This week, U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister was faced with the scandalous release of a security video to his kissing his married aide, Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock, at his office in Louisiana. That would normally be the stuff of scandal, but it is even worse when you are married and ran as a religious conservative. McAllister went public with an apology to everyone (except personally to Peacock’s husband who is now divorcing his wife). He asked forgiveness but is now demanding an investigation to potentially jail whoever revealed his conduct: a curious path for a self-proclaimed redemptive sinner.

Many members may be quietly supportive of the effort to prosecute the staffer as a warning to their own staff that what happens in Congress stays in Congress.

McAllister knew both the aide and her husband (shown right) for years. Mr. Peacock said that McAllister had turned to religion as a card to play in the election and never was religious when they were growing up together:

“I know his beliefs. When he ran one of his commercials, he said ‘I need your prayers,’ and I asked, ‘When did you get religious?’ He said, ‘When I needed votes.’ He broke out the religious card and he’s about the most non-religious person I know.”

Here is McAllister promising to defend “the values of faith” and “defend our Christian way of life.” He appears as bad an actor as he is a husband:

McAllister released a statement that “There’s no doubt I’ve fallen short and I’m asking for forgiveness. I’m asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve.”

That contrition apparently does not extend to whomever is responsible for revealing his misconduct. McAllister had an aide (presumably a platonic aide) announce that he will request that House Speaker John Boehner demand a FBI investigation concerning the leak of a video from a security camera in McAllister’s Monroe District Office.

Adam Terry, McAllister’s chief of staff expressed outrage and said “It’s a serious breach.” Just to be clear, he is taking about the person who exposed his boss’s misconduct not his boss.

Adding to this bizarre scandal is the statement of West Monroe Minister Danny Chance of the Christian Life Church that it was McAllister’s Monroe District Office manager, Leah Gordon, who leaked the video. So much for leaving your fate in the hands of Chance.

Chance appears equally upset with the disclosure as opposed to the congressman: “I’m not taking up for the congressman; what he did was wrong. But I just feel like there is a conspiracy to bring Vance down and destroy him. For someone on his staff to do that is wrong.” Wow. I expect moral outrage but not quite this form of moral outrage.

McAllister secured his seat by running on Christian values and releasing a political ad featuring a star from Duck Dynasty. His campaign site promised that he was a man who was “taught at a young age the importance of faith, family, and hard work.” That included a promise to fight for “traditional marriage.” Of course, McAllister is in a state that reelected another family values politician, David Vitter, despite his frequenting prostitutes in Washington.

McAllister stated “I’m asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve. Trust is something I know has to be earned whether your a husband, a father, or a congressman. I promise to do everything I can to earn back the trust of everyone I’ve disappointed.” I expect that will take a bit of work with Mr. Peacock.

Source: News Star