US porn actress 'to run' for Senate against disgraced politician
By Agencies
Last Updated: 10:59PM GMT 09 Feb 2009

Stormy Daniels (centre) at the National Press Club for ASACP Photo: PA
Potentially running with the slogan "Screwing People Honestly", Stormy Daniels said she is prepared to wrestle Louisiana Senator David Vitter, if the Republican incumbent refuses a face-to-face debate over the issues.

Mr Vitter, who co-sponsored a Marriage Protection Amendment last year, previously faced public embarrassment after his details were published on a list of phone call records kept by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the so-called DC Madam.

In May last year Ms Palfrey was found dead following an apparent suicide after being found guilty of running a prostitution ring.

Mr Vitter admitted to "a serious sin" in relation to his phone number being called five times by Palfrey's agency, adding that he had "asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife".

He is currently fund-raising for the 2010 midterm elections.

But he may face a challenger from Ms Daniels who is under pressure from an internet campaign for her to stand.

The Draft Stormy campaign says it wants the adult entertainer to stand because of her "honesty, passion and strength of character".

The porn actress said: "I am honoured and admittedly surprised by the encouragement that I am receiving to enter the race for the United States Senate from Louisiana.

"I realise that an undertaking of this sort is something that one should not enter into lightly. Therefore over the next days and weeks I will be discussing this prospect with my family and friends and will also continue to listen to the people of Louisiana for their thoughts and insights. Only after careful consideration, will I decide whether to pursue this unique opportunity."

In an interview with news website The Daily Beast, Ms Daniels said: "I have never been involved in politics before but apparently they are calling me to duty and if that is what it takes, that is what I will do."

She joked that she was toying with the slogans "Stormy Daniels – Screwing People Honestly" and "Whipping Louisiana's Economy Into Shape". The adult entertainer told the Daily Beast that she would seek a debate with Mr Vitter, but if that didn't work she would be happy to wrestle him.

If successful Ms Daniels will not be the first woman to make the switch from adult entertainment to politics. Hungarian-born Italian porn star Cicciolina was elected to the Italian parliament in 1987.