So. Governor Spitzer of New York. Prostitution ring. Doesn't look very good, does it?
Now, I think Jane asks some pretty reasonable questions about this business. Given the extreme politicization of the Bush Justice Department, I'm inclined to view this kind of action on their part suspiciously. Not because I think the core facts are doubtful - Spitzer himself has basically copped to the allegations - but because the timing and the circumstances are curious. How is it that Spitzer's name got leaked to the press but David Vitter's didn't? That sort of thing. The Bush Administration has abused the public trust in a million different ways these past seven-plus years, and I see no reason to start taking their word for it on anything, let alone anything politically charged like this.
Having said that, Spitzer is a disgrace, to himself and to those who supported him. As a prosecutor himself, he of all people should know better. He needs to resign - morally and politically, it's the right thing to do.
I think this sums up how a lot of people feel about Gov. Spitzer right now. It's not safe for work, and it's not for those who are offended by strong language, but it's right on.
UPDATE: TPM has an answer to one of Jane's questions, about why the US Attorney was involved in a prostitution bust.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on March 11, 2008 to Scandalized!"I think this sums up how a lot of people feel about Gov. Spitzer right now. It's not safe for work, and it's not for those who are offended by strong language, but it's right on."
Personally, I found the linked commentary too tame to express what I feel.
Needless to say, both the NY Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/03112008/postopinion/editorials/nys_naked_emperor_101398.htm),NY Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/03/11/2008-03-11_hit_the_road_john_.html)and Newsday (http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-amywrite5608195mar11,0,4202427.story)lead editorials suggest it might not be a bad idea for Governor John to leave office. The NY Times editorial, however, seems to suggest that he might be able to stay in office (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/opinion/11tue1.html?ref=opinion).
As the second paragraph of the NY Daily News lead editorial states: "Three words to the man: Just get out. "
Posted by: William Hughes on March 11, 2008 6:28 AM** Having said that, Spitzer is a disgrace, to himself and to those who supported him. **
One would think THAT would be the story, but I sometimes forget the fondness of the reality-based community for conspiratorial rumormongering (although it's certainly not an exclusive -- see some of Ron Paul's supporters for proof !). Best to lead with that when a Dem (and a hypocritical Dem who would nail others to the wall for "ethics" violations at that!) finds himself in trouble. :)
Posted by: Kevin Whited on March 11, 2008 8:01 AMI'm so glad to see that you have such steadfast faith in the unquestionable rightness of any action the Bush Administration may take, Kevin. They never put politics ahead of other considerations - just ask Don Siegelman. I mean, I never doubted this about you. It's just good to see you be so candid about it.
PS - Say Hi to your buddy Senator Vitter for me.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on March 11, 2008 8:47 AMI'm also wondering whether it's just a coincidence that the Feds got involved in this. As U.S. Attorney General, Michael Mukasey, a New Yorker with close ties to Giuliani, was the person who was required to approve the sting (according to William K. Rashbaum's article in today's NY Times).
Not to say that Eliot Spoizer is innocent or that his behavior is not reprehensible. It seems to me that he was given too much by his parents without having to earn enough himself. His folks are very wealthy, first-generation New Yorkers who have given him millions, which he has used to buy a Fifth Avenue apartment and run for public office four times since 1994, when he was just 35.
It appears to me that he's never really grown up enough to handle the visibility and responsibility of such a public life, so he developed his secret dark side. A $4,300 prostitute?! The sheer extravagance on top of the moral turpitude is breathtaking.
Posted by: Jeff N. on March 11, 2008 8:57 AMI am appalled that my federal tax dollars were used on a prostitution bust. Don't we have a War of Terra to be fighting? How does this make the average american any safer?
Yes, rich men will pay pretty young women money to have sex. This has not been a new development, it's been expected behavior for about the last 6,000 years.
I don't care who these guys screw, as long as they don't use public money to do it. I don't want to see him resign over this--he's been publicly humiliated, and that's punishment enough.
Posted by: Locutor on March 11, 2008 4:09 PM