Louisiana Senator David Vitter was clearly after damage control when he sent the email about his phone number being in the DC Madam's little black book.

"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter, 46, said in a statement, which his spokesman, Joel DiGrado, confirmed to the Associated Press.

"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling," Vitter continued. "Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there -- with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way."

Given Vitter's conservative rhetoric on marriage, I don't know that this statement is going to cut it with many people. That is especially true of the Left, which is having a field day with the story -- not noting that, in the end, this is "just about sex."

But I'd like to note something about this -- the mere fact that Vitter failed to live up to his principles does not invalidate them. The mere fact that he sinned does not necessarily render him unfit for office. Absent more information on this situation -- information I'm sure will come out in the next several days and weeks -- I'm not sure how I would respond if I were a Louisiana voter.

But I do keep being drawn back to a quote from St. Paul.

Romans 7:15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Based upon what I know, I'll condemn Vitter's actions, but I won't condemn the man. His struggle is the struggle faced by each and every one of us who claims to be a follower of Christ -- for we are not made perfect through faith, merely forgiven and redeemed.

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