Senator Caught In "D.C. Madam" Scandal

Louisiana Republican David Vitter Apologizes For 'Very Serious Sin' In His Past

(CBS/AP)  Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, whose telephone number was disclosed by the so-called "D.C. Madam" accused of running a prostitution ring, says he is sorry for a "serious sin" and that he has already made peace with his wife.

"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter said Monday in a printed statement. "Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. 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."

The Republican senator's spokesman, Joel Digrado, confirmed the statement Monday evening in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

It said his telephone number was on old phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates before he ran for the Senate.

Deborah Jeane Palfrey is accused by federal prosecutors of racketeering by running a prostitution ring that netted more than $2 million over 13 years, beginning in 1993. She contends that her escort service, Pamela Martin and Associates, was a legitimate business.

Louisiana's Democratic governor, Kathleen Blanco, issued a statement saying she was "disappointed" over the revelation and hoped it wouldn't hurt the state's efforts to secure federal funding for rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"I will travel to Washington in the coming weeks to continue my conversations with congressional leaders, and I hope this scandal will not lessen their critical support of our recovery," Blanco said.

A Harvard graduate and Rhodes scholar, the 46-year-old Vitter was elected to his current office in 2004, becoming the first Republican from Louisiana elected to the Senate since Reconstruction. He represented Louisiana's 1st Congressional District in the House from 1999 to 2004.

In the House, Vitter succeeded GOP Rep. Robert Livingston, who was in line to replace Newt Gingrich as speaker until Livingston admitted to extramarital affairs and quit Congress. Livingston had been a critic of President Clinton, calling on him to resign over his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

Vitter and his wife, Wendy, live in Metairie, La., with their four children.

Vitter said his wife has forgiven him, but CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports she seemed less forgiving in an interview in 2000 when President Clinton's adultery was in the news.

"I'm a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary," she said. "If he does something like that, I'm walking away with one thing, and it's not alimony, trust me."

Lorena Bobbitt, in a 1993 case that drew worldwide attention, cut-off her husband's penis during an argument.

Vitter, a first-term senator, has a prominent role in the campaign of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is leading the Republican field in national polls.

As Giuliani's regional campaign chairman for the South, Vitter could prove another headache for Giuliani, who has faced a spate of bad news, including the federal cocaine indictment of his South Carolina chairman, state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel. Giuilani has also been under fire for refusing to fire Monsignor Alan Placa, a Catholic priest and childhood friend suspended from the church over abuse allegations, from Giuliani's security consulting firm.

Palfrey's attorney, Montgomery Blair Sibley, told the AP, "I'm stunned that someone would be apologizing for this." He said Palfrey had posted the phone numbers of her escort service's clients online Monday, but that he had not been aware Vitter's number was among them. Vitter's statement was sent to the AP's New Orleans bureau Monday evening.

Until Vitter's admission, the most prominent client of Palfrey's to emerge was senior State Department official Randall Tobias, who resigned from his post in April after ABC confronted him about his use of the service.

Palfrey's Web site contains several pages phone records, but no names, dating from August 1994 to August 2006. Palfrey wrote on the Web site that she believed a disk containing the records had been pirated, and said she was posting the records "to thwart any possible distorted version and to ensure the integrity of the information."

Palfrey revealed details of her escort service on ABC's news magazine "20/20" on May 4. At the time, ABC said it could not link any information in records from 2002 to 2006, provided by Palfrey, to members of Congress or White House officials but did find links to prominent business executives, NASA officials and at least five military officers.

[mcvet]

Why is it that these pathetic Nazi's who pander to the Religious Reich ALWAYS get caught in these things. It's okay to IMPEACH one of our Best Presidents for doing this but we're supposed to just over look it when it comes to Southern Fascist? Yeah right! Sieg Heil and Amen!

[wfbdem]

At least this republican wasn't going after small boys. It is kinda sad when the best thing to be said about republican senators is "Hey, at least the stopped molesting boys (as far as you know)".
Have they no shame?

[micma-2009]

Another "family values" Republican exposed.

[rushlimpdrug]

Louisiana Republican
-Imagine that.
What a shallow party.
The party of:
- ***, politics, money, religion, and family.
loosely in that order.

[micma-2009]

This "family values" Senator was part of the chorus of hipocrytes screeching for the impeachment of Clinton for cheating on his wife.

[skyk-2009]

Everyone seems surprised... Why? These people have been pulling this off against Red Necks for how long now? Watch this guy now, he's been brought up in the "Southern" way of doing things and he'll MOST certainly give his base some red meat HATE for them to chew on and they'll forget all this by election time. LOL

[bobnjersey]

[At least this republican wasn't going after small boys ... Have they no shame? ]
[Posted by wfbdem at 07:05 AM : Jul 10, 2007]

he's already reconciled that w/ his god ... and plans on keeping that between himself ... the boys ... and his god.

[rushlimpdrug]

Just as sad is that ABC News had this list and reported there were no politicians on the list.
What a crock of sshit.
Politicians prayer:
"Forgive me God blah, blah, blah
now show me the money, and get me the votes, in Jesus name, amen"

[cfin5]

Now I know why the republiCANTS sold the conservatives down the toilet awhile back. When they get to Washington, they turn into "republiPANT'LESS" after one or two "special parties". Gettin' some(more), other than what they already got is the most expensive piece of uhm,.....real estate that you can buy. The duffuses deserve to be politically blackmailed, problem is the "BILL" that they sign with their pencil is ultimately paid by the taxpayer. This kind of *** is getting to be old stuff!

[iceman_1960]

Sen. Vitter's support of Dubya's Iraq War is the very serious sin in his past that he should be apologizing for.

[infidel_us]

What are you bedwetters getting all upset about? His personal life is HIS business. If he wants to visit a brothel, that's between him and his wife.......why the double standard?

Wonder how many dems the press had to blow thru to find one republican to smear?

[edpopinva]

It is always so convienent to run to God when you get caught, where was he in your thoughts when you dialed the Madam?

I am so tired of these politicians and preachers putting themselves above the average Joe, but they are no better than the average scum.

[antoniof123]

The more that comes out the more I get sick and tired of the religious Southern Fascists. I am from the south and I used to think of myself as a person that would look at the issues and vote for who I though would do the best job. Now I am certain that it is anyone who is not a GOP. God the dirt is so thick it keeps spilling out. I was forgiven by god yea right I think by now god is not paying attention to you morons.

[victoriarum]

Many people claim to walk with God but, can't part from their lies. It's just another lie, on top of a lie.

It will eventually catch up with each of them.

Pray for Peace. God Bless You.

[afmca]

Another hypocritical, southern christian religious bigot bites the dust. When will the country wake up to the fact that southern style religion is based on two premises - bigotry and hypocrisy? The only people telling the world that they are more self-righteous than everyone else are the sinner's themselves. The media has fed into this. If Vitter was a true christian he would resign immediately. At least we will know he will rot in h*ll for his hypocrisy!

[ammermantm]

infidel_us

personally I don't care about this guys personal life. but did you listen to your self just now? I am guessing you are the kind of guy that went crazy over Clinton and his deal.

[micma-2009]

This "family values" Senator was part of the chorus of hipocrytes screeching for the impeachment of Clinton for cheating on his wife.

[realpatriot1]

It's certainly ironic that someone who campaigned on protecting the sanctity of marriage would engage in this kind of self-estructive beavior but it shouldn't be a surprize.

This kind of garbage is not limited to one party or the other and I think that will become clear as more names come out.

I have to say, as a loyal Democrat, this is no time for the party of Ted"pantless on the frontlawn" Kennedy and Bill"define ***" Clinton to gloat.

[smeastim]

"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there %u2014 with God and them."

God told him to bang the W#ore.

[wfbdem]

freaking hypocrits.

[cbse3]

Regardless, what ever the party affilliation, he is married and it is an integerity issue. What else could he be mis-representing. Otherwise if he was single, so what. Prostitution should be regulated and legal in all 50 states and not just in Nevada.
Meanwhile, another distraction from the business at hand....like.....fixing social securities future, fixing the comprenhensive energy bill, fixing our energy independence and current gas crunch, fixing our national healthcare, fixing immigration, fixing our excessive tax rates due to the excesses of greed, misappropriations and a 10 billion a day or month or what ever the H*E*L*L the war on Iraq, Afganistan and the on going drug interdiction costs we the people.

[ianlou]

infidel_us

Are you paid by the ***?

[iceman_1960]

"What are you bedwetters getting all upset about? His personal life is HIS business. If he wants to visit a brothel, that's between him and his wife"
- Posted by infidel_us at 07:52 AM : Jul 10, 2007

As one poster pointed out some time ago (I think it was "mil_spouse" ?) adultery is against the law in many states. In Michigan it can carry a life sentence in prison.

Fortunately for the sinners, these laws are not enforced.

[ianlou]

infidel_us

Are you paid by the T*u*r*d?

[oleander8]

This behavior is especially reprehensible for Republicans because they are so self-righteous with their "religion" and "family values" and were SO appalled and indignant by the behavior of President Clinton. They couldn't understand why no one cared but them - it was between Clinton and his wife. Clinton was sorry too, and he was counseled by Billy Graham - but the Republicans are still shaking their "mother" finger at him. They can dish it out, but they can't take it.

[pepperp1]

The PAST, he has only been in Washington sense 2004, one does get the sense that the Repugs are the wolves in sheeps clothing hiding behind god, married and 4 children, Clinton only had one. Wonder is he got his digit blown; impeachment is the only solution if he did LA, and throw out theta guy with the money in his freezer while you at it. LOL what pigs these politicians are.

[micma-2009]

This "family values" Senator was part of the chorus of hipocrytes screeching for the impeachment of Clinton for cheating on his wife.

[macusweil]

GOP family values -- don't get caught.

[iceman_1960]

Jimmy Carter, who blamed and reproached himself publicly for even looking at a woman with lust in his heart, is looking better and better.

[ianlou]

Is the name "Vitter" derived from someone who prepares, serves or sells Vittles?

Just curious.

[cbse3]

I'm also curious to know, if Vitter really did talk to God....was it during or after the "DEED". Was the conversation .......ooooooooooooooo my gaud, dat was great Honey or Jeeeeeeeazzzzzzzzus, was dat fantistic, babe and what was God's response or does that fall under executive/legestative privlige.

[iceman_1960]

Vitter is a Dutch word meaning "a person who attaches too much importance to minor details"

I'm not making that up. It describes someone like myself.

Source:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vitter

[ioweign]

Wow infidel_us - where is that rigid finger pointing better than you behaviour? Now we need to get more apologizing for supporting Bush's Choice Conflict.

[iceman_1960]

"You GOP haters are only gloating over this because of his party affiliation."
- Posted by genesis15 at 08:25 AM : Jul 10, 2007

Not true.

If this happened to Zell Miller, I'd be gloating just as much.

[ianlou]

...Vitter is a Dutch word meaning "a person who attaches too much importance to minor details"...

This guy forgot a minor detail, his name in a madams phone book.

[pepperp1]

I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one," said Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican. "I think this debate is very healthy, and it's winning a lot of hearts and minds. I think we're going to show real progress." Comments on Gay Marriage during Senate debate.
And
WASHINGTON %u2014 Speaking at a luncheon on Oct. 12, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., compared Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to marriages of same-*** couples.

DID ANYONE CHECK TO SEE IF THE PROSITUTE MAYBE WAS A BOY, perhaps?

[iceman_1960]

"...Vitter is a Dutch word meaning "a person who attaches too much importance to minor details"...

This guy forgot a minor detail, his name in a madams phone book."
- Posted by ianlou at 08:32 AM : Jul 10, 2007

Yup.

And he's attaching a lot of importance to it now.

[infidel_us]

Libs, your selective moral outrage is repulsive, but not surprising!

[panhandlpete]

Vitter gained my respect for his recent speeches during the "immigration" issue, and if I were in his district, I would not hold this deed against him. I will, however, pay very close attention to his future votes, and keep this issue in the background whenever he is talking on them.

Having a halo is not part of the requirement for representing us in Washington. If it were, I think it would be a very empty place, almost like a ghost town.

I was a fan of Bill Clinton, even after his ordeal, but his wife, Hillary, just lost my support when she openly supports the HB1 visa increases for Indian companies here in the US, thereby forgetting that "American workers" should come first. As one analyist said...."look at where the financial support comes from." I would like to see a moretoreum put on all visas for a year or two, and have Homeland Security check up on the 770,000 who have overstayed their visas and deport them. There is not one job filled by an HB1 visa holder that could not be filled by an AMERICAN if efforts were made to do so.

[rushlimpdrug]

Libs, your selective moral outrage is repulsive, but not surprising!
Posted by infidel_us

I am not a lib, but perhaps you can lead us in prayer for this guy and his 4 kids - including 3 daughters.

[ekucrew]

Just another hack politician with his butt caught in the crack of the door....and it just got slammed shut!

[iceman_1960]

What David Vitter and his family need most now, is pastoral counselling from fellow Christian Republicans.

I think Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani should offer him their services for this purpose, in keeping with the Biblical command:

"...go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'" - Matthew 18:15-16

[iceman_1960]

"Libs, your selective moral outrage is repulsive, but not surprising!"
- Posted by infidel_us at 08:37 AM : Jul 10, 2007

Selective moral outrage is a quality Liberals share with Conservatives.

As you post quoted above, demonstrates.

[toldyouso21]

Much more so than the Dems., Republican men seem to have really hard time controlling their little pee pees. Is it because they only pretend to serve God and be Christians and are really hedonistic, lewd, cheating scum? Or should we blame it on the women and just assume with such old, cold, dried out flaccid ------, that the men are driven to other men, other women, other people's children and drugs?

Why so many? and we KNOW if the Dems were doing the same it would be disclosed because the GOP smear and dirt digging machine never stops.

Oh Well...remember that ol saw?

"Fits them all
Fits them all,
The big, the short and the tall....
Short or tall, big or small
GOP d1cks fits them all.

Stop drinking the water and all you Repbulican babes better be watching your honeys closely. Watch your friends. Watch your kids. WAtch the neighborhood kids. Hell, watch all the animals. Never know when your man's "evil little genius" will go AWOL. LMAO (no wonder Ann Coulter won't marry)

[huskerarmy]

Libs, your selective moral outrage is repulsive, but not surprising!
Posted by infidel_us
How so JA? We were on here slamming Jefferson and Al Gore's kid. Remember how much fun you had with those. Not so much this time? Me thinks you projects too much.

[jetlizhan]

uh-oh, guess this means he was caught with his pants down, huh?

[iceman_1960]

We have to stop electing politicians like David Vitter, who have "bats in their palfreys"


"Deborah Jeane Palfrey was accused in federal court of racketeering by running a prostitution ring that netted more than $2 million over 13 years, beginning in 1993. She contends, however, that her escort service, Pamela Martin and Associates, was a legitimate business."

[toldyouso21]

Infidel has made a point: Several Dems defended the nasty being done by the L.A. Mayor Villaragosrosasaroas (or whatever) and Salinas. If it is okay for the Dem. mayor of Los Angeles...hope you guys aren't practicing a double standard. I think they all are scum and bash both sides equally. but if you can defend Villa--then Vitter should also be defended by you.

[mike71067]

Why is this even in the news? This took place before he even ran for the Senate. It looks like more muck-raking from the left-wing press.

[realpatriot1]

panhandlpete,

Well said! Thanks for an intelligent post amidst all the garbage.