Spitzer is a fool for "tooting" his own horn about combating "white collar" crimes. His "bulldozing" tactics was his eventual downfall. "What goes around, comes around."

What is surprising is the stance his wife took immediately after all of this blew up! She actually told Eliot to stay on the job and not resign. I mean, give me a break! She's so concerned about the "JOB" as opposed to what effect this will have on her family. Well, it was made clear in the media that She (Silda) and her mother knew that Eliot was doing this kind of stuff. It seems to me that an arrangement was made between Silda and Eliot and that each would have freedom to do their extra-marital activities so long as things continued on its merry way. But as things always seem to work out, reality hit the fan and well, the results are clearly visible for the world to see and ridicule.

It's funny because I seem to remember real well how someone else faced similar circumstances. Oh yeah, there was this family called the "Clintons". Seems to me I remember a husband fooling around with a younger female. And I also recall a wife who also encouraged her husband to fight the allegations and not resign. It's funny how life imitates life. Only in that case aspirations overruled the "right" thing to do. What a mess!!!

And to think that the one who wins in this case is a little unknown 22 yr. old woman who stands to make so much money. What a laugh!!!

Your comment:
The resignation of Spitzer bookends a career marked by a meteoric rise and, now, a just as meteoric fall.
puzzles me.

Meteors do not rise, they fall. I don't understand how a career may be marked by a meteoric rise since there is no such thing.

Spitzer's long term userous behaviour went far beyond a minor character flaw. He used women and undermined his own daughters' lives, as well as his wife's. He contributed to the degradation of women and the breakdown of his own family and society overall - and possibly the spread of disease. It was hardly just sex or just contributing to the oldest profession in the world. He has no respect for women or his daughters or wife or the law. He has undermined many who may have looked up to him and he has even undermined his own party. It is absolutely astounding how he could have thought he would get away with this without being caught. Ref. the prostitues. Who hasn't come from a broken home these days? That is not an excuse. She contributed to the breakdown of another's marriage. Why are women always hurting other women when they should be supporting them? Because they can benefit? I'm sure a book will be following soon and she will benefit financially, but if one hurts another, there is no way that that hurt won't eventually come back. What a mess he has left!!

After "stepping in," how about Gov. Spitzer "stepping down" on St. Patrick's Day? Rather poetic, one gets the idea of what's happened to the Democratic Party over time.

Well, I don't think H. Clinton will be nominee, leaving us the choice between the young Obama and the doddering, cranky McCain. I'll take my chances and vote for the former.

The last thing we need is an older, nastier version of Bush.

Well we agree that he is not really good loking. My main grevience with the Clintons, and what I fear with another 4 years, is that their secretiveness, his reckless behavoir, and their willingness to lie and play dirty, will keep us from 4 years in which a President without those traits or bagagge could actually accomplish something. I want someone who can do more then tiptoe on the edge of another scandal every few months. That is why I do not like the Clintons. They let us down once, shame on them. To give them another chance Shame on us.

And given how mush smoke, and various glimpses at the fire they use to keep it just smoke, I 9in my personal opinion) believe that Bill Clinton is a guilty of multiple Sexual Assualts and Rape and I have a problem with that.

Admire? Maybe for nailing Miss America. You gotta give him props for that one.

Good looking? LOL. He's turning into Teddy Kennedy.

I would say there's no hypocrisy in this case, because unlike Spitzer, Craig, and Vitter, Clinton has certainly not been a moralizer. He's been a lot of things but not that.

And I hardly think he's put on a pedestal for his womanizing. I know his fans would surely have wished he didn't do that crap.

I never said that he should have resigned. And he did 'troll for it' inappropriately using Arkansas State Troopers. The fact that given just his known people see him as some stud to be admired is very strange. Yu seem to actually admire what he has done. I see it as lack of morals and reckless behavior that he let affect the job he was hired to do. For whatecer reason, that he is a Democrat or good looking or powerful he is put on a pedistal for things that would never be tolerated in others. It is hypocracy and I think it needs to be pointed out now and then.

dyork, yes, we know you don't like the Clintons. But if you thought he was going to resign over accusations, just because they were sleazy accusations, you're rather naive.

Gennifer Flowers: he boned her. She never complained. Move on.

Monica Lewinsky: She gave him bjs. She loved the big lug. Move on.

Paula Jones: We'll never know what went on there. Move on.

Juanita Brodderick: Lots of smoke, no fire. Move on.

Pretty much everyone agrees that Clinton is a white trashy guy who has boned a lot of women, some pretty trashy themselves -- but not all (former Miss America Elizabeth Ward Gracen, for example). Guys like you just can't deal with guys like Clinton -- for whatever reason, he gets a lot of women. You can't stand that.

And unlike Spitzer or Vitter, he apparently has never had to pay for it. Or troll for it in bathrooms a la Craig.

Spectator2

I said 'accused' which is a fact in every case I pointed out. And in the case of Pauka Jones Clinton paid a settlement. I am forever amazed that a person can have so many cases of this type associated with him and appoligists such as yourself try to pass it off as 'Internet slandorous cowards' or trailer park sleazes. Until it is acknowledged like with Gennifer Flowers, or Monica Lewinsky, or Paula jones and then it is simply erased from your memory. He is a sleaze. He desrves the same contempt, more actually, as is continually thrown out on these pages for Craig and Vitt and others.

FYI to all:
Clinton loses a superdel.
Patterson was already a super and new Lt. Gov is a republican.
Spitzer fighting tactics remind me HRC.
Obama/Biden 2008!
Posted by: dab23 | March 12, 2008 01:36 PM

=========================

Sorry to burst your bubble, but being the Lt. Gov has nothing to do with being a superdelegate. Paterson was a superdelegate by virtue of being a DNC member, not because he was lt.gov. Only he Governor automatically gets to be a superdelegate. So now Paterson can trade his DNC-pass for a governor-pass --- but it's up to the DNC whether they they want to select a replacement for his superdelegate slot on the DNC.

dab23 writes: "Clinton loses a superdel.

Patterson was already a super and new Lt. Gov is a republican."

Not so fast. It is more complicated than that. Paterson is a superdelegate as a result of his position in the DNC, not by being Lt. Gov. If Paterson steps into the Gov. position AND withdraws from his DNC slot, then another NY super will be named, presumably aligned with Hillary.

great job, dyork, care to list indictments, never mind convictions, in any of those cases?

The Internet is great for slanderous cowards.

Yes, Bill Clinton has only been accused of non-criminal activity. Juanita Brodericck - RAPE, Paula jones - Sexual Assualt, kathleen Wiley - Sexual Assulat, Arknsas - using State Police as Pimps. You are right. Bill Clinton is a non-criminal activity class act.

hoomes, when GOP talks about contortions, does he mean leaning underneath a stall divider to make a high sign?

Also, we're giggling at the sudden GOP high-mindedness that thinks condemning a senator trolling for sex with strangers is gay-bashing. If Craig went into the ladies' room to do it he would meet the same reaction.

And I sense a change in the Rove/Mehlman talking points. Is same-sex marriage now on the table? What will the base think of that? Oh, that's right ... whatever Rush and Hannity tell them!

This blog is much more entertaining than a soap opera.

"Spectator you must have amnesia, Clinton was guilty of several Federal offenses, Perjury, Obstruction of Justice and suborning perjury."

Nice try, but you clearly said "sexual experience outside his marriage." In Clinton's case, that was noncriminal activity. Whatever he did after that was meant to cover up noncriminal activity.

Please try to keep it straight.

In Spitzer's case we're talking possible money landering and Mann Act violations. Hardly small potatoes. If he had just had a girl delivered to his office he could probably have skated.

Spectator you must have amnesia, Clinton was guilty of several Federal offenses, Perjury, Obstruction of Justice and suborning perjury. Elliot just hired an expensive hooker. Big Deal, so what, small potatoes compared to Bubba crimes.

"bondjedi I thought dems were against gay bashing."

Another meatball from vbhoomes. Dems don't care how much strange shlong Craig partakes of. The only gay basher, ironically, is the self-hating Craig.

Spitzer did the right thing to resign. Other politicians should follow that lead: David Vitter (R-La.), William Jefferson (D-La.). Larry Graig is going to stay on for the remainder of his term, which ends in November. Jefferson will face a tough primary, and if he wins, general in November. This wasn't a sex scandal, but a scandal involving greed and self-service none the less. David Vitter is trying to let his pass over, as he's not up for re-election until 2010. I wish he would resign this year, though. It would make it much easier to defeat Liendrieu for either Kennedy or Dardene. Plus, Gov. Jindal would be naming Vitter's replacement, so that is safely R. Vitter, Graig & Jefferson should all resign! In fact Spitzer, Vitter & Jefferson likely belong in jail. Graig's case is just weird!

bondjedi I thought dems were against gay bashing. This has been a great election so far because the dems are being exposed as their true selves: Bigots and homophobes. The word is the Emperor's club has 10 VIPS in its black book. Hopefully the Bush Justice department will not let the public know Bill Clintons name is in the black book until HCR has won the nomination.

vbhoomes: You should get a job as a batting practice pitcher.

Spitzer's "sexual experience outside his marriage" has allegedly involved a variety of crimes, including possible federal offenses. Not so with Clinton's

So, nothing twisted about the logic at all. Better luck next time.

"As usual dems put themselves in all kinds of contortions trying to explain their new position that is with odds of their old position. "

Wrong again. The party with the position problem is the GOP, and the positions are the wide stance and reaching under the stall divider to proposition strangers. I look at Craig and think GOP means "gay old perverts."

As usual dems put themselves in all kinds of contortions trying to explain their new position that is with odds of their old position. Their old position: Clinton should not resign for a sexual experience outside of his marriage. New position: Eliot was right to resign. Their twisted logic is reason enough to votes dems out.

LOL Rove and Mehlman: Two more members of the GOP's "Big Closet" brigade.

Better them than your perennial loser Howard Dean. He can't even do his own job, according to the headlines:

Democrats Stuck in Own Mud

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

bondjedi: this whole "how fast did they mention the guy's party affiliation" thing appears to be occupying Republicans for hours on end these days -- probably because so many of their guys are getting caught diddling someone they shouldn't be diddling.

"The interesting thing is that, last August when news of Larry Craig's arrest broke, both ABC and NBC stressed his GOP affiliation, whereas both networks failed to cite Spitzer's political affiliation in the four minutes or so each network dedicated to the recent revelations. Coincidence? "

Dude ... your screen name is ProudtobeGOP, not ProudtobeGOPuntilOneOfUsGetsOuted.

And let me get this straight - you think it was a deliberate editorial decision on the part of both news departments not to state Spitzer's party affiliation, and that they made this decision in an attempt to downplay his sins? Very interesting. Of course, we'd all be interested to see the memos or e-mails that you have intercepted that back this ABSURD claim up.

Go back to Rove and Mehlman and fetch a more lucid talking point, please.

"I know it may interrupt your soap operas though."

Tired, boring, and stale. Just like everything you post. What is it with you morons and soap operas? Those of us with jobs don't watch them.

"I don't recall you applying any of those terms to Craig or Vitter, but if you did kindly post a link and I'll be happy to retract."

Isn't the burden on you, since you're the one making the accusation?

I know it may interrupt your soap operas though.

I called for Vitter's resignation when it happened. I *though* Craig had resigned, and didn't comment much.

I'm glad to see Spitzer do the "right" thing.

Spec, I have previously stated that I thought it would be better if Craig had resigned, as he originally stated. But, in the end it's up to the voters to decide if they felt un-represented or that their needs would be better served by electing a replacement.
----------------

But it doesn't say much for the Republican Party and the integrity of their "family values" posturing to have accepted Craig's hypocrisy. Now, if the Repubs were to go back to their roots of minimal government interference in private lives and eschew the religious right's agenda, I'd have no problem.

But as long as the Repubs allow their party to be so co-opted, it remains open to charges of gross hypocrisy concerning Vitner and Craig.

Spec, I have previously stated that I thought it would be better if Craig had resigned, as he originally stated. But, in the end it's up to the voters to decide if they felt un-represented or that their needs would be better served by electing a replacement. The electoral process is a wonderful remedy for these things. It seems the people of LA have little interest in Vitter's fun on the bayou.

Mr Former Attorney Genereal/ Gov. Spitzer's conduct, while equally offensive in moral sense, is also many degrees worse legally speaking if they get him on Federal charges and money laundering.

The interesting thing is that, last August when news of Larry Craig's arrest broke, both ABC and NBC stressed his GOP affiliation, whereas both networks failed to cite Spitzer's political affiliation in the four minutes or so each network dedicated to the recent revelations. Coincidence?

"He's a freakin weasel, and a liar, a schmuck, a narcissist, and it's about time he realised he's not above the law."

You didn't mention his stance. Is it wider than the GOP's Larry Craig?

"He's a freakin weasel, and a liar, a schmuck, a narcissist, and it's about time he realised he's not above the law."

I don't recall you applying any of those terms to Craig or Vitter, but if you did kindly post a link and I'll be happy to retract.

I'm glad to see Spitzer do the "right" thing.

Posted by: USMC_Mike | March 12, 2008 03:23 PM
---------------------------
I know you mean resign but the right thing also would have been to keep his zipper up, as should have Bill. It was reported this morning also the agents were asked what was meant when the agent said he like to do things that were not safe he meant without a condom. What a sleeze bag. He risked taking home God knows what to his wife.

In my 30 years of working I can't tell you how many co-workers cheated on their wives, many with prostitutes. Ladies get yourselves tested.

bradcpa, The only reason Spitzer did "the right thing" is beacuse he was looking down the barrel of impeachment charges in the next 24 hours. He's a freakin weasel, and a liar, a schmuck, a narcissist, and it's about time he realised he's not above the law. Although I don't think he really does; he still considers himself better than the people he prosecuted I'll just bet. He's only sorry he got caught.

proudtobeGOP-(R) - "both ABC and NBC stressed his GOP affiliation, whereas both networks failed to cite Spitzer's political affiliation in the four minutes or so each network dedicated to the recent revelations. Coincidence?"

Coincidence? Ha! Conservative blogger Proud seems to indicate that there is a left-leaning bias in the media. The conservative askes if the selective reporting technique is a "coincidence" given Mr. Spitzer's coverage. Many conservatives and their conservative supporters argue this bias although "independent" studies and centrists like Ted Kennedy seem skeptical.

I'll submit to you the following true story. When I got home yesterday, I asked my very non-political wife if she had heard about it. "Of course, it's been on everywhere all afternoon", she answered. "What an idiot!" she stated and then asked, "Is he a Republican or Democrat?"

Hey Chris, I don't recall a Governor ever stepping down here before, does Paterson get to pick his replacement or is it by special election? He's a Clinton supporter so I wonder if he's going to pick someone who is as well.
----------------
Actually I don't believe there is a provision in the New York Constitution to replace a Lieutenant Governor.

"The career parallel is uncanny."

Not to mention her reaction.

Not knowing much about her, I was shocked to hear she was not only standing by her man, but urging him NOT to resign.

I thought to myself, what kind of power addict would value being a first lady above having a loving, faithful marriage?

Then I found out more about Mrs. Clinton, I mean, Mrs. Spitzer.

Yes we do have hypocrisy in this country and it manifests itself in the Republican Party. I commend Sptizer for doing the right thing. The Republican Party makes a huge deal about a double standard with the Democrats but interestingly enough it is David Vetter and Larry Craig who are still in the Senate. Especially those slime Larry Craig who does it in public restroom. The world knows that Democrats are judged much harder by the media than the Republican Party.

He is Adm. Fallon, a four star, but not a General. He was a pilot in 'Nam and he is a proponent of more force in Afghanistan.

I do believe that Gates shares his views, generally.

I don't admire Spitzer much; he seems to be getting his just desserts. I do, however, appreciate how he's taken responsibility for his actions. I hate those "I apologize to anyone I offended" non-apologies!

I feel sorry for his wife.

Not to be picky or anything, but the quote from Spitzer's announcement should read "people's work," not "peoples' work."

Absolutely stunning and shocking turn of events. And he still faces federal charges for violating the Mann Act and Money Laundering. WOW. I wish Spitzer and his family (especially his wife -- look at her, she is absolutely DEVASTATED) WELL. And I wish the new Governor God's speed in his new role. http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/03/its-official-governor-elliot-sexcapades.html#links

Dear ol Dershowitz.
Said pols and prostitutes would be on back page in Europe.
Twaddle.
Illegalities like that gets front page as they do here.
Personal mistresses/lovers? That is an arguable point, but not illegal activity.

You cannot be elected to the top law enforcement position and expect a free pass when you break the very laws you have sworn an oath to uphold.

It gives license to every citizen to do the same.

AndyR3:

Sure, the media will give it a lot of airtime so they have something to talk about. But I live in PA and am surrounded by D's (the few that exist in central PA). I have to tell you that most people's opinions on this primary are already made up, very similarly to the "Obama-maniacs" and "Clintonistas" that post on these threads. I don't think things would change drastically even if Bill were Client #8.

Tony Blair's former spin doctor, Alistair Campbell, famously encouraged the government ministries to announce negative or inconvenient news on days, when the public was focused on other things (such as Diana's or Queen Mother's deaths).

With all the focus on Spitzer, it is interesting to notice, what news didn't get a lot of attention yesterday - the resignation of the Combatant Commander of CENTCOM, Gen. Fallon, who had stated that attacks on Iran wouldn't happen on his watch.

He has now resigned after only one year as a commander. That is significant news forgotten among talks of "american, petite blonds" and "governors gone wild" (Roger Simon's phrase)

Worth noticing!

So much for the home state boost. First Client 9, then Ferraro.

Bad news comes in threes. Who will be the next NY pol to cripple the Clinton tilt? Charlie Rangel, switching his endorsement? Schumer, reading the writing on the wall? Cuomo endorsing Obama?

FYI to all:

Clinton loses a superdel.

Patterson was already a super and new Lt. Gov is a republican.

Spitzer fighting tactics remind me HRC.

Obama/Biden 2008!

Mark_in_austin,
Did not see Rose but have seen Alan Dershowitz in several interviews. His position was that Spitzer should not have resigned as he did nothing more than commit a mere misdemeanor (similar to jaywalking as he put it) and that it was an unfair witch hunt that targeted him. He did not seem to have a problem with the hypocrisy or any possible legal issues.

That should have read ..."obscenity bulldozer". Not sure what happened with the post.

"Spitzer is the one who originally gave himself the name."

I believe that it was " bulldozer" to be precise. Tact was not part of the Spitzer package, so I am told.

I commend last night's Charlie Rose to all. It was an extraordinary discussion among men who know Spitzer well -
Brian Ross, David Margolick, David Boies, Mark Green, and Alan Dershowitz. None of them saw this coming.

http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2008/03/11/1/a-discussion-about-eliot-spitzer
------------------------
Mrs. Spitzer was a Harvard educated lawyer who was a hard charger who billed 9 hrs/day at Boies firm in Manhattan, became in-house counsel at Chase, and gave up her lucrative career to be his First Lady, for which she got a "working office" in the capital in Albany. My heart goes out to her for standing with him during his betrayal of her, but I cannot help but wonder if this will become part of her "35 years" of experience now that he is out of politics.

The career parallel is uncanny.

mnteng,
You asked "Why does the media think this is going to have any real impact on the presidential race?"

Its simple. This will bring up newscast after newscast of people talking about 'other sex scandals' and we all know what that means; more and more of Bill wagging his finger at us about how he didn't have sex with that woman. Also expect to hear news coverage and talk radio hosts to start 'sainting' Spitzer for doing the right thing and resigning where as Clinton stayed in office and dragged the country through the scandal.

Now will this have a real effect, probably not. But it will be some negative news for the Clinton folks. Watch the polls in PA I would expect to see a drop of 5% by Clinton in two to three days as a reaction to this whole deal. Especially since PA and NY are right next to each other.

judge wants to hear how "Spitzer's situation is "totally different" from Vitter's or Craig's."

Well, I wouldn't say they're "totally" different. But the f*ing bulldozer is guilty of violating the public trust in a far more glaring manner than either of the other two. He has (allegedly) violated Federal law and it seems some financial ones as well. $80,000 for hookers? C'mon.

Besides, I'll bet the policeman in the Minneapolis airport was better looking.
;-)

The more interesting story is yet to come: whether a very smart but inexperienced black man, known as a non-partisan uniter, can manage the state of NY better than the unlikeable, experienced "can do" fighter who just resigned.

So much for experienced fighters.

Hey Chris, I don't recall a Governor ever stepping down here before, does Paterson get to pick his replacement or is it by special election? He's a Clinton supporter so I wonder if he's going to pick someone who is as well.
----------------
A local pol referred to Spitzer as a "bulldozer"....

Spitzer is the one who originally gave himself the name.

Anyone know if Paterson will be the first blind person to govern a state?

He did the right thing. Getting out of the public spotlight is the best move possible for this guy now.

Why does the media think this is going to have any real impact on the presidential race? It's not like Spitzer's running for office or is a major campaign operative. Even if he were involved in Clinton's campaign, it's almost 6 weeks until the PA primary. Given the number of slights the Clinton and Obama campaigns are taking (perceived or otherwise), I guarantee something else will come up between now and April 22 and this story will fade away.

I applaud him for resigning, even if it was in a clinical, legally safe, unspectacular way. I really thought that he would have taken his wife's advice and tried to weather the storm.

He just did.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/120366

Is anyone looking into the fact that the FBI was keeping tabs on him and that he was caught via federal wiretap. Did they have a warrent? Why was the FBI staking him out? For a few thousand dollars cash moving around? I don't think so. Seems very suspecious. Why aren't more people talking about this?

Seems like hypocrisy is sometimes recognized and condemned. We would all be better off if the same standard was applied to issues of political significance.

Now, let's move on. It's amazing that the media has spent this much time and energy throwing mud at a Democrat. This is the sort of thing that we should save to use against the Republicans in November. It worked well in 2000.
-Trevor Wynne
Washington, DC
http://timelikethis.blogspot.com/

All right! One less delegate for Clinton!

They say its better to burn out than to fade away, but I'm thinking former Gov Spitzer would not agree.

My husband has served time in jail, albeit briefly, so I value his opinions regarding appropriate punishment

As a wife of a trying man myself, I very much sympathize with Mrs. Spitzer and her girls.

I simply do not understand how she could stand up with him, however.

The meter's running on when either KOZ or Proud will tell us how Spitzer's situation is "totally different" from Vitter's or Craig's. Tick, tick, tick.....

I applaud Governor Spitzer for making the right decision. His words and tone were appropriately somber and remorseful. I haven't read anything (other than speculation) about a plea deal on potential federal charges - is it possible he just did the right thing and didn't negotiate for a deal as a condition for his resignation?

A local pol referred to Spitzer as a "bulldozer" and Governor-to-Be Patterson as a "wheelbarrow" - someone who likes to bring people along with him rather than run them over. The problem is, as bullheaded as Spitzer is, Albany is sadly in need of a shake up. It doesn't sound like Patterson is the guy to do this. Bloomber in 2010 is sounding better and better.

Good riddance.

Now, let's move on with the criminal prosecution for his financial moves.

A year or two in jail might further reinforce the fact that "politicians" ARE NOT "gods", and and hypocrites are not going to be supported with taxpayer money.

A hero flies up into the sun, his wings melt, and he falls to earth. Is it because of his flaws? Or because of intense scrutiny due to his elected position, which he ambitiously sought.
Did he make a foolish mistake in banking more than 10,000 in cash, which we all know is a trigger for required bank reporting? Or was he targeted by his enemies? Word has it the NYSE traders and fat cats danced when they heard of Spitzer's demise. As my father said, "They finally got Elliot Spitzer." But the world is not a better place for having got him. He did good in suppressing white collar crime.

OK, first to get my irrational irritation at him out of the way: Smooth move, Idiot Ness. Couldn't manage to keep it in your pants, and now nobody's going to have a reason to care where you keep it.

Now, with that aside, it's time to look forward to something that is fairly well interesting: the first blind governor. True, he wasn't elected to the position, but it's still nice to see that a physical handicap hasn't prevented Paterson from achieving tremendous success.

And on another point, that's one superdelegate down for Hillary, at least until Paterson's DNC replacement is named.

to sequoiaqueneaux:

Great name, but did you have to buy all those vowels? ;-)

Hey, Larry Craig! That's how you go out with a shred of dignity.

He was right to resign.

Still waiting for "Wide Stance" Craig and "Family Values" Vitter to do the right thing.

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