Sen. Vitter calls auto bailout 'ass backwards'

David Edwards and Nick Juliano
Raw Story
Thursday, Dec 11, 2008

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter had some colorful language to describe a proposed $15 billion loan to Detroit's big three, calling the deal "ass backwards."

The hooker-patronizer's colorful language caused some blushing at MSNBC, a network that may still be overly sensitive about on-air profanity.

"Can I say this?" wondered congressional correspondent Mike Viqueira. "'Ass backwards.' He said it on the floor of the Senate and it was on public television, so I guess I can say it. ... That's an indication of the significant Republican opposition in the United State Senate."

Afternoon anchor Contessa Brewer joked that Viquera should have just said "bass ackwards" to avoid the profanity. But she reminded him, "We have heard some language on the floor of the Senate ... which should not be repeated on television, from people higher up than David Vitter." It's not clear exactly what she meant, but the anchor was probably referring to Dick Cheney's infamous f-bomb laden outburst from 2004.

(ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW)

This video is from C-SPAN and MSNBC's News Live, broadcast Dec. 10, 2008.