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.”
