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Vitter's Office On Justice Of Peace: 'Judges Should Follow The Law As Written'
Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Keith Bardwell, Louisiana Justice of the Peace
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Sen. David Vitter's office has finally offered a comment on the Louisiana justice of the peace who refuses to marry biracial couples.
Though other statewide officials including the governor and his fellow senator called for Keith Bardwell's resignation, Vitter (R-LA) was silent.
But today a Vitter spokesman told the Washington Post the senator's sentiment on the issue.
From Greg Sargent:
Vitter's spokesman also seemed to suggest that asking for comment on Bardwell isn't legit, and took a hard shot at blogger Mike Stark, who has been publicizing widely-circulated video of Vitter dodging questions about the judge. Vitter spokesman Joel DiGrado emails me this: "First, Sen. Vitter thinks that all judges should follow the law as written and not make it up as they go along. Second, it would be amazing for anyone to do a story based on this fringe, left-wing political hack's blog -- he's been handcuffed and detained in the past over his guerrilla tactics."
Vitter's office hasn't returned our calls.
Vitter's likely 2010 opponent Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) thinks the justice should resign. Here's his statement:
"Justice Bardwell's actions regarding interracial marriage reflect poorly on Louisiana, and I believe Justice Bardwell should resign his post. It's the responsibility of justices to follow and enforce the law, not interpret it to their own liking. Justice Bardwell has allowed his personal beliefs to interfere with his duty to uphold the law."
Late update: We've done a fresh round of calls to Vitter's spokesman, the Louisiana GOP and Sen. Mary Landrieu and Gov. Bobby Jindal and we'll keep you updated.
Vitter did send out an email going after Melancon to his political mailing list this afternoon. It included a link to video of President Obama saying Melancon would help him pass health care reform.
Also, the DSCC piles on. Eric Schultz issused a statement blasting Vitter:
"David Vitter's failure to condemn Keith Bardwell says all you need to know about David Vitter. To compensate for his own experience, Vitter has moved fast and furiously to the fringe of his party and is now squarely outside of the Louisiana mainstream. Louisiana's next Senator will be someone who works toward building a better future for all Louisianans, not someone too weak to take a stand against offensive conduct by an elected official."
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Schmed
October 21, 2009 3:39 PM
Hell, I'll bet even Stormy Daniels thinks he should resign.
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Schmed
October 21, 2009 3:40 PM in reply to Schmed
Stormy thinks Vitters has no balls. She probably qualifys as an expert on balls.
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agio
October 21, 2009 6:48 PM in reply to Schmed
The results from googling "stormy daniels interracial" would seem to suggest her stance on this issue is well documented.
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JohnMcCSF
October 21, 2009 3:41 PM
Shorter version trans to the David Duke
Y'all change the writin
I miss my home state
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Hussein Stemper
October 21, 2009 3:41 PM
Dog whistle.
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mcc
October 21, 2009 3:46 PM
First, Sen. Vitter thinks that all judges should follow the law as written
Hm. Can you think of another reason why what Justice Bardwell did was wrong? Y'know, anything? Just checking.
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Michael A
October 21, 2009 3:47 PM
Actually, the quote should be that judges should follow a twisted interpretation of the law as written to enforce a radical agenda that oppresses all except corporations and the wealthy. Otherwise, they are activist judges according to diaper dave.
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colbito
October 21, 2009 3:49 PM
With all that flap over that Louisiana Justice of the Peace refusing to marry an interracial couple I find it interesting that if hehad refused to marry a same-sex couple it wouldn't have even caused a blip on the radar.....
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commie atheist
October 21, 2009 4:53 PM in reply to colbito
Well, since same-sex marriage is not (yet) legal in LA, you're probably right, since he would be "follow(ing) the law as written." But if a judge in a state where same-sex marriage is legal refused to marry a same-sex couple, I think there might be a few news stories written about it.
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johnbwarner
October 21, 2009 7:20 PM in reply to colbito
So what's your point? Racial politics carry more freight than sexual politics? In a perfect world, it would all be equal, no?
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luckysitsinback
October 21, 2009 3:49 PM
What's the main difference between a JUDGE and a JUSTICE?
Partly ironic, partly iconic question, but JPs are not judges.
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JohnMcCSF
October 21, 2009 3:50 PM in reply to luckysitsinback
The aren't judges in LA that I GA-ran-tee
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tiowally
October 21, 2009 3:55 PM
I wonder if Diaper Dave thinks Senators "should follow the law as written and not make it up as they go along?"
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hinterlandharry
October 21, 2009 3:58 PM
Is it possible a Louisiana statute prohibiting interracial marriages remains "on the books", although unenforceable? Could this be Vitter's parsing of the issue?
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slb
October 21, 2009 4:09 PM in reply to hinterlandharry
Good thought; yeah, that is entirely possible.
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Schmed
October 21, 2009 4:09 PM in reply to hinterlandharry
I would think that state law superceded by federal law that's been affirmed by the SCOTUS renders Vitter's grasping at the parsing straw moot. STEE-rike One!
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slb
October 21, 2009 4:19 PM in reply to Schmed
Moot would mean nothing to Vitter's supporters.
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slb
October 21, 2009 4:18 PM in reply to hinterlandharry
OK, good thought, but not the case, though you're not far off the mark. This is from http://www.stopthereligiousright.org/miscegeny.htm and it may go toward answering the questions Josh was raising on the front page:
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commie atheist
October 21, 2009 4:57 PM in reply to slb
And in 2008, Alabama voted for John McCain over Obama, to the tune of 60% to 39%. But, doggone it, it's not like Obama's race, or his parentage, had anything to do with it, now.
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edon
October 21, 2009 4:02 PM
Cornyn/Vitter 2012!
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Michael A
October 21, 2009 4:21 PM in reply to edon
I prefer Bachmann/Palin in 2012. Palin doesn't have enough experience to be at the top of the ticket. Bachmann/Palin all the way.
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commie atheist
October 21, 2009 4:59 PM in reply to Michael A
No way that Caribou Barbie accepts the No. 2 spot again. After all, she's now a best-selling author. How many books has Michelle Bachmann written?
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The Old Grouch
October 21, 2009 5:46 PM in reply to commie atheist
Has she read any?
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yellowdogD
October 21, 2009 6:37 PM in reply to The Old Grouch
The Turner Chronicles perhaps?
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Hussein Stemper
October 21, 2009 4:21 PM
Would be nice if Vitter answered the question in as clear a manner as Bill Kristol demands that Dede Scozzafava answer his Weekly Standard reporter's question.
C'mon, Bill! Get on the case, will ya?
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CT Voter
October 21, 2009 5:04 PM in reply to Hussein Stemper
Exactly. Not holding my breath, though.
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fsudirectory
October 21, 2009 4:41 PM
it would be amazing for anyone to do a story based on this fringe, left-wing political hack's blog -- he's been handcuffed and detained in the past over his guerrilla tactics.
So..... handcuffed and detained... but never arrested... and who has called the Cops on Stark in the past? Virginia Foxx?
Why hasn't Stark ever been actually arrested? Maybe because he has never done anything wrong and the GOOPERs that are scared of him call the cops so they dont have to answer anything.
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commie atheist
October 21, 2009 5:00 PM in reply to fsudirectory
If I were Vitter or his spokesman, I'd be very careful about mentioning law enforcement-type activities, if you know what I mean.
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CT Voter
October 21, 2009 5:06 PM in reply to fsudirectory
LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK LOOK!!!!!! There's a shiny object over there in the corner.
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jvwalt
October 21, 2009 5:12 PM
Could this be an attempt to link Bardwell to judicial activism? The sentence "all judges should follow the law and not make it up as they go along" sounds like something right out of the Sotomayor confirmation hearings.
I guess the logical conclusion is that the liberals are to blame for Bardwell. After all, if that damn Warren Court hadn't established the concept of judicial activism, Bardwell wouldn't have felt free to ignore the law, right?
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CT Voter
October 21, 2009 5:34 PM in reply to jvwalt
That's so warped it just might be true. . .
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rbeats
October 21, 2009 5:35 PM
Whats the law on the books for paying for sex with a female while your married and have kids?
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stayyoungmyfriends
October 21, 2009 5:49 PM
Maybe he just does not want to endanger his membership of the KKK ;)
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Douglashh
October 21, 2009 5:50 PM
Vitter is obviously a racist to the core.
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oskieoskie
October 21, 2009 6:22 PM
How about interracial prostitution? Does Vitter think it is OK to hire a whore of another race?
Just asking.
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lousgirl84
October 21, 2009 6:34 PM in reply to oskieoskie
You took the words right out of my mouth
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hollywood
October 22, 2009 2:05 AM in reply to oskieoskie
Oh that's good. That about sums it up.
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Rfrancis1969
October 21, 2009 6:56 PM
The local media in New Orleans never took David Duke's endorsement of David Vitter in the early 90s seriously. Vitter never rejected Duke's endorsement, instead, he used mealy-mouthed brush offs like "that kind of thing doesn't matter" or something of the likes. Now we know why David Duke endorsed Vitter.
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jfields
October 21, 2009 7:15 PM
How about interracial diapers?
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Problem Is
October 21, 2009 10:31 PM
Yeah... Vitter on GOD'S LAW.
Sooo I guess that means using campaign money to hire prostitutes, wear a diaper and have them urinate on you is in the bible?
Was that right before the Gospel of Mark on Supply Side Jesus?
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Common Sense Caucus
October 22, 2009 12:32 AM
I could make a fortune as a political strategist for the Republican party just by screening all official statements for blatant racism. Unbelievable. It's 2009. How could anyone even entertain the notion of supporting these Godless people. We need to send more books to the south for starters.
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AhTrini1
October 22, 2009 9:22 AM
Vitter's silence is golden. We know his omission of a rebuke to Bardwell's speaks to his condoning it. Only FAUX news folks will see nothing in it.
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JamHandy
October 22, 2009 9:34 AM
Not speaking out on this matter will play well with the racist elements in his base. If the Democrats in Louisiana don't get fired up enough to vote him out, then they get what they deserve. Unfortunately he comes to DC and we all get to deal with him.
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greysells2
October 22, 2009 10:05 AM
It's the interracial sex that is the problem not marriage. But because interracial sexual contact cannot be stopped, the line was drawn in Louisana at making the sex "official" through marriage. At least as far as blacks are concerned. When this couple were refused marriage, do you really think that will cause them to be celibate or not to have children? People "do what they do" and government at all levels should stay out of the bedrooms of the nation. I don't think the racially prejudiced Southerners realize they are acting like Socialists advocating government regulation of these matters.
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