TIME - Louisiana Senator David Vitter Goes To Bat For BP - Bobby? Call Up Vitter!

[TomCADem]

Quick! Will someone give Bobby Jindal Senator David Vitter's phone number! With Bobby complaining about the federal response to the oil spill, I am sure that any moment now, Jindal will give Vitter a piece of his mind! Yup, I am holding my breath on that one, because surely Jindal is not posturing. I am sure that he would be outrage to discover that his state's senator is carrying water for BP.

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/06/01/vitter-and-bp/?xid=huffpolitics

What happens when you're a small government, pro-business conservative and your state gets pummeled by one of the worst man made disasters ever – not five years after getting pummeled by one of the worst natural disasters (Hurricane Katrina)? If you're Louisiana Senator David Vitter, you double down on offshore drilling and push for a liability cap for BP.

Doubling down on drilling is not particularly surprising. Much of Louisiana's much-needed revenue comes from off-shore drilling leases. “By the same token, after every plane crash, you and I should both oppose plane travel,” Vitter quipped on Sunday to CNN's Candy Crowley. “I don't think that is rational.” Even Vitter's Democratic challenger, Rep. Charlie Melancon, reiterated his support for expanded drilling in the wake of the disaster.

But it's Vitter's early support of a liability cap – he introduced legislation that he promoted in last weekend's weekly GOP radio address – that's landing the son of a Chevron petroleum engineer in trouble. Local and national Democrats have been pounding Vitter for seeking to limit the amount of legal damages BP would be responsible for to the last four quarters of profit. “Unlike Republicans, Democrats are not going to protect BP – and given their track record, we are certainly not going to rely on BP's word as the only thing ensuring that taxpayers are not left on the hook to pay for the disaster they caused,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a statement.

Vitter's been courting his conservative base since July 2007 when it was revealed that he had been a client of “DC Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey. Vitter held a press conference, his wife by his side, where he admitted to “a very serious sin,” though he didn't detail the sin. In the years since he's slowly and steadily rebuilt his conservative credentials. He passed an amendment to bar funding for organizations that advocate international gun control policies. He attempted to deny family planning funds to organizations that perform abortions but that failed the Senate 52-41. And he sponsored legislation to require all states to collect DNA samples from convicted felons. Vitter's also been a strong advocate for President Bush's tax cuts and, when he ran in 2004 he tied himself closely to Bush – images that are sure to come back to haunt him.

[Mimosa]

1. Want to help?

Support Charlie Melancon!

I'm serious. Anybody who gives a hot damn should start contributing to Charlie Melancon (D-LA) for the Louisiana Senate. The minute i heard of obama I started contributing and spreading the link to learn about Obama and contribute to his primary campaign.

Help save the Gulf Coast. ACT NOW:

http://www.charliemelancon.com/

Excerpt:

Stop Vitter's BP Bailout

David Vitter has introduced legislation capping liability for oil companies that cause spills. Sign Charlie's petition demanding that those responsible pay 100% of the cleanup and recovery costs.

[Cha]

2. Thanks..that's the way to do it.

"David Vitter has introduced legislation capping liability for oil companies that cause spills. Sign Charlie's petition demanding that those responsible pay 100% of the cleanup and recovery costs."

http://www.charliemelancon.com/home

[aquart]

3. Any chance Vitter will be tarred and feathered?

And draped in Mardi Gras beads? Because I can't it as being safe to return to NOLA after championing BP.

[TomCADem]

5. The Amazing Thing Is That Vitter's Antics Are Ignored

Vitter's home state is about to be devastated, and he is still actively trying to protect BP from liability. The corporate censorship continues.

[BR_Parkway]

4. I wonder if they could put a diaper on the well to slow the flow?

Gotta love the guy trying to protect their profits - I guess the prostitute client becomes the sex worker now