[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/11/art.vitter.gi.jpg caption="Vitter is apologizing for a comment poking run at Rachel Maddow."]
(Updated with additional context)
(CNN) – Republican Sen. David Vitter apologized to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow Friday after jesting on a radio program that she only looked like a woman “a long time ago.”
“Regarding my remark during a radio conversation today, I apologize,” Vitter wrote in a letter to Maddow. “The hosts made their comment and I obviously chimed in. While we do not usually agree on the issues, I do not think you deserved that comment.”
Vitter’s comments came during an appearance on Rush Radio 99.5 in New Orleans Friday morning, during which the radio hosts joked about a high school photo of Maddow with long blond hair. The MSNBC host currently has short brown hair.
“Must have been a long time ago,” Vitter joked when the hosts said the photo portrays Maddow as “looking like a woman.”
Maddow has not responded to the comments.
Vitter is currently in a primary battle against former Louisiana Supreme Court justice Chet Traylor. Traylor told CNN Monday that while he had been considering a run since last summer; it wasn't until the last two weeks that he took another look at the race, after being flooded with calls urging him to run.
Should Vitter win that race, he will face Democratic Rep. Charlie Melancon in the general election. Despite a tumultuous first term, Vitter's favorability rating has remained high and Melancon has as yet struggled to gain serious footing.
The party of "no".... acceptance of others.
wow and to think there are some that want to see this bunch back in power.
This is an example of what is wrong in America. People make terrible statements about other people i public life without thinking about the consequences. Obviously someone called him on the remark and so now Sen, Vitter is apologizing to Rachel Maddow.
I really do not care which end of the spectrum you are on, I do care about what you say about other people and how you say it. That is a very big deal changer for me. People who write to CNN should be respectful. I think you can disagree and make your point without calling people names.
has the Tea Party and the Republicans been drinking out of the Gulf??????
The truly sad thing is that in terms of his political career, it was probably a very smart thing for him to say.
Thats's BIAS, not bais....
We need more commentators like Maddow. Aside from being super-smart, she and her team do much more thorough research on issues than most commentators. Her opinions are always backed up with facts. She is tenacious in her questioning of her guests, but always courteous. She's funny and natural. I think it's great to see an attractive woman who doesn't look like she spends an hour in makeup before every show. I'm old enough to be her mother, and would be proud if she were my daughter.
What a jerk!!!!!!!!! He doesn't deserve to be elected anything, but he needs to be kicked to the curb. What a loser. I can't stand to see his face or hear him talk.
Let's see – Rachel Maddow earned her doctorate in political science at Oxford University, which she attended on a Rhodes Scholarship.
Rachel asked paul a few simple questions which he couldn't answer. Sort of like Couric and the AK imbecile. We love Rachel in my home and we are not lesbians or gays.
vitter likes prostitutes and wearing diapers and he is still a rethug politician. That says less about him and those who voted for him than anything else.
@cynthia, dave (IL), kurt and eli – you are probably part of the teabagging group because a person shouldn't be judged by their sexuality but their intellect (that includes those other women one of you mentioned). Then again . . . . all of you probably spend your day watching faux news in your double wides.
PS–I'm heterosexual, but if I had to choose a Vitter or a Limbaugh, I'd run looking for a Maddow!
Not sure what the big deal is, thousands of people say much worse things about Rush Limbaugh, and no one is made to apologize to him. Democrats are just to sensitive. Get over it.
They always apologize, but on the inside their smiling because they got their point across. Apology not accepted and I said before that he doesn't have half the brain Ms. Maddow has and if he did have, he still wouldn't know what to do with it. It's sad that most republlicans today have to lower themselves to such low standards instead of discussing the real issues.
Too little! Too late! Once the words came out of the man's mouth, they were there for all the world to hear.
This man has room to talk. LOL I don't like Maddow's politics but she is always neat as a pin whenever I do see her on TV.
Ha ha, libs are sooo upset by this.....as they continue on with the truly hateful remarks against Palin, wishing her and her whole family death!!!
Like all other Democrats it is the hate, lies, hypocrasy, and selfishness that makes Maddow ugly.
The guy is an idiot.
According to numerous, credible sources, Mr. Vitter seems to have a penchant for wearing"adult diapers" (re; Governor of Arizona) during his taxpayer-sponsored romps with ladies of ill-repute.
By November, wearing adult diapers is going to be a Tea Party fashion statement. Invest heavily in the adult diaper industry!
Brought to you by: Depends Adult Diapers and Gold Bond Powder.
How dare you torture your wife by making her stand there humiliated.
Republican Sen. David Vitter with his tea bagger friends clearly show that they no ideas instead they are good at name calling and insults. Belittling others to make themselves feel better. This is what has remained of the GOP instead of party of ideas and solutions and party of compromise for the benefit of the nation. They have become a venomous and revengeful for loosing the election and power. It's high time for the moderates of both parties come together to solve the nations problems that have been created by both parties.
Why would anyone apologize for their opinion? I've heard rachel maddow criticize numerous politicians and call them or their actions stupid...she's never apologized! What's with the double standard?
As someone earlier said, Vitter is totally out of Maddows' league. His comment reminds me of the Fox News Anchors. They will say the most awful thing about someone and then say, "oops, did I say that? Oh, I'm sorry". But, the comment is out there. One can only hope Vitter is thrown out of office. GO RACHEL!
Isn't this the same guy whose name and phone number is in every brothel (whorehouse) directory in Washington, D.C. and New Orleans?
And you ask why do we think the Republican Party should not be confident of taking over control of Congress. Watch & listen to them, way too many morons with disgusting attitudes toward women and minorities. Too many double standards. Sorry, they do not represent America.
GOP just makes personal attacks. That is what this party has become. Think I am wrong? Listen to AM Radio, it is basically Don Rickles on steroids. It is disgusting and there is no use for this by so called prominent ADULTS. Unfortunately rather than stand up to these vile,despicable hurtful ENTERTAINERS, the GOP electorate follows their lead.
This guy's 15 minutes are up!
YEAH, THESE REPUGS ARE ALWAYS SORRY AFTER THEY MAKE THE STATEMENT! THEN HAVE TO BACKTRACK IT IS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE SORRY ITS BECAUSE OF THEIR STUPID MOUTHS