Louisiana Has the Easiest Choice This November

In the land of Huey Long and All the King's Men, all the voters have to do this November is read Wikipedia entries on their Senatorial candidates or cruise any news source other than Faux News and the Limbaugh/Beck Propaganda Hour, and the decision should practically be made for them.

Check it out, after the jump...

David Vitter (Republican)
Against same-sex marriage, pro-life, anti-immigrant, pro-gun-rights, a proponent of abstinence-only education (cuz that has proven to work best, right?), opposed the Franken Amendment that bans federal contractors from hiring companies that sweep rape charges under the rug via binding arbitration...oh, and then there's the prostitution thing:

In early July 2007, Vitter's phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, a company owned and run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, also known as the "D.C. Madam", convicted by the U.S. government for running a prostitution service. Hustler identified the phone number and contacted Vitter's office to ask about his connection to Palfrey, The following day, Vitter issued a written statement:

“

This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible. Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. 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.

”

The statement containing Vitter's apology said his telephone number was included in phone records dating from his days as a member of the House of Representatives. Phone records show that Vitter's number was called by Palfrey's service five times, the first on October 12, 1999, and the last on February 27, 2001. Two calls were placed while House roll call votes were in progress.

As background, several news outlets reported that in May 1999, Vitter replaced Congressman Bob Livingston after Livingston resigned due to an adultery scandal. Vitter said about Livingston's decision to resign, "It's obviously a tremendous loss for the state. I think Livingston's stepping down makes a very powerful argument that Clinton should resign as well and move beyond this mess", referring to Bill Clinton's Monica Lewinsky scandal.

(courtesy Wikipedia)

A hypocrite to the end, Vitter never resigned once he was busted.

Chet Traylor (Republican)
As brilliantly stated by Huffington Post, this sick dude "is using the spouses of the Ellington family as his exclusive dating pool."

State Representative Noble Ellington said that Traylor was "significantly involved" in the cause of his divorce from Peggy McDowell Ellington, who later married Chet Traylor and became Peggy McDowell Traylor. Traylor is also currently involved in a romantic relationship with Denise Lively, the estranged wife of his stepson, Ryan Ellington, the son of Noble Ellington. Lively and Ryan Ellington remain legally married, but both he and Traylor said the Lively-Traylor relationship began while Lively and Ryan Ellington were separated. Traylor began the relationship with Lively a few months after Peggy's death.

 (courtesy wikipedia)

Charlie Melancon (Democrat)
Nothing to report. The only negative I can find about him is that he is a Blue Dog, which should improve his chances in Louisiana.


Verdict? Vote Melancon in November. I wonder if Louisianans will prove that they can read stuff and that they care about not electing total lip-service pricks to Congress. I mean, I don't have too much faith, but I do have a little. C'mon, guys--make me proud!

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