NPR: GOP Senator Says His Name Is on 'D.C. Madam' List

GOP Senator Says His Name Is on 'D.C. Madam' List

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter has admitted that his number appears in the telephone records of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the woman accused of running a prostitution ring in Washington, D.C. Politico reports that the Republican has apologized.

"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling,'' he added. "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."

Vitter did not say exactly when his involvement took place but said it was before he ran for the Senate in 2004. The Harvard graduate and Rhodes scholar served in the House from 1999 to 2004 and became the first Republican elected to the Senate from Louisiana since Reconstruction.

Visitors to the Web site of The Times-Picayune in New Orleans had varied reactions to Vitter's admission. "Here is a guy who preached about New Orleans being sinful. What a joke," one wrote. Others were more understanding: "Political consequences aside, [it] is crucial is that he acted remorsefully at a time of no imminent threat of exposure."

10:48 AM ET | 07-10-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

It should be pointed out that Vitter is Guliani's Southern Regional chair

Sent by Bill Collins | 1:15 PM ET | 07-10-2007

it is sad that he brought god and his wife into it. he should have been proud. unless the experience sucked. then, i would have complained.

Sent by et | 3:45 PM ET | 07-10-2007

It should also be pointed out that he didn't come clean without threat of exposure, but only in a hurry when Hustler contacted him for comment. In the category of "you can't make this up," a New Orleans madame has risen to his defense saying he was several times a customer of hers and was decent to the girls. That's right, she exposed him to defend him. Unfortunately for Vitter, his whole political career is based on sexual morality issues. He approved of his predecessor in his House seat, Bob Livingstone, resigning over an affair, and called on Clinton to do the same without pretense it was over perjury. What next, he took money from Abramoff before coming out so strong against gambling?

Sent by Eric Ferguson | 10:55 AM ET | 07-11-2007

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