11/15/07: Vitter wasn't subpoenaed by the Democrats

He was subpoenaed by the defendant in a criminal trial. I know how desperately some folks would like to turn this into a political tit for tat (you should pardon the expression), but Mr. Vitter is going to be asked about his personal knowledge of a criminal matter.

Now, since the statute of limitations has passed on charges that could be brought against Mr. Vitter for his actions in 2001, he won't be able to avoid testifying on the basis of the Fifth Amendment. He is in no danger of being charged with solicitation or pandering based on testimony about what he did in 2001. Of course, if he doesn't testify fully and truthfully (And do you recall what size the diaper you were wearing was, Mr. Vitter?), he could be subject to a contempt of court citation or a perjury charge.

So, as far as that danger to Mr. Vitter being a pretty neat parallel to the HUAC tactics of the late 1940s and early 1950s, there could be a case made out that this is political payback, but it would seem to be a stretch.

I'm guessing that Mr. Vitter will be spending a lot more time with his family in Louisiana (not that they necessarily want to spend more time with him), fighting extradition and claiming some kind of non-existent immunity or exemption from testifying.

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