Spitzer apologizes: ‘I promised better.’
Spitzer apologizes: ‘I promised better.’
Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-NY) today apologized for his involvement in a high-end prostitution ring, saying that he violated the trust of his family, and the public. He did not say whether or not he plans to step down. Watch it:
Transcript:
SPITZER: We sought to bring real change to New York, and that will continue. Today, I want to briefly address a private matter.
I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family, that violates my — or any — sense of right and wrong.
I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public, who I promised better. I do not believe politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good, and doing what is best for the state of New York.
But I have disappointed myself and I have failed to live up to the standard I accepted of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family. I will not be taking questions, thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order. Thank you very much.
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Spitz needs to step to the plate and resign. Which is far more than any Repug will ever even consider doing.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:33 pmGood speech in a bad situation. I’m guessing he’s weighing every possible option. Odds are though, if he sits on this it will fester. This is real red meat for his opponents.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:36 pmYeah… really bad judgement on Elliot’s part.
Ya otter jes go, Elliot. Yer gonna be millstone from here on in.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pmshame on you… get those walking papers ready liar.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pmI don’t know if he should resign but he really needs to start making some positive headlines. At least he admitted it and acknowledged what he has done. A Republican would continue to maintain the wall of denial. He does need to step up to the plate and start getting some things done up there.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:38 pmI have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family, that violates my — or any — sense of right and wrong.
This statement alone is reason enough for him to resign. I hope he does.
Ralph Hussein Wonder Llama
March 10th, 2008 at 3:39 pmThe thing is that NY state is about to be painted in a nice shade of blue. You would however think that a former prosecutor would have some clue as to how to get away with something like this.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:40 pmTruly crime doesn’t pay. NYT reports that four people have been charged with running this prostitution ring, and that it generated $1 million in profits over four years. That’s about $60K per year for each of them. It’s a living, but not exactly a fortune.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:40 pmIt’s OK Sptiz – it’s not like you were out blowing hobos for nickels in the park, like some kind of Republican Congressman or something.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:40 pmOK — we have an apology. For what, we have no idea. We also don’t have any idea what his “involvement” was, whether he plans to step down, or even answer reporters’ questions at some point.
I’ve always been impressed at politicians’ ability to utter many words and say nothing.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:40 pmit’s not like you were out blowing hobos for nickels in the park, like some kind of Republican Congressman or something.
Comment by tombaker — March 10, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Geez, tom… THAT one bears reposting, over and over again.
it’s not like you were out blowing hobos for nickels in the park, like some kind of Republican Congressman or something.
Comment by tombaker — March 10, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
it’s not like you were out blowing hobos for nickels in the park, like some kind of Republican Congressman or something.
Comment by tombaker — March 10, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
it’s not like you were out blowing hobos for nickels in the park, like some kind of Republican Congressman or something.
Comment by tombaker — March 10, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
March 10th, 2008 at 3:43 pmTucker Carlson, the boob-soon-to-be-gone from MSNBC has chimed in with his critism of Spitzer – no problem with that – but he also criticized that Spitzer “trotted out his wife” to stand mutely at his side while he makes his statement.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pmDon’t they all bring their wives with them to the microphone? I seem to remember Vitter doing the same thing. Craig?
Looks like Spitzer should do just like Vitter and resign. Oh wait…
March 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pmAccording to the above link:
March 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm>>An affidavit in the federal investigation into a prostitution ring said that a wiretap recording 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. The person briefed on the case identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.
He’ll step down, but a Republican would expect a promotion.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:51 pmthanks TRoS.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:53 pmS’okay, tom. I’m afraid I might have hurt myself laughing, though.
Giggle… OUCH!… snicker… OUCH!
March 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pmHe needs to step down immediately.
All Dems should call for his resignation, as a way to distinguish ourselves from the morally corrupt Repukes.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pmRecall?
March 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm“The governor learned that he had been implicated in the prostitution inquiry when a federal official contacted his staff last Friday…”
Well, that’ll ruin your weekend, eh?
March 10th, 2008 at 3:57 pmI hafta wonder, given that Herr Botch has insisted he has the right to spy ENDLESSLY, w/ no oversight… will we now get a never ending string of such prosecutions, against prominent DEMS, between now and Nov 2?
March 10th, 2008 at 3:57 pmEliot Hussein Spitzer
March 10th, 2008 at 4:00 pmThis sucks, I liked Spitzer. If this was adultery, that’s a personal shortcoming, but prostitution is a crime, Mr. Former Attorney General.
Brush up your resumé and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:00 pmWhatever, Spitzer. I’m not a resident of NY, so I’ll just resign myself to reading about what the people there feel feel you should do. I think they’re responsible enough to handle it.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:02 pmWhy does this have to become about R’s and D’s. Isn’t it really more about arrogance? I mean, this is the freaking governor of NY! Who cares if David Vitter is a weak-willed hypocrite who has no shame and would not resign? That’s irrelevant to Spitzer.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pmmy opinion..if we really were free then prostitution would be legal and this would be a non-issue. i think he should resign only because he busted some rings up himself not to long ago. I mean why because they were compition to the one he uses? I was about to label this man my all time hero when i first heard the story as I thought he ran the ring. Being mayor and king pimp is brilllant..being mayor and getting busted for using the service…just stupid
March 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pmDNF; KA-CHING!!!!
March 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pmDiaper Dave Vitter (R) Louisiana, has already set the bar low enough for Spitzer to remain governor of New York.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pmNot to mention Larry Craig and his limbo walk under the stall door……
March 10th, 2008 at 4:07 pmWhile prostitution actually being illegal is as dumb as hell . . I am SO sick and tired of “law and order” and “family values” politicians running our states and country and being the ultimate hypocrites. The only thing worse is the populace that votes for em. I could give a good damn if they are Dem or Repug . . . I’m sick to death of all of them
March 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pmWhat a very sad day for Mrs. Spitzer and her children.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:11 pmwhy Mrs. Spitzer was a 4 diamond!!!!
March 10th, 2008 at 4:13 pmThe fact that Republicans have to dig so deep — and this includes the media — to find a democratic scandal means that democrats have a better rate of keeping its politicians in line, while brief google searching locates many republican scandals.
Yes, NY is an internationally recognized state, but i’d rather the people of NY handle this. And if you republicans think this is your great chance, move there and have your say.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:14 pmNew York’s Lt Governor is David Paterson. Were he to be elevated to the governor’s office, he would be the first African American governor of New York and, being legally blind, the first in that category as well nationwide.
I’m getting disgusted hearing reporters asking how this will affect the Clinton campaign. That’s funny, I haven’t heard anyone ask how Larry Craig affects McCain.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:14 pmMy question is why do people in positions of power go to prostitutes? Is it the excitement of knowing they are doing something illegal? What is it? It’s not like they couldn’t walk into any bar in Washington DC and pick some woman up. Perhaps that is how they justify it to themselves, that prostitution is impersonal, whereas picking up a woman in a bar can be personal.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:15 pmIs it friday?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:15 pmare u f-in kidding me McWars. I am sorry but this has nothing to do with democrat-republican. This guy got caught and it is news plain and simple. not everyhting has a divider between red and blue in this world. somethings are just news and this happens to be one of those things.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:16 pmI’ll give him this much — he came clean and publicly acknowledged his wrongdoing. I can think of a few Republicans who could stand to take a leaf from his notebook and learn by example…
I notice that he didn’t indicate any plans to resign — but neither did he indicate any refusal to resign. It may be that he hasn’t decided yet, depending on how long it’s been since he found out that his activities weren’t a secret anymore — he did say that he would “report back in short order”, and it seems likely that we’ll get more of an answer at that point (provided that “short order” means days instead of weeks or months). In any case, I stand by what I said before — if he wants to do the right thing and the most honorable thing, he ought to resign. And I’m saying that as one of his constituents who voted for the man…
March 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pmWe progressives don’t cotton to no wrong doings, bub, you need to resign, it’s not like you’re a republican or something.
Time to clock out Spitzer, you’re fun ticket is all used up.
Bush/Cheney
March 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pmHague Trials ‘09
Of course it’s all part of the Bush/Rove plan to illegally wiretap and blackmail the democrat party. Can’t put one over on you.
Comment by Rodham Gin — March 10, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
Hey, dopey, there is no “democrat party”. Maybe you and your buddies in the republic party shouldn’t have dropped out of the fifth grade.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pmThis is real simple. Spitzer stays in office as long as Vitter does.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:18 pmDon’t they all bring their wives with them to the microphone? I seem to remember Vitter doing the same thing. Craig?
Comment by Marie
You are correct, both Vitter and Craig trotted their wives out to stand mutely by them. Did Tucker Carlson comment on them? Probably not. Bye Bye Tucker. We won’t miss you.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pmMy question is why do people in positions of power go to prostitutes? Is it the excitement of knowing they are doing something illegal? What is it? It’s not like they couldn’t walk into any bar in Washington DC and pick some woman up. Perhaps that is how they justify it to themselves, that prostitution is impersonal, whereas picking up a woman in a bar can be personal.
Comment by Bilbo Hussein Baggins — March 10, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
I think the idea is that a prostitute is going to be more discreet than a pick-up. In general, they don’t go around bragging who they scored last night. And it’s a sure thing. Even governors can be insecure. Especially about sex.
One article I read said that this particular prostitution ring had women who charged $2500/hr. My question is different from yours; I want to know what makes someone worth that kind of money?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pmYou are correct, both Vitter and Craig trotted their wives out to stand mutely by them. Did Tucker Carlson comment on them? Probably not. Bye Bye Tucker. We won’t miss you.
Comment by Bilbo Hussein Baggins — March 10, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
It’s ridiculous. Every male politician who has been involved in any sort of sexual scandal trots out his wife — except Barney Frank, I guess. “See! My wife still supports me, so you all should too.” As if his wife wasn’t torturing him every minute of the day when they’re out of the public view.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:22 pm“Diane Rodham Ginâ€
Comment by Rodham Gin — March 10, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
Given the history of the GOOP abusing wiretaps (Watergate, anyone?) and Botch’s propensity for LYING THRU HIS TEETH every time he speaks, I think it’s a valid concern.
The cornered beast snarls the hardest. I find the timing of this curious… immediately AFTER the GOOP loses a Congressional seat in a long time stronghold.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pmHis wife had an office right next door…and no nookie?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pmAll that illegal wiretapping and all they could get was the Governor of NY. It hardly seems like Bushco is getting their money’s worth out of the telecoms.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pmI would they pay the high-end hookers large sums to keep quiet gummitch and not so much the equipment.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pmOf course it’s all part of the Bush/Rove plan to illegally wiretap and blackmail the democrat party. Can’t put one over on you.
“Diane Rodham Ginâ€
Comment by Rodham Gin — March 10, 2008 @ 4:14 p
Why yes it is. When even you people see that it must really be blatant. I guess after a Democrat takes the White House we’ll have to review all those wiretaps to see what you rethugs have been covering up.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:32 pmYou are correct, both Vitter and Craig trotted their wives out to stand mutely by them. Did Tucker Carlson comment on them? Probably not. Bye Bye Tucker. We won’t miss you.
Comment by Bilbo Hussein Baggins — March 10, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
No he didn’t. It’s this kind of blatant hypocrisy that cost Tucker his own show. Obviously he hasn’t learned his lesson yet.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pmHere is the first paragraph of Gov. Spitzer’s statement that was left out above:
“Good afternoon. For the past nine years, eight years as attorney general, and one as governor, I have tried to uphold a vision of progressive politics that would rebuild New York and create opportunity for all.”
March 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pmMy question is different from yours; I want to know what makes someone worth that kind of money?
Comment by gummitch
Premature ejaculation?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:35 pm#55
In Spitzer’s case, it is likely to be “premature resignation.”
March 10th, 2008 at 4:36 pmSpitzer, you need to do the right thing and resign. You are not Larry Craig – you cannot plead guilty, and then try to take it back. It is honorable that you have stepped up to the plate, acknowledged wrongdoing and apologized. Now you need to step down so that New York cn move on and elect a new governor.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:37 pmPremature ejaculation?
Comment by Juan C. — March 10, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
Close, Juan Hussein, close. It’s the NOT talking about the afore mentioned problem that makes them worth so much…
March 10th, 2008 at 4:37 pmComment by Exley — March 10, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
The point here being?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:38 pmNow, seriously, I think US population is more concerned about naughty little closet stories than actual crimes.
If this guys resigns, good. But then you have to send Rove, Bush and Cheney to a desert Iraqi village and clusterbomb the shit out of them.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pmFor the good of the Democratic Party and the state of New York, Governor Spitzer should resign. While I generally support him on policy, it’s simply unacceptable for a governor to break the law so egregiously.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pmSorry, forgot to add: Juan Salam Ismael C.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:40 pm#60: If this guys resigns, good. But then you have to send Rove, Bush and Cheney to a desert Iraqi village and clusterbomb the shit out of them.
I would think a lifetime jail sentence would suffice for all three.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:40 pmSpitzer needs to resign immediately for aggravated mopery. Abusive wire taps have been all over the news for months and months and apparently the only guy who wasn’t paying attention was the governor or NY. Yeah OK he’s been getting away with the same thing for years and years. Apparently what he wasn’t doing is reading the newspaper.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:45 pm“so egregiously…”
Comment by Jim — March 10, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Uh… is “egregiously” a big word that means “stupidly”???
If so, mebbe I’ll change my name ta “The Republic of Egregiosity”!
Gee, kinda all high toney ‘n all, huh?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:48 pmI would think a lifetime jail sentence would suffice for all three.
Comment by Jim
My progressive and non-violent self says agreed.
My most anarchist alter-ego says there are not enough trials for the crimes of those three. (V from Vendetta)
March 10th, 2008 at 4:48 pmNo he didn’t. It’s this kind of blatant hypocrisy that cost Tucker his own show. Obviously he hasn’t learned his lesson yet.
Comment by Shayne
Actually I think the fact that Tucker is an pompous bore is what cost him his job. The right wing talking head world is full of blatant hypocrisy and it seems to be working fine for everyone else.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:51 pmComment by Exley — March 10, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
The point here being?
Comment by Xisithrus
Now Xisithrus, what makes you think that Exley is capable of making a point. Hasn’t done it since I’ve been here.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:54 pmDiaper Dave Vitter (R) Louisiana, has already set the bar low enough for Spitzer to remain governor of New York.
Comment by OxyCon — March 10, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
—–
Moral relativism. We are a nation of laws. If the Governor / Atty General thinks prostitution is not a crime, then he should have the integrity to stand up and work to change the law.
If on the otherhand, he believes it is correctly a criminal offense, then he should not engage in the behaviour.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:55 pmWhat is going on in the world that we’re being distracted from?
Hmmmm…?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:56 pmWhy don’t I care about this story? I can think of one-hundred other topics TP could be reporting on of interest to progressives.
This story merits two posts in one day?
March 10th, 2008 at 4:57 pmMy question is why do people in positions of power go to prostitutes? Is it the excitement of knowing they are doing something illegal? What is it? It’s not like they couldn’t walk into any bar in Washington DC and pick some woman up. Perhaps that is how they justify it to themselves, that prostitution is impersonal, whereas picking up a woman in a bar can be personal. — Bilbo Hussein Baggins
************************************************
It depends in part on what kind of services they’re paying for, I would assume. I’ve heard it said (even though it seems paradoxical and is probably at least somewhat apocryphal) that many of the men who pay for the services of a dominatrix actually hold substantial positions of wealth and authority. I also don’t think it’s impossible that at least some of them (particularly those who’ve always known that they wanted to go into politics) married women who they thought would make good “political wives” at the expense of having a close relationship. After all, it’s been said that a goodly number of married men who patronize prostitutes do so because of a “madonna/whore” view of women which makes a man believe that there’s something bad about certain sexual practices (or even sex in general) and so the only appropriate way to exercise those desires is with a “bad girl”. Especially given the age of at least some of these politicians (since this attitude is decidedly pre-feminist), I don’t think that’s impossible.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pmWhat is going on in the world that we’re being distracted from?
Hmmmm…?
Comment by Zooey — March 10, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Great minds think alike.
In the other thread I just posted a story that carbon emissions must be reduced to ZERO immediately to prevent runaway, catastrophic climate change.
Carbon Output Must Near Zero To Avert Danger, New Studies Say
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/09/AR2008030901867.html?nav=rss_email/components
If we had a real media they’d be breaking into regular programming with news alerts and warnings. They’d force the president to comment on this potential world changing information.
Instead, we get an ugly politician seeing prostitutes on the side. Shock I tell you! Yawn.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pmInstead, we get an ugly politician seeing prostitutes on the side. Shock I tell you! Yawn.
Comment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — March 10, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Heh. Jinx!!
The Spitzer story is truly sad and disappointing, but I think the story came out because someone needed a distraction.
Like you said, there are soooo many things we need to be concentrating on.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pmMy question is why do people in positions of power go to prostitutes? Is it the excitement of knowing they are doing something illegal? What is it? It’s not like they couldn’t walk into any bar in Washington DC and pick some woman up. Perhaps that is how they justify it to themselves, that prostitution is impersonal, whereas picking up a woman in a bar can be personal. — Bilbo Hussein Baggins
** People have a self-destruct mechanism built into their psyche. Especially those in high-positions and reputations at odds with their true self. Spitzer’s rep was a super-hero crime figher. So he implodes himself by paying for sex and leaving clues all over the place. They actually bring this humiliation on intentionally and yet are unaware of it.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pmThe Spitzer story is truly sad and disappointing, but I think the story came out because someone needed a distraction.
Like you said, there are soooo many things we need to be concentrating on.
Comment by Zooey — March 10, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
I may be wrong but I heard he was nailed on a wire-tap. This is a heads up to all the Democrats who plan on voting for the new Protect America Act this month. You’re fair game. You’ve been warned.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pmOn the plus side (?) Spitzer is a super delegate pledged to Hillary. “And another one bites, and another one bites and another one bites the dust …
March 10th, 2008 at 5:14 pmZep, a nookie with the wife? I guess that’s against the very definition of nookies…and fun.
Heh.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pmUPDATE: Jane’s got a poll too and has an update from the NY Times:
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.
What say you?
poll: http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/03/10/gov-eliot-spitzer-presser-apologizes/
March 10th, 2008 at 5:18 pmDow right now, 11.7k, down even further from the staggering losses of the last 2 weeks.
have fun with your stock certs, Ernest T..
March 10th, 2008 at 5:23 pmLots of comments:
To TRoS: Yep…though I suspect the number of democrats being exposed will pretty much hit most if not all the ones who made such a mistake. A worthy requirement.
And of course, Gin spreads his crap on our board.
1) Illiteracy doesn’t enhance your message. Try ‘Democratic Party. Then your arguments won’t be ignored by people who think that Fox News is filled with a bunch of idiots (and hint: That number is increasing day by day).
2) This is the logical consequence of not having to get a pass from a court to spy. Imagine if HRC were to be elected Pres and she starts spying on the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly. Suddenly every small transgression those people do becomes public news. THIS is why we fight so hard against warrantless wiretapping.
Granted, this is not for Gin, but for the hypothetical moderate righty who is here to find out what progressives are about.
Yeah, you’d expect some kinky office sex to be going on. Guess he just wanted some strange.
There’s alot of this ‘The rules should apply to everyone but me.’ Repub, Dem, doesn’t matter. What the trolls do not get is that we are just as disgusted at the Democrats who do this crap (i.e. campaigning about cleaning up something then being caught doing that something) as we are at the likes of Mark Foley being a very active participant in the anti-pedo movement and anti-gay movement being caught texting underaged boys asking about their ‘equipment’ or the likes of Ted Haggard or Larry Craig saying that gay sex is wrong and then being caught soliciting gay sex.
But then again, IOKIYAR….
March 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pmThis all looks very politically motivated. We should learn the lessons of the Don Siegelman case. Bush works for the corporations, and Spitzer went after everyone from Enron to Goldman Sachs. You’re telling me they had to use federal resources to catch a guy for a misdemeanor solicitation of a prostitute??? And it all just happens to get leaked to the media, even the taped conversation???
March 10th, 2008 at 5:28 pmQuestion is who will this Democrat Super Delegate throw his vote to???????????????
Comment by Billy Hill — March 10, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
I believe Spitzer supports Hillary Clinton. Not surprising, since he’s from New York.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:28 pmI never had to pay for sex until I got married, and then, it got real expensive for a single server. I don’t have enough left to fish for a hooker!
March 10th, 2008 at 5:30 pmComment by WaltTheMan — March 10, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
Walt… please allow me…
KA_BANG! **rim shot**
Thank yoooou… thank youuuu verrry much! Yer a wunnerful audience.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:33 pmI’m not sure Walt, but I think HillyBilly jes’ tried ta pimp a family member…
March 10th, 2008 at 5:34 pmAnd it all just happens to get leaked to the media, even the taped conversation???
Comment by BrianFL — March 10, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
And before the trial, or even charges…
March 10th, 2008 at 5:35 pmComment by 2MillionLightYearsToAndromeda — March 10, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
Is it any wonder the Bush baby isn’t getting impeached?
March 10th, 2008 at 5:45 pmHow did he felt for it so naively ?? He should have used an intermediary, BTW, prostitution is illegal there in the US ?? Let me see: Invade countries : Legal. Domestic Spying : Legal. Death penalty : Legal. Paying for sex : Illegal ?? That’s a pretty weird country you live in.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:07 pm‘As attorney general Mr. Spitzer also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.
In one such case in 2004, Mr. Spitzer spoke with revulsion and anger after announcing the arrest of 16 people for operating a high-end prostitution ring out of Staten Island.
“This was a sophisticated and lucrative operation with a multitiered management structure,†Mr. Spitzer said at the time. “It was, however, nothing more than a prostitution ring.‒
Good stuff….Good stuff….
March 10th, 2008 at 6:10 pmComment by Exley — March 10, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
Everyone has to make a living. My only problem is that the prostitutes earn more then a certified teacher with a masters degree. On top of that, the training is a bit less stringent.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pmThat’s a pretty weird country you live in.
Comment by progresivo — March 10, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
Oh, progresivo, you forgot… Torture : Legal.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pmWell Spitz was wrong but of course New York had no problem with Rudy having his mistress and his wife/kids living in the same house. Oh yes and the taxpayers money Rudy used for his girlfriend was no problem. I say if people want Spitz to resign then let all the Republicans who hired prostitutes resign also. Let’s call Vitters first and then Craig. This case will blow over once all the names come out and find their are rich men who don’t want their names released to the press plus all the Law Makers who used the same service.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pmBoth parties are corrupt to the core!!!! Phuck the RePugniScums and the DemoRats!!!!
Will true PROGRESSIVES ever realize that BOTH PARTIES phuck you in the backside every night and day!!!!
THERE’S NOT A DIMES WORTH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE PARTIES!!! BOTH ARE CORRUPT TO THE CORE!!!!
WE ARE PHUCKED PEOPLE!!! WE ARE PHUCKED!!!!!!
March 10th, 2008 at 7:10 pmHey, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) had his name show up on DC Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s phone records last year and he STILL hasn’t resigned. He’s one of those hypocrite Repugnican Christian Conservatives. He’s AGAINST stem cell research, gay marriage and a woman’s right to make decisions over her own body. But he’s FOR prayer in public school, abstinence-only sex education and apparently fooling around on his wife.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pmSpitzer needs to resign ……………..
As soon as Larry Craig and David Vitter step down ; right all you brainless GOP/Chimpy leg humping sycophants ?
March 10th, 2008 at 7:17 pmBoo to Spitzer! Will an authentic, honest person please run for office?
March 10th, 2008 at 7:40 pmThis isn’t about whether a public servant is a Democrat or a Republican, it is about public trust. Spitzer violated the very law he swore to uphold, and as Attorney General, prosecuted. He should resign and spend time with his family.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:54 pmI second that emotion raymund. Nobody’s perfect. Not Spitzer. Not Bill Clinton. Not Obama. Heck, not even Ralph Nader. If you think Spitzer’s resigning will achieve perfection, then you are wrong.
Play by the same set of rules as the Republicans. Say Jesus has forgiven you and get on with the job. Nobody got hurt other than his wife and kids emotionally. Not exactly as bad as an illegal war killing over one million people, costing $3 Trillion, and making us less safe.
March 10th, 2008 at 8:19 pmNo this isn’t a vast right wing conspiracy. He wasn’t tapped by Bush you loony libs. He brought it on himself with suspicious financial movements from his bank. The Fed thinking it was bribes and led to this great news for the blind left…
March 10th, 2008 at 11:19 pmIf you cant have a person of high office obey a basic law how can you trust him. If his family can trust him how can I trust him. You are telling me you would trust him enough to be a Governor when he betrays his own family,why wouldn’t he betray the American people. Thats where the Democratic party falls short. Vote him out if he doesn’t resign
March 10th, 2008 at 11:31 pmVote him out if he doesn’t resign
Comment by drock234 — March 10, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
Fine. don’t re-elect him.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:43 pmNo this isn’t a vast right wing conspiracy. He wasn’t tapped by Bush you loony libs. He brought it on himself with suspicious financial movements from his bank. The Fed thinking it was bribes and led to this great news for the blind left…
Comment by drock234 — March 10, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
this is a setup. There was no suspicious movement of funds. That’s a lie, and a rightwing trope.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:44 pmMarch 10, 2008—
ABC News
The federal investigation of a New York prostitution ring was triggered by Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s suspicious money transfers, initially leading agents to believe Spitzer was hiding bribes, according to federal officials.
It was only months later that the IRS and the FBI determined that Spitzer wasn’t hiding bribes but payments to a company called QAT, what prosecutors say is a prostitution operation operating under the name of the Emperors Club.
The suspicious financial activity was initially reported by a bank to the IRS which, under direction from the Justice Department, brought kin the FBI’s Public Corruption Squad.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4424507&page=1
March 11th, 2008 at 12:05 am“Never talk when you can nod, and never nod when you can wink, and never write an e-mail because it’s death. You’re giving prosecutors all the evidence we need,”
-Elliot Spitzer
Libs will do anything to get ahead and lie to themselves. Look in the mirror at yourself in the morning and tell yourself you are not a fraud and a good person. Just try it it might make a difference. Then actually “CHANGE” or “HOPE” haaaa
March 11th, 2008 at 2:23 amHe should have just gone to Nevada where prostitution is legal in any county with less than 400k people (subject to further municipal laws) – or to Rhode Island, also legal in some forms.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:12 amWhat did Spitzer due to get the Feds upset with him enough to call him out on this, especially when the head of the Emperor VIP Club is Israeli and probably services some of our good friends.
How about this oped in the Washington Post last month about the sub-prime crisis (wonder why the NY Times did not see fit to print this, guess him being Client 9 is more worthy of the ink).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302783.html
“Not only did the Bush administration do nothing to protect consumers, it embarked on an aggressive and unprecedented campaign to prevent states from protecting their residents from the very problems to which the federal government was turning a blind eye.
Let me explain: The administration accomplished this feat through an obscure federal agency called the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC has been in existence since the Civil War. Its mission is to ensure the fiscal soundness of national banks. For 140 years, the OCC examined the books of national banks to make sure they were balanced, an important but uncontroversial function. But a few years ago, for the first time in its history, the OCC was used as a tool against consumers.
In 2003, during the height of the predatory lending crisis, the OCC invoked a clause from the 1863 National Bank Act to issue formal opinions preempting all state predatory lending laws, thereby rendering them inoperative. The OCC also promulgated new rules that prevented states from enforcing any of their own consumer protection laws against national banks. The federal government’s actions were so egregious and so unprecedented that all 50 state attorneys general, and all 50 state banking superintendents, actively fought the new rules.
But the unanimous opposition of the 50 states did not deter, or even slow, the Bush administration in its goal of protecting the banks. In fact, when my office opened an investigation of possible discrimination in mortgage lending by a number of banks, the OCC filed a federal lawsuit to stop the investigation. ”
And you thought all the laws since 2001 were to prevent terrorism. No wonder everyone in Congress is terrorized, they got dirt on everyone.
Not condoning the behaviour, but many rich and powerful people have zipper issues, and at least he was not terrorizing the mens room.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:52 amKeith and raymundohpl,
March 11th, 2008 at 8:53 amHe needs to resign. Forget your hatred of all Republicans for just one moment. Spitzer supported a bill to vigorously prosecute those that participate in human trafficking. The number one “industry†that benefits from human trafficking in prostitution. This isn’t a private matter, or about Spitzer’s hypocrisy. This is about a public servant supporting an industry that is degrading to woman, destroys families, and promotes sex slavery. If Spitzer was a Republican, I would be calling for his resignation or impeachment.
More diversion for BushCo. Cost of Oil = $109 barrel, Iraq, recession,
More bread and circus for the sheeple who are more interested in the sex lives of others.
He should resign. And so should Larry Craig.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:05 amMy governor, Arnuld, had about 60 women complain of being molested by him. (He also did illegal drugs and steroids). He said that he would investigate if elected. About one minute after he was sworn in, a reporter asked him about an investigation. He said “old news” and walked out!
Why is there always a double standard for Dems v Repubs, not just on this, but on every issue?
March 11th, 2008 at 10:10 amThe big problem is that the current sycophantic, bought and sold spineless Media, will harp and harp on this story all day long. Sex. Sex. Sex.
Meanwhile BushCo. are dancing and smiling. The focus is off them.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:24 am