David Vitter, a Digression and and Invitation

Salon ran an interesting piece about Metairie representative David Vitter in October. The article dabbles somewhat irresponsibly in rumors about Vitter's alleged extra-marital affair with a prostitute and a campaign pact with David Duke but the rest is an interesting summary of his career in politics. I have to admit that I know very little about Louisiana politics. I had an extremely embarrassing moment in a job interview in Washington D.C. when the interviewer asked me to name Louisiana's governor. My mind went completely blank and then I blurted out Mike Foster (after the woman had already moved on). Of course, since the interview was this year Foster had long since been replaced by Blanco. This gaffe took place after I had been gushing about my interest in politics and therefore caused me considerable distress. In my defense, it had already been a very long day and interviews make me headachy and nauseous (and dimwitted, apparently). And it's not like I don't have a reasonable knowledge of politics; I imagine not everyone in the country can name the White House communications director or deputy defense secretary off the top of his or her head, but I can because I read the Washington Post and the New York Times religiously. And the Boston Globe (although mostly for sports). But since the New Orleans Times-Picayune is fluffy and the television news is laughable at best and borders on Jerry Springer territory at worst, I rarely bother with it. Maybe now is the time to start. To my friend and very knowledgeable historian, political junkie, and sports-guy Jeff: want to go have a drink or two? My treat.