# David Vitter and John Ensign should step down also. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 14, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497 "2011-06-14T22:21:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/1 "2011-06-14T22:21:57Z")
If Weiner is being asked to step down, why haven’t these two been asked? Is it because they are Republicans and above reproach? This is an obvious double standard. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/2 "2011-06-14T22:35:26Z")
> [@JimH52](#): > > If Weiner is being asked to step down, why haven’t these two been asked? Is it because they are Republicans and above reproach? This is an obvious double standard. IOKIYAAR. But anyway, isn’t Ensign long gone? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/3 "2011-06-14T22:39:53Z")
> [@JimH52](#): > > If Weiner is being asked to step down, why haven’t these two been asked? Is it because they are Republicans and above reproach? This is an obvious double standard. Vitter didn’t lie about it. I suspect if Weiner had come clean from the start, he’d have an easier time of it. Ensign, of course, resigned months ago. ---
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/4 "2011-06-14T22:52:05Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > IOKIYAAR. > > But anyway, isn’t Ensign long gone? > > -Joe Yup. he has gone. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/5 "2011-06-14T23:30:08Z")
Because the Republicans stand behind their friends and allies and don’t really care if they are hypocrites and liers. That bad press can be conquered down the line with big media buys. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/6 "2011-06-15T01:12:48Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Because the Republicans stand behind their friends and allies and don’t really care if they are hypocrites and liers. That bad press can be conquered down the line with big media buys. Or just a repeated assertion that it was in the past and so isn’t relevant. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/7 "2011-06-15T01:37:54Z")
Yeah, but Vitter actually committed a crime. In what way is that not worse? –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/8 "2011-06-15T02:13:47Z")
Politics. If Vitter had resigned, the LA governor, a Democrat, would have appointed a Democratic replacement until an election was held. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/9 "2011-06-15T02:17:32Z")
Two words: diaper lobby. They’re more powerful than AIPAC. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/10 "2011-06-15T02:41:31Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Because the Republicans stand behind their friends and allies and don’t really care if they are hypocrites and liers. That bad press can be conquered down the line with big media buys. Ah yes that’s why Bill Clinton was impeached. That’s why Gerry Studds, who committed pedophilia remained congressman for over a decade after his scandal. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/11 "2011-06-15T02:55:49Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Ah yes that’s why Bill Clinton was impeached. Yes. > [@](#): > > That’s why Gerry Studds, who committed pedophilia remained congressman for over a decade after his scandal. First off, one does not “commit pedophilia.” A person is a pedophile, or he or she molests or abuses children. More importantly, while Studds’ relationship with his page was inappropriate, a relationship between an adult and a 17-year-old is not pedophilia. It’s not even close. I note that you failed to mention that a Republican Congressman was censured at the same time as Studds for a relationship with a female page who was also 17. He served one more term. But he’s not a pedophile because … liking girls is normal? I see Mark Foley hasn’t been mentioned in this discussion, and during the time his actions were a secret, at least a few Republicans were aware of them and helped keep them quiet. That being said, it’s not true that the Republicans always protect their own and the Democrats don’t. Chris Lee resigned in a big hurry, although I suspect that was more about keeping the press from prying into his thing for crossdressing prostitutes and not because he realized he’d dishonored Congress. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/12 "2011-06-15T03:02:55Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Ah yes that’s why Bill Clinton was impeached. That’s why Gerry Studds, who committed pedophilia remained congressman for over a decade after his scandal. Are you claiming Bill Clinton and Gerry Studds were friends of the Republicans? Clinton was impeached Studds was censured with a vote of like 400-2. Are you claiming that the Democrats stood unwaveringly behind them? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/13 "2011-06-15T03:25:37Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Studds was censured with a vote of like 400-2. > > Are you claiming that the Democrats stood unwaveringly behind them? The more I think about this, the less sense it makes. It’s true that the voters of Studds’ district continued to support him after his scandal and censure. It’s not true that Congressional Democrats supported him (although it’s true they didn’t kick him out). In that respect this is probably similar to what’s going on with Weiner, with the differences being that Weiner didn’t have sex with anyone and didn’t have an inappropriate relationship with someone who was under his supervision. I think there’s a good chance he gets censured if he doesn’t quit Thursday. It’s unlikely he would be kicked out of Congress if he doesn’t step down on his own. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/14 "2011-06-15T04:03:10Z")
Ensign resigned at the 11th hour (more like 11:59:59) before he was due to be tried on ethics charges. Ensign may still face legal charges over his actions. What Ensign did was _illegal_. Vitter was with a prostitute numerous times. _Illegal_. (Personally I do not think prostitution should be illegal but that is neither here nor there…it is illegal as things stand in the US today.) Weiner sent racy pictures to women. _NOT illegal_. See the difference? ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/15 "2011-06-15T04:06:22Z")
The sad fact is that Sen. Vitter is Pampered by the Republican establishment. It Depends on him to keep his Louisiana seat high and dry for conservative principles. Minority leader McConnell Luvs him and is often seen giving him big Huggies for providing maximum protection and guarding against a Democratic blowout. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/16 "2011-06-15T04:09:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I think there’s a good chance he gets censured if he doesn’t quit Thursday. Does censure mean anything? Is there any practical effect to it beyond an embarrassment to the congresscritter? Except for making their next election a bit more difficult seems a near worthless punishment. Incumbents have a huge advantage when getting re-elected. I doubt censure amounts to much. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/17 "2011-06-15T04:10:16Z")
WHY do Democrats lambast Weiner and pretend like JFK is our hero? Oh yeah, cause the former isn’t known for anything but his big package and unfortunate name. 😕 THAT is the double standard. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/18 "2011-06-15T04:13:03Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > WHY do Democrats lambast Weiner and pretend like JFK is our hero? > > Oh yeah, cause the former isn’t known for anything but his big package and unfortunate name. 😕 > > THAT is the double standard. Huh? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/19 "2011-06-15T04:15:27Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Huh? Because JFK was a womanizing dickhead who would’ve sent pictures of his package to women if he had a Blackberry. It’s no secret he cheated on Jacqueline several times. So did Edward Kennedy with his wife. But somehow these guys are our ‘heroes’ of the Democratic Party. I don’t expect Republicans to apply the same rules equally. I’d hope our team could, though. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/20 "2011-06-15T04:21:21Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Does censure mean anything? Is there any practical effect to it beyond an embarrassment to the congresscritter? Mostly it’s embarrassment because it’s very rare - perhaps rarer than it should be, considering - and because these guys are very status conscious. But no, there is not much else to it. I’m reading that if censured, Weiner would have to give up any committee chairmanships he held, but he doesn’t have any of those. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497.md?page=2)