Was She Worth It?

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is mockingly called “the smartest man in the world” by Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.). On this day, however, the smart guy turned out to be an ordinary John (quite literally). The cocky and arrogant governor who made ethics reform the hallmark issue of his administration saw his promising political career come to a painful end when he was tied to a $5,000-per-hour prostitution ring.
Spitzer’s illegal behavior will almost certainly end his short tenure as governor and strip liberals of a hero who they’ve been grooming for a presidential run in 2012 or 2016. There’s no reason to celebrate Spitzer’s downfall; my heart goes out to his wife and three daughters. This scandal further taints politicians who have betrayed the public’s trust, most recently Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Larry Craig (R-Idaho).
I’m saddened and disappointed Spitzer didn’t tender his resignation today. Although he said “I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals,” his actions today didn’t reflect that statement. The good people of New York deserved better. If Spitzer meant what he said about the “public good,” then he’ll leave office immediately.




March 10th, 2008 at ,11 pm
Spitzer should have resigned on Friday when he was count with his literal pants down. He messed up bad and left a pandorra’s box for reporters to snoop into when he appointed some schmuck from westchester county to the NYS Thruway Board. Why? Because his heiress girlfriend gave Spitzer 5K.
http://newyorkhope.net/blog/2008/03/08/eliot-spitzer-day-433-nothing-changes/
March 11th, 2008 at ,9 am
Prostitution should be legal but since it’s not, Spitzer MUST resign immediately. I wonder if Spitzer wants to stay in office just long enough to give Hillary Clinton his *Super-Delegate* vote. It’s interesting to watch each campaign, Clinton’s and Obama’s. The Clinton campaign immediately pounces on every little thing Obama or any of his supporters do (real or otherwise). Obama’s people take the high road and with the next president at stake, I pray Obama *gets medieval on her @$$* right sharpish. Obama and his campaign should hang Spitzer around Hillary’s neck each and every day. Hillary should be made to wear Spitzer like a dunce cap. A dunce cap for the *experienced woman* who knows how to handle a crisis at 3AM like no other has before. She may not know who her men are shaggin’ at 3am but she knows what Cherie Blair takes in her coffee and what Benazir Bhutto has in her tea. God knows the GOP-Republicans will bring up Spitzer if she’s the Democratic nominee. God knows the GOP-Republicans will take Hillary to task in regard to her claim of experience as First Lady. Hope the Democrats aren’t looking at *Saturday Night Live* to find the best candidate.
March 11th, 2008 at ,1 pm
Spitzer didn’t resign because in his mind the problem is not what he did, it’s that he got caught. He is still waiting to see how his constituents will react before deciding if getting caught was bad enough to warrant his resignation.
March 11th, 2008 at ,10 pm
Spitzer absolutely disgusts me. In fact, all these hypocritical politicians - conservative OR liberal - are really sickening to me. It’s high time people started practicing what they preach.
March 12th, 2008 at ,11 am
More conservative double standards. David Vitter pursued Bill Clinton while indulging in a extra martial affair, what happened, he got a round of applause from his GOP senatorial colleagues.
March 13th, 2008 at ,2 pm
Personally, I find it ironic that a man who championed aggressive legislation in ending sex-trafficking (something I support ending) would wind up destroying his career in a prostitution ring.
I hope that the US Attorney and the authorities in New York take a long hard look at charges against Spitzer. I know if he were still prosecuting, this would be exactly the case he’d make an example of (e.g. Grasso’s suit).