When the Vitter story broke I predicted - if this was the end and nothing else came out - David Vitter would probably be reelected. As the week rolled on - I read and watched as different sides took various positions either for or against Vitter’s confession. You would expect the democrats to attack with ferocity and they did. However, the group that did the most damage to their fellow republican was the republican state party officials. Never mind that the US Senate’s power structure would be dramatically affected; never mind that a democratic governor would get to pick a democrat who would then have a huge advantage over a republican challenger. Party officials went on the attack and they were relentless and were readily available for media interviews. National newspapers that trash republicans got great quotes from consultants and elected state party members. They were vicious and predicted the Vitter’s demise very soon and (get this) more smut is coming. Oh let’s not leave out - Vitter is a hypocrite! Can you believe this- they were calling on Vitter to resign! A republican blog site repeats all these attacks and even points out republicans who have removed Vitter’s name from their web sites. This scumbag so called good government republican blogger failed to mention he takes money from republican candidates to attack the opponent of the sleazebag he represents. Finally by mid week numerous republican elected officials begin to speak out as they caution on jumping to conclusions based on media stories and rumors that may or may not be true. Congressman Richard Baker shows one heck of a stiff backbone as he stands up against his own party officials and the news media strongly supporting Senator Vitter!
Lots of the anger spewed by the state party regulars relates to Vitter’s failing to live up to the family value life style that Vitter and they so proudly live (excuse me, BS). I have a bulletin for the Louisiana Republican Party officials – this is not why voters like Vitter – they like him because he stands up for them against unpopular government policies; plus any and all elected officials that are on the wrong side of the voters. Nothing more nothing less! Sponsoring term limits; Tulane scholarship abuse; opposing the expansion of gambling in Louisiana; recent notoriety he received by opposing a study to impose tolls on interstate highways in Louisiana kept pushing his poll numbers into the stratosphere. If family values were so important - explain this to me - why did Bobby Jindal lose just about every parish in North Louisiana.Err pardon me – but didn’t lots of those religious right voters up there desert Jindal for Blanco. Plus - everyone is for family values and of course motherhood – but if they can get a better paying job from a democrat, “so long” republican white male. I wonder if Roger Villere noticed the SMOR poll showing Breaux going up like a bottle rocket when he began attack TV ads against John Breaux. Maybe it was your lack of appeal to white female democrats (largest bloc of voters in Louisiana)! Did you miss the last year’s election results – family value republicans were slaughtered – they lost the senate and the congress. Is David Vitter a hypocrite –of course he is, along with the other notable republican politicians like Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani and our own Bob Livingston. Did you forget this little gem – your state republican party hangers-on consultants were all supporting or working for Mike Francis – another family values guy! Jay Dardenne campaigned on issues that were important to Louisiana voters.But then again Jay Dardenne is much more popular with Louisiana voters than the state republican party, especially female voters. There are other political organizations in Louisiana that are involved in this year’s elections – but they stick to mundane issues like jobs, affordable health care and education – I guess that is why their polling numbers are so positive with the masses.
This I know to be fact and it is the only fact that is apparent not only to Louisiana, but the rest of the nation as well. Louisiana as a State needs significant improvements. I cannot speak for politicians, because that’s all they are, politicians. But I can speak for an individual that I know has integrity and also has the way. Within a few short months he could employ over 400 people. Within a years time that number will escalate to well beyond that. He could also put many dozens of people in business for their selves. He has a plan to solve the construction problem in the 9th ward, and his works would not ever be flooded, even if the rest of the city gets it again because of inept Corp of Engineers supervision. He can make many prudent private investors additional incomes. He can even make common individuals wealthy and enabled to provide for their future security and retirement. He can provide safety and security for Louisiana, New Orleans, from a number of nature generated travesties. And he can even protect and restore the marshlands. He has ideas that will increase the fisheries industry significantly as well; He has a plan to save taxpayers multiple billions upon billions of dollars for years to come. The benefits of him, and the contributions that can made are too numerous to list on this thread. In short, it is poetry in motion, if the people want that, progress, real measurable progress. His name is William H. Smith and his website is www.strongconctrete.com in short you should be talking to your elected officials that are now in office about him. Understand for the most part they are simply smack people waiting for the end of their terms, and any candidate running for office should be asked if they are studied in www.strongconcrete.com If they are not, or want to shoot it down, it simply means they are self serving, or are in service to someone else that only wants to grind the state into deeper oppression and lack. The future, and the vote is up to you. More of the same in the upcoming elections? Or do you want change that evens things out and improves our lot as a collective citizenry?
Written by A concerned Louisianian
on 7/21/2007
No one is saying that Flynt went after Vitter. He is going after big names "especially Republicans" because they are more fun. His words not mine. His investigators found Vitter's number and because of Vitter's recent success on the Immigration Bill, his name was released. I still don't believe that Vitter was the only elected official calling that number. So, where are the other names? Rumors were flying all over the place yesterday that the DC Madame is going to call Vitter as a witness. Why would someone who is claiming that she ran simply an "escort service" be calling Vitter?
Written by Sharon
on 7/19/2007
Calm down Bernie. While it is very much a shame that we have numerous hypocrites involved in all levels of both Democratic and Republican parties in Louisiana, it is true that David Vitter did this to himself: He was a 40 year old U.S. Congressman calling a hooker from a phone number listed in his name. Let's forget about what he did for just a minute and contemplate how dumb that act of using his phone was. Larry Flynt wasn't training his sights on Vitter. David Vitter stumbled right into the pages of Hustler like a drunk fraternity boy getting caught for public urination! I understand that people want this to go away, but let's not forget what this episode shows us: David Vitter has demonstrated unbelievably bad judgement, and for that, I don't want him to be my Senator anymore.
Written by BR Native BB
on 7/18/2007
It is unfortuante that Bernie Pinsonat did not disclose his party affiliation (Republican) before making his commentary.
Written by bradgouno
on 7/18/2007
ditto fwp comment
Let's get off his back, an dlet him get on with the job
Written by Bill Jerome
on 7/18/2007
It is time to move on and let Vitter get back to the business that we elected him to do. I don't need anymore details about the Washington madame, but I would like to know who got the million dollars from Larry Flynt. Was it Vincent Bruno, the Treens or Jack Cappella? None of these so called republicans speak for me.
Written by fwp
on 7/18/2007
David Vitter is the Pimp of the year for 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtnEFf5PiCs
Written by mark
on 7/18/2007
Great Article! I hope we hear more from you. Indeed the fact that Vitter does stand up to unpopular government policies regardless of which side supports them. The fact that he can articulate and stand his ground against anyone is a big plus for me. For all the reasons I have stated on other topics I feel that this attack on Vitter alone of all the names on the list of the DC Madame is politically modivated. While disappointed in Vitter's personal conduct; I can separate that from the job he was elected to do. Politicians are all hypocrites in one way or another. I agree with the analogy about Jindal. Alas I wonder if it will happen again with Barraso (sp). Now that there is a Democrat white male will those who would have voted for Jindal against Blanco vote Democrat now? I have said before. I would not mind one bit if Jindal stayed in Congress. Over time he could be a real leader.
Written by Sharon
on 7/18/2007
You're right lost of the religeous right have switched sides, this is such a big one, I just can't help feeling sorry for any politician, how can you remain true when there are so many factions that may or may not support you, may or may not coerce you, may or may not fund you.
Written by Jose
on 7/18/2007
Brilliant article Bernie Pinsonat, hoep to see more of you on Bayou Buzz, thanks
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