One piece of light news is that porn star Stormy Daniels is being urged to run for a senate seat. If she runs, she will be up against another person who (allegedly) was involved in the sex industry as well. This is, of course, Republican David Vitter. He is perhaps best known for having his phone number appear in records of the escort service run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey (better known as the “D.C. Madam”). In 2007 Vitter admitted to having “a very serious sin” in his past. Naturally, he claims that his wife forgave him. Despite this sin, he has managed to keep his position and it seems likely that he will continue to serve in the senate. Unless, of course, Stormy can beat him.
Naturally, there are some concerns about having a porn star running for the senate. Some might say that it is degrading to the high office of senator. However, I think that past scandals have sufficiently degraded the office to the point that a porn star would fit right in.
There is also the concern that the porn star candidacy idea is a joke or a poorly conceived slap at Vitter for his past sins. Politics, some might say, should be serious business and not tainted by such things.
This does, of course, have some merit. It would be preferable to have political contests run with grace, dignity and moral nobility. But, obviously enough, that sort of contest is the exception rather than the rule.
It might be argued that a porn star is morally flawed and hence not suitable for public office. The idea of having high moral standards for office is certainly appealing and I would certainly support the following of the true moral standards-once they get worked out. However, working as a porn star does not seem to out Stormy on a lower moral footing than most politicians. After all, simply review the usual folks who fill political offices-good luck finding the morally pure (or somewhat pure).
One obvious advantage of having a porn star run for office is that her sexual history is well known. In fact, there is no doubt an extensive video record of those activities. As such, there would be little to worry about in terms of some surprise sex scandal. At least with a porn star, you know were they stand. Or lay down. Or whatever position they happen to take.