Vitter's predecessor in the U.S. House of Representatives, Bob Livingston, urges Vitter to charge forward
NEW ORLEANS — Robert Livingston, the former Louisiana congressman who resigned in the late 1990s after admitting to extramarital affairs, said his situation is not at all like U.S. Sen. David Vitter's, and he urged Vitter not to resign.
Livingston, in an interview with WWL TV, said he had urged the fellow Republican "to pick himself up and charge forward. We need him."
Livingston was in line to be House speaker when he resigned during hearings to impeach President Clinton in 1998, after admitting to an extrmarital affair. Hustler publisher, Larry Flynt, who investigated Livingston, took credit for his resignation. During a press conference on Wednesday (11 July), Flynt released the phone record that led to Sen. David Vitter's (R-LA) admission that he'd been a customer of the escort service run by the D.C. Madam.
Bobby Jindal offered his support too, but it was more lukewarm:
U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-La., who is running for governor, offered more tepid support. He said he and his wife were disappointed by Vitter's actions but are keeping the Vitter family in their prayers.
"This is a matter for the senator to address, and it is our hope that this is not used by others for their own political gain," Jindal said.
One hopes that Jindal himself takes his own advice.
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said he had exchanged e-mails with Vitter and expected him in Washington, D.C., by Tuesday.
Political analyst Elliott Stonecipher said it's unusual for a senator to be out of sight so long and "does not look good."
It suggests there's a lot more family concern and issues and, you know, I hope I'm wrong in that. ... Maybe he's really really, really struggling with this.
Something else is operating, but it's pure speculation on my part what.
Can't figure out what Stonecipher is trying to say here.
Stonecipher also said
partisanship is "the next leg of the story" because Vitter's indiscretions were well-known among operatives from both parties and now both factions will try to use the scandal to suit their ends.
Pearson Cross, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette agreed that Vitter could benefit if his troubles turn into a partisan duel.
That will clearly play in his favor because that would seem piling on," Cross said. But, he added, "the Democrats are clearly sensing blood in the water. There's an opening here if Vitter decided to resign.
What do you think Vitter's next move will be?