Yeah, Right, Whatever

Wandering around Redstate, I found a link to this little tidbit:

The national debate about President Bush's judicial nominations spilled into Louisiana on Thursday when one of the state's U.S. senators boldly challenged another on the Senate floor.

In an unusual move, freshman U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., used his floor speech to call on senior colleague Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., to support Bush nominations and end filibusters blocking seven judges.

Anytime someone challenges Sen. Landrieu (who was called a moderate by someone on FoxNews today, which I found... hilarious), it's a good thing. And... what he called her on? Priceless...

Vitter criticized Landrieu for supporting the filibuster of judicial nominee Miguel Estrada after expressing support of him during her re-election campaign. Vitter urged Landrieu to buck Democratic party leaders, calling the filibusters "obstructionism."

So... she was all for Miguel Estrada when she needed votes, but now that she's been elected, she doesn't need to play pretend anymore. Got it.

I bet you're wondering what the problem is, right? Well... evidently calling a Senator by name and challenging or criticizing them on the Senate floor is a Miss Manner's No-No.

The predecessors of Vitter and Landrieu both watched the proceedings and said Vitter's remarks were in bad form.... Former U.S. Sen. John Breaux, D-La., was watching the proceedings and said he was shocked by the move.

"I have never seen anything like that in my 32 years of Congress," Breaux said. "I think it was unprecedented and in bad taste."...

Former U.S. Sen. J. Bennett Johnston, D-La., served in the Senate for 25 years ending in 1997. He also watched the speech.

"That is just not done," Johnston said....

When told about the speech, Landrieu laughed the matter off.

"Of course, Sen. Vitter is new to the Senate, and he's learning the rules," Landrieu said.

In her letter to him she pointed out that when she was a junior senator, she relied on the examples set by senior and established colleagues.

I don't get it. Why was that in bad taste? Why is it "just not done"? Is there something wrong with holding someone accountable for the promises made? What wrong with demanding a certain level of honesty and integrity?

Sen. Landrieu said that Sen. Vitter is "learning the rules." G-d, I hope not. We need more elected officials like him, not another mind-numbed robot just "following the rules."