Vitter launches SeatScottNow.com

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter (R) is pushing hard for his soon-to-be colleague, Scott Brown, to be seated immediately as Massachusetts' newest lawmaker.

Vitter on Wednesday launched "SeatScottNow.com," an online petition to ensure Democrats do not delay Brown's official entry to the U.S. Senate.

“Unfortunately, there are already rumors that Democrats are being sore losers and are thinking of doing anything they can to ignore the will of the people of Massachusetts and not allow Scott to be seated as an official member of the Senate before they vote on the big government health care bill they’ve been trying to ram down this country’s throat," Vitter said in a statement announcing the petition.

“Well, I have one thing to say that: No way. That’s why I’ve started this petition to seat Scott immediately,” Vitter added.

It could take a few days for election officials in Massachusetts to certify Sen-elect Brown's win over Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) -- a waiting period common to any election. But the possibility for delay has infuriated a number of Republicans, who fear Democrats might exploit that time frame to pass healthcare reform before they lose their 60-vote majority.

However, a handful of Democrats have stressed since Brown's election on Tuesday that they too wanted him seated as soon as possible.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) indicated the chamber would welcome Brown “as soon as the proper paperwork has been received.” Other Democratic leaders have hinted they would not forge ahead with any healthcare votes in his absence.
 
Perhaps the strongest statement came from Virginia Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), who stressed it was only fair to Massachusetts voters to respect their will and seat Brown accordingly.

“It is vital that we restore the respect of the American people in our system of government and in our leaders. To that end, I believe it would only be fair and prudent that we suspend further votes on health care legislation until Senator-elect Brown is seated,” he said.

However, Democratic leaders' assurances have yet to satisfy Vitter, who is demanding election officials move quicker to send Brown to the Senate.

“Scott’s election was a clear referendum on the agenda of President Obama and his 60 vote Democrat Majority Senate," he said. "And you know, I could not have agreed more with Scott’s message throughout his campaign: this wasn’t Ted Kennedy’s seat or owed to any Democrat – it was the people of Massachusetts’ seat and they have spoken.

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