Sen. Vitter still has friends

Amid the trials and tribulations Sen. David Vitter faces after disclosing his connection to an alleged prostitution ring in Washington, at least one acquaintance is rallying to his defense: New Orleans' so-called "Canal Street Madam."

The Times-Picayune (always high on our list of best-named U.S. newspapers) caught up with Jeanette Maier as word spread of Vitter's indiscretion, and she had nothing but praise for him. Based on visits she said he made to the house of ill-repute she once operated, Maier characterized him as "honorable" and a "good man." And she was more than willing to elaborate.

"I know he's not a drug addict," she said. "I know he's not a person that would down-talk a woman. I know that he's respectful. ... His wife should be very proud of her husband irregardless of what he's done."

She added: "He was not a freak. He was not into anything unusual or kinky or weird."

Despite that ringing endorsement, a Times-Picayune editorial takes umbrage to Vitter's decision to release a statement Monday night apologizing for a "very serious sin" --- the means through which he revealed his link to the D.C. escort service --- and then go silent. The editorial calls for a "full accounting" from the lawmaker, who was serving as southern regional chair for Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign.

Much of the national coverage of the scandal has focused on the headache it caused Giuliani, as well as the role Hustler publisher Larry Flynt played in forcing Vitter's admission (the Washington Post has the details here).

Politico.com, however, goes further in an interesting story exploring how, "beyond the chortling," the Vitter scandal "is a small piece of a much more significant development: The demoralized state of the social conservative movement on the brink of the 2008 election."

In terms of political analysis, though, our favorite comes from this story in the Lafayette, La., Daily Advertiser:

"The sex scandal likely will mean an immediate end to [Giuliani's] consideration of Vitter as a vice presidential running mate, should Giuliani win the Republican nomination, said New Orleans political analyst Ed Renwick."

Now, we're in favor of journalistic caution as much as the next fellow. But we think you could lose the "likely" in that sentence and still be on pretty solid ground.

-- Don Frederick

Photo: Sen. David Vitter; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images