Well done! It is actually facinating as Evan Andersen points out that people are already starting to forget about this stuff. It is not as fresh and the former govenor is already making some headway back into the political sphere. I did see some comments about how prostitution should be legalized but that is to also say that racketeering should be allowed again because deep down people are good and it should be their freedom to choose to manipulate pricing in the market. Evan Andersen would agree with me that this is not the way forward with prostitution, thats for sure.

We can only hope that the confusion and conflict between Hillary and Obama will continue and will only become worse.

So B.Clinton, Craig and Vitter are the standard, now? Nobody should be proud of meeting that one, and nobody's got room to point fingers, R or D.

My beef is with the wife - why doesn't she sit this one out and say, you're on your own babe. Okay, so she probably won't leave him, but just once, I'd like to see a guy hanging out there all by himself. OR, failing that, I'd like to see a meek husband standing by an erring wife. Still think we have sexual equality in this country? Think again.

He should not resign and the republicans are even making themselves out bigger hypocrites by threatening to impeach Spitzer. Craig, Vitter, to name a few, come to mind. They are so obvious, it's pathetic.

Spitzer must resign and must be removed as superdelegate from Hillary's column. There is nothing wrong about the consensual relationships; what is wrong is that this ex-prosecutor made a living suing people having these consensual relationships.

Spectator2, I don't have a problem when others attempt to do the same, as long as theirs are accurate and applicable to the point. And I don't think yours were. There is a difference between the person accused attempting to come up with an explanation for their act (no matter how silly it sounds) and other supporters of the accused coming up with arguements designed to minimize the act itself. In Spitzer's case, it would be like if he defended his actions as a psychological illness (akin to Craig's "wide stance" defense) vs drindl's arguement that the real problem and true wrong in this whole story is the fact that somebody allowed this investigation to occur in the first place and that a mythical return to the Hoover days is the real issue (which, come to think of it, is the same type of argument that one could have made for Craig, but no conservatives I know of did).

Dave: Craig IS a conservative. You seem to have no problem making generalizations, so don't complain when others do the same.

Silda Wall Spitzer, PRESIDENT 2016! Finally someone with more of the experience we need in the White House.

Spectator2 - "Whereas conservatives just make up nonsense like "wide stance.""

Um, conservatives did not make that up, Craig did. Conservatives are laughing at that, just like everyone else. And that attempts to "explain" it, not "minimize" it.

"That is the problem with many liberals. It can't just be about someone doing something wrong and getting caught, there has to be some other extenuating circumstance to somehow try and minimize the wrong."

Whereas conservatives just make up nonsense like "wide stance."

mibrooks: "Basically, you "ladies" continue to publicly demonstrate both your ignorance and your bigotry with comments like those made by ca67klein, the ever rabid Spectator2, and similar Clinton feminists."

You sniveling sack of crap, I was the first one to call drindl on her sexist remarks about men cheating. Kindly keep my name out of your miserable, hateful, garbage-filled posts.

drindl - "...what bothers me even more than his behavior is that major investigations are being undertaken based on no more than the fact that a public figure is using somewhat larger than normal amounts of cash..."

Deep Throat - "Follow the money"

That is the problem with many liberals. It can't just be about someone doing something wrong and getting caught, there has to be some other extenuating circumstance to somehow try and minimize the wrong. I don't think "Crusader of the year"/"Eliot Ness"/"Mr Clean" would have worried about the angle drindl presents were he heading up an investigation like that.

Hey, I sympathize - we're all frail - but Spitzer has some real issues - the hubris of this man. He is not exceedingly popular in NY today even after making a career out of bullying NY City's Financial giants around as the sheriff of Wall Street and having been elected just 16 short months ago with 70% of the vote as a huge agent for change. Anyone recall his debacle of driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants? It's very difficult to continue to have any sort of efficacy as a politician when you've compromised your very strength. Unlike Bill Clinton whose past preceded his elction and was even confirmed by it - where's Spitzer's credibility moving forward? My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the great State of NY. If he cannot find solace in honorably resigning, I am certain, with his apparent hubris - he'll make ago of the impossible.

The inquiry, like many such investigations, was a delicate one. Because the focus was a high-ranking government official, prosecutors were required to seek the approval of the United States attorney general to proceed. Once they secured that permission, the investigation moved forward.

Is it really possible that the Attorney General of the United States approved an investigation of a sitting state Governor, based on no more than the fact that the Governor was withdrawing unusually large amounts of cash from his personal accounts? If there's more than that, it's not apparent from anything in the article, or anything in the Complaint (to the pdf of which there is a link in this article.

I make no excuses whatseover for Spitzer, who engaged in monumentally risky and stupid (not to mention hypocritical) behavior, but what bothers me even more than his behavior is that major investigations are being undertaken based on no more than the fact that a public figure is using somewhat larger than normal amounts of cash -- and that seems to have been almost the only possible basis for the investigation of Spitzer in this case. Because frankly, that suggests a return to the bad old days where one of the major activities of the FBI was gathering dirt on every politician in Washington (not to mention civil rights leaders and others who had somehow run afoul of J. Edgar Hoover), which was then used to intimidate them politically. And that's much more disturbing to me than Elliot Spitzer's tawdry, and apparently very expensive, personal life.

'The NYT, which had more than 25 reporters working on the Spitzer stories,'

Funny, that is. They've never had that many reporters on a single story before -- not on the Jack Abramoff crime ring, not on the run up to the Iraq war [certainly] not on anything of truly national importance. Bur here -- we have sex and a Democrat, so let's all drop everything else we're doing and salivate and drool over the details for the next several weeks and months.

Lt Gov Paterson endorsed Hillar-E-Us and is a superdelegate.

http://www.observer.com/node/38382

This puts Clinton in a really awkward position, and she is probably best saying nothing about it. Sounding like she is supporting him gives her critics ammunition that she is part of old-school hypocrisy in politics, and the whole matter reminds people of Bill's peccadilloes. (But then perhaps Hillary earns sympathy points when people remember Bill's marital failings?) And Clinton can't push for Spitzer to resign--he's a superdelegate in her column, and Spitzer would be replaced by an African American whose nominee preference suddenly becomes a matter of national attention.

Anyone know if Paterson has made any endorsements?

At the very least, if thrust into the high-profile governor position, Paterson would also be in an awkward position regardless of whom he supports. Endorsing Clinton means that Paterson receives flak from the black community; endorsing Obama means he gets it from New Yorkers who voted for Clinton. And with a difficult chance at reelection in 2010, if he is even interesting in running, Paterson may well be hoping that the governorship doesn't come crashing down upon him.

Despite the many posts to the contrary, I don't believe this is a partisan issue at all. Both republicans & democrats cheat on their spouses and committ crimes. I realize there will be political consequences (i.e. a Dem governor is hugely damaged), but the underlying issue is not limited to one party or the other.

In evaluating the extenuating circumstances, I think the underlying problem is hypocracy.

Spitzer is the chief executive officer of NY, charged w/ (i assume) faithfully executing NY's laws (or something similar). In addition, he was AG of the state. Obviously, breaking the law undermines his position as one who is charged w/ primary responsibility for ensuring that others don't break the law and those that do are prosecuted for it.

In regards to the adultery element, I think this is much more of a problem for a public officer in and of itself (i.e. even if there had been no violation of the law) if that person has utilized "family values" or something similar as a large part of his platform. (Thus Craig & Vitter are hypocritical in this respect without even addressing any criminal conduct because of their "family values" platform. Spitzer (as far as I know) did not advocate such a platform, so I don't think it's hypocritical per se for him to cheat on his wife. (This isn't purely Repub v. Dem -- for example, I would say McCain's platform (largely) is not based on "family values", so similar to Spitzer, I wouldn't find it hypocritical for him to cheat.) Violations of the law, of course, are another matter - as I discussed above.

More NYT:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/opinion/11tue1.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

There was a famously flawed study done in 1983 that found that 50% of woman and 60% of men committed adultery at sometime in their marriage. The percentages, in more recent years, have become nearly equal

--http://womensinfidelity.com/

some studies suggest that infidelity is even more common amoung females than males. Here is a great link to a discussion on this:

--http://forums.forbes.com/forbes/board/message?board.id=respond_marry_career_woman&message.id=11571

Basically, you "ladies" continue to publicly demonstrate both your ignorance and your bigotry with comments like those made by ca67klein, the ever rabid Spectator2, and similar Clinton feminists. Ladies! Your dirt laundry is showing and it ain't pretty. Now, go help Hillary throw the victims under the bus, same as you did when Bill molested al of those women. Calling them "bimbo's", dehumanizing them, doesn't make them any less victims and certainly calls into question any of your blatherings about "equality".

Apparently, what brought Spitzer down (and the prostitution biz to boot) was that his banks reported "suspicious transactions" to the IRS, who noticed "unusual movements of cash" and thought Spitzer "appeared to be trying to conceal the source, destination or purpose of the movement of thousands of dollars in cash."

So the upshot is that they investigated because they thought it might have been public corruption or bribery activity, but eventually found out it was prostitution.

SOURCE- NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/nyregion/11inquire.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

It looks like Gov. Spitzer lead to the prostitution ring, it didn't lead to him.

"Did he need (ahem) special services,"

there's something alluding to that in a story on the Capital Briefing blog.

Maybe it is time for a woman to be president. It seems like men in power brains or at least their conscience are somewhere below the belt.

"Liberals, genuine liberals, don't like you, don't want anything to do with you and suggest you go peddle your ignorance and bitterness and hate somewhere else. We ain't buyin'!"

If there's a more pathetic poster on here than puke, it's brooks, the most ignorant, bitter, hateful poster on the Web.

"Hi."
"Oh, hi Michelle."
"I was just calling to see how you were doing. I called earlier but you weren't in."
"I'm just sitting here with Axelrod, going over some of the talking points."
"Sounds boring. This Eliot Spitzer stuff sounds awful"
"Yes, it does."
"Could you put Axelrod on a minute?"

*************

"Hi."
"Hi, Hillary."
"I was just calling to see what you were doing."
"I'm just sitting here flipping through the channels."
"This Spitzer stuff is just awful."
"Yeah, when I heard that my jaw nearly dropped."
"Whose jaw dropped?"
"Good night, Hillary."
"Good night. I might call you later."

"we here at the fix laugh at you all day long."

I'm glad you and your mommy had a good laugh, puke. did she make you a nice grilled cheese sandwich too, little turd?

Temptations of the flesh are the least of the sins. The issue is not the sex (personal matter) but the breaking of law (public matter). It is not, therefore, as Spitz said, merely a private matter, but very much a public matter. It doesn't matter if one considers that prostitution is wrongly illegal, the fact remains that it is illegal and Spitz is the top elected law enforcement official in NY state and is answerable to the public for any illegal activity.

Shame.

This is pretty simple to me. As one of the country's most renowned crime fighters, Spitzer's reputation requires him to uphold all laws scrupulously. He must resign. I speak as a progressive who admired him.

I divorce this from the moral issue. That's for him and his family, a private matter. It's also not a referendum on the issue of prostitution one way or the other. It's also not about men generally. The facts that emerged today don't tell us anything we didn't already know about the foibles of some men. Spitzer broke the law, got caught, and should resign.

I'd love to connect this to Vitter or Craig to score some easy partisan points, but I'm really interested in a new politics. I think progressives need to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct as they move into positions of authority at all levels of government. This new opportunity to rise to power comes in part because of ethical lapses all too frequent by the current party in power. There is a powerful lesson here for a party hoping to build a durable governing majority. No one politician is more important than the need for all in the party to maintain the highest standards. The party should enforce those high standards or face the wrath of voters.

"the story... is about ethics."

It certainly is. Specifically, it is about Gov Spitzer's ethics, which are apparently troubled, at least in some areas. As someone who has admired Gov Spitzer's work at addressing fraud and other illegal behavior on Wall Street (when he was AG), it is a huge disappointment that he turns out to be a john. Nevermind the morals of cheating on his wife, but he's breaking the law as well, after (during?) a noteworthy career as one of the most powerful law enforcement figures in the country.

Certainly other politicans are ethically challenged as well, which may or may not include the President, depending on to whom you're talking. Frankly, that's old news. People who choose to focus on the new news aren't necessarily ignoring or belittlingt the old news, but are merely discussing the new, as people are wont to do.

Mark, the story, excuse me if I correct you, is about ethics. I am not a judge, and do not know if "He deserves this moment of shame all to himself", but I would appreciate an intelligent discourse on ethics and priorities, even if these views differ from mine.

People's heads are so deep in his trousers that they cannot see the truly destructive forces at work. Ah, but GWB is faithful, and we get what we deserve.

-----------
too true, too true.

we punish the productive creative forces and reward the weak and impotent ones.

an inbred imperial society.

creitz, the thread is called

"Spitzer Apologizes, Does Not Resign"

There are many opportunities to complain about GWB and cronyism. There are regular posters at "The Fix" who do little else, whenever the news story is arguably relevant. I dare say most posters here consider GWB the worst Prez in their lifetimes.

This story, of course, is not relevant to GWB.

This story is about the former chief law enforcement officer of America's third most populous state, now its Governor, the seeming essence of moral rectitude.

He deserves this moment of shame all to himself, without some imposed sense of justification by comparison.

I think Spitzer owes the people of DC an apology. What, he thought he needed to import a prostitute from NYC when there are many fine ones right in the Nations Capital? And he was staying at the Mayflower. I mean, they didn't call her the Mayflower Madam for nothing.

We are laughing it up here: the comment:

"Not that I don't care about Spitzer's flouting the law, but *where were you* all when our POTUS manipulated energy policies to suit his cronies, manipulated information to justify a war, supported corrupt and politically motivated policies regarding Federal lawyers, and illegally authorized wiretapping and electronic snooping?
Fine priorities, this anti-prostitution fan club."

elicited no comment whatsoever. People's heads are so deep in his trousers that they cannot see the truly destructive forces at work. Ah, but GWB is faithful, and we get what we deserve.

What never ceases to surprise me about these things is the sitting-duck nature of the clients. Why didn't Spitzer just hire a free-lance call girl? Did he need (ahem) special services, or did he really think that the extra dough would buy privacy?

Dave, he defines "felony-stupid".

dime, I think that the transcripts are partial and included in the indictment, which is public record.

Some musings... I somehow get the feeling that if it was Spitzer-(R), drindl would have posted 13 versions of the story by now with a running diatribe about the hypocracy of the whole situation. As far as whether he survives this, I think it all depends on whether he ordered up a 5, 6 or 7 diamond girl or a 1-4 diamond girl. We really can't have governors carrying on with run of the mill fluzies. But a pretty woman type hooker, that's a different story.

I really feel for his family. I don't know if he was holier than thou in his personal life (like he was in public) or not but it obviously could not go over well in a law and order family.

Finally, there are not too bright things that people do and then there are IDIOTIC things that people do. Spitzer's actions not only fall into the second category, they define the second category.

Can somebody explain how transcripts of wiretaps are already leaked to the press? Doesn't this suggest the Justice Department remains as politicized and unlawful as ever?

drind- What a shallow, sexist and just plain stupid comment. **MOST** men love their wives and children and would never cheat on them, much less use a prostitute. I've been married for 29 years to a wonderful woman and never even been tempted to cheat on her or on our children. As for your bald lie that such disgusting behavior is exclusively a male problem, studies show that women as readily engage in this sort of behavior as me.

True, it is disgraceful behavior, it is destructive, it is NOT the norm, and NOTHING excuses it, but it is as common among women as men. Quit being a sexist.... but, I suppose, after reading the racist remarks about Mr. Obama and people of color in general, your constant male bashing, and every other manner of hate filled writings, you feminist trash feel it is somehow you right to act like bigots. Well, go peddle it somewhere else. Liberals, genuine liberals, don't like you, don't want anything to do with you and suggest you go peddle your ignorance and bitterness and hate somewhere else. We ain't buyin'!

Parts of the indictment of the ring have been published online; I am sure all of it is available. Apparently Spitzer brought the hooker to DC for Valentine's Day, 2008.

He should not get special treatment because he is the Gov. of NY. If he can plead out for no prison time because he gives the US Attorney some useful evidence, fine. But there is no reason in the world to treat him with kid gloves.

This really stinks.

Governor Spitzer should resign for many reasons. Although we could argue that prostitution should be legal and what he did is a "private" matter this isn't the case. Prostitution is illegal and transporting prostitutes across state lines is very illegal. As a former Attorney General I am sure he knew this. All of this aside however the main reason he should resign is moral. I have always believed that the democratic party stood against the exploitation of women and prostitution in its' current form in America is undeniably exploitation. Ninety nine percent of all prostitutes don't earn $5,000 / hr. A very sizable number are poverty level prostitutes. Maybe after a couple of decades building something like what the Netherlands has we can argue that only women that really really want a career as a prostitute are in the business can we start to think of prostitution as a victimless act but even then I have my doubts. The fact of the matter is that the holier-than-thou Spitzer brought this on himself by portraying himself as better than everyone else and people really wanted to believe him. We are not doing ourselves any favors by demanding less and less of our politicians and ourselves. If we just assume that every immoral act we commit is "just because we're human" than we will never advance as a species. There are many women I see on the street everyday that makes that "human" part of me think dirty thoughts but I am also a rational person and it is my "morals" that stop me acting on those human impulses. There are a dozen people I would like to strangle each day too but due to morals I don't do it. So everything stop bad-mouthing people that want to see good and moral people in our government. Abiding by certain moral codes is what keeps most societies functioning. If we throw all these morals out the window we just end up being like a Somalia or other disfunctional state.

DEAL! i'll keep the money the state paid me, the wife who wed with the ring i got from inheretance or state pay, and the sweet memories of living a life freer than those i locked up for doing what what was done by spitzer.

Not that I don't care about Spitzer's flouting the law, but *where were you* all when our POTUS manipulated energy policies to suit his cronies, manipulated information to justify a war, supported corrupt and politically motivated policies regarding Federal lawyers, and illegally authorized wiretapping and electronic snooping?
Fine priorities, this anti-prostitution fan club.

im just glad he's not an "illegal" or a black... then his sin would be unforgivable. Look at euro-americans and indoctrinated minorities (like me) poor out the pity and understanding - of craig, of wolfawitz, of spitzer, less so for jefferson... so much money to pay public officials who do much the same as the average joe... but not enough to pay the average joe a livable wage that doesn't drive them to dispair, alchohol, drugs, etc. no money for treatment of abuse, for job upgrade training, no money for schools or for more regulators of accounting firms... none of the things that improve standard of living for all do we have money for... but we have money to pay for squiky-cleen looking christian 'raise your right hand' officials - to the exclusion of good people who don't belive white man walked on water, turned water to wine, or rose from the dead - for three days....

Flirt with an Escape! Romance package from Renaissance!

Ironically, the Renaissance Mayflower hotel/Marriott is running an "Escape! Romance" package deal:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/specials/mesoffer.mi?marrOfferId=303066&marshaCode=wassh

Jess
(Not affiliated with the RM hotel or Marriott)

I voted for Eliot Spitzer in 2006, so I suppose I should be red in the face, and screaming: "My Governor lied to me." But honestly, I am not that offended by Mr. Spitzer's lascivious behavior. It is tragic that, as Attorney General of the most important state on the planet, he prosecuted prostitution so vociferously, for now he looks hypocritical. But the good news is that I don't really trust any elective official. So I'm spared the "shock," which others lament. Moreover, prostitution doesn't offend me either. Let's be adult about all this, prostitution will not go away. So if we claim to care about the health and welfare of the citizenry, regulate the industry. Like drugs in school, prostitution is here to stay. And thank the Lord for that. Sending kids to die in Arabia angers me much more. Five U.S. soldiers died in Baghdad today. Oil is selling for $105 a barrel. That hurts my feelings. Neglecting New Orleans and Biloxi "shocks" me. And the silver lining in all of this is that David Patterson is eminently qualified to be our next governor. And evidently he's blind. All of this makes for an interesting newscycle in the most important state on the planet. I forgive you, Mr. Spitzer. My feelings have not been hurt.

Eugene Debs in '08?

It was the Vi^gra in the Albany water supply!

Paterson was already a superdelegate (as a member of the DNC), so a Spitzer resignation would be net superdelegate loss for Clinton (unless Spitzer is also a DNC member).

What are you waiting for, LOSER?

Resign already!

We don't want you hanging around bringing down our party?

What, are you planning on pulling a Larry Craig?

Are you a Republican plant?

Did you infiltrate our party, you scumbag?

Mthr-Fr! LOSER! IDIOT!

You are giving the Republican Party of traitors ammunition to use against us just as we were finally starting to take back this country from those freaks!

GO AWAY!

NOW!!!!!!

You despicable piece of garbage!

The reason Republicans who are caught in sex scandals are forced to resign more often than Democrats, is that Democrats do not campaign on things like "family values" or promise to "rebuild the family" or talk about "moral majoriities" and so forth. If Republicans would drop such silly, empty campaign promises and go back to being the party of small government, which has nothing to do whatsoever with families, then they would not run into this problem.

That being said Spitzer probably should step down given the fact most "Johns" are treated as criminals and he was caught in a wire-tap operation.

Holier-than-thous do not last long in politics. Remember that all you aspiring politicians.

Spitzer will be resigning, no doubt about. But his faults are human faults. In the words of the Bard:

The expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and till action, lust
Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust,
Enjoy'd no sooner but despised straight,
Past reason hunted, and no sooner had
Past reason hated, as a swallow'd bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad;
Mad in pursuit and in possession so;
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe;
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.

Well, the little emperor has his spousal damsel by his side and in distress. Pity the fool.

Tell us now about fugging steamrollers.

Senator Al D'Amato said he will resign in a plea deal to misdemeanor to avoid a felony charge and a notorious trial.

Eros, you brute,
Why did you torture me so?
... no fleeing your fearful lashes.

Now I stand ashamed in the marketplace ...
... you sweet wrecker of lives!

What this means to Hillary? It means missing out on a $5000 campaign donation!

He endorsed Hillary Clinton. Perhaps she will say "-'as far as i know', i never asked him to endorse me , it was Bill who asked him, I was on a 3 AM,red phone call, with McCain!"

Wonder if he was doing any of that other stuff he prosecuted people for so vigorously...

This brings up many questions.

1. Is there sex after marriage?
Answer: Some

2. Is there sex after marriage and children?

No None.

One of the things I learned from the movies was in The Great White Hope, where the Jack Johnson character was prosecuted under the Mann Act (really for being a black guy involved with a white female). It's a federal law apparently still on the books. From Wikipedia: "The United States White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910 prohibited white slavery. It also banned the interstate transport of females for "immoral purposes". Its primary stated intent was to address prostitution, immorality, and human trafficking. The act is better known as the Mann Act, after James Robert Mann, an American lawmaker."

Sounds like it fits Spitzer to the T. Whether it should be law or not, whether she consented or not, is beside the point. As a former prosecutor, he knew he was breaking the law.

HRC's friends - ready since time immemorial or change as usual ?

Congrats zouk, you made me laugh.

Posted by: Spectator2 | March 10, 2008 07:00 PM

Just returning the favor. we here at the fix laugh at you all day long.

zouk is not miserable. On the contrary, watching the Libs self destruct in their own bumbling, lies and inexperience is terribly rewarding and humorous. watching them attack each other with the same vitriol usually reserved for Repubs is quite vindicating.

I have a good job, a fine family, eat well, enjoy immense leisure yet envy none and am victimized by no one.

notice the envy and victim part - code for Non-Lib.

kingofzouk,
Thanks for your due diligence on an omission that baffled me. Because the wires, nonetheless, falsely reported his personal moral failing as if it were an act of political corruption, which is to say they still did a standard, impartial hatchet job, their not mentioning his party affiliation seems to betray something other than favoritism. To the extent readers care, we know from his opponents being named as Republicans. It may simply be the journalists, being human and apparently Democrats, found it easier to hatchet one with his face covered.

"I, a lifelong Democratic voter and member, don't care about politicians' personal "sins" and indiscretions no matter what party they're in. Let's spend time on something important, like jobs, national security, and education."

David, there's a reason people lose security clearances for legal infractions like this, and a reason it is so dangerous for public officials this is the black market, has mob connections, and a lot of shady people before today had serious dirt on the governor of New York. That knowledge put them in position to manipulate and blackmail him, with serious effects on public policy and even security. This isn't simply a private matter, not when you're in such an important position.

zouk at 6:55. Career advice from a total loser. Now THAT is some funny stuff. Congrats zouk, you made me laugh.

It wasn't the Democrats who demanded the resignation of Larry Craig; it was his Republican colleagues. When Bill Clinton was caught in a sex scandal, his fellow party members mostly supported him as he stayed in office. Think about that.

I, a lifelong Democratic voter and member, don't care about politicians' personal "sins" and indiscretions no matter what party they're in. Let's spend time on something important, like jobs, national security, and education.

zouk appears fixated on fluffing. interesting career choice, zouk.

Posted by: Spectator2 | March 10, 2008 06:48 PM

If you work really hard and keep your nose to the grindstone, so to speak, someday perhaps you will rise to that level. As Obama says, there is always hope. until then, there's always blogging. Maybe drindl can tell you how to make ends meet in the meantime. she has a lot of experience doing nothing.

zouk at 6:51. As he dredges up more of his past, we see why he is so miserable.

LOUD and DUMB - all those blind dates that were set up for you because no one would agree to it in person, well I have something to tell you about them.

When everyone always described you as "really smart" that was code for really ugly. It doesn't mean you are smart at all. In fact, based on your posts on this blog, I must assume you are "really pretty".

But the reality is you probably only have a "pretty mouth".

No need for a poll. He's history. Talk about a meteoric rise and fall.

This should be between him and his wife. Can't wait to see what SNL does with this. Bluecollarordie.com had a funny skewer of this. Ah, politics.
Retrieving Video Data... on MyBlueCollar.com

Should Governor Spitzer resign immediately?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1859

.

zouk appears fixated on fluffing. interesting career choice, zouk.

"Hopefully you wrote them, but the Hillary to do list and Obama/Emperors Club postings are the funniest, best things on this MB."

bondjedi: If it's funny and it's got zouk's name on it, you can be 100 percent sure it's a cut and paste job.

your clients must be impressed by your keen intellect LOUD and DUMB, while you are fluffing them. how do you talk and work at the same time, ace?

"you can change your screed name but you will always be 'LOUD and DUMB' here. It just fits so well, you will never shake it, numbnuts."

oohh, numbnuts. Ace. Loud and dumb. What a clever little turd you are. No wonder snivelers like mibrooks grovel for your approval.

Zouk:

Hopefully you wrote them, but the Hillary to do list and Obama/Emperors Club postings are the funniest, best things on this MB.

Obama's still going to win it all, though.

still can't ignore my posts, eh SFB? what a pathetic, weak, little turd you are.

some women like the trappings of a husband in power).

Posted by: Alan4 | March 10, 2008 06:40 PM

for example a senate seat and a presidential run? and don't forget all that graft.

" But look at the expression on his wife. I'd rather be in front of a firing squad than face that. He will be paying for a long, long time."

That's the look of a marriage in hell. I'll be surprised if they are still together by next year. (Although Giuliani's second [or was it third?] wife proved some women like the trappings of a husband in power).

Take a look at the postings on craigslist. It's hardly just men.

Posted by: Spectator2 | March 10, 2008 06:36 PM

something tells me you spend a lot of time there.

I thought you were ignoring me, SFB? Less willpower than Spitzer, I see.

Posted by: Spectator2 | March 10, 2008 06:15 PM

you can change your screed name but you will always be 'LOUD and DUMB' here. It just fits so well, you will never shake it, numbnuts.

"'Temptation is a powerful weapon. It has brought down many a powerful man.'

That's for sure. But look at the expression on his wife. I'd rather be in front of a firing squad than face that. He will be paying for a long, long time.

What is it with men?"

Take a look at the postings on craigslist. It's hardly just men.

EXPERIENCE ...

It is three in the morning and the phone rings.

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is on the line.

"Bill?"

what is this? what is the federal government doing? spending good taxpayers money eavesdropping on a prostitution ring and then revealing info. re gov. spitzer? i am not a republican, i am a citizen. outraged.

'Temptation is a powerful weapon. It has brought down many a powerful man.'

That's for sure. But look at the expression on his wife. I'd rather be in front of a firing squad than face that. He will be paying for a long, long time.

What is it with men?

Like he lives in her head:

Bruce Feirstein | Politics and Power
Bruce Feirstein: HRC to-do list w/o 3/9
1) Knee-cap John Kerry, fmr Senator Bill Bradley, etc. etc., for insinuating that I'm destroying the party--or handing the election to McCain--by nuking Hopebama. Losers.

2) Knee-cap that bastard in Ireland who said I had nothing to do with the Irish peace process.

3) Knee-cap that bastard who released the pictures of my mission to Bosnia. (The karaoke party w/Sinbad, Cheryl Crow, etc.) Why the hell wasn't this locked up in the archives?

4) Tax returns. 2006 only. If we file for an extension on our tax returns (Oct 1?) I think it's only fair and fitting that I get an extension on releasing them.

5) Obama VP Campaign: Bill's idea. Brilliant strategy. Keep undermining the Prophet by saying he'd be a perfect V.P. He wastes time refuting it. (Mopebama?) We look like saints, "grooming him" for 2016. His "people" will buy it. (They bought that Bill was the first black president, right?)

6) Follow up on (5): Call Gore. Ask him whether he wants UN, or Cabinet Level Global Warming Czar. Set up exclusive interview on Current TV.

7) Send basket of raw meat to Wolfson. Good dog! (Funny idea: Sign gift card "Ken Starr.")

8) When press asks about "too-cute-by half decision" not to release presidential papers, knee-cap 'em. All of 'em. Then blame Bush.

9) Stay on message: I'm running a high-minded campaign.

10) Bake cookies for Super-delegates???? WRONG. Personal visit by Ickes--3 a.m.--much more effective.

11) Need to kill message that we sell out every constituency in service of own ambitions. (Blacks, gays, women, NAFTA, the war.) Ask Gloria Steinem to come up with something like her "One free feel" defense of Bill.

12) All purpose answer for Mark Rich, Frank Giustra, Ron Paul, Norman Hsu: Rezko, Rezko, Rezko, Rezko.

13) That new McCain ad with Churchill is brilliant. Must figure out a way to co-opt it. Met Churchill? Had dog named Churchill? 8 years w/Bill in White House=5 years in Hanoi Hilton? (Run polling.)

14) Fruit baskets to all the usual suck-ups. (Hand-written note to T. Brown. She knows as well as I do that the book she's writing is worth piss-squat-diddely-nothing if I'm not in the race.)

15) Margaret Thatcher. How health? Good? Bad? Funeral plans? Great photo-op. I'm there.

He made multiple calls to the same network arrainging to have a prostitute transported across state lines to perform specific sex acts, knowing full well due to his history of prosecuting these very types of crimes exactly what the money he was spending would support (arguably making him an accessory). Yes, he was "involved in a prostitution ring."

Zouk, get out your tin foil hat.

"We act for a select group of educated, refined and successful international clients who give their best in all they do and who, in return, only wish to receive the best.

"Our meticulous standards ensure that you always experience the quality you've come to expect in a world-class service when working with Emperors' Club vip.

"Best of all, our innovative social introduction / dating services allow you a luxuriously enjoyable dating / travel experience with 'no strings attached.'

"Our services are professional, reliable and luxuriously pleasurable."

"Emperors' Club vip is a positive force, intensely committed to serving our customers impeccably and honestly."

sounds a lot like the Obama campaign.

I thought you were ignoring me, SFB? Less willpower than Spitzer, I see.

"...involved in a prostitution ring"

False. A close reading reveals he was NOT involved in a prostitution ring, i.e organized crime. (The wire services are to blame for the misleading phrase repeated but not corrected by Chris.)

Pointed references to his reputation for fighting corruption and prostitution are equally false in their insinuation. The fact that he has cracked down organized prostitution in his home state makes him an uncorrupted hypocrite for calling up one in D.C.

Not being a New Yorker, no dog of mine is in this hunt, but I hate to see a public servant who's betrayed and embarrassed himself and his family reduced even further to a criminal by morally confused journalists.

Update (16:50 EDT): Clay Waters of MRC's TimesWatch informs me the 3rd paragraph reference in a NYT article to Spitzer's Democratic Party affiliation has been removed. Only an oblique reference to his party remains in the 15th paragraph, notes Waters. It's the first major political sex scandal of 2008 (aside from Detroit's Kwame Kilpatrick) and it involves a Democrat. So of course the Associated Press failed to note Gov. Eliot Spitzer's (D-NY) party affiliation.

Damn! Even the good ones have their failings. Unfortunately there is no way he can remain governor... and a run for the White House one day is now a moot point.

Congrats to Spitzer on crime and so long, Gov.

No actually I respect honest Libs who can state their case.

I think you, LOUD and DUMB, are the complete loser. did you lose your job as a fluffer, Ace?

LOL brooks, you sniveling moron. Zouk thinks liberals are the lowest form of life on earth. Have you not read any of his thousands of posts? He thinks you're a complete loser.

And here you are groveling for his approval. I guess you just proved his point.

I can just imagine:

Hey bill, did you know you can order P***Y on line now?

No eliot, when did that happen? why don't you come over tonight and we'll order in. hillary is away campaigning.

Temptation is a powerful weapon. It has brought down many a powerful man.

KOZ - Don't confuse liberals with feminists. Liberals care about the country, about the health of our society and culture, about morality, and good government. Feminists care about ..... choice and soap operas and, well, themselves. We need a new word to distinguish us from "Clintonista feminists". I offer "Twits". That about sums them up - lightweights, empty headed single issue hysterical name calling jackels, bottom feeders.

Oh ,great. Another woman dragged in front of the klieg lights to dutifully stand next to and support her idiot of a husband. Just once I'd like to see one of these wives wearing the "I'm with STUPID" t-shirt. She can always get emotional support from Hillery and learn how to parlay this in to bigger things for her.

Now you know why Dem presidents have interns.

If it wasn't for that blue dress, it would all still be just a lie cooked up by the VRWC. Like all the other ones.

He was one guy I thought was coming on in politics. Oh well, his case is an example of why I'm for legalized prostitution.

My God, Howie Kurtz. Give it up. Admit you are no better than Mr. Spitzer. You can't save your marriage but maybe you can save your career. Mrs. Kurtz, please tell me you don't believe your husband. The evidence is overwhelming.

Now you know why French politicians have MISTRESSES, idiot Elliot.

Howie Kurtz. Your wife does all of Washington. Do you even care??? Of course you do. That's why your column is so biased. Please little man, deal with your personal issues so that the WaPo does not have to fire you. Because we will ALL BE ASKING YOUR EDITORS TO FIRE YOU!!!!! BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO INTEGRITY!!!! YOUR WIFE TELLS YOU WHAT TO SAY AND YOU ARE TOO AFRAID TO SAY NO, BECAUSE SHE HAS THOSE PICTURES!!!! ADMIT IT HOWIE. STAND DOWN AND SEEK THE THERAPY THAT YOU NEED. OR WE WILL ENSURE THAT YOU SEEK IT, FOR YOUR OWN GOOD.

"OMG! I read it here and thought it was too good to be true, but the European press *IS* reporting that the Fed's have Bill on tape, too! This is almost too wonderful for words. I can't wait to see the reaction of the toxic hag. Will she reprise her off key version of "Stand By Your Man" or will she dump him and reprise that "other" dolly's "You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly"? Will Spectator2 and similar radical feminists form a fire line as they toss the prostitutes under the bus in the name of political expediency? Or, will they and Hillary all simply melt away, like the Wicked Witch of the West? Now, if there was just some hope of involving "Chuckles the Clown" Schumer and the other DNC Clintonita's in this.... Maybe! I do wonder, however, how many are illegals trying to get New York drivers licenses."

mibrooks, the shrillest and most hysterical poster on these boards. It's not even close. Nothing but screeds from this clown.

Gary Hart and Obama supporter tells POTUS that he lost to Walter Mondale solely because of superdelegates.

Sounds like revisionism like he has totally forgotten about Donna Rice and Monkey Business like those big bad superdelegates should have just handed a flawed candidate (Mondale was not so great) the nomination.

I see the usual classy clintonistas are here.

"Spec, If one of the 'dates' was your daughter, would you still consider it such a laughing matter?"

First of all, proud, I didn't say it was a laughing matter, and second of all, you're evading my point, which is that you have no trouble with far nastier garbage posted by your fellow rightwingnut GOPers on these boards.

mike b - you really think this has any effect on Dems? Just another day at the office.

I love you Mr. Spitzer. The Communists at the WaPo censored my last post. No problem. They all got serviced by the same prostitutes. Especially Howie Kurtz. Look at that little Hobbitt. Do you really think his wife actually does him??? No. Simple answer. Kurtz, you really need to deal with your wife. We have all had a go with her. And you have probably not even copped a feel. That's funny, but come on. Either get a therapist or divorce her.

OMG! I read it here and thought it was too good to be true, but the European press *IS* reporting that the Fed's have Bill on tape, too! This is almost too wonderful for words. I can't wait to see the reaction of the toxic hag. Will she reprise her off key version of "Stand By Your Man" or will she dump him and reprise that "other" dolly's "You're The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly"? Will Spectator2 and similar radical feminists form a fire line as they toss the prostitutes under the bus in the name of political expediency? Or, will they and Hillary all simply melt away, like the Wicked Witch of the West? Now, if there was just some hope of involving "Chuckles the Clown" Schumer and the other DNC Clintonita's in this.... Maybe! I do wonder, however, how many are illegals trying to get New York drivers licenses.

Hey Spitzer!!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!! Look at that picture. It says it all. Who would want that wife???? NO ONE!!!!!

From today's "Head of State"
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/03/client-9.html

"Monday, March 10, 2008
Client 9

Or, as is likely to be said in the coming media Schadenfreude, Emperor's Club R. I. P.

The question will be asked repeatedly: How could someone of such seeming moral recititude, who seemed not only to base his career on such rectitude but to be driven to it, commit such an act?

In such a question, people make a simple but understandable error--they look at the fact that someone has embraced the mantle of morality--rather than the reasons for it.

There are many reasons why people adopt a particularly moral stance. For some, morality is method of controlling an otherwise fearful world, allowing one to keep a sense of predictability and control over what would otherwise be a rush of panic in the face of life's unpredictability and chaos. For others, morality serves a kind of tribal purpose, a tie to family and origins, maintaining a sense of stability and permanence through clansmanship. For others, it is a weapon of sheer opportunism, a way, among the human weapons seen across millenia, to evince power and dominion over others.

None of these are, of course, mutually exclusive, and people will often display several of these forms and bases for morality.

For Spitzer, however, morality appears to have had a particular been powerfully yoked to twin and inextricably tied purposes: competition and ambition.

Driven from an early age, morality seems to have been inextricably yoked to Spritzers remarkable drive to indicate that he was stronger, better than his competitors. Spitzer went after morality with a relish--and a tendency, which he struggled to fight down over the years, to rub victories in the face of those he had vanquished --that suggests a drive to morality as a form of competitive victory and evidence of personal superiority--the relish of a perfect score against those who would do lesser--of winning.

This is not to say that Spitzer did not see his targets as morally wrong--indeed, their moral flaws provided the spark and impetus for battle-- nor that he did not wish to correct moral wrongs. However, it is to say that the most powerful and persistent motivation driving this each day, was Spizters drive to compete, to emerge perfectly victorious over those who were thus proven as lesser, and the division of people into rather simplistic and binary forms of good and evil to serve the sense ones own victorious perfection.

Such a moral stance--of victory and defeat, of good (Spitzer) and bad (his vanquished enemies)-- can lead to a particular (and likely rapid) form of inner moral accounting and comparison: One can feel that they are so far "ahead" in moral victories as compared to the vastly less moral and vanquished others, that they are allowed a structured, narrow, and quiet deviation. After all--they are still far ahead in the moral contest, with so many victories, as compared to those that they have turned out as far less moral. Given such a margin, one can be allowed a flaw--and still be winning. It is no wonder that many of Spitzer's enemies viewed him as, at times, embracing a double standard.

Regardless of how one may view such a standard, it is different than a morality that views moral failure as human flaw; where one recognizes that there are not good people who win (Spitzer) and bad people (others) who, in a rush of competitive self-enhancement, must be defeated, but that all people must fight against human flaw. In such a moral scheme, one includes themselves. As a reformer embracing this moral approach, one would work to expose immorality for its social harms, rather than as a route to personal and professional competition and victory--and would also recognize the tendency to such flaw within themselves."

Cite:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/03/client-9.html

As the investigation proceeds I want to know what Hillary and Bill Clinton knew about this. She is a senator from New York. She is clubby with all the Democrats there. She and Spitzer are known associates. She has taken money from most of his contributors. Why aren't the media climbing all over her role in this?

THETAN, as a republican I think and many others agree, Craig should be ridden out on a rail. The democrats though could care less what you do as long as you win and vote for their pet projects, that is what makes them disgusting hypocrites.

New York Stock Exchange Reacts to the "news"...

Stock Exchange Cheers News Of Spitzer's Involvement With Prostitution Ring:

http://newsusa.myfeedportal.com/item.php?itemid=519149

I find it hilarious that democrats find Hillary repugnant and ethically bankrupt now but were perfectly happy when bill was in the whitehouse and she was their girl in the senate. Total hypocrites.

I honestly could care less who any elected official sleeps with. What bugs me is the hypocracy. Why was Larry Craig a big deal? He was a Republican, and they supposidly stand for family values. He even sponsored anti-gay legislation in Congress. Say what you want about what Bill Clinton did, but he isn't from a party that uses family values as its platform. I would have been willing to look past what he did had he not lied under oath.

Spitzer...again, can we say hypocrite? He was the Attorney General! Law and order? He supposidly despised prostitution, or at least thats what he said after a big bust in Staten Island while he was AG. This guy is bad news. But then again he pretty much jumped out in front of the bus with his proposal for drivers licenses for illegal aliens....this is just the nail in the coffin for his political career.

As a former New Yorker, I'm outraged, and I hope he resigns, quickly. I never thought I'd say this, but I think I miss Gov. Pataki.

The wife is an idiot for marrying him.

This is why Americans will never have an woman president. They don't trust their judgement.

The Clintons should release all her records (tax returns, White House records, big donors to their foundation, pimps within Hillary's superdelegates, etc.)

This is truly sad. Spitzer was a good AG, but having gotten off to such a rocky start as governor, it's hard to see him continuing in office. His approval ratings had tanked, and although he was beginning to rebound, his conflicts with the NY Senate Majority Leader (a Republican) are still heated. I thought he was arrogant, but not stupid.

I agree about the wife. She should have told him to get lost. Go put your own sorry face above that prostitution headline, not mine.

I see Spectator2 is still suffering from LBD syndrone. Is that the problem with your shrill and hysterical Hillary folk?

Another illustrious clinton supporter is exposed for the morally bankrupt hack that he is. I'm not at all surprised. I hope Clinton and her minions burn in hell for this sh!t.

"Why do their wives have to stand by their sides as they reveal their follies?"

Good question. Whenever a pol gets nabbed in this sort of thing, you know the guy's in the doghouse. Putting the suffering wife next to him doesn't fool anyone, and just makes her suffer.

Why can't they show the pro next to him (although I'm sure she's already talking to Playboy)? She must be smokin' for $5,500 an hour.

How much does McCain pay for his lobbyist liasons?

"That is an argument for another day"

Agreed, and frankly it's one of those issues I'm not really sure on. The question was asked so I answered it, but my libertarian leanings tell me to legalize it anyways. As you stated nd I said earlier, it needs to be discussed at another time, preferrably at a more neutral time when a specific highprofile case wasn't before us, emotions and circumstances cloud judgement.

Hillary must be pressing Spitzer to not resign in order to not lose one of her superdelegate. It's time for a big change in politics.

funny how all the liberal feminists dissappear into the woodwork when it is a Dem perp.

where is the outrage drindl and jackels?

kreuz, if you meant your 5:02P for a reply to my 4:59P, please know that I was giving you credit for citing the federal crime involved, which I thought you had done, previously.
------------------
I would be among those who would argue for decriminalizing and regulating and taxing prostitution. For reasons that date back to the real days of "white slave" trade, I would not decriminalize the interstate transportation of women for sex - although, in a world where prostitution were decriminalized, I would allow consent as a defense.
---------------------
That is an argument for another day.

This stinks.

harried....

Due the Clinton-Flowers fiasco, the Clinton-Jones lawsuit, and the Clinton-Lewinski impeachment, male politicians are much more resolved and embolden to keep their political seats of power. If Bill Clinton could go through years of this crap and still have high favorable ratings upon the end of his presidential term, lesser politicians feel that they can achieve the same by simply apologizing. Spitzer should call up Clinton for advice.

Spec, If one of the 'dates' was your daughter, would you still consider it such a laughing matter?

In limited cases, yes, and when you're just talking about a single controlled environment like Nevada, it's feasible. But if you do it nationwide and factor in major urban areas where it can easily disappear into the background and factor in our admittedly more puritan views toward sexuality than our Austrailian cousins, the circumstances cannot be directly compared.

"So, one more time...why is prostitution illegal?"

Because 90% of the time prostitution equals slavery. Granted, odds on not in this case, but most of the time. Do you really think prostitutes would unionize, seek out better working conditions, etc., in most cases even if it were legalized? And do you really think we could track down all that tax revenue we should be getting?

Posted by: kreuz_missile | March 10, 2008 05:08 PM
______________________________

KREUZ_MISSILE!

"Do you really think prostitutes would unionize, seek out better working conditions, etc., in most cases even if it were legalized"

Actually, this is exactly what happened in Australia preceeding the recent Olympic Games in Sydney.

I could be mistaken, but think there are some unions in NV for such workers as well.

It's a sad commentary on the nuts on this board that tie every negative thing that happens in the world today to Clinton's dally with Monica. It is the old adolecent DIRTY, DIRTY, DIRTY!

I love proud's selective outrage at comments posted on these boards.

"So, one more time...why is prostitution illegal?"

Because 90% of the time prostitution equals slavery. Granted, odds on not in this case, but most of the time. Do you really think prostitutes would unionize, seek out better working conditions, etc., in most cases even if it were legalized? And do you really think we could track down all that tax revenue we should be getting?

Typical democrat, thinks honor and character don't matter. Just apologizing for getting caught.

"Are there any federal anti-rent-a-date laws?"

Rent-a-date? cute. Please, bsimon, let's refrain from minimizing the act of prostituting oneself and the subsequent degradation of women. Spitzer's actions underscore the effect of this "profession" as it furthers the power politics of the male gender. Go ahead, call me a feminist, but I find your terminology offensive.

Clinton/Spitzer for President08.

So, one more time...why is prostitution illegal? Spitzer's real crime is hypocrisy. Take away the illegality, empower the sex workers and leave consenting adults to do whatever they want in the privacy of the bedroom. Don't like prostitution? Don't engage in it. The problem with policing morality is that mine and yours are never the same.

What a surprise. Another corrupt criminal politician from New York. Or is he from Israel?

Empror has NO CLOTHS.

You donot invite Rabbie to dinner and seve him pork!!! Have shame RESIGN.

You handcuffed Stock Market people. Now you did a crime more unethical than money--you kicked your wife in her sleep.

Why do you direct that at me? That's what I've been saying all along.

"Spitzer will survive. As already noted, Vitter & Craig are still around. If deviant behavior were sufficient to end someone's political career, I'm sure there'd be higher turnover in Congress."

That's all fine and dandy, except Spitzer used to put people like himself in jail.

from kreuz and others:

"So it isn't just prostitution ... but in this case a Federal offense."

According to POTUS '08, ten minutes ago, this is a true allegation, and Spitzer will resign, tonight.

Again, it is the hypocrisy. This man was a self-proclaimed "law-and-order" Attorney General who ran for Governor and won on that rep.

If the allegations are true, he should resign and he should bear the weight of a federal prosecution. If the allegations are true, there is no defense and no excuse.

Totally aside, as a psychological statement, a lawyer who pays to transport a hooker across state lines fully well knowing the consequences is taking a stupid risk. One who is in public office is daring the authorities to prosecute him - it must be like a felony-stupid game to him.

Why was the Governor of NY in DC, anyway? Did he transport her for his own sport or to use in a lobbying effort?

This stinks.

It is a sure bet that as of this minute Hillary is running around town trying to find out what # Bill was in the prostitution ring. Once a cheater, always a cheater. This is the kind of place where Bill would go for sex since Hill has been too busy on her relentless quest of the presidancy. Would it surprise anyone if Bill was the next one to get caught??????

***
Awwww, those poor pervy Republicans really had quite a run with the sex scandals.

Sorry we had to break your streak. It seems you can't win at anything these days.
***

"Can't believe people here are tying this event to the Clintons."

I don't think this says anything about Clinton, her judgemetn, etc., but at the same time, when your name is Clinton, one of your high profile endorsers being ivolved in a sex scandal can't be a good thing. She's been taking about how vetted she is and only taking credit for the good things in Bill's administration, having this in the headlines for the next few days will do more to really bring back the bad memories of the administration that I'm sure she wishes wasn't being discussed at such a critical time.

Didn't read all the comments, but Paterson would be the THIRD black governor. Remember Doug Wilder, people?!?!?!

2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll
http://www.votenic.com
Our Poll Progresses Throughout the Week, So Come Back Often and Check The Results!

Is your wire tapped or perhaps the wire of the party to which you are speaking?

Why do their wives have to stand by their sides as they reveal their follies?

Posted by: loved1 | March 10, 2008 04:39 PM
----------------------

Good question. I surely wouldn't.

I likes to see democrats suffer. So very funny. HA HA Hillary supporter! Big liar governor! Liar! Liar! Liar! He thinks we are fools! He is only sorry he got caught. This is just like a Clinton. HA HA HA!!!

PatrickNYC1: Because Craig didn't pay and Vitter had the good judgement not to $4300 when you can get another woman just as good looking for $250.00

Governor Spitzer is playing from the Clinton-Vitter-Craig playbook. Ask for forgiveness and hunker down until the press storm passes. In the United Kingdom, members of the Cabinet resign with differences in policies with their own government. That idea would be strange with our politicans here in the U.S. If the good Governor wants to pay a prostitute for sex, that is fine. But if he used taxpayer money to finance his visits, then he should resign or impeached.

FYI Patterson has already endorsed HRC.

Can't believe people here are tying this event to the Clintons. 70 percent of the voters in New York favored him in the election. I guess we could turn this around and say Obama was close to Rezko and therefore corrupt.
Silly, silly.

Spitzer should not resign until Diaper Dave Vitter and Larry Toe Tapping Craig resign.

The Repukes have driven down the level of everything in this country. Their radio whackos gay-bash presidential candidates, their politicians are all perverts, and they don't quit or lose their jobs when they do anything wrong.

And this is the party of moral values that was going to clean up Washington. What a load of bullcrap. Repukes are crooks.

"The only legitimate public policy reason to outlaw this sort of business is public health - while this is a legitimate concern, it is highly likely the Governor Spitzer and this agency used protection in whatever activities they were engaged in."

Well, the reason the Feds were investigating to begin with is underlying accusations of money laundering. That in turn applies mob connections and a number of problems for society at large. Maybe those problems wouldn't exist if prostitution were legalized, but that is a debate for another day.

As far as Spitzer goes, that just makes the matters even worse. He has built his career as a prosecutor going after the Mob, white collar crime, etc., and he of all people both should know better than to engage in this activity, but also he really should have known better how to cover his tracks.

2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll
http://www.votenic.com
Our Poll Progresses Throughout the Week, So Come Back Often and Check The Results!

My first reaction -- What an idiot. The guy's got a beautiful wife and is governor of New York, but doesn't have the intelligence or the moral sense (just one of these would've been sufficient) to keep it in his pants? STUPID.

and amatai.. what are you talking about? ("When a Republican gets caught cheating on their spouse they immediately are forced to resign their office but when a Democrat is caught cheating on their wife somehow they are allowed to remain in office")
Both Craig & Vitter are still in office as far as I know.

When a Republican gets caught cheating on their spouse they immediately are forced to resign their office but when a Democrat is caught cheating on their wife somehow they are allowed to remain in office, and the left wing pundits declare their private life no one elses business.
Posted by: amitai | March 10, 2008 04:41 PM
-------------------------------------
Like it or not cheating on your spouse is not a crime. With a prostitute, yes. But if what you say is true about republicans leaving office why is Vitter and Craig still there?

We live in a society premised on individual choice and responsibility. This appears to be a high end escort agency, where it would be farfetched to argue that these women are being exploited. The only legitimate public policy reason to outlaw this sort of business is public health - while this is a legitimate concern, it is highly likely the Governor Spitzer and this agency used protection in whatever activities they were engaged in.

This strikes me as a private matter for Mr. Spitzer and his family. Spitzer has been very successful at transforming the state-level AG's office, and gaining the governor's office in the 2nd largest state in the country. He should be judged based on his record of accomplishment and his policy positions, not on this silliness that is none of our business.

Spitzer is FINISHED. Wall Street hates him anyhow, so he is toast. I guess this means Billary just lost a superdelegate.

Yea! A democrat got nailed! And a Hillary supporter too. Ha Ha.

When a Republican gets caught cheating on their spouse they immediately are forced to resign their office but when a Democrat is caught cheating on their wife somehow they are allowed to remain in office, and the left wing pundits declare their private life no one elses business. When you disgrace the office you were elected to serve you should resign immediately, irregardless of whether or not you are a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. When we continue to make excuses for the character problems our elected officials have and allow them to remain in office we dumb down morality further and further. Some day, a politician will get caught embezzling money or even for murder but if the economy is doing well, and the trains are running on time voters will excuse their "moral lapse." It's long past the time we set and MAINTAIN higher standards for those we put in power.

Oopsy.

I've admired his work in tackling white collar crime. I guess he must've really cheesed off someone important?

Look, it's not like he was looking for anonymous gay sex in an airport...or fooling around with underage pages. This was on the up and up, services rendered and paid for.

Too bad we live in a nation of hypocrites. And I mean that as much for Spitzer as I do his critics of this mess.

He's probably going to have some dishes thrown at him later this evening...

Why do their wives have to stand by their sides as they reveal their follies?

As Attorney General I believed that Spitzer was under the thumb of a Republican blackmail mafia. Many of the prosecutions he pursued seemed as suspect as many from the US DOJ.

To those who assert that this doesn't affect his ability to govern, I would argue that he would be more susceptibl