Well, one down [3]...how many more to go?
Sen. David Vitter [4] (R-La.) apologized last night after his telephone number appeared in the phone records of the woman dubbed the "D.C. Madam," making him the first member of Congress to become ensnared in the high-profile case.
The statement containing Vitter's apology said his telephone number was included on phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates dating from before he ran for the Senate in 2004....
"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter, 46, said in a statement, which his spokesman, Joel DiGrado, confirmed to the Associated Press.
"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling," Vitter continued. "Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there -- with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way."
In most places, this would potentially be a political kiss-of-death, but the fact is that he's the Senator from Louisiana. Which has, shall we say, somewhat more lax standards on all things moral. These are the same people who re-elect crooks for statwide office because the crook is upfront with them about being a crook. (Remember Edwin Edwards [5]?).
Vitter actually did a little bit of a pre-emptive strike with his announcement. The real question is, who else's name is on the list? Do they know it? While they take the Vitter route, or wait for the press to hound them and then try to deny it, (some staffer used my phone!)?
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More at the Politico [6] - Outside the Beltway [7] - Hot Air [8] - Sister Toldjah [9]
