Hypocrits R Us - Vitter edition

So we have another God fearing social conservative caught with his pants down.
Senator's Number on 'Madam' Phone List

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) apologized last night after his telephone number appeared in the phone records of the woman dubbed the "D.C. Madam," making him the first member of Congress to become ensnared in the high-profile case.

The statement containing Vitter's apology said his telephone number was included on phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates dating from before he ran for the Senate in 2004.

As Ed Morrissey points out this could have repercussions beyond Vitter.

The damage won't limit itself to the Senate. Vitter serves as Rudy Giuliani's campaign chair for the South. This follows on the heels of the indictment of Rudy's state chair in South Carolina, State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, on felony drug charges. For a man many unfairly derided as overly authoritarian, his campaign has begun to look a lot more libertarian than anyone suspected.

And what about Holy Joe Lieberman? Ed says:

It's not outside the realm of possibility that he could resign, and the Democratic governor would name his replacement. If Kathleen Blanco appointed a Democrat, it would strip Joe Lieberman of his ability to tilt the Senate back to the GOP by switching parties, and allow Harry Reid to marginalize him. That could also complicate issues even further for the GOP on the war and conservative domestic policies in a Congress already bitterly divided.

As usual Jon Swift has the best post and the best title.
David Vitter: Another Victim of Gay Marriage

In 2004 when David Vitter was running for Senator in Louisiana, he warned of the terrible toll gay marriage would have on our society. In statement on "Protecting the Sanctity of Marriage" he said, "The Hollywood left is redefining the most basic institution in human history, and our two U.S. Senators won't do anything about it. We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not Massachusetts's values. I am the only Senate Candidate to coauthor the Federal Marriage Amendment; the only one fighting for its passage." Vitter once compared the devastation of gay marriage to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which as someone from Louisiana should know is pretty destructive, and said during the debate on the amendment, "I don't believe there's any issue that's more important than this one."

Despite his efforts, however, the Federal Marriage Amendment failed to pass and Massachusetts did redefine marriage by legalizing gay marriage. With the sanctity of marriage so severely degraded it was inevitable that Vitter's own marriage would suffer. Yesterday, we learned of the terrible personal cost to Vitter when it was revealed that his telephone number appeared in the records of the "DC Madam," Deborah Jeane Palfrey, which were released online.

Update
I think this is the first time I have ever linked to Ann Althouse and it could be the last but credit where credit is due. She gets it absolutely right here.

Vitter situates his misdeed in the realm of religion and private morality:

[....]

Oh, well, if God has forgiven him...

Palfrey can't say God has forgiven her and walk free. In fact, Vitter's statement hurts Palfrey because it strongly implies that Palfrey was doing what she's accused of. Vitter's confession -- intended to move us to mercy -- links him to criminal activity, but only she is facing criminal punishment.

Shouldn't the expiation of Vitter's sins wait until he has introduced a bill that would create a federal right to engage in the business of prostitution? It's not a matter to be resolved within the realm of church and family as long as Palfrey is being prosecuted.