Just last week, I told you about the usually clever NY Governor Eliot Spitzer proposing a tax on illegal drugs. I thought this was an unusually birdbrained call by a guy who's often made bold, yet wise political moves, and whose acumen I actually admire. The measure more or less got shot down in the State Assembly today, but let's just say that's probably the least of Mr. Spitzer's problems right now.
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who gained national prominence relentlessly pursuing Wall Street wrongdoing, has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a law enforcement official and a person briefed on the investigation.Spitzer is a Hillary Clinton supporter, and the conservative talking heads are already jumping down his throat and calling for her to denounce him. Democrats are saying cut the dude a break, because the Republicans didn't exactly throw their boy David Vitter under the bus for doing essentially the same thing last year. I really, really, really don't see why folks are making this a partisan thing. Reality is, dude screwed up, and maybe, just maybe folks should be more concerned about the blatant hypocrisy here than whether or not this cat is going to step down (I think he should).
The wiretap 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 hotel room, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in Manhattan. The person briefed on the case and the law enforcement official identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.
Mr. Spitzer, a first term Democrat, today made a brief public appearance during which he apologized for his behavior, and described it as a “private matter.” He did not address his political future.
[Editor's Note: I'm not by any means endorsing adultery.]
Spitzer is obviously not the first politician to get caught out there like this, and won't be the last by any means. But unlike his fellow politricians Kwame Kilpatrick and Rudy Giuliani, dude couldn't just put his side piece on the payroll and keep it movin'. Nope, dude had to go all Andray Blatche on em' and buy himself some trim. That's just absurd.
[Editor's Note: I'm not by any means endorsing adultery.]
What really shocks me is that guys like this have to whip out the Amex card (or in Spitzer's case, cash, because apparently he's rollin' like that) to get some. I mean, c'mon man, your the freakin' Governor. I'm no woman, but I'd guess most women don't find Spitzer attractive. Still, if a garden gnome like Newt Gingrich can get some pay without play on the side, why couldn't this moron? You have power. You're on TV all day. You're in the NY Times every day. How hard would it be to just go to a singles bar or something and pull up in the Governor's Official Issue Escalade? It worked for Kilpatrick!
[Editor's Note: I'm not by any means endorsing adultery.]
I think Spitzer should step down, but the fact that a guy with such innovative ideas would throw away a possible path to the White House for some $4300/hour hooker named "Kristen" is beyond sad.
[Editor's Note: I'm not by any means endorsing adultery.]
When will these guys learn?
Keep it in your pants Client 9.
Question: Assuming no illegal activity is taking place, do you care what your politicians do on their own freaky time?
Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring [NY Times]
