David Vitter, Republican Strategists and the Prostitute’s Subpoena

Posted by Steven Reynolds, The All Spin Zone at 6:00 AM on November 19, 2007.

This post, written by Steven Reynolds, originally appeared on The All Spin Zone

The Chicago Tribune has an article where various Republican strategists give David Vitter advice about how to respond to a subpoena. Of course the advice has nothing to do with testifying with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Being truthful has no connection to Republican strategy.

Mmmm! Sounds like the title of a really bad porn movie, huh?

The Chicago Tribune wonders at a very difficult decision Republican Senator (R-LA) David Vitter has in front of him now that he has been subpoenaed by the Deborah Palfrey legal team. The argument is that if he fights the subpoena, he will be showing himself as above the law, and that won't look good. Besides, he might lose the fight and have to testify anyway. If he testifies, as master Republican strategist Charlie Black says, he'll have another choice. Here's the skinny from the Chicago Tribune:

If forced to testify, Vitter should do his best to "demonstrate true contrition," Holt said.

"You can survive any political situation if you conduct yourself with dignity," Holt said. "Preserving your dignity, while extremely difficult in this situation, is still possible."

Charlie Black, a Republican strategist and former Republican National Committee spokesman, said Vitter must decide whether it's worth trying to quash the subpoena.

"I might go ahead and do it rather than having a protracted fight over whether he'll have to do it," Black said.

If Vitter takes the stand, Black said, the key will be to offer as little new information -- and fodder for critics -- as possible.

Seems typical Republican advice to me. Neither of these guys recommends that Mr. Vitter tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Evidently they don't understand American jurisprudence or something.

I'm surprised, though, that Charlie Black and the other Republican strategists didn't key on what Ms. Palfrey is pleading in their advice to David Vitter on how to avoid getting embarrassed in front of his constituents. Remember, she's saying she's providing a fantasy service to her customers, not sexual services. Surely Vitter, then, could say that he just has a strong fantasy about wearing diapers and having naked women change him? Really, don't these Republicans have any imagination? And as long as they are eignoring the requirements of our judicial system. . . then having Vitter testify about his sordid fantasies seems like the way out. After all, don't all his Republican constiuents in LA have similar fantasies?

Tagged as: republican party, prostitution, vitter, dc madam

Steven Reynolds is a regular blogger for the All Spin Zone