New York Governor Eliot Spitzer appears to be involved with a prostitution ring. Details are sketchy but see this NY Times story about it.
If this is true, then Spitzer, who has spoken out against prositution rings in the past, should do the right thing and resign.
Dan,
I think we need to wait and see what Spitzer’s involvement was. If he was simply utilizing the services of prostitutes I do not believe that it warrants his resignation. It is just a sex scandal and it tarnishes his image. That isn’t enough for him to resign.
If he used his position and power to shield the ring it will be a much different story.
He had a bright future. What a shame.
Sean — I called for Mark Foley to resign (he did); I think Larry Crag should have resigned (he didn’t); Senator David Vitter should have also resigned. If Spitzer used these services, he should resign. I am being consistent here.
I disagree Sean, he was a “crusader” against these prostitution rings and any involvement would be a breech of public trust. Personal is one thing but hypocrisy is another.
It really shows a total lack of judgement on his part and as Dan has said, I think consistency is important.
Sean-
I for one believe prostitution should be decriminalized. You can have a naked girl dance on your lap in public, but you can’t have consensual sex for a fee in private? The fact that some sex businesses are legal and others are not is hypocritical to say the least.
However, if he ran on an anti-prostitution platform, it would make sense for his to resign no matter what his involvement was.
You’re right that it is a shame, but if he was only a customer, I think he still has a bright future, just not quite as bright as before.
SMS
Jon Fleischman, on “California’s most signifcant political news, has posted on the Spitzer case. http://www.flashreport.org/blog.php?postID=2008031014554690
Too bad he can’t find the time to opine on the case of indicted, disgraced and former sherriff Mike Carona.
It reminds me of the movie Citizen Kane, when Kane is linked to a younger women in New York (while running for governor) and sets back cause of reform for ten years.
I think people should slow down before they start casting stones for consistency sakes or other reasons. Let’s get all the facts in including whether he is being prosecuted for a crime and whether he is convicted.
People demanded that Clinton resign after going Cuban and I’m glad he didn’t let the howling mob chase him from office. people called on Barney Frank to resign as well as Gerry Studds. People screw up and that does not necessarily mean they should resign.
NCS – Well, the Clinton matter was something completely different, we are talking about two consenting adults, he didn’t break the law. But I do agree that all the facts should be known before demanding resignation.
THe only reason this was posted is so Dan can say he is consistent and for him to point out how Republicans are inconsistent.
I am sure Dan is watching the blog and praying Jubal joins the discussion and call on Spitzer to resign.
I must have missed the article on the Flash Report where Jon discussed Louisiana Sen. David Vitter’s ties to the DC Madame. You might recall that was where the family values Republican like to where a diaper and have it changed by a prostitute.
Probably just an oversite on Jon’s part.
Good grief. If nothing else, Spitzer gets points for stupid. Considering what has been going on recently in DC (Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the DC Madam, the case is still active), anyone thinking with his – yes, gender-specific – correct head, should know to avoid hookers, call girls, prostitution rings, and even doorway debutantes.
Was this really news worthy enough to interrupt All My Children?
“THe only reason this was posted is so Dan can say he is consistent and for him to point out how Republicans are inconsistent”
No, not at all. Prostitution is a crime. He is a former prosecutor and an elected official. He committed a crime. It was part of a federal wiretap. He should resign. I don’t care what Matt thinks (can we please stop with the silly “Jubal” thing). This is what I think. Spitzer needs to go; as does any elected official who commits a crime.
All I can say is WOW. How stupid can he be for doing this. I bet Bubba is on the phone with him right now doing crisis management w/him. He already ran the first play which was to do the presser w/ his wife by side saying he’s sorry, except he didn’t bite his lip.
“He already ran the first play which was to do the presser w/ his wife by side saying he’s sorry”
Kinda like Vitters and Larry Craig. The family values folks in the right are involved in plenty more of this stuff. So before you folks keep referring to Clinton perhaps you should get your own house in order.
Allan —
Glass houses; throwing stones doesn’t work for your side.
http://dkosopedia.com/wiki/Examples_of_Republican_hypocrisy_on_moral_values
Usually Dems get a promotion off this kind of news. That’s all I was saying. Of course both parties are guilty of these scandals. Thanks for making me aware of that.
“Of course both parties are guilty of these scandals.”
While you are correct that “both” parties are guilty of such scandals, however they seem to occur with greater regularity on the right. I would think that a party that prides itself on its “family values” and preaches as if they are morally superior would see a much smaller number of incidents.
But as the Flynt Report ( http://www.salon.com/news/1999/03/26newsb.html) demonstrated, while going after Clinton like a pack of wild jackals these folks were guilty of the same things and worse.
Dan,
Yes he ought to resign. By the way, you forgot to note that Spitzer is a Hillary supporter. I guess that figures, given Bill’s past “issues” with women.
Art — Spitzer is the Democratic governor from New York. Hillary is the Democratic Senator from New York. What does the fact that Spitzer is a Hillary support have to do with his admission that he used the services of a prostitution ring?
“What does the fact that Spitzer is a Hillary support have to do with his admission that he used the services of a prostitution ring?”
It has nothing to do with it Dan, that’s what.
However when somebody brought up rumors and such involving the marriage of Janet Nguyen over on the OJ Art huffed and puffed about sticking to the issues and to the campaign at hand.
Hello pot! This is the kettle calling!
What does the fact that Spitzer is a Hillary support have to do with his admission that he used the services of a prostitution ring?
Dontcha hate that non sequitur style of argumenting, Dan?
😉
That should read “arguing” not “argumenting.”
Ah, but “argumenting” is so George W. After 7 years, I’m finally able to understand – it almost sounded acceptable.
“you forgot to note that Spitzer is a Hillary supporter”
Pedroza hates Hillary. Just as he does with folks like Pulido, Sal Tinajero and Van Tran, Pedroza finds anything he came to help him further his hateful agenda.
You know whats even funnier is that he is now a big Obama backer. Back on October 22, 2007 he said, “looks to me like additional proof that Obama is NOT ready for prime time”. In a little more than four months he is telling us how great Obama is. His hatred of Hillary has led him to this newfound love of Obama.
How can we take anything he says seriously. His hatred leads him to change direction daily.
P.S. – Art time for you to insert the Commie Girl stuff against me
I think you and I have different understandings of what constitutes a non-sequiter. Art is accurate in calling Spitzer a Hillary supporter. But Spitzer’s hooker problem has nothing to do with campaign.
As a native New Yorker, I’m disappointed in Spitzer’s action and hope that he can put this behind him, like Senator Vitter and Rep. Ken Calvert were able to…..
OK, the jokes are already starting to fly. But they are very off color. If you have my email address, I will send .. but I don’t think I can post them here.
I think you and I have different understandings of what constitutes a non-sequiter.
Non sequitur isn’t open to interpretation. It is what it is.
I agree, but who died and left you in charge of deciding what constitutes a non-sequitur or not? What I see as a straight line from point A to point B, you don’t see. And you have us off topic again, as you so often do. What does this have to do with Governor Spitzer?
Dan,
This is Jubal’s way of taking the attention away from his terrible use of grammar, and his spelling is atrocious. It’s hard to believe he went to Catholic school.
What does this have to do with Governor Spitzer?
Nothing. I just got kick out of seeing you get a little taste of your own argumentative medicine from Art.
🙂
sean I beg to differ that it happens more on the right…i’d say its about even:
Spitzer – Gov NY – D
Craig – Sen ID – R
Vitter – Sen LA – R
Foley – Rep FL – R
McGreevey – Gov NJ – D
Clinton – President – D
Flowerszzz, you should check out Wonkette! You probably wouldn’t like it, because it’s deep in the vulgar, but their bread and butter for some time has been “Endless Cummer” and “Blovember,” and they’re hard pressed to find Dems to make fun of, try though they do. Basically, pretty much all Reeps everywhere molest little boys. It’s awesome and great.
LOL Rebecca – I’ll check it out…but fyi on of the dems above had a scandal with a boy….OMG! I wonder if it really has to do with part and more to do with men in general.
Dan,
Sure, there is no direct connection between Spitzer’s proclivity to hang with women of ill repute, but isn’t it interesting how often Hillary surrounds herself with man-whores, like Spitzer, Antonio Villaraigosa and Gavin Newsom?
Maybe Hillary is just comfortable with guys that remind her of Bill?
think people should slow down before they start casting stones for consistency sakes or other reasons. Let’s get all the facts in including whether he is being prosecuted for a crime and whether he is convicted.
People demanded that Clinton resign after going Cuban and I’m glad he didn’t let the howling mob chase him from office. people called on Barney Frank to resign as well as Gerry Studds. People screw up and that does not necessarily mean they should resign.
Northcountystorm: I’m not sure where you stand on Carona, but if you’ve been critical of him, I would stay that these comments should apply to him as well.
That said, I think Carona and Spitzer should go – I’m just sticking with Dan’s theme of “consistency”
Flowerszzz – Hate to be picky, but it was the Republican Foley who got into trouble for boys. Democrat McGreevey’s affaire was with an adult of the male persuasion.
Anyway, let’s not forget Representatives Hyde IL – R, Livingston LA – R, Gingrich GA – R, Burton IN – R., all of whom ganged up on Clinton in a fit of brilliant hypocrisy.
And I will stipulate that it was a small(ish) group of Democrats who passed Marilyn around like a party favor.
Rebecca-
‘Basically, pretty much all Reeps everywhere molest little boys. It’s awesome and great.’
While I think the first part of that statement is oh… maybe a tad bit extreme (lol), the second part is a wonderful observation. Three cheers for so-called conservatives shooting themselves in the foot! Bang, bang baby!
SMS
Matt — Touche’; glad I can still amuse you.
Flowerezzzz — go to the link I provided earlier in the comments; the GOPO beats the Dems hands down in sex scandals and especially those dealing in kink.
Rebecca — wonkette rules today
This Tuesday morning, Jon Flieschman had huge coverage of the Spitzer case; it’s a crying shame he can’t bring himself to cover the Mike Carona (ahem, the resigned, indicted and disgraced ex-sherriff Mike Carona) case beyond links to coverage from the Register.
Of course Spitzer and Carona have much in common. They held positions of great power. They are both considered arrogant by their critics. They are both bald men. They both are involved in sex scandals.