As voters in Louisiana head to the polls next weekend, this is story we’d encourage readers to ingest with a grain of salt. Taegan Goddard of PoliticalWire.com reports today that gubernatorial candidate Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) urged a prostitute with whom he had a three-year relationship to have an abortion when they learned she was four months pregnant. She reportedly refused, and chose to reveal the story now because she is “terminally ill with an advanced form of lupus” and wants to set the record straight.
A possible bombshell in the LA-Gov race: David Vitter’s former mistress says he got her pregnant http://t.co/m8PJP89Q7C
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) October 17, 2015
A video and interview with Wendy Ellis, the woman in question, appears at American Zombie, self-described as “Independent Investigative Journalism and Commentary from New Orleans.”
What’s not in question is that Vitter’s opponents have all jumped on the story and issued statements.
Rep. John Bel Edwards' comments on today's prostitution/abortion allegations against Sen. David Vitter. pic.twitter.com/grbiXiqX5e
— ROBERT MANN (@RTMannJr) October 17, 2015
Statement this afternoon on Vitter abortion allegations from Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne. pic.twitter.com/yDx9OXw7i7
— ROBERT MANN (@RTMannJr) October 17, 2015
And, now, with this from Scott Angelle, Vitter's major opponents have each responded to abortion story. pic.twitter.com/S4WgKa4FEy
— ROBERT MANN (@RTMannJr) October 17, 2015
So, Edwards, Dardenne and Angelle have all issued statements on this Vitter abortion/prostitute story. It's going mainstream media.
— ROBERT MANN (@RTMannJr) October 17, 2015
Vitter revelations will quickly become a national story. Watch for headlines from Wash. & NY publications. Everyone was waiting for release.
— Donald Chick Foret (@chickforet) October 17, 2015
If the allegations are true, Vitter should step aside. https://t.co/FnbqQe4bxV
— Gerry Daly (@GerryDales) October 17, 2015
David Vitter is lucky he's from Louisiana, is all I can say
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) October 17, 2015
Louisiana folks: Please explain what's going on w/ David Vitter.
— Travis Twitt (@FlintFoster) October 17, 2015
I really don't care who politicians sleep with, but I hope this sinks Vitter for good, #thatmoralizingterd https://t.co/9mtVY40jZg
— raconteuse (@alvarezmb) October 17, 2015
what a hypocritical piece of crap#Vitter
— k8 (@rolling_2) October 17, 2015
@skooks @chickforet In any event, Vitter is as low as they come.
— Pistache2005 (@Pistache2005) October 17, 2015
If Vitter staggers into runoff, Dems have a very credible shot now at winning #LAGOV. But if Vitter finishes behind another R, all bets off.
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) October 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/ellencarmichael/status/655494762959507456
@HotlineJosh Didn't Angelle and Dardenne have 10% each last week? I'm betting Vitter voters won't vote at all. #LaGov
— Jenny Barber Valois (@Inspiredlawyer) October 17, 2015
Vitter was a sure winner. Now he's a sure loser.
— MarkRH (@MarkRH) October 17, 2015
Maybe; we still haven’t seen how the Vitter campaign will respond.
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Update: A member of the Vitter campaign has responded to the allegations with a very brief statement.
Official David Vitter campaign response to WDSU, re: prostitution/abortion/baby story: pic.twitter.com/TpOeiTftq6
— ROBERT MANN (@RTMannJr) October 17, 2015
We’re not the experts, but is it really the best idea to deny allegations of an illegitimate child by saying the story has “zero legitimacy”?
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