Fearing political consequences Republicans urge Sen. Vitter to stay quiet on 'D.C. Madam'

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2007/11/17/2007-11-17_republicans_urge_politican_to_stay_quiet.html

BY KENNETH R. BAZINET
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

Saturday, November 17th 2007, 4:00 AM

WASHINGTON - Republicans are urging Sen. David Vitter to try to avoid having to testify this month that he was a paying customer of the so-called "D.C. Madam."

Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who is charged with racketeering and money laundering, this week subpoenaed Vitter (R-La.) to testify at a Nov. 28 hearing that he was a client of her $2million escort service. Palfrey has argued her escort service was a legal business, and upstanding clients like Vitter could prove she was legit.

But with his spouse at his side earlier this year when Palfrey was indicted, Vitter said, "I love my wife," and then confessed publicly to being a customer of the $300-an-hour escort service.

Many in the GOP, fearing political consequences, want Vitter to fight the subpoena or refuse to answer questions by invoking Fifth Amendment protection from self-incrimination. Vitter has yet to say whether he will fight the subpoena. snip

Vitter's colleagues do, however, fear his testimony could resurrect the "culture of corruption" label that brought down several GOP candidates last year. Combined with the bizarre airport men's room arrest of Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Vitter's testimony could be a political embarrassment for Republicans in next year's elections.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Heh. Heh. Heh.

[Historic NY]

2. or so he should avoid the law...........

he was subpoenaed to testify. So much for the rule of law.

My list of questions would be all yes or no's:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. I suspect that their slash and burn approach to politics has blinded them

I don't believe those GOPer fools realize that they are pissing off their base by insisting that Vitter try to avoid the legal system. Good for us.

[hobbit709]

3. Sing, Vitter, sing!

[rodeodance]

4. yup---lets Resurrect the Cult of Corruption--not all weeded out yet including Jefferson!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. all too true. If he is corrupt, out with him, too.

[rodeodance]

5. the more he stalls , the closer to 08 this will get!!

[rodeodance]

7. "The culture of corruption never ended. The Republicans continue to be embroiled in scandal," said

"The culture of corruption never ended. The Republicans continue to be embroiled in scandal," said Naomi Seligman, spokeswoman for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning legal watchdog group that successfully pursued scandal-marred candidates in 2006.

[blogslut]

9. So, Republicans are urging Vitter to avoid his civic duty?

Nice

[samplegirl]

10. I believe Hasert may be on the list....

as well. Retired without reason??? We are now seeing many Republicans leaving before the can of worms open.