What's Vitter Waiting For?

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_10/020550.php

WHAT'S VITTER WAITING FOR?.... The controversy surrounding Louisiana's Keith Bardwell generated national attention, and with good reason. A justice of the peace, Bardwell refuses to perform marriage ceremonies for inter-racial couples. "I'm not a racist," he argued as a defense. "I just don't believe in mixing the races that way."

As soon as the story went national, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) condemned Bardwell's practices and called on him to resign. Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) did the same thing. It was a no-brainer.

But then there's that other statewide Louisianan, whose silence has been conspicuous. As of Monday, Sen. David Vitter, a far-right Republican, had issued no public statements about the Bardwell matter, and taken no steps to criticize his racism.

Yesterday, Vitter passed up another chance to at least say something about the issue.

Although both Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) have publicly condemned Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell for refusing to issue marriage licenses to interracial couples, Sen. David Vitter (R) has stayed noticeably silent. (ThinkProgress contacted his office, but we did not receive a response.)

Blogger-activist Mike Stark caught up with Vitter and asked him about his position. "Have you commented? What did you have to say about it?" asked Stark. Vitter simply smiled, stepped into the elevator, and allowed the doors to close.

These aren't trick questions. Vitter might have been able to say, initially, that he hadn't heard about the Bardwell matter, but that's no longer an option. The senator is no doubt aware of the story, and probably has an opinion about it. If not, he should.

There's a justice of the peace in David Vitter's home state that won't marry inter-racial couples. His colleagues think he should resign. What impression should we get from Vitter's refusal to say anything at all?

—Steve Benen

[BOSSHOG]

1. vitter depends on the bardwells of the state for his base of support

If vitter came out in support of bardwell he would win the next election in a landslide.

Another name relative to evil in Louisiana I'd like you to know. STEVE SCALISE. U. S. Representative. A classic dipshit, constitution hating turd of a human being. A family values christian conservative who is as fucking loony as bachman, just hasn't gotten the high profile yet.

[Feron]

6. I completely agree with you.

Unfortunately for me, Scalise is my rep. It's the first district curse: Livingston, Vitter, Jindal, and now Scalise....:puke:

[BOSSHOG]

7. Howdy neighbor

We live northeast of Slidell across the state line. I got a Blue Dog as a Representative. We get all the NOLA media and the T-P. Scalise makes me wanna puke about as much as dubya use to.

[ddeclue]

2. His momma to change his diaper?

:shrug:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. One can always call his office and ask for a statement?

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Maybe Vitter and Bardwell could resign on the same day.

[donheld]

5. In my opinion it's too late

It shouldn't take but a few seconds at most to renounce that kind of behavior.