DOWNFALL.
The implosion of Eliot Spitzer looks fated to become one of the more dramatic downfalls in American political history. It was Spitzer's reputation as a tough-as-nails, populist prosecutor of Wall Street misdeeds that attached to him what, with 20-20 hindsight, were totally outrageous expectations: First Jewish President. Savior of Democratic Populism. Tamer of Corporate America.
Almost as soon as he entered office, Spitzer's flaws were brought to light. New Yorkers have rolled their eyes through an unbecoming scandal in which he used aides to dig dirt on Joseph Bruno, the Republican Senate majority leader and, arguably, Albany's most powerful figure. Then, politically chastened, Spitzer proved weak-kneed on his own proposal to grant undocumented immigrants driver's licenses. This was the same proposal that so tripped up Hillary Clinton during fall debates.
The timing of this prostitution brouhaha isn't very helpful, as New York Democrats are hoping to take over the State Senate, which would finally allow some more progressive legislation to break through.
One last thought: When politicians are caught cheating, I wish they'd leave their wives in the green room while they address the press. You're in the dog house, and it should look that way. Those "stand by your man" visuals are tired and demeaning.
--Dana Goldstein
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COMMENTS (28)
"When politicians are caught cheating, I'd wish they'd leave their wives in the green room while they address the press. You're in the dog house, and it should look that way. Those "stand by your man" visuals are tired and demeaning."
I couldn't agree more! Why should she have to take the heat for his stupidity?
I only hope girlfriend is getting some major jewellery or real estate or artworks (like Kobe Bryant's wife) for sticking with him.
Posted by: CParis | March 10, 2008 4:41 PM
Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Or a nicer guy wouldn't have done it to himself.
Posted by: Binny | March 10, 2008 4:58 PM
Spitzer was involved in going after prostitution that involved minors and illegal immigrant; that is exploitive in a certain way.
The women of the high end service he is accused of using presumably are adults and legal citizens; a somewhat less exploitive situation. Not defending Spitzer per se, but I think there is a qualitative difference in the two types of prostiution, insofar as the women in the latter situation are potentiall more capable of being free agents.
Spitzer should suffer the same consequences as Senator Vitter. But he will probably suffer worse.
Posted by: drsteveb | March 10, 2008 5:02 PM
Personally I find very interesting the proud with Sen. Clinton gladly accepted the endorsement of Gov. Spitzer (now officially involved in prostitution ring
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/10/AR2008031001482.html?hpid=topnews)
It is wonderful how this woman can still claim to have judgement and experience and how short she is in understanding people and situation :-)
http://hillaryclintonnews.blogspot.com/2007/05/sen-clinton-gets-endorsement-from-gov.html
Good luck America, seldom did you need it so much as now.
Ah, by the way: I find extremely embarassing how most reknown newspapers could not manage to recall the connection with Sen. Clinton. I checked New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC,…
Let’s say the plain truth, I do not care too much who he endorsed and from my perspective this should not have much to do with the democratic primaries. Still I recall that for much less newspapers made their best to crucify Sen. Obama before the primaries in Ohio and Texas, pumping up a story at a time where it was largely not proven and turned out to be much less that claimed. Well, nothing more to comment, I just leave you with a comment posted on The Washington Post and two adresses that may help to link the proud with which Sen. Clinton welcomes everyone which steps to her side in her quest for power.
Everyone has her/his own brain and can draw conclusions or decide to ignore. Up to you.
Cheers from Europe :-)
Posted by: Gio | March 10, 2008 5:11 PM
I suppose it's not demeaning to assume that it's up to the man to tell his wife to come with or stay behind, as opposed to the wife making the decision for herself?
Posted by: Steve Balboni | March 10, 2008 5:21 PM
On an unrelated topic, isn't Ms. Spitzer smokin' hot or what? She's in her late 40s but looks 35 -- a hot 35. Dude was frickin' crazy.
Posted by: Joe | March 10, 2008 5:39 PM
If a US Senator can admit to a police officer that he solicited a homosexual prostitute,claims he is going to resign,REFUSES to resign after the story is forgotten about then why should this guy step down? At least he didn't try to deny and cover it up. I say let him stay on.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 10, 2008 5:50 PM
I say let him stay on.
Of course you do. If you're not willing to call for the resignation of William Jefferson, indicted on federal felony charges of racketeering and bribery, then why would you care about the governor of New York getting caught in a sting operation in which he sent funds across state lines to help a criminal organization?
Posted by: El Viajero | March 10, 2008 6:48 PM
The guy has a taste for young shiksas.
Apparently it wasn't enough to have one as a wife, he had to have at least one on the side as a "companion".
And meeting her in DC on Saturday? Brings a whole new meaning to the term "shabbos goy".
And bringing the wife in for his "perp walk"? That takes big brass ones. If it is "personal" as he says, why did he parade the wife for all the internet to see?
Three daughters, though. All at real tough ages to find out their father is more Mr. Trailer Trash than Mr. Noble.
I bet she stays with him. At least until the girls are out of the house.
Posted by: Big Bill | March 10, 2008 7:40 PM
I understand this started with DOJ seeing suspicious money transfers, so they thought maybe he was taking bribes, so they pulled on the string and look what unravelled. But, why did they look at his finances? Did they have probable cause or was this a fishing expedition ala Dan Seigleman? Just wondering.
Posted by: Tom Fitz | March 10, 2008 10:25 PM
Needless to say, Dana Goldstein isn't giving Spitzer's DL issue its due. He came out strongly for it, and then most others came out against it, including around 75% of New Yorkers as a whole. His suffered a self-delivered wound when he backtracked - thereby enraging the very IllegalImmigration advocates he was trying to woo - but that was just the icing on his crooked cake.
The key issue is that he came up with the idea in the first place, not his backtracking.
And, it's not surprising to me that someone who supports illegal activity in one way would allegedly support it in another. In fact, I referred to his DLs proposal as a "corrupt scheme" back in October; my only regret is not calling Spitzer himself corrupt. I wish I'd thought to do that.
Links about the DL issue here.
Posted by: TLB | March 10, 2008 10:35 PM
"One last thought: When politicians are caught cheating, I wish they'd leave their wives in the green room while they address the press. You're in the dog house, and it should look that way. Those "stand by your man" visuals are tired and demeaning."
No, according to the Times today, she's the one who coolly suggested that he ought not rush to resign. If you're going to live high on the hog, then you go out there and you take what you have coming.
I would definitely cut the "pity the poor wife" routine. That's the last thing I would think. Just consider what she can take him for now.
Happy Birthday.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 11, 2008 10:10 AM
"One last thought: When politicians are caught cheating, I wish they'd leave their wives in the green room while they address the press. You're in the dog house, and it should look that way. Those "stand by your man" visuals are tired and demeaning."
No, according to the Times today, she's the one who coolly suggested that he ought not rush to resign. If you're going to live high on the hog, then you go out there and you take what you have coming.
I would definitely cut the "pity the poor wife" routine. That's the last thing I would think. Just consider what she can take him for now.
Happy Birthday.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 11, 2008 10:12 AM
Oh it's obvious the Spitz is in the dog house, his wife looked like she wanted to kill him. Right there, in front of everyone.... The look on her face said it all...
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