La. Sen. David Vitter announced his bid for Louisiana governorship last Tuesday, and The Daily Reveille’s columnists had a few things to say about it.
Sen. David Vitter has proven that, whether you agree with his principles or not, he knows how to play the game of politics. When he admitted to a “serious sin” without straight-out admitting to being a client of an escort service in 2007, he stayed out of the spotlight and pulled an Olivia Pope-like strategy to ensure his senate re-election. Yes, Vitter is very conservative and somewhat disliked on the national level, but — as of now — he is the favorite to win the gubernatorial race in 2015.
Jose Bastidas
If Vitter becomes governor, it will be the last nail in the coffin of former La. Gov. Huey P. Long’s legacy. Vitter claims to support the constitution, but he voted for the Patriot Act reauthorizations twice and was against the building of a mosque near Ground Zero. He champions family values and personal responsibility, yet he was a client of D.C. prostitutes. He asks for forgiveness for his sins of infidelity, but wants to punish poor people for taking advantage of a welfare glitch cause by a government shutdown — one that he supported.
Joshua Hajiakbarifini
Is he qualified? Most would say so because of Vitter’s nearly decade-long stint as a Louisiana senator. But he was one of the only two U.S. senators to vote against Hillary Clinton’s confirmation for Secretary of State. Dissing Hillary is a no-no in my book, so I’m writing him off.
SidneyRose Reynen
Vitter is the perfect fit for a Louisiana governor, in that he is surrounded by scandal, disrespects women in regard to their bodies and wants to impose Christianity on his fellow Southerners. Contradicting himself left and right, Vitter normally opposes increases to government spending, but voted for the Patriot Act and the NDAA. He’s the epitome of mediocrity and just another cookie-cutter politician with too little to offer.
Andrew Stolzle
People always threaten to move from the places they love after one politician or another is elected into office, but this time I’m serious. I’m organizing a bus trip the day after the election. Destination: Texas. Because even that would be better than remaining in a state with Vitter as governor.
Megan Dunbar
Sen. David Vitter is a fine representation of American politics. Blocking a raise for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar unless he issued more deep-water exploratory drilling permits in the Gulf following the BP leak? Sponsoring the Federal Marriage Amendment? Literally the only thing he has going for him, in my book, is that he despises Jindal.
Jana King
David Vitter is far right, and wrong, too. He’s lived up to political stereotypes time and time again. The last thing this state needs is a fellow like Vitter to limit democracy, religious freedom and other civil liberties in the name of constitutionality. However, of his many hypocrisies, I favor his consistent support of gun rights and the NRA.
Justin Stafford
I feel like Vitter is a little kid who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar and is now tugging on the back of his mom’s shirt, trying to win back her love through poorly painted homemade pictures. Some call him resilient; I call him annoying. Go away, David, mommy is trying to work.
Annette Sommers
Vitter is just another in a long line of disappointing Louisiana politicians. He will play to the lowest common denominator and be successful for it, most likely. That, along with his horrible taste in ties, leaves me no choice but to stick my fingers in my ears and pretend Louisiana politicians don’t exist.
Samantha Bares
Anyone who can spin a prostitution scandal into a second Senate term in a Bible Belt state demands some level of respect — if not for his ethics, then for his ability to manipulate the political arena to reach his desired ends. Louisiana does not need another governor who will parade as a paragon of ethics; we need someone who can run the state with some gusto. Vitter may be our best choice in this respect.
Eli A. Haddow
After announcing his intent to run for governor, Vitter has all but won his position, despite past personal failings. In a state where there is literally one liberal left standing, it is unlikely that any Democratic challenger would actually beat him. Maybe his experience with D.C. will give him the ability to strong-arm the legislature into making the changes necessary so budget cuts can be made somewhere besides higher education.
Ryan McGehee