Ringside Politics With A Punch

Sources close to President Bush are privately reporting that before he leaves the White House he is considering commuting the sentence of former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards. In fact, a decision may be made in the next few days. Former Louisiana Governor Dave Treen, as well as former U.S. Senators John Breaux and J. Bennett Johnston, among many others have urged President Bush to commute his sentence.

Over the last few weeks, U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) emerged from the shadows of his political seclusion and led the Senate opposition to the misguided bailout of the auto industry. Vitter is still suffering the ramifications of his participation in the D.C. Madam call girl ring. While he admitted to a "serious sin," little else is known about his involvement except that his phone number appeared on the call records for the Madam. The revelation of his link to the prostitution ring has been highly embarrassing and politically damaging for Vitter, but, gradually, he is returning to his public role as an outspoken conservative. On the bailout, Vitter was instrumental in the auto bailout failing in the U.S. Senate.