The collapse of the British Conservative Party in the 1990s (which is looking more and more permanent) should provide a warning to Republicans over the Vitter affair. The party lost its reputation for economic competence when it was out-manoeuvred by George Soros and others over the ERM debacle, much as the GOP has lost its reputation as the party of small government. This was then compounded by charges of moral hypocrisy and “sleaze” when it turned out that important members of the party were engaged in all sorts of dalliances and questionable financial practices. As a result, a great number of voters from all wings of the party turned away from it and continue to be resistant to Tory overtures to this day. Could David Vitter be the GOP’s David Mellor? If so, Republicans are going to be out of power for a very long time.