Sen. David Vitter - Again

Thanks to a reminder from Oyster at Your Right Hand Thief, here's link to the latest on David Vitter from the Times-Picayune. The DC Madam, Deborah Jeane Palfrey, has subpoenaed the senator "to testify about his involvement in what prosecutors say was a high-priced prostitution ring".

The subpoena puts Vitter, especially, in an awkward and politically damaging position. The Senate Republican caucus welcomed Vitter back into the fold after his public confession in July, but it remains to be seen how much patience Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will show if Vitter's troubles remain in the news. McConnell acted swiftly to condemn Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, after it became public that he had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges after being arrested in a gay-sex sting in a Minneapolis airport bathroom. Craig has faced intense pressure from his own caucus to resign from the Senate but has refused and has sought to withdraw the guilty plea.

Legal experts say Vitter has little grounds to avoid testifying, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court said former President Bill Clinton had to provide testimony in Paula Jones' civil lawsuit.

In a telephone poll this morning, I had the satisfaction of answering the question about my opinion of Vitter with my choice of "strongly unfavorable". He has spoken at length of "family values", you see, and that strikes me as a tad hypocritical when viewed alongside these other activities.

UPDATE: You may want to have a look at the cartoon at FranIAm's place.