On the Latest Washington Scandal

deadline poet

By Calvin Trillin

This article appeared in the August 13, 2007 edition of The Nation.

July 26, 2007

All Washington, DC, is now atwitter
With talk about some deeds of David Vitter.
With sanctimony, he had always been
Prepared to cast folks out for any sin.
For him, the sanctity of marriage loomed
Above all issues. Gays, of course, were doomed,
And when Bill Clinton misbehaved, Dave's voice
Said resignation was the only choice.
So critics smiled, and backers were appalled
To learn Dave paid to get his ashes hauled.
Once more, for right-wing folks it really rankles
To see who's caught with pants around his ankles.
Who's next? Who knows? But some would take the view
That sanctimony's often quite a clue.

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About Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation's "deadline poet." He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1963 and has written the syndicated weekly column "Uncivil Liberties" since 1986. He has authored many, many books, including Tepper's Not Going Out and Deadline Poet: My Life as a Doggerelist. more...
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