The decline of Talking Points Memo continues with a post in which Josh Marshall strips a phrase out of context to try to link Sen. David Vitter to rape and sexual assault:

Ouch

Dem challenger, Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) says “we can only guess” David Vitter’s reasons for opposing the anti-rape amendment.

In fairness, Vitter’s thing seems to be paying for sex rather than forcing sex. But, well …

Read in context, it’s far from obvious (though possible) that Melancon’s phrase was a reference to the allegations that Vitter patronized prostitutes:

If a company wants to receive taxpayer dollars, they should not be able to force victims to give up their constitutional rights as a condition of employment.

David Vitter has refused to explain why he voted to allow taxpayer-funded companies to sweep rape charges under the rug. We can only guess what his reasons were.

Tell David Vitter that sexual assault victims deserve their day in court.

Nonetheless, Marshall uses the release to bring up the allegations against Vitter (which do not include rape) and link them with sexual assault, ignoring the fact that the amendment concerns military contracting rules that are irrelevant to Vitter’s legal/political problems. Marshall doesn’t explicitly endorse the linkage, but tacitly legitimizes it with a half-hearted “But, well…” at the end of the post. Classy!