Spitzer erupting scandal. Is he toast?
The NY Times reports that Eliot Spitzer has been caught in a federal prostitution investigation, and he's scheduled a press conference. More soon, to be sure, but a sad day for what seemed to be a promising political career.
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March 10, 2008 |
Paul Gronke | Comments (93 so far)
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Comments
Posted by: paul g | Mar 10, 2008 12:00:00 PM
I first thought he was going to resign, now I think he'll try to ride this out. Obviously, any higher political office is now out of the question.
Thoughts?
Posted by: A. Rab. | Mar 10, 2008 12:03:09 PM
This probably is the end of any higher ambitions for Spitzer (though his two years as Governor has tarnished him already). However, I am not so sure that is the end of him in New York politics. A sex scandal is not what it used to be. So far, the facts are not as seamy as David Vitter (let alone Jim West, Bob Allen, et al.).
Posted by: Steve Maurer | Mar 10, 2008 12:11:04 PM
A sex scandal is not what it used to be.
Not for a Republican. We have higher standards.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 10, 2008 12:18:33 PM
Sources say he's expected to resign.
Sorry, my link was broken above.
Posted by: A. Rab. | Mar 10, 2008 12:21:48 PM
If he resigns, that is the the third tri-state Governor to resign in four years.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 10, 2008 12:27:24 PM
Never mind: here's his profile over at the Huffington Post.
Highlights:
If New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is forced to step down over his involvement in the prostitution ring Emperor's Club VIP, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson is set to become the state's 59th Governor — and the first African American to hold that position. Who is the man who may become Governor?* David Paterson was born legally blind in Brooklyn in 1954 (Wikipedia)
* BA from Columbia University, JD from Hofstra Law School (Wikipedia)
* Former State Senator from New York's 30th District
* First elected to represent Harlem in the New York State Senate in 1985 (Paterson for New York)
* Elected Minority Leader of the New York State Senate in 2002, the first non-white legislative leader in New York's history (Paterson for New York)
Posted by: Miles | Mar 10, 2008 12:28:11 PM
So what is it that goes through a Governor's mind when he calls the madame to arrange a shag while traveling? Does he think "Wow, this is really risky and could end my career, and I get off on that?" Or is it "I'm so powerful, no one will ever catch me." Or is it "Although I play a smart politician on tv, I'm actually one of the dumbest f---ing people around."
Posted by: Oregonian37 | Mar 10, 2008 12:41:26 PM
Miles I think you may have asked the unanswerable question, although my money is on the third choice.
Posted by: A. Rab. | Mar 10, 2008 12:42:29 PM
This was not a career killing scandal, just a Presidential-ambition killing scandal. He apologized but did not resign.
Posted by: paul g. | Mar 10, 2008 12:46:06 PM
Miles, I think my wife had the right answer on this one. I don't remember what sports figure she was quoting, probably somebody like Terrell Owens, but essentially the quote was "If you're famous, you don't pick up someone in a bar, you don't even have a girlfriend. You go to a professional, because you're paying a lot of money for discretion."
That's all I can guess that Spitzer was thinking.
Posted by: Jonathan Radmacher | Mar 10, 2008 12:46:06 PM
Just a guess ... we won't hear any more about Mr. Kroger wanting to be another Mr. Spitzer.
Posted by: Garrett | Mar 10, 2008 12:46:10 PM
He should resign. Dems have higher standards that Repubs. I guess he did admit his involvement which is more than I can say for most Repubs involved in scandal but its not good enough. Plus I don't want Spitzer's name invoked every time a Republican can't keep his pants on.
Posted by: Andrew Plambeck | Mar 10, 2008 12:51:00 PM
It is disgusting how many elected officials seem to think they're above the law. These people should take it upon themselves to be bastions of lawful conduct, in the spirit of leading by example. I am very disappointed in a leader I used to hold in very high regard.
Posted by: A. Rab. | Mar 10, 2008 12:55:11 PM
Jonathan, I commend you for trying to jab, but you are off base. Kroger does not talk about Spitzer as a model, only Macpherson supporters use that comparison. If you actually listen to what Kroger says, he always talks about Mike Moore, the former AG of Mississippi. Moore was able to accomplish a lot in an office with very limited resources and in a state that lacks a liberal reform tradition.
Posted by: Unrepentant Liberal | Mar 10, 2008 1:00:23 PM
How sad. He acted more like a republican than a democrat although he didn't hold himself up as being holier than thou. However, if it were a republican I would call for his resignation. So, he should go quietly.
Posted by: torridjoe | Mar 10, 2008 1:04:02 PM
I have heard Kroger refer to Spitzer, but generally in terms of being a peoples advocate and using creative tools to prosecute. (Do not know why, but the apostrophe key kicks me out of the comment window, so I cannot use it). I am not sure how Spitzers dalliances impact Krogers race or positions.
As for Spitzer himself, he has shown a rather glaring moral weakness. However, Im not sure resignation is necessary. As AG I think it would be imperative, as governor less so. If he wants to stay on and the people are OK with that, I have got no beef with it either.
Posted by: Jeff Alworth | Mar 10, 2008 1:18:12 PM
[inaudible] … politics that would rebuild New York and create opportunity for all. We vowed to bring real change to New York and that will continue. Today, I want to briefly address a private matter. I have acted in a way that violated the obligations to my family and that violates my — or any — sense of right and wrong. I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better. I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what is best for the State of New York. But I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard that I expect of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family. I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order. Thank you very much.
Posted by: A. Rab. | Mar 10, 2008 1:22:34 PM
Gawker of all places has a spirited defense of Spitzer staying in office. More or less, it seems to be the same defense of Clinton, circa-1998. However, I would add that compared to what Bill Clinton did, Spitzer's actions, while stupid (and admittedly illegal), raised fewer questions of corruption or improper use of personal power.
P.S. Kroger has not been pushing the Spitzer model. The relevant quote from September, emphasis added: "I'm not following Eliot Spitzer's game plan. He's not my model for this job. I don't need a model. I know precisely what I want to do."
Posted by: Bill R. | Mar 10, 2008 1:33:39 PM
Perhaps Spitzer can invoke the Vitter rule, if you're sorry and say you committed a terrible sin, then you don't have to resign. At least he didn't say, " I did not have sexual relations with that woman!" Meaning, it was sexual but there were no relations...
(David Vitter-the La. Senator, running on the fundamentalist Christian platform. He's confessed, he's forgiven, so what's the rub!)
Posted by: Finally | Mar 10, 2008 1:57:20 PM
If I had a nickel for every time John Kroger invoked the "Spitzer style" when on the campaign stump I'd have more money than both Oregon AG candidates combined. Hopefully, Oregon Democratic primary voters will now wake up and realize that Kroger's style is NOT what is needed in the AG's office. It can lead to nothing but problems and scandal.
Posted by: Jack Roberts | Mar 10, 2008 2:12:02 PM
Spitzer will resign if he hasn't already. He may be using the formal resignation as a last bit of leverage for his plea bargain (like Spiro Agnew did) but he can't survive this.
What he has apparently admitted to is a federal crime, not just a sexual impropriety. And he does not want recordings of his wiretapped phone calls played endlessly over TV and radio while he is governor.
Also, I think the public sees executive offices as different from legislative offices. Personally, I think any elected official who admits to or is convicted of a crime should resign or be removed from office, but it is particularly imperative that anyone whose job is to faithfully execute the laws not commit crimes while in office.
Posted by: BCM | Mar 10, 2008 2:13:35 PM
"If I had a nickel for every time John Kroger invoked the 'Spitzer style...'"
You wouldn't have any nickels.
Kroger: "I'm not following Eliot Spitzer's game plan. He's not my model for this job. I don't need a model. I know precisely what I want to do."
Posted by: A. Rab. | Mar 10, 2008 2:14:08 PM
"Finally," what are you talking about? Back in September of '07 (see link above), Kroger specifically said that Spitzer was not his model. Kroger has is own ideas and policy priorities for Oregon and he has never said New York was a model.
Posted by: BCM | Mar 10, 2008 2:36:41 PM
To to be fair, Kroger is an activist hack who would be in over his head as AG, but he isn't going to follow Spitzer's model. Except, maybe, to use the AG position as a springboard.
Posted by: Randle McMurphy | Mar 10, 2008 2:38:20 PM
I think Miles nailed this one.
Posted by: Ms Mel Harmon | Mar 10, 2008 2:42:30 PM
Maybe I'm missing something here. Let's say the Kroger or MacPherson DID in the past say they admired Spitzer's style...so what? That doesn't mean they approve of every one of his actions or had foreknowledge of these illegal actions on Spitzer's part and certainly not that they are in advance approving of everything the man will ever say or do.
You can only judge people based on the information that you have at that time. So, frankly, I'm not concerned with what either AG candidate said prior to this story breaking. Now, if either candidate states in response to this story breaking that they think that Spitzer's actions in this regard are admirable, THEN we have a problem. Until then, it's water (and Spitzer's career) under the bridge. Next!
Posted by: genop | Mar 10, 2008 2:42:48 PM
Oops - there goes another Hillary endorser. Time to reject and renounce?
Posted by: Admiral Naismith | Mar 10, 2008 2:45:40 PM
I say this is a Republican hatchet job against one of our rockstar Democrats, and we should give him a vote of confidence, help Spitzer ride out the mess for the next two years and get re-elected in 2010.
The Republicans are desperate to have a foot in the door for the post 2010 re-districting, and lynching Spitzer over a sex scandal is the way to do it. Are we gonna let them?
Me, I support a Governor who FUCKS.
JFK fucked. RFK fucked. Martin Luther King fucked. And Justice William Douglas, the greatest liberal on the Warren Court, got himself a new 20-year old wife every 20 years. They were heroes.
And who had the pristine sexless scandal free sex lives? Nixon, Reagan, Helms, and George W. Bush.
At least our scandals don't involve wiping our asses with the Constitution.
I wish Spitzer a great continued career serving the people of New York, for two full terms as Governor, and then in the next Senate seat that opens.
Posted by: Stephanie V | Mar 10, 2008 2:54:31 PM
Me, I support a Governor who FUCKS.JFK fucked. RFK fucked. Martin Luther King fucked. And Justice William Douglas, the greatest liberal on the Warren Court, got himself a new 20-year old wife every 20 years. They were heroes.
Admiral Naismith, I like your style.
Posted by: Blue Collar Bum | Mar 10, 2008 2:59:47 PM
This is way too much fun!
Posted by: genop | Mar 10, 2008 3:10:15 PM
Will Hillary reject his super D vote?? I guess when you demand such precise action to sever the support of a perceived adverse backer, you must abide your own expectations. eh? Let's see how this plays out?
Posted by: genop | Mar 10, 2008 3:13:58 PM
Here's the answer, that didn't take long did it.
"Clinton Declines to Comment on Spitzer
By Perry Bacon Jr.
OLD FORGE, Penn. -- Asked about the controversy that has engulfed Albany, N.Y., today, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) declined to comment on reports that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a supporter, was involved with a prostitution ring.
"I don't have any comment," she said. "I obviously send my best wishes to the governor and his family."
Posted by: genop | Mar 10, 2008 3:15:32 PM
Here's the answer, that didn't take long did it.
"Clinton Declines to Comment on Spitzer
By Perry Bacon Jr.
OLD FORGE, Penn. -- Asked about the controversy that has engulfed Albany, N.Y., today, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) declined to comment on reports that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a supporter, was involved with a prostitution ring.
"I don't have any comment," she said. "I obviously send my best wishes to the governor and his family."
Posted by: Miles | Mar 10, 2008 3:32:34 PM
Not to delve too far into minutiae, but why would Hillary send her "best wishes" to Spitzer? That seems like an odd thing for a presidential candidate to say about someone facing a federal felony indictment.
Posted by: Chuck Butcher | Mar 10, 2008 3:46:42 PM
My guess at Hillary's first reaction was duck. Pretty reasonable course. Her problem is that the question won't get asked just once.
It obviously isn't her fault, but how she deals with it will say something. This is the kind of crap that happens in large systems and has to be dealt with.
Posted by: Bill R. | Mar 10, 2008 3:48:22 PM
Denounce and Reject, I say!! We can't have this sort of thing going on, in the official offices of govt. Statehouse or White House.
Posted by: Bill R. | Mar 10, 2008 3:56:23 PM
Regarding the three options Miles gave, I vote for #2, that was the Bill Clinton mindset as well. Hubris gets 'em every time. Yeah.. hubris.. winners of beauty contests ???
Posted by: gl | Mar 10, 2008 4:13:11 PM
kind of odd that an individual that rallied against excess on Wall St. paid an excessive amount for a hooker.
Posted by: Jason Skelton | Mar 10, 2008 4:15:40 PM
To paraphrase the great Charlie Sheen (no slouch in the prostitute department): "I don't pay them for sex; I pay them to leave afterwards."
I suspect ES has (or had) a similar philosophy.
Dang. now back to work.
Posted by: joel | Mar 10, 2008 4:24:25 PM
New Yorker article about Spitzer from December. Perhaps the hero worship was questionable even then.
Posted by: Stephanie V | Mar 10, 2008 4:54:04 PM
Posted by: lin qiao | Mar 10, 2008 5:10:24 PM
A marine biologist developed a race of genetically engineered dolphins that could live forever if they were fed a steady diet of seagulls. One day, his supply of the birds ran out, so he had to go out and trap some more. On the way back, he spied two lions asleep on the road. Afraid to wake them, he gingerly stepped over them. Immediately, he was arrested and charged with transporting gulls across sedate lions for immortal porpoises.
Posted by: Bill Bodden | Mar 10, 2008 5:22:57 PM
Shakespeare had one of his characters in "Cleopatra" say, "Frailty, thy name is woman." Shakespeare was only half right. Spitzer is not the first, nor will he be the last, man to lose his head over a piece of tail. But I wonder how many people are calling for him to leave office but excused Clinton, Vitter and others for their transgressions? Perhaps, Spitzer should move to Europe where the people are more tolerant of affairs and mistresses.
Posted by: Garlynn -- undergroundscience.blogspot.com | Mar 10, 2008 6:01:59 PM
Well, it is the oldest profession. If he'd gone to Nevada, where it's legal, there would be no problem. I'm a bit curious as to why he went to Washington... people are more used to that sort of thing there? *shrug*
Should he resign? That's up to him. Mayor Gavin Newsom didn't resign from his job in San Francisco after being caught sleeping with the wife of his chief of staff. He went on to win re-election. I see this as morally equivalent in the eyes of the public, even though Spitzer may have actually violated a law (some laws?) by paying money in his instance. So, if he chooses to, he can probably ride it out.
Will it do more damage to the party or to any movement that he is trying to shepherd if he resigns, or if he doesn't resign? I think that is the real question here.
Posted by: BrooklynDudeinPDX | Mar 10, 2008 6:08:33 PM
Spitzer has been toast since Trooper-Gate last year. The New York State Democratic Party would probably best be served if he stepped aside today. We're within touching distance (two seats) from taking over the State Senate for the first time in four decades. From what I've heard from friends back East everyone in Albany, on both sides of the isle, want him out. My guess is that he hold on 'till 2010 and decides not to run for re-election, clearing a path for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to be the Democratic nominee. Dems can forget about taking back the Senate in 2008 thanks to this latest scandal.
PS: It's kinda sad that the reaction of some Obama backers here is to try and tie Hillary to this scandal. Why should she denounce his super delegate vote? It's a vote she's earned by winning every single county in the state except for one. Was Bobby Jindal held accountable for David Vitter's infidelity? Let's get real here. This has and shouldn't have anything to do with the Presidential race.
Posted by: Grant Schott | Mar 10, 2008 6:27:40 PM
In a discussion regarding this scandal, several of us agreed that politicians like Spitzer, Neil Goldschmidt, Bill Clinton, Larry Craig, etc... almost seem to have some kind of personality disorder. It's one thing to have affairs or commit other transgressions, but to so with a seemingly oblivious disregard for public consequences seems so bizarre, yet is fairly common for big name politicians.
Posted by: Mister Tee | Mar 10, 2008 6:48:21 PM
Lin Qiao: NICE!
Garlynn: you can't possibly believe that Spitzer would have "no problem" if he'd simply traveled to Nevada to hire a "legal" prostitute.
Notably, Spitzer hasn't been indicted by the Feds. But he does face the NY State Commission on Public Ethics which is concerned about New York laws. He also faces possible discipline from the New York Bar.
More importantly, the "hasn't been indicted yet" defense is a losing public relations strategy. Especially for a guy who ran on the Superman/
If Spitzer is indicted, it is likely to be on the financial crime known as Structuring
Which (in its simplest form) transferring small amounts of money to preclude tripping bank reporting thresholds stipulated by the IRS
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Posted by: leinad | Mar 10, 2008 11:58:35 AM
You never want to see that from a former Attorney General. Wonder if candidates for AG around the country will stop invoking his name?