Missed It By That Much

David Vitter is sending gift baskets all over Washington today, particularly to Deborah Jeane Palfrey and her family.

Sen. David Vitter will not have to testify about his ties to an upscale Washington escort service, a defense attorney said Monday, sparing the Louisiana Republican an embarrassing trip to the witness stand.

Vitter has been on notice for more than a week that he could have to appear during the prostitution trial of Deborah Palfrey. Palfrey's attorney, Preston Burton, said he would rest his case Monday without calling Vitter or any other witnesses.

Vitter has acknowledged being involved with Palfrey's escort service and has apologized for what he called "a very serious sin." He has since avoided most follow-up questions.

That would have been tough to do on the witness stand. During the weeklong trial, men have testified about how they found the service, how often they called, what they were hoping for and whether they got it during their 90-minute, $250 visits.

Why Vitter was not on the prosecution list is obvious enough; the Justice Department doesn't want to take down one of their own, as we have seen. Why he was on the defense list was odd; how exactly would he help them prove that the service didn't offer sex but "fantasy" services? But no matter; we will be deprived of the funniest witness testimony evah.