The NYT has updated their report:
Gov. Eliot Spitzer has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a person briefed on the federal investigation.
The wiretap recording, made during an investigation of a prostitution ring called Emperors Club VIP, captured a man identified as Client 9 on a telephone call confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington, where he had reserved a room. The person briefed on the case identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.
The governor learned that he had been implicated in the prostitution probe when a federal official contacted his staff last Friday, according to the person briefed on the case.
The New York Sun has details into the investigation of Emperor’s Club VIP.
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Damn that was quick
If guilty; yes.
Jane?
Given that he’s made all kinds of remarks against prostitution rings, yes. It’s the hypocrisy here.
If gov’t/taxpayer money was involved, then absolutely.
Otherwise I’d consider it his own bidness.
Same as with republicans.
That’s why we need more female mayors, governors, presidents. When was the last time a female politician was caught with a prostitute (or intern or congressional page)?
Repubican or democrat, men are men!
Ah, that’s better.
Yup, I think he should resign. But as a matter of form, he needs to come up with some entirely unbelievable reason for meeting the prostitute in the first place.
So is the prostitute going to do the rounds on the talk shows? Or would that be too much of a pay cut for her?
I think he should work to decriminalize prostitution and apologize.
I think one of the worst human virtues is hypocrisy.
Yes, if only to demonstrate to the American people and the Republican party that breaking the law has consequences, and that honorable people take responsibility for their decisions. This is not the year to be burdening one’s allies with scandal.
By the way, you know that theory? The one about how, since they’ve been wiretapping basically everyone from their first day in office the Bush Administration must have the goods on everybody, and if people don’t toe their line they threaten to expose them to scandal? Yeah. How ’bout that theory?
He was going to meet up with this prostitute on the 13th of February. That’s the day before Valentines day for christ sake. He needs to resign quickly and put an end to this story.
I used to have a male pal in college who was a prostitute. For women only.
I think he should keep his job and attack. Yeah, I paid to get laid…if I was in Nevada, it wouldn’t have been a crime. And it shouldn’t be a crime here and I’m going to change it.
Of course, given his moral crusader image, that may not be possible.
Boxturtle (Might be best for him to resign and slink away before the election)
And just in case you didn’t notice, men have been doing this for thousands of years. Ladies don’t fool yourselves, they’re all the same. Some are slightly better than others but its a matter of degree not kind.
Where’s Lorena Bobbit when we need her? In all fairness though, at least it wasn’t in a bathroom stall
It will be somewhat interesting to hear the other names on the list of “clients.” Joe Schmuckola ain’t gonna be able to afford many visits with a $1K per hour call girl, to say nothing of $5.5K per hour. There pretty much have to be other well recognizable names on the list.
1,782 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:
I have for years been beatin’ the drums ta do away with or at least decriminalize “victimless” crimes, not just “morality” crimes but marijuana possession and many other “drug” crimes. And in this case, I think that Spitzer could ride this one out and it would take a lotta attention and heat away from national politics and some more divisive issues inside the Democratic Party in NY…but I REALLY feel for Spitzer and I want ‘im ta do what’s best for his family. This is probably gunna jest give the Democratic Party in NY back ta Schumer and Bloomberg but I don’t think it’s gunna have much effect beyond the internal dynamics of NY Democrats.
KEEP THE FAITH AND WATCH OUT FOR THE GLASS IF YER THINKIN’ ABOUT FLINGIN’ ANY STONES!!
By the way, you know that theory? The one about how, since they’ve been wiretapping basically everyone from their first day in office the Bush Administration must have the goods on everybody, and if people don’t toe their line they threaten to expose them to scandal? Yeah. How ’bout that theory?
This is a large part of the reason I voted no.
The GF just called and asked if I had heard about Spitzer. I said yes and did you see that the going rate was $5000/hour? She..”where do I sign up?”..Me.. “sorry they only want PhDs and Lawyers”…She “Damn..I should have gone to law school”
p.s. I wonder where the leak came from?
after watching his statement , gov of NY not leaveing
these power happy jecks just don’t get it . America you are the ones,,, seeing the real prostitues.
Yer right on!!
Some argue that HRC and Billy own the Demo party in NY.
Has Spitzer endorsed Obama or Clinton?
Along with all the other bad boys of congress. No making one resign without Craig and Vitter heading to the land of retirement with him. Why only one pay the price (oops, no pun intended) when the others go free (heeheehee).
It’s pretty black and white. If he is found guilty or admits guilt then he should resign. It is currently against the law. Break the law and pay the consequences.
I don’t know, but he can keep his god damn dick in his pants. Jesus fucking Christ Elliot.
correction: downstairs I quoted “Indicted 2/7 – sealed”
it was a sealed criminal complaint, not indictment
mutterings about resignation and swearing in of successor @ 7pm est
Men should not be allowed to post on this story. Guys, your the problem not the solution.
Well, his career as a pol is done, but as a lame duck he has nothing to fear and he can really go progressive and aggressive.
I say he should take the opportunity and do something with it.
On TDS Spitzer said he was a delegate for Hillary.
Not on any moral basis, I voted hesitatingly “yes,” he should resign.
His conduct reveals a staggering lapse in judgement. Again, not from a moral perspective, but if you’re the governor of a state, and you want to screw hookers, people will notice. The hookers will know who you are. The fact that he got caught suggests to me he had an illusion of teflon. I found his statement today, with his wife at his side, to be consistent with that illusion of teflon. Fair or not, all a lot of us wants to hear about from Eliot is what sex is like with a $5,000/hour hooker.
He’s a smart guy. We need smart people in government. If he can provide good government, I have no problem if he stays on.
It’s also very important to me that he’s in a Blue state. If I thought it was between Eliot and a Republican taking over New York state, than ofcourse I wouldn’t want him to resign.
I’m in retirement. Do you think I’m too old to qualify for that $5,000. per hour job? I could use the cash. Would that be net? I thought that older with more experience I could get a little more per hour ;)
Is this a serious comment?
I don’t think they have a case against him.
But I think that this spying shit has to stop.
BBC has more.
NY governor apologises in scandal
It’s a matter of supply and demand.
paid for fuckery.
Agree completely. I also wanted the list in the Vitter case released….you know good for the goose etc.
You can bet there are some VIPs on this list and that the Wall Street guys who are celebrating this are not the ones who are worried themselves.
Have long thought that Spitzer had made himself a target even before this. Now everyone should worry.
That is the first thing I thought of.
Millionaires SHOULD pay more for some things. They can afford it.
Maybe he wanted something kinky and wifey was a prude. Maybe there wasn’t even “sex”.
Who cares??????????????????????????????/
Yeah he broke the law, he should resign.
All elected officials who break the law should resign in the order of the damage of their crimes, number of people killed and wounded etc.
That list would start with Bush, Cheney….. ah you know the list… it’s long.
Joel
1,782 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen kiddo and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:
I deliberately kept Mrs. Clinton out of the mix ‘cuz I personally don’t think she runs ANYthin’…she takes orders and, if ya look at the management of her campaign and the total lack of flexibility and coordination from the top, you might get the idea that she can’t manage a rock garden let alone the politics of a state.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!
Has the media blamed Hillary for this yet?
I vote: cannot decide
OT to QuakerGirl — or should I say “babe”. Older women are better in the sack. 5k? I dunno.
Is the New York Sun a credible publication?
Semiserious!
Yet another irony. Spitzer bullied lots of his targets cause he got ahold of their phone calls, emails, text messages, etc. And that’s just how he got caught. Teeheehee.
He should resign. Just to get it out of the headlines. McGreavy isn’t in the spotlight anymore but Vitter is. As long he is the Governor the first and only questions asked will be about his involvement. I hope the DNC’s eye is on the big picture and convinces him to go. I don’t know who is in line of succession but it doesn’t matter. I swear, the Democrats will find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They are going to have to load the Democratic leaders up with saltpeter until after the elections. I am not naive enough to believe Democrats are cleaner, smarter or more moral than Republicans, I just hoped they could keep it under wraps better.
WTF is wrong with these people?
Wow, I was back on the other thread about the re-vote cost. Your quick, Jane
We gotta get out of this puritanical thing. It’s the 21st century.
Ever notice the media and its constant pre occupation with sex, glamor, make overs and so forth.
What the eff do you expect people to do with all that “titillation”? Aren’t we all encourage to party hearty?
His wife looks devastated.
My vote: No
consenting adults
free market
wife should be throwing his stuff into the street…..
Another Murdoch rag.
He had an account and a balance on the account.
John Corzine told his driver to break the law and speed and he almost lost his life in an accident and he coulda killed innocent people.
Did anyone lose their job or go to jail or pay a fine?
I felt the same way with Clinton. When you are surrounded by enemies who are out to get you, why do you hand up your….on a silver platter. Just plain common sense, guys!
What do you mean, the supply of low life men vastly exceeds the supply of ethical ones?
Speculation re resignation. Lt. Gov. Paterson (blind, iirc) may not want to take over the damaged administration. If he demurs, State Senator Bruno, arch enemy of Spitzer, would become gov. More ironies than you can count.
Yes, I read what your are telling us somewher this am. Ms. Clinton doesn’t seem to be a very good manager. But someone is pulling the strings in NY.
Sexist much there WigWag?
The DOJ is involved, and that makes this whole thing stink to high heaven.
Paid a fine.
who?
Yes, he should resign. It’s illegal. Obviously, you can make a very good case that it shouldn’t be, but as of now, it IS, and he’s the Governor. He can’t break the law, and it isn’t for him to decide that some laws aren’t important.
It also shows appalling stupidity. You have to be godawful dumb to be messing with hookers when you’re a Governor.
The sexist ones are the people paying for sex.
1,782 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Firepup Freedom Fighters:
I jest saw part of his presser…it doesn’t look like he’s goin’ ANYwhere soon unless Schumer sends Mrs. Clinton out ta crank up the heat and I don’t think she’ll do it ‘cuz it might ta backfire on ‘er BIG TIME!
I for one will get behind ‘im if that’s what he is chosin’ ta do …let’s let the folks in New York sort this one out.
KEEP THE FAITH AND KEEP YER EYES OPEN…IT’S 3 O’CLOCK, DO YA KNOW WHERE YER SPOUSE IS??!!
Spot on!
Let his wife and kids handle him. It will be a lot worse. His kids have to be deeply hurt, disappointed in their hero dad, knocked for a family values loop and really, really angry with him. His wife should nail his balls to the floor.
Yes. Rove’s DOJ.
Hookers…not a freebee from Monica…a pro booked bet ehe kept a semen sample…what a frickin asshole…no a dumb cop….during the primaries and he’s a bigtime cop.
he is smart enough I hope not to deny it when he’s on tape.
Your busted and your the freakin governor who plays switchy. Can someone give classes on how to protect your political brand.
Voter: They are all the same.
Frank Zappa…the universe is made up of stupidity because there is so much more of it.
who paid to repair the car… the hospital costs… whp paid the price for Corzine and the cop acting lawless?
Low life NY governor pays 5 large for sex with rather attractive Georgetown law student.
She needs the bucks. He needs the grunt.
I’m certain she is. Silda’s a wonderful woman and would never have expected this.
How much longer in his current term? (Thinking that Paterson might agree to complete term but not go for reelection?)
Way to have no compassion for Mrs. Spitzer.
He should resign. What a disappointment.
Corzine, iirc, and there were other discipliary measures. I’ll see if I can find a link.
Which men and women both do.
So what is your point?
He hasn’t been charged or convicted of a crime yet… why should he resign
He’s only 1 year 3 months into a four year term. Too much time left for someone who doesn’t want the job.
It’s all too confusing. I need some one to sort it out for me. And she’ll be home soon.
Does this open a door for Bloomberg? There’s been talk about him running for gov.
What is he actually supposed to have been caught doing which is illegal?
To get it out of the headlines so that his family is not so exposed to this. It is a horrible situation for them.
Yes, but he certainly seems to be admitting it in his statement.
FWIW, from a legal perspective, I think it would be wise for the U.S. to explore legalizing some forms of prostitution. I don’t think locking up adult hookers is a terrific use of law enforcement resources.
From a moral perspective, I personally think prostitution is a significant problem for the johns and the hookers. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise in my comment above.
I was approaching the question from the perspective of Spitzer’s ability to do his job.
Paterson can be gov. Why would he take the Lt gov post if he wasn’t prepared to be gov.
I like him better than Spitz.
Someone on the last thread said that it has to do with participating in transporting the hooker across state lines which is a violation of an old act, the Mann act.
If he goes down, I wonder how many he could take with him?
Oh, you’re right. Hmmm. I’m assuming Paterson could take over to smooth the roiled waters and then outline a quicker transition plan (special election).
Good question.
I think he should resign.
Right after Vitter and Craig resign.
I am firm on this. I want to hold the members of my political party to at least the same standards I hold the Republicans. And hopefully a little higher.
From what I heard about the succession rules, no.
He should have enrolled in grad school and claimed she was his major professor.
Sandero – he solicited – and he may have done it across state lines – ridiculous but illegal
How come Little Boots doesn’t resign over J.G.??
We all know the answer to that question.
I’m with you.
Right now there is a trial in Queens concerning a buy and bust operation that resulted in the killing of Sean Bell. They were trying to bust prostitution.. hookers. And Bell paid with his life.
Can we stop this madness.
People are dying in Iraq. People are stealing BILLIONS of our dollars, females are being raped, humans are being tortured, rendered, others are denied trials.
Can we have some balance and perspective. This is nonsense for prudes and puritans.
Quite frankly, I’ve had enough sex for one afternoon. I need to go home and get supper started.
Mann Act. Prostitution across state lines.
The references that come up under google are all in the immediate aftermath of Corzine’s accident, so looking for the fines & other consequences is like looking for a needle in a haystack, so I’m not going to pursue it. I remember there were some, don’t remember what they were, but they were not too onerous.
How many males go to the slammer when CAUGHT with a hooker.
David Paterson
David A. Paterson (born May 20, 1954) is an American politician and the current Lieutenant Governor of New York. He is the first African American to hold this position. He was selected as running mate by New York Attorney General and Democratic Party nominee Eliot Spitzer in the 2006 New York gubernatorial election.
Paterson was born legally blind in Brooklyn in 1954.
Apparently he crossed state lines, not her. What’sthe violation there?
Oh really? What do you suppose the percentage of men versus women paying for sex?
He owes the public an apology for hypocrisy and perhaps for breaking the law (depends on what he did).
Sex between consenting adults should not be a crime.
It may be a good time to bring pressure against Republican Senator David Vitter to resign– the one who got caught doing the same thing in New Orleans. At least we could pick up a Democratic replacement Senator in LA, while we would continue to hold the Governor’s mansion in NY.
I think one of the worst human virtues is hypocrisy.
I think William Bennett left this one out of his book. Just kidding, I know what you meant.
I think it’s a little premature to be talking about jail time. Or do you have a link to share?
I am beside myself with rage. What is so damned difficult about acting like a responsible adult. The hypocrisy just makes me furious. If this impacts the election in an significant way, I will probably have a stroke.
utahgirl
We have an accountability problem in this country. Corzine, a billionaire got off way too easy for his CRIME.
What is prostitution across state lines? Is that rubbish or what?
GET REAL.
The hooker came from NY to DC, and he paid for the trip.
I don’t know the statistics off-hand, but it would be sexist to try and come up with some generalizations based on that.
I vote no he shouldn’t…resign I mean….
Hiya Jane…
And if you want the full story on how sleazy Spitzer was as NYS AG, flip to CNBC. He didn’t hesitate to use dirt on his targets’ private lives to squeeze them. Sauce for goose, sauce for ganer.
Uh, I believe the current governor of LA is an R so most likely an R appointed until a special election in a red state
what’s the problem with paying for sex?
99% of males do it in one form or another. hahahha
Who gives a shit, that’s not a crime.
It’s not about sex, it’s about the law and about judgment. If the allegations are true, Spitzer is reckless, compulsive, incapable of controlling his desires, and willing to break the law to do so. He’s also blind to the needs of is family, state, and party, in that order, putting them second to his own drives.
This isn’t someone you want in power, even if the drives are mundane – if Spitzer had broken the law to buy cigarettes his judgment would have been just as reckless.
However since he appears to be deciding to hold on to power, he ought to offer to resign right after Senators Craig and Vitter. Then he’ll be in office til the voters remove him.
(Frankly, I would have enjoyed it if his wife stepped up to the microphone and said “Actually, I’m fine with it. We had a marvelous three-way.”)
1,782 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen kiddo and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:
“But somebody is pullin’ the strings in New York.”
And I could offer ya an idea about who that might be but I would get “moderated” and would probably bring the lunatic fringe from that block out with numbers. Suffice it ta say that the folks that control New York weren’t major contributors to Spitzer’s efforts when he was Atty, General. That slimy Schumer must be scurryin’ around quite gleefully right now.
And a heads up to those that wanna start usin’ the “sexist” angle in this discussion…don’t even THINK about it!! WigWag ya better think twice before ya throw anymore a that crazy-assed shit out in this forum.
KEEP THE FAITH AND DON’T LET YER MOUTH WRITE ANY CHECKS YER ASS CAN’T CASH!!!
As in “I do” ?
I think that they should use whatever they can to stop corporate criminals.
He should resign to spend more time with his family, if they’ll have him.
He didn’t do anything to his family.
He didn’t DO anything which should matter to anyone else.
Didn’t someone write that she was a law student at Georgetown. What state line?
If true, that cinches it for me. He needs to resign.
I think the Mann Act is still on the books.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mann_Act
Interesting, isn’t it, how we attract to ourselves what we do to others. Things often work out that way.
Interesting day, ‘eh?
This Spitzer cat didn’t realize he was leaving an “electronic paper trail” — especially in this day of panoptic Bu’ush era surveillance?
Dude, that alone oughta disqualify you from public office, on grounds of abject stupidity.
Nah, first of all it was a “high class” prostitute. That makes all the difference.
Plus, what a double standard. Bush used a male prostitute — Jeff “Jeffy Lube” Gannon-Guckert. 22 overnite visits to the white house. And not a peep out of the media.
The white house beat was too busy doing, what exactly? Not covering all the other scandals?
apparently the Feds do not normally go after someone for hiring a hooker – but sometimes use it as an investigative portal
prosecutors could subpoena records connected to a credit card used to hire a prostitute to see if any expenditures involved misuse of state money or campaign funds.
Regardless of whether solicitation should be illegal, it is illegal. I’m old fashioned and think that elected officials need to obey the law, particularly chief executives and especially one who was elected on his record as the state’s #1 law enforcement official.
Furthermore, unless the Spitzers have an open marriage his shenanigans are a major major act of cruelty toward his spouse.
Hugely unethical, all of it. Get him outta there.
This must be a joke.
What an ass. Yes, he should resign, assuming the reports are true.
Not I haven’t and don’t, but I don’t care that someone might.
Women in NYC are hooking after rich men all the time. Go to any bar and see it live 24/7.
Look, I’m not in disagreement with you. I said above that the only reason I think he should probably resign, is because of the publicity and pain for his family because he is high profile. But, unless there is really a “crime”, it really is a decision he and his family have to make. Whether prostitution should be legal or not is not something I have a position on at all, but when you play and you are married with a family, they pay and you pay. It is the public pain that is so awful.
I’ve often accused W and the Rs of projection. In fact, it’s a consistent theme of their time in power.
So we shouldn’t be surprised when another egomaniac does it. Spitzer campaigned on “ethics reform,” for crying out loud.
Or a strong desire to get caught.
This is a joke – the Mann Act. get real. He is not transporting white slaves. This does not apply.
Whenever a public official is caught in a sex scandal, two other legal issues always come up beyond the fact that prostitution is generally illegal in the US:
If money was exchanged, where did it come from? Private funds or the public coffers?
If this was illegal, was there any later blackmail? That is, did someone find out about this and lean on the official to grant public favors, look the other way on a legal case, or otherwise break other laws?
exactly — but when the politicians “get laid” we’re the ones who get fkd.
Spitzer disapproval = 70% before today (troopergate).
The PollDaddy poll results so far are closer than I would have thought. 53% say resign, 47% say don’t.
No matter how you get it, you pay for it.
Good points.
Mere speculation.
One does not pay 5 large for street trade.
Pretty sorry episode.
Man! My own life is so boring.
I would like to look into the fantasy world on all those holier than thou people. Come on. Stop being so prudish and uptight.
He who is without sin cast the first stone. We have a lot of non sinners here and there.
Did He admit to paying for sexual favors? That would be a confession and he will be convicted and should resign as soon as possible. If he didn’t break the law then it is an affair. He should apologize. (if it was McCain they would just say how much of a stud he is).
Why is he being indicted? soliciting sex is a misdemeanor isn’t it? Of course there is the Vitter thing – it was private and it was past the statute of limitations, the press did not make nearly as big a deal. When did this happen? and Why is the Fed involved busting prostitution rings? Shouldn’t they be looking for Terrorist cells or do the frequent this operation.
He should check and see that there were warrantsand not illegal tapping or FBI letters. Was he using Verizon?
Bush didn’t resign over Jeff Gannon did he?
So true. You know the expression, “As above, so below”? People mimic the behavior of people in leader position. That seems to set the new ethics and values.
Good call on the wiretapping check.. why do I smell Rove in this?
Let’s see, alcohol is legal but it is a addictive and killing people left and right.
Where is the outrage?
People think nothing about drinking and staggering around drunk.
On second thought, he should just resign and then we can call again for Vitter and Craig to resign.
Here is why it gets me: This is a man who has built his reputation bringing down those guilty of fraud and corruption. He has taken on some of the most high profile cases. He has had to portray himself as squeaky clean to achieve the success that has brought him the court verdicts and then election to the Governor’s Office. To then turn around and be involved in prostitution makes him just as guilty of hypocrisy as Vitter and Craig. Calling for their resignations was very easy since they had based their careers on being “values” politicians and proved that they were anything but that. Sadly, Spitzer appears to be just as hypocritical.
I don’t expect politicians to be perfect, but I do expect adherence to their core values. Engaging in prostitution after a career of prosecuting it just won’t cut it.
1,782 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen TeddySanFran:
I respect yer opinion about what Spitzer should do, however I am disappointed in the snark that really reflects a lack of respect and sensitivity for his family. This is a situation in which Spitzer’s wife and family should be allowed to deal with this as a family and if that means standin’ beside ‘im and supportin’ ‘im right into hell over this then stay the fuck out of it!
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION…WATCH OUT FOR THE GLASS ON THE FLOOR THERE!!
Aha. Eliot Spitzer cast a lot of first stones.
He did this on the phone? He has to know that there is no such thing as secure electronic communication. Dumb.
Should he resign? Just how big big a deal is this in New York State. Is it a serious crime or more like a parking ticket? As far as the hypocrisy, well gee, a hypocritical politician, who’d a thunk it?
Doesn’t being a drunk “hurt” the family? How many drunks do you know?
wasn’t talking about price or street trade but about Mann Act and state lines.
He fought corporate corruption. He didn’t bust CEOs for sex. no connection.
Yea, but did he inhale?
Is that it? His wife is prudish?
So, did they have a warrant? If not, I’d like to see them try to prosecute this thing-maybe we’ll finally get adjudication on whether the Feds can get away with violating the 4th Amendmant on behalf of the Republican political blackmail racket.
$5000 an hour. Is that what Lawyers get for “pillow talk” nowaadys?
Spitzer will say that he was just seeking some private “legal advice”! Yeah, that’s what it was!
It was his job as AG to root out white collar crime. he didn’t do enough of it, but he did more than most.
how many times in one thread are you going to imply that all women are hookers?
please stop.
Who let it out of the bag that it was him and why, since he was not indicted and he was a number, number nine.
I voted yes. We can’t afford to drag out the distraction.
Immolate and move on.
I gather you don’t know much about how he actually pursued the corps. Don’t think he took very many to court (and CNBC had an example of one that insited on resisting Spitzer’s pressure, taking it to court and won). Spitzer basically blackmailed corps into settlements. Two sleazes don’t make a right.
Maybe, maybe not. Don’t know what went down yet. If she was a prude and wanted to keep his family together, and he was “frustrated”, then getting some outside discretely seems to be a workable solution.
All women are not hookers. Never said that.
If Spitzer is Client #9, any chance that we can find out who the other clients are?
He betrayed his family’s trust*, that’s about as big an error as one can make. If he is willing to betray his family’s trust, what will he do with the public trust?
*Honestly, if his wife said, “No, we talked about it and have an open relationship, I’m good with the whoring,” then we’d have a totally different situation. He would still have been shamelessly reckless with the public trust, with his position as governor, and with his party’s interests.
I don’t care how he got the corporations which were raping the public. He did it on behalf of the people. Who else is going to do that?
Prudish Wife = Bad Husband
Talk about stereotyping.
(Is stereotyping typing with both hands?)
Guess you don’t believe in that rule-of-law thingy.
I don’t know much about spitzer’s career. But paying for sex is not corruption unless there was blackmail and political favors. Unethical or immoral behavior is not corruption. Hypocrite, big time. Resign for being a hypocrite? Since when? If he did then yah resign for breaking the law. (Don’t Tell BushCo.)
And when is being a party to prostitution “being involved with a prostitution ring”? He didn’t run it or profit off of it? Besides did he admit to paying for it or not? Is this what A Gonzalez and Mukasey are spending there time on? Maybe they would waterboard you if you’re into that s&M kind of thing?
His wife has not spoken. But she seems to be supporting him.
If he wanted kinky sex and he know his wife would not go there what should he do? Ask for a divorce? Break up his family? Who are you to make the calculus about betraying a family?
Late to the party, but of course not.
The whole issue is riddled with conflict and complexity, pathos and bathos. Nonetheless, in our society, we consider it unprofessional for a politician to put him or herself in such a compromising situation. They can fuck the public blind–we expect that–but personal fuck peccadilloes are grounds for firing.
bullshit. just knock it off…
Well, I think Spitzer is screwed. Strange how his hard ons have been so hard on him.
Also what is it about New York prosecutors (thinking about Giuliani here) and keeping their pants on? Didn’t they have a course on this in law school?
Did you see the look on her face? I don’t think she’s supporting him…she’s in shock.
No problem. I’m quite sure Hillary can overlook this incidence of indiscretion; we all know that she’s had to bear a lot of evil stuff in her past. She’ll just do it again. Not as if she’s married to the guy or anything!/s
I sure hope Bill doesn’t say a word about this one!
This last “communication” was apparently just a month ago. How often do we see cases move this quickly?!?! We’ve been waiting for so many of these types of scandals to bear fruit for years now out of DeeCee (DeeCee Madame, Porter Goss Limogate, etc.), but still nothing years later. The extremely quick timing on this from the Feds is highly suspect.
Sounded like Spitzer plans to go down swinging.
Spitzer had to have known he was on major shit lists with a lot of political enemies. A dude in his position, shit, you gotta be beyond squeaky clean personally, given the increasing ease of dirt mining. And, that’s just from the utilitarian point of view.
I believe that laws are selectively prosecuted and those that are charged with enforcing the law must use judgment and do what is in the best interest of the people.
I would not prosecute victimless “crimes”. Those laws I don’t believe in. You betcha.
That’s what I noticed. Her eyes look so sad.
I have heard today, but remains to be documented, that Emperors Club was laundering money for the mob. Spitzer prosecuted the mob. Spitzer was a client of Emperors Club. Not a good combination.
LOL. Maybe it’s in the water.
Why was that leaked and the Madame in the Vitter case wasn’t allowed to give up her client list? I would like to see who else in New York, Washington, etc. is on that list (GOP Senate membership for starters).
I am very surprised it’s close, in the poll
we are in a presidential election and we are trying to claim we are more responsible then republicans
this is gonna help the republicans either way but it helps them less if he resigns
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Firepup Freedom Fighters:
I’m proud ta be a member of this community and I think that the range of discussion about the situation in New York geberally reflects the intelligence and senstitivity that I’ve come to expect here. However, I want to put out a call to EVERYONE here: respect the family, the wife AND the children, and don’t be givin’ ‘em advice as to what they should do or how they should feel.
This is a terrible time for this family, none of us ken possibly have a clue how much pain is rippin’ through them all…if they chose as a family to get behind Eliot, then he’s a lucky man and we must not only respect their decision but defend them ‘cuz the shitstorm from the lunatics has jest started.
And a warnin’ shot ta anyone out there who wants ta make a “sexist” argument when dealin’ with this specific situation…well, DON’T!!
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITON…THERE’S PLENTY A WORK TA BE DONE!!
As Lahoma was scurring by me on her way to change clothes after work a few minutes ago, (she and one of her girlfriends are going horse back riding, leaving me to fix supper for both of them) I asked was she was appraised of the Spitzer situation. She said she was. I asked her what’s to be done? In her usual flat and monotone tone, she answered: “Resign”. That does it for me folks. Mr. Spitzer, you should resign.
OT: this is a tragedy, but not as big of a tragedy as David Gregory getting a show in Tucker’s slot; by all rights it shoulda been Shuster or at least Maddow…
Gregory is as exciting as informative as … soaked bread.
No wife makes her husband behave the way he does. He behaves according to his own volition. To blame the wife is resorting to the blame game. I’m responsible for my own behavior and sometimes I made poor decisions. The devil didn’t make me do it. No matter his family relationships, Eliot made his own choices according his his personal values.
His wife and kids are hurting badly right now. They must be deeply humiliated.
Gov Rockerfellar died with a hooker. What a way to go.
I hope she kicks his ass out and files.
I don’t believe for a nanosecond that Spitzer’s prosecutions were in the public interest. Think they were in his political interest, no more, no less.
my comment was in regard to someone asking about his superdelegate position and nothing in regard to Bill and Hill.
Devastation. I don’t think people realize that affairs effect the family. It is a deep betrayal with lasting effects
I think he should fight it just to throw all that crap back on the GOP and have them spew the same justifications now.
This is nothing more than a warning shot across Spitzer’s bow. The greedy wall street pirates are trying to stay afloat in their rat infested, plague disease, hole ridden sinking ship. And the last thing they need is Spitzer demanding accountability and exposing
ponzi schemesthe monolines. They don’t want Spitzer putting an end to their party. They probably thought that the Sptizer story would give the DOW a bump up. Ha Ha!The pirates are desperate and running naked through the streets wearing a sandwich board of “The end of the world is coming, Repent now.” In offering Spitzer’s dalliance they’re hoping to save the investment banks as they slide into the sea of red ink. Bernanke’s 200 billion dollar bailout this week wont have made a dent. In fact all he’s done is thrown gasoline (pardon my pun) onto Wall Street’s mega fire. The banks in turn are dumping these Fed loans into Gold, Oil, and Wheat. Thereby creating more bubbles and mega inflation in commodities.
DOW down 153.54, Oil up $107.94
Investment Banks Plunge on Market Fear
Monday March 10, 3:06 pm ET
By Dan Seymour, AP Business Writer
Investment Banking Stocks Sink to Multiyear Lows on Concerns About Unraveling Market
NEW YORK (AP) — Investments banks’ stocks plunged to their cheapest prices in years Monday, as the unraveling of a host of investments raised the prospect of more losses on Wall Street and a seize-up in financing.
Fellow Democrats and Progressives: we cannot claim the high ground lest we practice what we preach.
I have nothing more to say on this topic until the facts are revealed.
Actually you seem to be a troll, so I’m going to stop replying to you.
What you said.
I was expecting Michael SavageWeiner to get the spot, so they’d have their own Glen Blech. Greagory is slightly better than that scum.
If she just found out, his wife will probably barely eat or sleep for the next month. Most likely her entire world is broken from its moorings.
Anybody who’s been in a situation like hers can vouch. There’s almost nothing that compares with it.
Typical Neurastheniac, no shame, just pissed he got caught.
watching grass grow
watching paint dry
watching a dust bunny form
etc.
Interesting; Is he being charged with soliciting or some kind of racketeering?
Exactly.
Seems like a good time for some folks to step away from the keyboard or the mods will continue to remove your comments from the thread.
SanderO is not a troll, he a commenter with his own opinions.
Now wonder Chimpy doesn’t want to give up the power to wire tap at will.
It’s working out quite well for them.
-G
That being said, Spitzer should resign.
Spitzer took on some bad ass billionaires. It may have been in his own political interest, but it was also in the public interest. Additionally, a lot of other prosecutors didn’t have the guts. Also, from wiki, it looks to me as though he’s been less bad on choice than a lot of other Dems.
Spitzer in wikipedia
Seconded.
I agree with eCahn about Spitzer’s prosecutions. This is my short take from my scandals list from some time ago.
Spitzer’s victories sounded good in the media but let’s face it they had very little effect on the actions of investment houses in the subprime mess nor the cheerleading of so called analysts in it. And if they had no real effect here I doubt that they have had much in other areas either.
No snark intended, dude.
I can’t imagine a hell more deserved than having to spend time with the family he betrayed. He deserves it.
Watch out for your own glass.
I feel for his wife and family
However, his wife married him. His constituents voted for him.
I think he should tell everyone what happened and say he’s abide by the next gallup poll says his constituents think.
And, just for our prurient interest, it would be nice if he could explain the section that says:
“he” (believed to be a reference to Client-9) “would ask you to do things that, like, you might not think were safe. . . “
It looked to me like he hadn’t decided one way or the other re resigning. Or, if he has decided to resign, he probably wants to have a nice chat with the Lt. Gov before announcing it. Or maybe he’s in conversations with some key people about what’s the best thing to do.
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Citizen kiddo:
I respect Lahoma’s take on this…I haven’t had a chance ta get Mrs. Norske’s opinion ‘cuz she ain’t home from school yet. But if we are to call for his resignation it can’t be out of political expediency in order to keep “the moral high ground”…after all we have lost the high ground already with those who believe that this was a crime and is an activity that deserves public sanction. No brother kiddo, we must call for the resignation if we believe he broke a law or that his actions and the repercussions of his actions make him unable to fulfill the office to which he was elected and compromise his ability to represent a majority of New Yorkers.
And if his wife and family say “resign” then let’s hold the door for ‘im.
KEEP THE FAITH AND WATCH OUT WHERE YER THROWIN’…THERE ARE LOTSA SIDES TA THAT STONE
I find 119 fairly troll-like, but maybe he’s just having a bad day.
Well, well, so Mr. Anti-Corruption is a hypocrite, eh? He needs to RESIGN IMMEDIATELY and not stick around like, say, Republican Senator Diaper Dave Vitter.
I’ve come to expect that a Bush-Republican will break laws when it suits, but I would like to think that Democrats won’t take this low road.
i’m finding it hard to believe that this is the first time in their marriage that she’s had to deal with his infidelity.
real hard.
i don’t know many who didn’t have any idea it was going on.
this can’t be the first time he’s done it. paid or free.
my mom once said that noone knows what goes on in a marriage except for those in it. and that each partner in the marriage decides what is a deal breaker for them.
different for each human being. but usually it isn’t such a public airing of dirty laundry.
either way, whatever happens, you can bet he’ll pay for it, one way or another.
Sometimes when people have a different opinion about something, it can appear trollike, but not SanderO, he’s just passionate about what he believes whether one agrees with him or not.
Not that it makes it true, but an earlier version of the NYTimes online, said the wiretapping was with permits and legal.
Here’s some good news on the sexism front. NBC just announced that they are firing Tucker (I cross my legs every time Hillary speaks)Carlson from his show.
Could we put a ”hold” on any comments about for example, whether Mrs. Spitzer is a prude? That’s insulting and diminishing to the discourse here.
Despite anyone’s misgivings about how Eliot discharged his AG’s tenure, Silda Wall Spitzer is a lovely person and terrific mother. I am certain this is a life changing shock for her and their three teenage daughters.
This news saddens me beyond describing. Looking at Silda on TV, I can only imagine how hard this was for her and I’m sure being there was her choice. Thankfully the girls attend a school where I expect the community will rally around the family.
If she was a prude and wanted to keep his family together, and he was “frustrated”, then getting some outside discretely seems to be a workable solution.]]
Then he can use his frigging hand.
Instead, he deceived his wife and broke the law.
Well said, thanks.
Of course there’s a course in New York law schools about keeping your pants on. Ghouliani and Spitzer just took different electives.
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Citizen diablesseblu:
Bless your pure heart…I am SOOOO glad you posted that. So let’s be done with the attempts ta tell the family what they should do or speculate about how they are gunna deal with this…ENOUGH!!!
Some folks postin’ here have the sensitivity of an anesthetized rock!
KEEP THE FAITH AND LET’S GET SOMETHIN’ OUTTA THIS BESIDES BILE!
This kind of generalisation makes me hurl. I come to FDL so I don’t have to read statements of this sort. I’m fucking livid. Semiserious or not, to be put in the same bag as those little men who use women, well, there are no words…
Now that I’ve said what I needed to say, I’ll add that Spitzer should resign. No respect, no ethics, no way he should stay.
Why is it when there is sex involved, there’s a hue and cry for resignation. But when there’s going to war on false charges, spending billions and billions of dollars, killing people, alienating whole nations, and disrupting world peace–there is no hue and cry for resignation? Where are our priorities?
He should not resign.
Boo and Norske…….. thanks. This one’s personal for me.
I abhor what Eliot has done and find it almost unbearable to fathom.
That being said, I’m outraged that others on the list will skate (probably Wall St. biggies included)….a la the DC madam case. Also, it chills me to think how our current administration and the RW media will spin this. I continue to believe BushCo has used, and will continue to use, illegally obtained info to pressure political opponents.
If they can do this with legally obtained info, just think what may be going on behind the scenes with scoop obtained from illegal data mining.
If he hired a prostitute, he should resign.
Not because of moral turpitude, but because his rise to power was based on enforcing the very laws he broke.
If this was not the case, the choice is his and his family’s.
I suspect he will resign.
Resign? Nah, no big deal.
McCain doesn’t even ask indicted congressman Renzi to step down as co-chair of his election committee.
SanderO is no troll. His attitudes about the relationship between men and women – well, it makes me sad to see.
WigWam re men: Men have every right to comment on this thread. Seriously, semi-seriously and any other seriously you want to come up with.
IMHO.
I, for one, am upset to see remarks that imply or say that all men are not to be trusted or that all men pay for sex one way or another.
Please stop. Most of us commenting seem not to share those attitudes.
I must be missing something here as I read the comments from several puritan witch hunters. He must wear a scarlett letter “A”. He’s a sinner. Tie him to a tree and 30 lashes of the whip. He’s a hypocrite, Resign yea sinner.
Was this not a transaction between two consenting adults? In fact I celebrate that he’s a heterosexual who likes adult women. Not underage pages, children, or a Bush judicial appointeee caught on a DUI who wore a black women’s cocktail dress, fishnet stockings and high heels…
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=16175
The question is why did the FBI choose to investigate the Governor of New York and at who’s request?
I voted No on the poll above because he has not been given a trial by jury according to our nation’s laws. Until then, Mr. Spitzer is innocent until he is proven guilty.
She took the train down to DC to meet him. From the complaint on the NYT site.
I think he should resign and it’s not because of any religious beliefs (hubby is atheist) He is going to be a distraction and for the good of the party, and the healing of his family (he wrought a huge emotional blow to his family) he should step down.
As for this comment
Was this not a transaction between two consenting adults? In fact I celebrate that he’s a heterosexual who likes adult women.
No, it was an act that pulled his family in as well (if he were a single man, it would be a different story)
Please extend my love and support to Silda and family …
Carville skeptical about where this all came from noting that Spitzer has a lot of enemies….that it might be a set-up.
I have to be consistent here. If these allegations are true, he should leave, not so much for his actions, but for the fact that he ran on a ticket advocating morality and higher personal values.
ya know,
ditto Craig and Vitter!
I won’t be voting in the poll at this point, because I don’t have all the facts. But I will say this: a government official shown to exhibit poor judgment, stupidity and arrogance should consider resigning in favor of somebody smarter, less arrogant and/or with better judgment. It’s the Stupid, Stupid.
As for the party, I think we need to be very careful here–hypocrisy is bad enough in an elected official. I’d hate to see us exhibit it as a party.
I want to know how it got from Client #9 to outing his name. Who knew, and why just his name released? Who leaked his name?
Excuse me for wearing a tinfoil hat. Do I smell setup? It’s not like we have a nonpartisan US attorney system or anything. And how does this differ from wide stance Larry Craig, who has yet to resign. Okay so I am worried that NY’s first Dem gov. in a while either massively screwed up or was massively screwed.
Bingo! Guarantee there are others on that list…probably in politics, on Wall Street and in the entertainment business.
How do only a few get named (like Vitter with the DC madam)?
Will somebody please explain to me why Mrs. Spitzer, and others in her position, attend the press conferences with these arrogant jerks who can’t keep their pants zipped?
I can imagine saying to a spouse, “I will forgive you, of course, but I am not going with you to the goddam press conference. It’s your problem, not mine.”
Achem. I remember a police chief who tried to do good things, was bringing some pilot program to foster better relations between citizens and the police force, and then all of a sudden he’s accused of having a child with a prostitute. There is something too stinky in all this, IMHO.
No easy answer to that questions maybe because your family and you want to present a united front to the public (esp if hubby is a public figure)
Resign? Isn’t this whole story from one anonymous source? Am I right that there isn’t any confirmation that he has been charged with a crime, let alone having any opportunity to defend himself? I’m suspicious of the timing of this, too, because he is involved at this moment in a very hotly contested effort to liberalize New York’s abortion laws, and the anti-abortion groups are spewing forth all kinds of hatred toward him.
(my emphasis on today)
http://www.democracynow.org/20…..e_abortion
Probably Ms. Spitzer, who is, after all the mother of his children, sees her (their) interests threatened and is doing what she must to pull through intact.
The real test will be whether they’re still a couple at the other end of this.
My guess is she’s not in unfamiliar territory here.
As others have said, I want to see all the names of clients for Emperor’s Club V.I.P. Publish the whole list. And the whole D.C. Madam list.
He should resign if he broke the law. He knows in heart if he did, and if he did, he owes it to himself and his his family to take responsibility for his actions. I hold any elected official to the same standard, you break the law you resign.
It has nothing to do with sex, it has everything to with obeying the law.
it was sat up . no doubt
let this happen to rethugs as well. as a matter of fact,
the bible says judge NOT, lest you shall also be judged!!!!
Jesus was Innocent, yet still He was Arrested and Judged by the Jews and Apostles!
then Sentenced to Death.
The price of Freedom is DEATH!
This was What Jesus was trying to teach us all!
“LET HE/SHE WHO IS FREE (OF SIN!) ,,,CAST THE FIRST STONE!!!!
NO ONE IS FREE FROM OR OF SIN,,, ALL IS GUILTY OF SIN!!!!!
EVEN DEMOCRATS!
NO SUCH THING AS FREE DOMINION!
The crime isn’t as much the prostitution, but in the way that he hid it financially. It also doesn’t help one bit that he clamped down on prostitution as Attorney General.
He can’t be Mr. Goody-two-shoes but secretly having illicit sex. It completely destroys his credibility as Governor.
I am a bit more concerned about the illegal financial methods for his activity than the actual sex. It makes me wonder if his involvement could have been used to influence him, just as J. Edgar Hoover was controlled by the Mafia to look the other way because they knew about his proclivities.
But even though I don’t want to get all moralistic about this, sexual obsession is very common in sociopaths — the very sort of person you don’t want as governor. Unfortunately, sociopathic people can be very, very charming so there are a lot of politicians and business leaders that have used this skill to rise to the top of the heap. But their lack of empathy makes them ill-suited to make appropriate decisions.
But we all know what stuff floats to the top …
I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT WOMEN…POINTING FINGER
If he engaged in prostitution in violation of the law, he should be charged. If he admits to a non-criminal activity, it remains between him and his family. If he is indicted, he should put the state above himself and resign. The way Dems can distinguish themselves from the others is by taking responsibility for themselves. Otherwise, future Republican law-breakers will insist on the Spitzer treatment.
On the other hand, criminalization of otherwise consensual sex between adults is fluffery. We need to grow up about that in so many ways.