RNC bondage club controversy convinces porn star to become Republican

The porn star who has toyed with a run against the Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) announced today that she is becoming a Republican.

Stormy Daniels has been considering a (joke?) campaign ever since Vitter was linked to the "D.C. madam" in in 2007. But back then, she was a Democrat.

Now that the RNC has patronized a lesbian bondage themed club in Hollywood, Daniels says the GOP is the party for her.

"It is time again to inspire positive risks and out-of-the-box thinking in the interest of growing a strong economy and a strong America," Daniels said in a tongue-in-cheek press release. “For me, this spirit can be summed up in the RNC’s investment of donor funds at Voyeur."

She continued: “As someone who has worked extensively in both the club and film side of the Adult Entertainment Industry, I know from experience that a mere $1900 outlay at a club with the reputation of Voyeur is a clear indication of a frugal investment with a keen eye toward maximum return."

Though Daniels said she has been a lifelong Democrat, she "cannot help but recognize that over time my libertarian values regarding both money and sex and the legal use of one for the other is now best espoused by the Republican Party.”

It's worth noting, however, that Daniels hasn't updated her campaign website since July, and her campaign Twitter feed has been dormant since August. So don't hold your breath until she files to be a candidate.

UPDATE: The NRSC released a statement tonight trying to tie Daniels's tongue-in-cheek campaign to Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.), the Democrat challenging Vitter.

Republicans are pointing out that operative Brian Welsh has served as Daniels's spokesman. Welsh worked for the Democratic State Central Committee during the 2008 election cycle, as did Melancon's current campaign manager Bradley Beychok.

“It’s telling that Charlie Melancon’s campaign is doing so poorly that his campaign manager had to recruit his old friend and former colleague from past Democrat political campaigns to run Ms. Daniels as a Republican sideshow," said Amber Marchand, NRSC Press Secretary. "Louisiana voters deserve better than shameless antics like this from Melancon and his Democrat friends."