Clearly, David Vitter and his political consultants don't think his first attempt at the mea culpa strategy did the trick. The frontrunner-turned-underdog in the Louisiana governor's race has a new ad trying to get voters to overlook his past prostitution scandal, this one featuring "Duck Dynasty" star and Christian conservative activist Willie Robertson.
"David and I have been out in the woods today," starts Robertson, "I know he's made some mistakes, but who hasn't? The whole story of the Bible is about redemption. I'm concerned about our state."
"That's right, Willie," responds Vitter awkwardly. "What defines us in life is how we get up and earn redemption." Showing a complete disregard for proper sentence structure, Vitter continues, "Where we are as a state is needing to get up based on strong conservative principles, and that's what I'm leading with."
Then, apropos of nothing, Robertson chides, "Man, you need to grow a better beard." Vitter takes the opportunity to remind folks his wife hasn't left him, "You'll need to talk to Wendy about that!"
But voters may wonder why they are supposed to ask Willie Robertson. If they were not assuaged by Vitter's dish of humble pie, or his wife's testimonial before that, a TV star and supposed beer buddy doesn't add anything to the equation. He can't absolve Vitter for past sin.
The point of the "mea culpa" parlay is to put the issue to bed (forgive us) so the election can be won on other issues. But the Vitter campaign is now dwelling on the candidate's transgressions instead of moving on. And there's only one week left in the campaign.
David Vitter and Willie Robertson, Hunting Pals?
The ad has a hastily arranged feel. Vitter and Robertson, wearing camouflage gear, act like duck hunting buddies but their dialogue is staged and stilted."David and I have been out in the woods today," starts Robertson, "I know he's made some mistakes, but who hasn't? The whole story of the Bible is about redemption. I'm concerned about our state."
"That's right, Willie," responds Vitter awkwardly. "What defines us in life is how we get up and earn redemption." Showing a complete disregard for proper sentence structure, Vitter continues, "Where we are as a state is needing to get up based on strong conservative principles, and that's what I'm leading with."
Then, apropos of nothing, Robertson chides, "Man, you need to grow a better beard." Vitter takes the opportunity to remind folks his wife hasn't left him, "You'll need to talk to Wendy about that!"
Can Willie Robertson Absolve David Vitter?
For the final frame, it's Wendy in the center of a family photo, as the narrator concludes, "David Vitter. He'll get Louisiana working again. Just ask Willie Robertson."But voters may wonder why they are supposed to ask Willie Robertson. If they were not assuaged by Vitter's dish of humble pie, or his wife's testimonial before that, a TV star and supposed beer buddy doesn't add anything to the equation. He can't absolve Vitter for past sin.
The point of the "mea culpa" parlay is to put the issue to bed (forgive us) so the election can be won on other issues. But the Vitter campaign is now dwelling on the candidate's transgressions instead of moving on. And there's only one week left in the campaign.