Posted on 07/16/2007 8:41:13 AM PDT by freespirited
WASHINGTON — State Democrats on Friday launched a petition drive that they hope will force U.S. Sen. David Vitter to resign.
The Louisiana Democratic Party posted the petition on its Web site, http://www.lademo.org. The purpose behind the effort is to collectively gather names of voters “who are intolerant of Vitter’s hypocritical behavior and irresponsible behavior in the U.S. Senate,” Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Chris Whittington said in a statement.
On Monday, Vitter, R-La., apologized for his phone number appearing on the list of a Washington escort service operated by a woman dubbed the “D.C. madam.” Vitter called it a “serious sin” for which he takes full responsibility.
Telephone records show that the service called Vitter’s number five times from 1999 to 2001, while he was a U.S. House member.
Vitter served in the chamber from 1999 to 2004 when he was elected to the Senate. He served as a state representative in the 1990s.
Vitter, a Catholic father of four, said that he and his wife have since gone through marriage counseling. He also said he had asked for and received forgiveness from God and his family.
Federal prosecutors have charged Deborah Jeane Palfrey with running a prostitution ring that collected $2 million since 1993. Palfrey has denied the charges, saying she operated a “high-end adult fantasy firm which offered legal sexual and erotic services across the spectrum of adult sexual behavior.”
The petition states “we will not tolerate the sanctimonious posturing of anyone who has campaigned on and professed to live by one moral code only to reveal that he has lied about his personal actions.”
Vitter, a staunch conservative, has opposed abortion rights and gay marriage while preaching abstinence to teenagers.
In addition to the “D.C. madam” case, Vitter has also been linked to a New Orleans brothel by the former “Canal Street Madam,” Jeanette Maier, and a former prostitute, Wendy Cortez, according to the Times-Picayune of New Orleans.
A spokesman for Vitter said Friday he was with his family in Louisiana and would not comment beyond the Monday statement. Vitter missed seven votes in the Senate last week on the defense authorization bill. He is expected back in Washington next week.
U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., told reporters Friday that, based on e-mail exchanges with Vitter, he expects his colleague to return to the Capitol by Tuesday.
DeMint said of Vitter’s admission: “It’s a huge moral failure that reflects on the whole body. And for that he’s very sorry.”
Several GOP colleagues in Washington and Louisiana have rallied to Vitter’s side, saying politicians deserve forgiveness when they err and repent. Some opponents have accused him of hypocrisy, noting that his career is built largely on an image as someone more ethical than the average politician.
Several lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., publicly accused Vitter of hypocrisy this week. Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt reveled in his role in unearthing Vitter’s phone records, saying, “I’m only exposing the hypocrisy.”
Roger Villere, chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, said Friday he had tried unsuccessfully to contact Vitter. Villere said he’d been inundated with e-mails from Republicans, most of them supporting Vitter. A “vocal minority” is voicing opposition, he said.
Vitter’s allies say they will try to help him regain some of his luster.
“The past conduct that Sen. Vitter has acknowledged and taken responsibility for is serious and disappointing,” U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-La., said in a statement Friday, “but it does not define the whole of the man, and it is not irredeemable.”
As opposed to the behavior of William Jefferson, D-LA.
Murtha first!
Gee . . . It’s not like he killed a girl, or anything.
Didn’t one of Barney Frank’s room mates run a male prostitution ring from his basement? Double standard anyone?
>> gather names of voters “who are intolerant of Vitter’s hypocritical behavior and irresponsible behavior in the U.S. Senate,”<<
We need a different standard or we’d have to get rid of congress.
Coming from the party of Edwin Edwards and Earl Long...talk about hypocrisy.
Oh but you have to understand. Democrats have never claimed to have any morals so they can never get caught up in this type of hypocrisy.
They must be so proud.
If this kind of behavior is tolerated I can see a politician getting a BJ in the oval office down the road.
And Louisiana would have to get rid of most of its politicians.
Did he leave a stain on a dress?
When all the Democrats who have broken their marraige vows quit, that's when Vitter should quit.
When all the Democrats who have taken bribes after promising to clean up the "culture of corruption" quit, that's when Vitter should quit.
When all the Democrats who have ever uttered "I support the troops" and then called for retreat quit, that's when Vitter should quit.
William Jefferson stays, Vitter goes. Sounds fair to me. NOT!
Vitter can weather this one. His wife already knew about it. Hypocracy coming from all sides.
“who are intolerant of Vitter’s hypocritical behavior and irresponsible behavior in the U.S. Senate,”
And what of the behavior of William J. Clinton, serial RAPIST ????
Why, so he can switch parties?
He asked for forgiveness from her, and receieved it.
These RATs loved Huey P. Long, a common criminal who rose to dictator. They continue to love Edwin Edwards, another criminal who was elected 4 times. William Jefferson, who has been indicted, but no RATs are demanding his resignation. The list goes on.
I was once a Louisiana democRAT, and know first hand what a steaming pile of crap that they are, and have always been.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.