New Orleans-area Tea Party activists were absolutely incensed when the Times-Picayune mistakenly implied that David Vitter organized a “Recess Rally Tea Party” in Metairie last Saturday. In fact, Vitter refused to attend the event after he was told he could not address the crowd.

Our local newspaper, the Times-Picayune, actually printed a picture of the crowd for a change, but mistakenly captioned it to state that Senator David Vitter (R-LA) had organized the protest. *CHOKE* The organizers firmly told his office, when said office called to inquire about a publicity opp, that the Senator was welcome to attend, but that he, like any other elected official, would not be given the opportunity to speak.

Poor David Vitter was denied a ‘publicity opp,’ so he didn’t show. He did a Vitter.

Then next day, a “boatload” of Tea Partiers called and emailed the Times-Picayune to tell them that Senator Vitter had nothing to do with organizing the event.

“Contrary to the caption beneath the photo of the crowd in today’s Times-Picayune, I know for a fact that Senator Vitter had nothing to do with organizing yesterday’s Recess Rally Tea Party, although he was welcome to attend as a citizen and taxpayer.”

Apparently the onslaught was successful and an editor at the paper replied, promising a correction. Why did the Time-Picayune think David Vitter was involved with the protest you might ask? Well, he called them.

We relied on the robo calls made by Sen. Vitter, including one to my home, as the background for the assignment.

FYI: Here’s what the Vitter call said:

‘Hi, this is Senator David Vitter, calling on behalf of the Louisiana Conservative Action committee, to invite you to join me for a health care tea party this Saturday, Aug. 22. This will be a great opportunity to send a clear message to Washington that we oppose ObamaCare. The health care tea party will be this Saturday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Causeway, in Metairie. [sic] across from Lakeside Shopping Center. Please join Senator David Vitter at this important health care tea party. I really look forward to seeing you there.’

Last week, a Tea Party organizer who helped shepherd people to one of David Vitter’s campaign events in Lafayette told the New Iberian that he would not support Vitter’s re-election campaign.

“He’s trying to do a ‘Vitter,’” a senior Senate GOP aide said of Ensign. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) managed to say virtually nothing but that he was sorry for committing a “very serious sin” after his name turned up in the phone book of the alleged “D.C. Madam” in 2007.

“Doing a Vitter” is a term that is already in use, but we haven’t settled on a specific definition. That’s where we need your help.

In the comments section, we would like to see your best shot at a clear and concise definition. You can also tweet your ideas to @LaDemos with the shining new #doingavitter hash tag.

We have offered a simple definition to get you started in the panel to the right, but remember no dictionary entry is complete without a full definition and examples of proper usage. So, don’t just Do a Vitter, use it in a sentence.

And, though it’s sad that we even have to ask for decorum when speaking about a  U.S. Senator, please keep your replies family friendly.