Now that some of the news has broken on the David Vitter affairs, the columns are full of varying opinions.  Here is an overview of some of the local opinions.

“Vitter has a reputation as a social conservative, but interestingly threw his support this year behind presidential contender Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York City mayor whose personal life includes three marriages and his political life support for abortion rights. Did that reflect a moderation on Vitter's part?

The larger, crucial question, of course, is where does this leave the state?

Should Vitter follow the Livingston template and resign, as some Republicans have urged? Or despite the state embarrassment, is it more a family crisis, as other Republicans have asserted?

It may be a question for many that hinges on the blunt assessment of the continuing effectiveness of Vitter, who most recently helped scuttle the president's immigration overhaul plan.

Or does his place in the phone records of the so-called D.C. Madam, go to the heart of this politician's judgment and credibility?”  Shreveport Times

Vitter’s apology is instructive for what it doesn’t say. The extent of Vitter’s involvement with operations linked to prostitution is  unclear. If Vitter hired a prostitute, a violation of the law, then his behavior is obviously more than a personal matter. Such behavior is particularly serious for a person who holds such an important public office.

Vitter should come clean with his constituents and disclose whether he violated any laws. Regardless of what Vitter does next, he already has deeply disappointed many residents of Louisiana, and his actions are all the more regrettable given his ostensible position as a conservative champion of family values…The Advocate

Homosexual newspapers, pornographer Larry Flynt and others who despise pro-family values are using Louisiana Senator David Vitter's admission that he hired an escort service and committed a "serious sin" as an opportunity to say that those who advocate for traditional moral values are hypocrites. Their statements leave me to conclude that the immoral behavior itself would be OK with them had the individual involved not taken a stand against immorality. Their hope, of course, is that Senator Vitter will be shamed into never picking up the pro-family banner again. I can't and won't defend David's behavior, even though he is a friend and a former colleague in the Louisiana legislature. Visit my blog at frcblog.com to see my thoughts on Senator Vitter. I will, however, say that it is refreshing to see someone actually take responsibility for their "sin," a word we don't hear used anymore in this city. David represents a state that is overwhelmingly pro-life and where almost 80% of voters voted in favor of traditional marriage two years ago. His support of pro-family measures is simply a reflection of the voters he represents and of ideas that transcend politics. No doubt he will have to regain the trust of voters, as he has of his wife since these events occurred a few years ago. Part of regaining that trust will be maintaining his personal integrity and continuing to provide leadership on family and social issues even though the adversaries of the family will seize every opportunity to criticism him. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council

All Vitter's offered so far is a mysteriously worded confession, issued one step ahead of porn king Larry Flynt's vow to out him as a client of the notorious Washington, D.C., madam.

 According to the statement, there was a "very serious sin in my past" -- one that he would discuss only with his family and his God.

As for his constituents, well, it's apparently none of their business.

This much Vitter doesn't have to tell us: Louisiana's most holier-than-thou pol turns out to be considerably less holy than he's always purported to be, to the clear delight of those who long ago tired of his judgmental mien.

Nowhere is that clearer than on matters related to so-called family values. Stephanie Grace, Times Picayune