When Republicans start calling for people to resign and trotting out the Eugene The Ethics Horse I tend to snort a bit.
The latest ethics pony attempt to trample Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) comes from Senator David Vitter (R-LA). If that last name sets off a bell but you can not quite remember Mr. Vitter, let me refresh your memory.
Senator Vitter was connected with a prostitution ring two years ago and dismissed any suggestion of hypocrisy given his own refusal to resign in the wake of that scandal. Senator Vitter, who is a fan of diapers and stuffed elephants said: “I honestly don’t know anybody who would compare these situations. They are dramatically different.” Well yeah…but….
In July 2007, published reports identified Vitter as a client of “D.C. Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey, whom federal prosecutors convicted of running a prostitution ring. Vitter responded by publicly admitting “a very serious sin in my past,” but never offered specifics and was never called to testify in Palfrey’s 2008 trial. Palfrey committed suicide last spring between her conviction and sentencing.
Vitter refused calls seeking his resignation and is running for re-election in 2010.
Vitter, was one of two senators to vote against Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s confirmation by the Senate last month, his conscience arose to require him to say he was concerned about possible conflicts of interest between her official duties and President Bill Clinton’s fundraising foundation.

Tags | http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/vitter-no-burris-co