By Kenneth R. Bazinet, New York Daily News, November 17, 2007

17 Nov 2007 // Republicans are urging Sen. David Vitter to try to avoid having to testify this month that he was a paying customer of the so-called "D.C. Madam."

Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who is charged with racketeering and money laundering, this week subpoenaed Vitter (R-La.) to testify at a Nov. 28 hearing that he was a client of her $2million escort service. Palfrey has argued her escort service was a legal business, and upstanding clients like Vitter could prove she was legit.

But with his spouse at his side earlier this year when Palfrey was indicted, Vitter said, "I love my wife," and then confessed publicly to being a customer of the $300-an-hour escort service.

Many in the GOP, fearing political consequences, want Vitter to fight the subpoena or refuse to answer questions by invoking Fifth Amendment protection from self-incrimination. Vitter has yet to say whether he will fight the subpoena.

"Sen. Vitter needs to do everything he can to avoid becoming a sound bite, and it would be best if he said nothing," said one senior GOP Senate aide.

Vitter's allies contend the record already shows Vitter had an alleged taste for the high-priced escorts, particularly Paula Neble, so there is nothing he can add that can help Palfrey.

Vitter's colleagues do, however, fear his testimony could resurrect the "culture of corruption" label that brought down several GOP candidates last year. Combined with the bizarre airport men's room arrest of Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Vitter's testimony could be a political embarrassment for Republicans in next year's elections.

"The culture of corruption never ended. The Republicans continue to be embroiled in scandal," said Naomi Seligman, spokeswoman for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning legal watchdog group that successfully pursued scandal-marred candidates in 2006.