Some Perspective On the Spitzer Scandal from OpenLeft
OpenLeft, a site I respect because they’re focused on the progressive movement (rather than a Hillary vs. Obama site, or vice versa), had this to say about Spitzer:
While this is certainly scandalicious, it’s not clear to me how this stacks up to larger crimes that politicians regularly engage in abusing their oaths of office. This is a personal matter, and since Spitzer is a public figure, what is personal is public. But he didn’t abuse his office as Governor of New York state, though this is a crime.
(snip)
Political, the scandal matters because of his early legacy political ineptitude. I had breakfast with a savvy New York politician last week, and Spitzer was referred to as a keystone kop type politician. Many of us had high hopes for Spitzer, and he could still recover if he chooses to hang in there. The Democrats are still picking up state Senate seats fairly regularly, within one seat of a majority and a transformative governing apparatus in New York State. The underlying governing trend is still positive for progressives in New York. Still, Spitzer needs to get his act together. He didn’t do so before, and he might be done because of it.
It would be too bad to lose someone of his capacity, but he clearly isn’t learning.
That should be the focus here– transforming NY’s governing apparatus. With or without Spitzer.
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They sound like they are grasping at straws.
sorry. I couldn’t disagree with them more.
“it’s not clear to me how this stacks up to larger crimes that politicians regularly engage in abusing their oaths of office”
I can’t even believe they went there. did he kill someone? no. but I expect my elected officials - particularly the ones I give me time to help elect - to hold themselves to a higher standard.
we could debate whether the sex trades should even be illegal, but as it stands today it is. and if he indeed hired a prostitute, he should resign today and let David Paterson get started repairing the damage this has done to the office.
Andrea,
It’s called spin.
I am pleased that unlike some other politicians (Nixon, Clinton and many others) it appears that we are not going to be stonewalled on this one. I give Spitzer credit for this.
Don’t give him too much credit — he’s on tape arranging the meeting.
Also, it’s too bad to see OpenLeft acting as spinmeisters for Spitzer. This isn’t a “personal matter” — he’s the target of a federal investigation.
Unless Spitzer denies the charges — which he didn’t — there aren’t two sides to this story. There’s one side: Spitzer did something illegal and dumb, and he got caught. Right now, every reporter in the state is doing Nexis searches to find every righteous comment made by Spitzer when he closed down prostitution rings. It’s sad, but he must go.
He has to resign because his actions just resigned away any power he had left. Who could take him seriously now?
Just another headline - he’s in good company:
“Michigan Young Republican pleads guilty in sex case”
“Florida Republican Guilty In Washroom Sex Case”
“Oswego mayor released pending hearing in sex case
… Gosek, a Republican”
“Republican sex weirdos, Case #453990 Why is sexual
deviency so prevalent in the Republican party?”
“Another week and another closeted, gay Republican criminal
sex scandal. … student in a sex case”
“GOP Senator David Vitter Won’t Have To Testify In Prostitution Case
…”
“Allen resigns from House, vows to appeal sex case. R. State
Rep.”
“Republican senators call for ethics review of Sen. Larry Craig
case”
“Jessica Cutler, the former Republican Senate aide who
posted details of her sex life on the Internet”
“Mark A. Grethen, Republican activist, convicted on six
counts of sex crimes “
At least the prostitute didn’t drown - wait - if someone you are with drowns you get to stay in office for decades
Are you speaking from experience Elmer?
Never been in office
Check out the feeding frenzy at the D and C message boards. That’s what we get for the next 2 years if he doesn’t resign.
For me it is so simple. Spitzer needs to resign within about 24 hours because he has absolutely no credibility left. As our AG fighting crimes such as prostitution, I just don’t see how he can survive this. And staying in office will only hurt him and the people of NY.
Governor Patterson, are you ready?
If you’re going to play that stupid game, then don’t leave out Bill Clinton, Gary Condit, Barney Frank, Gary Hart, John Jenrette, and Ted Kennedy for starters. A lack of morals can easily be found on either side of the political spectrum.
This is a no-brainer.
It doesn’t matter what anyone else has done, Republican or Democrat, that’s the old “Mikey took cookies too” argument.
It’s criminal activity. He’s got to go.
Although I’ve got to wonder…
Exactly what do you get for $5,500 an hour?
This is not about morality, it’s about breaking the law, period. I don’t agree with the law, but it is what it is for now, and he will have to resign.
WE (Democrats) need to retain OUR credibility, even if the Governor doesn’t retain his. No spinning, no mitigating. We have to live up to what we would expect our Republican counterparts to.
Right, two wrongs make a right. I’ll make a note of that.
Anyone else notice his enormous “I’m REALLY sorry” lapel pin.
Much larger than his usual patriotic adornment.
Yeah, what exactly did we pay for.
Actually he paid $4300 for two and a half hours.
That swings the skankometer in a different direction.
Can I get a receipt?
Amen to that last bit, sakred. Let’s not all start spinning this thing like it’s a president getting a BJ, that was totally different. ahem. . .
Seriously, though. We’ve all been having great fun with the shadenfrued of watching Republicans melting down in sex scandals for way too long. You knew karma was going to bite our keisters sooner or later. Let’s all take three whacks and get this over with.
Eliot gotta go..
He negotiated the prostitute across state lines … that makes it a felony. Felonies are not appropriate for Gubernatorial resumes … Client 9 needs to go and Patterson needs to step up.
to take a break from my disappointment….
I don’t know, the screenshots from the Smoking Gun looked pretty good.
Wouldn’t it be that he negotiated across state lines so it makes it FEDERAL? Is it a federal felony?
Sakred - I had always thought that Democrats felt that prostitutuion “demeaned women”. Has there been a change in thought that it doesn’t anymore and should now be legal?
Elmer - Good question. I definitely don’t speak for all Democrats on that issue. I completely respect the point of view that prostitution should be illegal because it exploits poor women. After a lot of thought I decided FOR MYSELF that prostitution should nevertheless be legal and be regulated. I am however, still open to counterarguments.
As much as I’d like to give him credit — and I’ve been a huge supporter — his hand was forced. He had to come clean to some extent.
[...] though, I still believe what I said yesterday:  That should be the focus here– transforming NY’s governing apparatus. With or without [...]