Giuliani Sure Knows How to Pick 'Em

I thought maybe that Giuliani's botched choice of South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel as state chairman for his presidential campaign was a fluke. Apparently not so. This time it is his southern regional chairman of his campaign, Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana). Unlike Giuliani, who just cheated on his wife and broke up with her in a public press conference, Vitter is not quite the ladies' man Giuliani has proven to be. He has to pay for his women and to do this he turned to the DC Madam, aka Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who is on trial for money laundering and racketeering in connection to her "erotic fantasy service" Pamela Martin & Associates. Apparently Vitter is not the only high-profile Washington insider on the list, as the media have speculated about many influential folks being on the list, including a "Bush administration economist, the head of a conservative think tank, a prominent CEO, several lobbyists and a handful of military officials." Additionally, earlier this year in April, Randall Tobias, a top State Department official, resigned after being linked to the alleged prostitution operation. Tobias denied he did anything wrong, though, saying he just got massages from the "gals." Yeah, just like Reverend Ted Haggard just got a massage from a gigolo who also sold him meth.

So where does this leave Vitter in terms of Giuliani's campaign? Well, Rudy still employs Vitter in the campaign, saying that it's too early to tell whether or not Vitter will be asked to leave or resign from his post. But this seems to be a trend in Giuliani's political career. The (now) three most well-known cases start with Bernard Kerik. Kerik, the police commissioner of NYC from 2000 to 2001, was put into the post by Giuliani despite some extremely shady dealings that Kerik was involved in. Then, when Giuliani wholeheartedly advocated for his buddy for the top Homeland Security job in the Bush administration, he was embarrassed when Kerik repeatedly lied about a nanny he had hired who had a questionable immigration status as well as a penchant for not paying taxes. Then Ravenel in South Carolina, and now Senator Vitter. Vitter says that his past indiscretion(s) was a sin that he has personally resolved with his wife. Also, apparently Vitter can talk with God because he "asked for and received forgiveness" from him. Impressive. What is not impressive, however, is Vitter's reasoning for being staunchly anti-gay marriage. The Senator has said that it ruins the sanctity of marriage and he will be there defending that sanctity in the halls of the Senate. Unless, you know, he needs a quickie and gives the Madam a call - and a few bucks. Peace.

Photos - Top: Senator David Vitter, Republican from Louisiana (vitter.senate.gov), Middle: Rudy Giuliani (www.wikipedia.com), Bottom: DC Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey (www.msnbc.com)