# 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:** 2
**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, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/21 "2011-06-15T04:37:39Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > 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. The list of Congressman/Presidential “indiscretions” (from both parties) is a long one. BOTH sides have their fair share of them. I am not saying I like it when they do that (I don’t) but why is Weiner unique? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/22 "2011-06-15T05:41:02Z")
Matt Yglasias notes that the best way to survive a sex scandal is not to resign. Vitter ®, Ensign ® and Larry Craig ® stuck around for a long time, while Spitzer (D-NY) resigned within a week of the allegations being raised. Personally, I think Weiner should stick around: this so-called scandal is a problem between him and his wife. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/23 "2011-06-15T06:06:11Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > 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. I guess it all Depends on your, uh, base of support. ---
**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, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/24 "2011-06-15T06:09:02Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Personally, I think Weiner should stick around: this so-called scandal is a problem between him and his wife. I agree 100%. As long as Weiner has done nothing illegal or in contravention of Congressional rules it is absolutely a matter between him and his wife (and she has ample room to be majorly pissed). If the House (or Senate) wants to make sexual indiscretions an ethical issue then fine but they need to be consistent on it. Viitter, Craig, Gingrich to name a few should have been axed. Hell, I’d be ok with Congress axing Weiner IF (note big IF) they are consistent and toss ANY congresscritter for the slightest of indiscretions from here on out. Until they do that their ranting about Weiner is so much bullshit. ---
**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, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/25 "2011-06-15T06:13:12Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > The list of Congressman/Presidential “indiscretions” (from both parties) is a long one. BOTH sides have their fair share of them. > > I am not saying I like it when they do that (I don’t) but why is Weiner unique? I just mean, if a Democrat that is very popular does something, it’s never talked about. When an unknown or an unpopular Democrat does something, it can be a big deal. Right away. Before, the media used to just not mention these things in polite company, but now that the media doesn’t care, politicians are forced to. Anywho, if Democrats would stop bringing up JFK and Roosevelt and other known womanizers, maybe I wouldn’t feel so sympathetic for Weiner. I mean, no one is sticking up for him, because of, you know _morals_. _whispers_ And the children. Don’t forget the children. I don’t care what the Republicans do. I care about what my team does. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/26 "2011-06-15T20:37:34Z")
> [@](#): > > I just mean, if a Democrat that is very popular does something, it’s never talked about. “Never talked about”? Everyone (including folks born well after his death) already knows that Kennedy was a huge womanizer. How did we all learn this, if it’s never talked about? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/27 "2011-06-15T21:40:31Z")
Personally I think congress ought to let Weiner’s district decide and announce that. Yes , it’s a huge public embarrassment and incredibly stupid on his part, but ultimately up to the voters of his district. I’m very disappointed in the Dems for not aggressively pointing out Vitter every time some GOP dipshit decides to call for Weiners resignation and indicate what a bad example of leadership it is that he isn’t gone already. It’s simple , tell them to follow their own advice, stop with the blatant hypocrisy and double standard, and shut up about it until they do. Lot’s of party members knew about Ensigns affair and didn’t pressure him to resign. I think it’s a political mistake to hand this to the GOP as a political tool. ---
**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, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/28 "2011-06-15T22:13:32Z")
They could do that, but it’s not the GOP that keeps harping about him resigning. It’s the press. What are they supposed to say when someone in the press asks them if Weiner should resign? If they say “no” or “it’s up to his consitutuents”, then it looks like they’re defending him. That doesn’t looks so good to the public. Vitter had a transgression that was years old when revealed, and didn’t have a photo essay and script to go along with it. It just wasn’t as newsworthy since there wasn’t the same material. A picture is worth 1000 words, remember. It doesn’t surprise me that the level of outrage is higher for Weiner simply because they can see the actual transgression. Had there been pictures of prostitutes spanking Vitter while he wore a diaper, things probably would have been different. ---
**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, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/29 "2011-06-15T22:30:11Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > “Never talked about”? Everyone (including folks born well after his death) already knows that Kennedy was a huge womanizer. How did we all learn this, if it’s never talked about? It was only talked about after his death. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/30 "2011-06-16T00:12:50Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > It was only talked about after his death. Which is probably why he was never asked to resign. I mean I guess they could go to his grave and demand his resignation now but what sense would that make? If his indiscretions where more publicly know with facts backing up the allegations history might have been different but to this day we still don’t even have evidence similar to what we have on Vitter and Weiner. Are we going to rehash every indiscretion every politician had throughout history or are we going to get back the the premise of the thread? Why do the Republican leaders feel that Anthony Weiner is so despicable not only must he resign but anyone who ever took campaign funds from him must return them? While they at the same time never publicly called for Ensign’s resignation and have still not called for Vitter’s resignation? How is it in Republican eyes neither of those men have hit the level of despicable Weiner has? None of them have returned any of the campaign funds Ensign and Vitter provide and will continue to provide. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/31 "2011-06-16T01:25:41Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > They could do that, but it’s not the GOP that keeps harping about him resigning. It’s the press. [Rancid Priebus, RNC](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/8/gop-chairman-presses-anew-weiners-resignation/), has been making the rounds , and avoiding any realistic discussion of Vitter. [And there are others.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/david-vitter-anthony-weiner-_n_873393.html) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/32 "2011-06-16T01:35:04Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > 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. Because Kennedy got shot. If you got shot, we’d forgive you, too. ---
**Author:** ![JimH52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/33 "2011-06-16T01:42:05Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > [Rancid Priebus, RNC](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jun/8/gop-chairman-presses-anew-weiners-resignation/), has been making the rounds , and avoiding any realistic discussion of Vitter. > [And there are others.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/david-vitter-anthony-weiner-_n_873393.html) Of course. The party of morality doesn’t need to stand up to the same standards of Wanger Weiner…:dubious: ---
**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 16, 2011, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/34 "2011-06-16T07:11:17Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > “Never talked about”? Everyone (including folks born well after his death) already knows that Kennedy was a huge womanizer. How did we all learn this, if it’s never talked about? “Talked about” as in, made into a matter in which politicians, laymen, and the media could formulate opinions and use it as a judgment of his ability to serve. Egads. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/35 "2011-06-16T07:23:53Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > “Talked about” as in, made into a matter in which politicians, laymen, and the media could formulate opinions and use it as a judgment of his ability to serve. > > Egads. They sure an hells did! They completely destroyed his ability to get reelected! Oh wait that was the bullet. Seems to me getting killed while in office gets you a free pass. I think I’m willing to accept that. If we have a rash of politicians getting assassinated simply to avoid being called out on their indiscretions I might change my opinion. Now about Ensign, Vitter and the Republicans is that going to get discussed here? ---
**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 16, 2011, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/36 "2011-06-16T08:49:39Z")
FDR - had a mistress, no? Jefferson - had a mistress (or raped a slave) - no? McCain cheated rather openly. Guliani did…kind of openly but not TOO brazenly. PRINCE CHARLES?! ---
**Author:** ![Recovering\_Republican](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Recovering\_Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recovering_Republican)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/37 "2011-06-16T11:34:18Z")
Ensign did resign, so we can take that discussion off the board. For Vitter, I think he should resign as well. He actually broke a law if he paid a woman for sex. (It’s a stupid law, but it’s still the law.) But Vitter is from Louisiana, where they have a lot of weirdness going on. This is the state that gave us Huey Long, David Duke and Bobby Jindal. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/38 "2011-06-16T14:20:43Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > FDR - had a mistress, no? > > Jefferson - had a mistress (or raped a slave) - no? > > McCain cheated rather openly. Guliani did…kind of openly but not TOO brazenly. You do know McCain and Guiliani are Republicans, right? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/39 "2011-06-16T14:43:26Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > Because JFK was a womanizing dickhead who would’ve sent pictures of his package to women if he had a Blackberry. Oh, I dunno. Kennedy at least kept up an appearance of propriety. LBJ, however - definitely. And would have admitted it proudly. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497/40 "2011-06-16T14:53:45Z")
I’ve lost track of what JFK has to do with this. While it’s true that a lot of people have a high opinion of Kennedy - and of RFK, who had plenty of affairs himself - it’s not because they think he was a great husband. I admit there’s some ‘Marilyn Monroe? You sly dog’ admiration mixed in there and that’s a piece of JFK’s aura, it’s not why anybody likes him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-vitter-and-john-ensign-should-step-down-also/585497.md?page=3)