Over the last few days we’ve noted that Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) appears to be the only high-profile political figure in Louisiana unwilling to speak out against the state Justice of the Peace who won’t marry interracial couples. Clearly, Dems want to hit this as a way to show that Vitter has less than sterling civil rights credentials. And at first I had to assume that some of this at least was just a matter of Vitter’s office not prioritizing the matter or putting out a statement. But here he’s again refusing to say anything negative about the guy or make even a pro forma statement in favor of the right of blacks and whites to marry each other. This shouldn’t be that hard a climb, even for a Republican in a Deep South state.
Late Update: Vitter’s office has finally responded, in a very telling way, Greg Sargent reports: “Sen. Vitter thinks that all judges should follow the law as written and not make it up as they go along.” What? —dk
Special JMM WTF Update: I mean, I keep being surprised at Sen. Vitter’s apparently ingrained unwillingness to say that he thinks people of different races should be able to marry. I mean, that’s so mid-20th century. Even in the South. We’re on to denying marriage rights to gays. Honestly, I’m confounded. What’s his resistance? I’m not even talking about whatever Vitter may or may not think personally. What’s his resistance politically? In case you haven’t seen it, see Vitter’s statement here. —jmm
