or any other crime. It seems to be an exclusively GOP trait to lie and steal. And, like all the other GOP culprits little Dave has found God - retch.

POed Lib wrote on July 10, 2007 12:15 PM:

Let's be sure to call him "John" from now on. I hope that some reporter asks his wife how she found out about it. After all, the whole point is to embarrass the LIVING SHIT out of this TURD.

Someone should also ask his kids. After all, he's for family values, and his fucking some whore damaged his family. He has brought upon his head a moral FIRESTORM, and I hope that the press does the FULL COURT PRESS on this.

Powkat wrote on July 10, 2007 12:17 PM:

And he had to mention God in his little confession. They always have to mention God and forgiveness when they get caught. Too bad they're not much on forgiveness for other folks.

POed Lib wrote on July 10, 2007 12:17 PM:

Somebody should ask this little moral SCUMBAG if he goes for brunettes, blondes or redheads.

Remember, discretion is NOT the better part of valor. In this situation, embarrassing the CRAP out of him is the very best thing to do.

bobh wrote on July 10, 2007 12:18 PM:

Whats his home phone number - Im going to call his wife and ask if she carried through on her 'I'm more of a lorenna bobbit type' threat.

Has she cut it off or did she get a giant diamon ring liek theat basketball star's wife?

Slippery Slope wrote on July 10, 2007 12:21 PM:

Hmmm. Does he hold any position of trust as Senator? Oh, wait...

I mean does he have any committee positions or a security clearance that would be compromised by blackmail potential; say threat of photos, etc?

Howie from the bronx wrote on July 10, 2007 12:22 PM:

Sojourner said:
"However, I want to applaud him for at least standing up and admitting it! At least he is not trying to make everyone crazy with the denials and half-truths that the administration is using in its problems. I am so tired of that crap"

Sojourner, you are a fool. He kept his mouth shut when he thought there was a possibility the records would never be releasesd. When they were released he outed himself as quickly as possible, before someone else did. Start using your brain.

madaboutharry wrote on July 10, 2007 12:23 PM:

One thing is clear: When you are in the position of having to admit that you were schtuping a hooker, make sure to mention GOD at least twice in your public statement.

EH wrote on July 10, 2007 12:24 PM:

These people are like closeted gays who express virulent homophobia.

anon, too wrote on July 10, 2007 12:26 PM:

Interesting. Ms. Palfrey has asserted that her business was not illegal, that she only provided escorts/companions, not sexual partners, and that her employees were prohibited from engaging in illegal conduct. She's even sued one former employee for violating the employment contract by engaging in illegal activities with a client.

Vitter seems to be saying just the opposite. Wonder if he will be called as a witness for the prosecution.

MENE wrote on July 10, 2007 12:26 PM:

Last I heard, prostitution is still illegal. Being forgiven by your wife and God is not the same as immunity from prosecution. If Palfrey gets convicted, then everyone on her list should go to jail as well.

Biggus Diggus wrote on July 10, 2007 12:30 PM:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't whoring against the law. This guy broke the law and he's still allowed to hold office?

skogie wrote on July 10, 2007 12:37 PM:

I got a question and a point.

How did he find out about this "Service"?

And I hope the people looking into this remember that some of the numbers maybe companies and lobbyists that want to show their clients a "good time". Such as Jack and Duke.

Mark Bialkowski wrote on July 10, 2007 12:39 PM:

If Palfrey gets convicted, then everyone on her list should go to jail as well.

Not that it'll happen. Johns get ticketed. Maybe their names are listed in some jurisdictions, but their acts are forgotten. Prostitutes get ignored, harassed, threatened, laughed at, jailed, sexually abused, and thrown away.

As usual, women will be punished for the indiscretions and infidelities of men.

jrcjr wrote on July 10, 2007 12:45 PM:

seems all you have to do is look for who is most outspoken on 'values' and you'll find that whatever they're decrying or trying to outlaw is their greatest vice. From Schrock to Foley, and many in between.

sad that some folks think they have to (or even can) legislate their own good behavior.

btw, this doesn't really seem to be at odds with the "Lousiana values" I'm familiar with.

anonymous wrote on July 10, 2007 12:47 PM:

Howie: "Sojourner, you are a fool. He kept his mouth shut when he thought there was a possibility the records would never be releasesd. When they were released he outed himself as quickly as possible, before someone else did. Start using your brain."

I think the point was that he didn't try to deny the obvious, as opposed to the Bush administration continuing to deny everything, even when caught red-handed, even when the denials are ludicrous to any reasonably intelligent person, not that his actions were particularly noble.

Dana Kincaid wrote on July 10, 2007 12:50 PM:

To the esteemed and honorable gentleman from Louisiana,

Stop asking God for forgiveness because you wanted some strange and ask God to forgive you for being a Republican.

Then, go and sin no more.

Loser.

Oh, and by the way, I'm GLBT, I'm proud of it, and I'm happy with the choices I've made in life. Are you, you f'ing Rethug bigoted hypocrite "family values" cretin?

I don't have to run around in a badly tailored suit all day pretending to be a Good Guy. I don't have to pretend I'm a Good Christian. I don't need a god to forgive me, I just have to forgive myself.

I hate political hacks... Grrrr.

ohiomeister wrote on July 10, 2007 12:57 PM:

I can't believe the media is still covering Senator Vitter's mistake when The Good Senator's press release very clearly said that God had already forgiven him.

If God has forgiven him, who are we to judge? Sad. Now the media don't even trust God's judgment.

(Kidding, if it's not obvious, as that press release is just ripe for ridicule.)

pj in jesusland wrote on July 10, 2007 12:58 PM:

Marion Barry may have paid for coke but he never had to pay for sex. Vitter brings shame to politicians in the District.

Can johns be arrested after the fact? On second thought, prosecuting Vitter is probably a waste of time. Bush would commute his sentence if he got convicted.

ohiomeister wrote on July 10, 2007 1:02 PM:

I hope Sen. Vitter has been quaking in his boots for months as this investigation has been underway, praying (!) that he wouldn't get revealed.

I think this is really God's gift to Louisiana Democrats, to make the GOP pay for their forced relocations of Louisiana's minority population to majority GOP states like Texas in order for the GOP to advance politically.

Undercovered story of the last few years, although Prince of Darkness Bob Novak came out and admitted a few weeks ago that that's what the GOP thinks, they just won't say it in public.

KilgoreTrout XL wrote on July 10, 2007 1:05 PM:

Why don't we take the high road and ignore that list? It does impeach Vitter's statements about gay rights and gay marriage, but statements against those things are bigotry already. That the people who say them also like prostitutes doesn't further our cause much.

With this administration's blatant attempt to steal our democracy, don't you think we have bigger fish to fry than a couple adulterous republicans?

Note: I posted this in the "daily muck" thread, but it's even more germane to this lead story. In related news, Jake's latest post is nothing short of astonishing.

dee illuminati wrote on July 10, 2007 1:08 PM:

was it a male or female escort that he hired?

inquiring minds want to know

and the amount paid and if it was paid with public monies?

security code "amount" as in what did it cost him to buy a male escort?

Sojourner wrote on July 10, 2007 1:24 PM:

Anonymous @ 12:47: Precisely!

flatlander100 wrote on July 10, 2007 1:27 PM:

Vitter is a particularly odious example of a Louisiana type: the
"professional" Christian family values Republican hypocrite. If he runs true to
type, the only time he invoked the deity was at the point of availing
himself of the hooker's services... and then he invoked the deity over
and over again...... "Oh, god! Oh god! Oh my GOD!" With maybe a
"Don't stop!" or two thrown in.

jeffgee wrote on July 10, 2007 1:28 PM:

Mrs Vitter said that she'd be like Lorena Bobbit if she found out her husband cheated.
Better get a cup, Sen. Bob. We all know what Lorena did.

JNagarya wrote on July 10, 2007 1:31 PM:

one by one, the rethugs are going down and hopefully, people realizes that these guys are hyprocrites like any other cheating hubbies.

Posted by: dan
Date: July 10, 2007 11:54 AM

His wife -- admittedly a castrating bitch -- isn't exactly commendable for her sexism.

senator vitter wrote on July 10, 2007 1:31 PM:

my constituents know i'm always looking out for the average john, er, joe.

Barry Champlain wrote on July 10, 2007 1:31 PM:

If Sen. Vitter does not step down right away, he's never going to.

And then, the coon-asses (THEIR fond self-description, BTW, for those-o-yuh not from da bayou!) will re-elect the little SOB in a landslide.

And I'll give it less than a year later, before he'll be smarming it up again publicly about "family values" and the Evil Queers. No penalties; no repercussions; no change in m.o. at all.

When it is said that these people "have no shame", take it to the bank.

POed Lib wrote on July 10, 2007 1:32 PM:

Wonder if ol' "John" Ritter was calling the escort service to get a man-size portion of that DARK MEAT? You know, the meat you can't get from your wife, because she is the WHITE MEAT.

I smells me a big whiff of tar in this whole thing. I think "John" was walking on the DARK SIDE with the SPECIAL MOMMAS.

Someone needs to get out a reward for the girls who helped "John" out in his 20 seconds of need.

Mad Dog Rackham wrote on July 10, 2007 1:33 PM:

I'm surprised he didn't just use the standard Republican strategy:

"I have no recollection of that activity."

I agree with Sojourner that he at least qualifies for the upper strata of lying Republican scum. Give the guy credit; just don't forget that he's still scum.

erica wrote on July 10, 2007 1:51 PM:

Regarding sojurner et al:

It's a pretty sad day when we have to rate our senators by the varying degrees of transparency with which they admit their misdeeds.

Security code: knot, as in "I can knot believe we are having this conversation."

Garth wrote on July 10, 2007 1:56 PM:

With that in mind, we go to the report of my fellow Counterpunch writer and former U.S. Naval Officer Wayne Madsen:

"WMR has confirmed with extremely knowledgeable CIA and Pentagon sources that the former CEO who is on Deborah Jeane Palfrey's list is Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney was CEO of Halliburton during the time of his liaisons with the Pamela Martin & Associates escort firm. Palfrey's phone invoices extend back to 1996 and include calls to and from Cheney...while he was the CEO and maintained a residence off Chain Bridge Road in the Ballantrae neighborhood in McLean, Virginia, a few blocks from the headquarters of the CIA...."

erica wrote on July 10, 2007 1:57 PM:

It is a sad day when we have to rate our senators according to the various degrees of transparency by which they admit their misdeeds.

Garth wrote on July 10, 2007 1:58 PM:

With that in mind, we go to the report of my fellow Counterpunch writer and former U.S. Naval Officer Wayne Madsen:

"WMR has confirmed with extremely knowledgeable CIA and Pentagon sources that the former CEO who is on Deborah Jeane Palfrey's list is Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney was CEO of Halliburton during the time of his liaisons with the Pamela Martin & Associates escort firm. Palfrey's phone invoices extend back to 1996 and include calls to and from Cheney...while he was the CEO and maintained a residence off Chain Bridge Road in the Ballantrae neighborhood in McLean, Virginia, a few blocks from the headquarters of the CIA...."

Garth wrote on July 10, 2007 1:59 PM:

With that in mind, we go to the report of my fellow Counterpunch writer and former U.S. Naval Officer Wayne Madsen:

"WMR has confirmed with extremely knowledgeable CIA and Pentagon sources that the former CEO who is on Deborah Jeane Palfrey's list is Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney was CEO of Halliburton during the time of his liaisons with the Pamela Martin & Associates escort firm. Palfrey's phone invoices extend back to 1996 and include calls to and from Cheney...while he was the CEO and maintained a residence off Chain Bridge Road in the Ballantrae neighborhood in McLean, Virginia, a few blocks from the headquarters of the CIA...."

Jake wrote on July 10, 2007 2:00 PM:

Maybe the Pope could ask Bush to forgive him? Nah, the Pope would be wasting his time.

erica wrote on July 10, 2007 2:01 PM:

It is a sad day when we have to rate our senators by the varying degrees of transparency with which they admit their misdeeds.

Security code: nail, as in "last nail in the coffin of senatorial dignity."

JEP wrote on July 10, 2007 2:03 PM:

"...seems all you have to do is look for who is most outspoken on 'values' and you'll find that whatever they're decrying or trying to outlaw is their greatest vice. From Schrock to Foley, and many in between."

methinks they dost protest too much?

erica wrote on July 10, 2007 2:14 PM:

Sorry about the multiple posts. Josh, could you consider including a note that says "It may take up to five minutes for your post to appear." I think that might help.

POed Lib wrote on July 10, 2007 2:51 PM:

Maybe someone should be following "John" around with a van playing "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones. Because my Bat Sense suggests that "John" was getting a large helping of that BROWN MEAT on the side.

ann wrote on July 10, 2007 2:57 PM:

Being from Louisiana, I remember when Vitter planned to run for governor, except that one little tiny thing got in the way: yep, associating with hookers in New Orleans, in fact having a year-long affair (paid for) with one. The hooker's name was Wendy, the same as his wife. When the rumors where brought up on the airwaves by political opponents, Vitter abruptly pulled out of the race to spend more time with his wife in marriage counseling....but never admitted outright to that affair.

Sojourner: If you admire his honesty, wouldn't you admit that the most honest thing he could do is RESIGN? After all, by your reasoning, people could sin all they want to, just making sure to ask for forgiveness after each incident...but never changing their ways. Actions speak louder than words, Vitter, do yourself a favor and resign.

adam wrote on July 10, 2007 2:59 PM:

Vitter's wife's comments are perfect on so many levels. They highlight Vitter's hypocrisy, to be sure. But they say soooo much about the rightwing "moralist" mindset that infects a certain segment of American society:

An immediate instinct towards violence or the threat of violence.

A particular fascination with sexual violence, and the ability to "cut off" sexual expression.

The love of "fear" as motivator - even within the closest, most loving, and most "sacred" relationships.

It infects everything they touch, and every issue they address.

They deserve each other - Vitter and his wife, the Repubs and their moralistic base, all of them.

I just can't figure out what the rest of us did to deserve them.

Nancy Irving wrote on July 10, 2007 3:08 PM:

What about the New Orleans hooker who said she'd had sex for hire with this guy over a period of (I think it was) nine months? Is this in addition to the Palfrey stuff?

You'd think a congressman wouldn't have to pay for it.

chalmers wrote on July 10, 2007 3:08 PM:

Two tiny quibbles. Bob Livingston was never actually Speaker of the House. After the '98 election embarassment for the GOP, Gingrich was forced out and Livingston was elected as Speaker for the term starting in Jan. 1999. However, he resigned on the House floor during the December 1998 impeachment debate, and was never installed as Speaker.

Second, I don't think it's accurate to say that Bob Livingston was forced to step down after his affair became public.

He had been a vocal critic of Clinton's infidelity. When Larry Flynt said he had information about Livingston's similar problem, Livingston took it on himself to shock everyone by resigning (in order to "set an example") for the president.

My Cliff Notes recollection of the event goes like this.

Livingston: Clinton should resign.
Catcalling Democrats: Then you should resign.
Livingston: OK, I will resign.

At that point, it seemed like Democrats and Republicans alike vocally urged Livingston to reconsider. Democrats, in particular, lamented how ridiculous the sexual finger-pointing had become.

Anyway, I don't think Livingston was forced out by anybody, but, rather, made a surprise grandstand play to put Clinton on the spot. Instead of going through the public humiliation, which probably would have cost him the Speaker's chair, he decided to cash in and become a lobbyist.

bubba wrote on July 10, 2007 4:09 PM:

"If you admire his honesty, wouldn't you admit that the most honest thing he could do is RESIGN?"

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

pj in jesusland wrote on July 10, 2007 4:11 PM:

Maybe Sen. Vitter could turn this into a positive by taping a series of public service announcements about the importance of wearing protection when having sex with hookers. It would show how really concerned he was about his wife's physical health.

Mental health, not so much.

POed Lib wrote on July 10, 2007 4:37 PM:

Maybe Dems can get some college kid to dress up like a giant Trojan and follow him around yelling "John!! John !!" at him. If we were lucky, he would say "My name is David." and the reply would be "Your title is 'John'."

heh wrote on July 10, 2007 6:01 PM:

Randal Tobias and Harlan Ullman quietly resigned from the Bush admin. because their names were on the Madam's list.

folks, its over for the GOP its been raining scandal non stop for 2 years now.

pdq wrote on July 10, 2007 11:50 PM:

"Anyway, I don't think Livingston was forced out by anybody, but, rather, made a surprise grandstand play to put Clinton on the spot."

Uh, I remember it quite differently- if I recall correctly, some legitimate news folks gave Livingston a courtesy heads-up that they were about to run a story detailing as many as 4 extramarital affairs of his.

Knowing he was going down either way, Livingston resigned, and the story never saw print. The comments about Clinton were just a last cat-swipe by yet another sanctimonious Republican hypocrite.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 1:05 AM:

I think the Constitution should be amended to prohibit Republican holy-rollers from having affairs with prostitutes and lying about it -- especially while proposing Constitutional amendments against forms of sexual activity in which they are most likely engaged at the time they are proposing to amend the Constituion against those forms of sexual activity.

Proposed first draft thereof:

Hypocrisy is prohibited, not only but especially by Republican religonuts.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 1:16 AM:

As usual, women will be punished for the indiscretions and infidelities of men.

Posted by: Mark Bialkowski
Date: July 10, 2007 12:39 PM

And there we have the encapsulation of the male sexism -- rejected by genuine feminists -- that women are moral paragons, on a pedestal, who keep men from being overly immoral.

Reality is not black and white. Not all women are virtuous, even without the aid of men in being otherwise. Unless, of course, women are incapable of choice as im/moral agents.

Conversely: I'm beyond fed up with the shithead assertion that all evil and violence is male. The males who tortured detainees in Abu Ghraib were without question responsible for their crimes. Lyndie England, however, was a victim of male sexism/the abstract invention "patriarchy". She wasn't responsible for her actions; or lacked sufficient moral integrity and or intelligence to not follow along like a robot.

Bullshit.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 1:28 AM:

Oh, and by the way, I'm GLBT, I'm proud of it, and I'm happy with the choices I've made in life. Are you, you f'ing Rethug bigoted hypocrite "family values" cretin?

I don't have to run around in a badly tailored suit all day pretending to be a Good Guy. I don't have to pretend I'm a Good Christian. I don't need a god to forgive me, I just have to forgive myself.

I hate political hacks... Grrrr.

Posted by: Dana Kincaid
Date: July 10, 2007 12:50 PM

Let's keep in mind the injunction, "Pride goeth before a fall."

And let's reason on the point: "Pride" does not apply (keep in mind the above injunction) to that which we do not accomplish as result of conscious choice and effort. It is ludicrous, as example, to be "proud" of having been born in the South, when that fact has nothing to do with any choice or effort as to where one was born.

I'm heterosexusl; that's simply a fact. It had and has nothing whatever to do with choice or effort, therefore has nothing whatever to do with "pride," except for the vacuous, the mindless swallowers of meaningless slogans.

It would make as much sense to declare "pride" in the fact of being white -- yet another uncontrolable mere fact of birth, or some other equivalent groundless bigotry.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 1:31 AM:

Why don't we take the high road and ignore that list? It does impeach Vitter's statements about gay rights and gay marriage, but statements against those things are bigotry already. That the people who say them also like prostitutes doesn't further our cause much.

With this administration's blatant attempt to steal our democracy, don't you think we have bigger fish to fry than a couple adulterous republicans?

Posted by: KilgoreTrout XL
Date: July 10, 2007 1:05 PM

I'll take it as a campaign issue.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 2:10 AM:

"Somebody should ask this little moral SCUMBAG if he goes for brunettes, blondes or redheads."

I go for all three. Does that make me a scumbag?

"Remember, discretion is NOT the better part of valor. In this situation, embarrassing the CRAP out of him is the very best thing to do."

Agreed without equivocation or qualification.

Posted by: POed Lib
Date: July 10, 2007 12:17 PM

SC = nose. As in, He who puts his nose in other's business demands that other's noses be put in his business.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 2:13 AM:

Maybe someone should be following "John" around with a van playing "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones. Because my Bat Sense suggests that "John" was getting a large helping of that BROWN MEAT on the side.

Posted by: POed Lib
Date: July 10, 2007 2:51 PM

"Thank you" for introducing racism. Yours.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 2:17 AM:

can't believe the media is still covering Senator Vitter's mistake when The Good Senator's press release very clearly said that God had already forgiven him.

If God has forgiven him, who are we to judge? Sad. Now the media don't even trust God's judgment.

(Kidding, if it's not obvious, as that press release is just ripe for ridicule.)

Posted by: ohiomeister
Date: July 10, 2007 12:57 PM

God talks to me too. And he told me not to believe anything Vitter says about anything.

JNagarya wrote on July 11, 2007 2:22 AM:

With that in mind, we go to the report of my fellow Counterpunch writer and former U.S. Naval Officer Wayne Madsen:

"WMR has confirmed with extremely knowledgeable CIA and Pentagon sources that the former CEO who is on Deborah Jeane Palfrey's list is Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney was CEO of Halliburton during the time of his liaisons with the Pamela Martin & Associates escort firm. Palfrey's phone invoices extend back to 1996 and include calls to and from Cheney...while he was the CEO and maintained a residence off Chain Bridge Road in the Ballantrae neighborhood in McLean, Virginia, a few blocks from the headquarters of the CIA...."

Posted by: Garth
Date: July 10, 2007 1:56 PM

I don't buy anything tabloidist Madsen says, including his claims about his credentials. And, so far, I've not heard from any of the myriad reliable unidentified sources that he's doing anything other than feeding tabloid suckers confabulated horseshit.

JNagrya wrote on July 11, 2007 2:25 AM:

Maybe the Pope could ask Bush to forgive him? Nah, the Pope would be wasting his time.

Posted by: Jake
Date: July 10, 2007 2:00 PM

In conformity with his al Qaeda -- er, "base" -- Bushit doesn't believe Catholics are Christians.

JustJenUC wrote on July 11, 2007 9:38 AM:

The site, with the phone numbers, is up and running.

Race you to the next congressman!

Karl Fogel wrote on July 11, 2007 9:22 PM:

The quote from Vitter about how Clinton should step down doesn't say anything about Clinton's infidelity being the reason. Presumably, Vitter was also taking the "it's the perjury, not the sex" stance.

Yes, it was a very minor instance of perjury. I certainly don't think Clinton should have been impeached for it; in an ideal world, he never would have been forced into the position of testifying under oath on that stuff in the first place.

Nevertheless, it is inaccurate to accuse Vitter of hypocrisy by way of his position on Clinton/Lewinsky. Those who urged impeachment then did so on the grounds that Clinton had perjured himself. They were being ridiculous, short-sighted, mean-spirited, and probably disingenuous, but let's at least pay rhetoric the respect of judging their actual arguments, instead of attacking the even-easier-to-mock phony arguments that we lefties wish they had been making.