Spitzer's Scandal

by: Matt Stoller

Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 14:54


By now you've heard that Eliot Spitzer was caught in a prostitution ring.  While this is certainly scandalicious, it's not clear to me how this stacks up to larger crimes that politicians regularly engage in abusing their oaths of office.  This is a personal matter, and since Spitzer is a public figure, what is personal is public.  But he didn't abuse his office as Governor of New York state, though this is a crime.

Now, I really like Aaron Burr as a historical figure, and he was, shall we say, weak in temptations of the flesh.  This though isn't good.

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."

Political, the scandal matters because of his early legacy political ineptitude.  I had breakfast with a savvy New York politician last week, and Spitzer was referred to as a keystone kop type politician.  Many of us had high hopes for Spitzer, and he could still recover if he chooses to hang in there.  The Democrats are still picking up state Senate seats fairly regularly, within one seat of a majority and a transformative governing apparatus in New York State.  The underlying governing trend is still positive for progressives in New York.  Still, Spitzer needs to get his act together.  He didn't do so before, and he might be done because of it.

It would be too bad to lose someone of his capacity, but he clearly isn't learning.
Matt Stoller :: Spitzer's Scandal

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Spitzer's Scandal | 50 comments
Indeed. (4.00 / 2)
So far, a major disappointment.  On the other hand, if I remember correctly, Mayor Bloomberg's approval numbers were as bad as Bush's are after his first year in office, and he ended up winning in a landslide.

I'm hoping he hangs in, we take the Senate, and he pushes through some reform legislation.  That alone would make his a positive legacy.

I support John McCain because children are too healthy anyway.

Bloomberg's Bad Poll Numbers (4.00 / 1)
were largely due to making policy decisions like raising property taxes (the only one the Mayor can without state approval) to balance the city's budget.  Once the economy got better, Bloomberg was able to rebate the increase lessening the anger.  I am not a Bloomberg fan but having grown up in NYC during the fiscal crisis of the 1970s I give him kudos for his stewardship of the city's finances.  No city wants to repeat that kind of dispair.

Spitzer's popularity is due mainly to dumb/arrogant decisions.  I had high hopes for the guy but I hate to say keystone cops is a good description.

I don't think Spitzer can survive this for two reasons:

1 - He has little reservoir of good will to draw on from the public.

2 - He makes himself out to be Mr. Clean and looks like a hypocrit.  Bill Clinton survived b/c everyone knew he was unfaithful so only the true Clinton haters cared.  I am not sure that is true for Spitzer but time will tell.

[ Parent ]
Oops (0.00 / 0)
meant unpopularity.
[ Parent ]
You may be right (0.00 / 0)
Rumors now seem to be that he'll resign.

I'd never heard of his Lieutenant Gov, Paterson, but he seems like an interesting guy. First black legislative leader in NY State, first black Lieutenant governor, and I'm going to guess he was the first blind man to hold either position as well. As long as he shares Spitzer's focus on corruption and reform (the priority issue for NY progressives) he might not be a bad guy to have as governor.

I support John McCain because children are too healthy anyway.

[ Parent ]
FUCK! (4.00 / 1)
Seriously, what else is there to say? One of the rising stars of the Progressive movement.

Former Edwards Supporter, Obama Supporter since January 30, 2008
P.S. (0.00 / 0)
Well, I guess I could ask from any New Yorkers on here: what do you think this will have as an effect on Spitzer, and more importantly, the New York Democratic Party and its attempts to reclaim the State Senate?

Former Edwards Supporter, Obama Supporter since January 30, 2008
[ Parent ]
I'm pretty repulsed (4.00 / 2)
Prostitution is, in my opinion, a inexusible act of sexual objectification.  Furthermore, Spitzer may have broken the law, and would thus be subject to the forfeiture of his office.  Personally, I condemn this, and won't raise a finger to defend him.  

The Politics of Bruno S.

I don't see how he survives this. (0.00 / 0)
You have to understand how entrenched the powers that be are in Albany. The knives will be out for Spitzer, whom they've hated/mistrusted since he came to town as a reformer (that includes Democrats, too).

Fortunately, we have David Paterson, a good pol, who will step in if Spitzer resigns. Right now, that's my main concern. Spitzer has yet to display a deft political touch, so who knows what he'll do and how he'll do it. Now that we are one seat away from a Dem majority in our State Senate, how this will be handled is crucial, and I'm very nervous.

the keystone kop analogy (4.00 / 1)
is regrettably spot on. the statement he just issued is a prime example of that ineptitude. he didn't resign, but the half ass statement he just delivered will not do much more than fuel calls for his head.

pathetic and just so disappointing.

it didn't have to be this way.

It's time:the albany project.

He has to go (4.00 / 3)
you cannot remain in office after violating laws  that you previously sent others to jail for violating.

He has to go.

Very well put n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Seriously? (0.00 / 0)
Vitter, Craig?

The personal is personal. I get the appeal of squeaky clean politicians representing progressive policies, but people aren't squeaky clean, and neither are politicians.

Besides, he didn't put 'client's' in jail, so it's not even an apt comparison.

I support John McCain because children are too healthy anyway.

[ Parent ]
hmm (4.00 / 1)
I only think Vitter should resign because he was part of the persecution of Bill Clinton for adultery.  

Craig is a hypocrite for being a self-hating gay, but I don't think what he did should even be prosecutable.  Flirting in a men's room is a crime?  That's fucked up.

Besides, I kind of like that we hold our own champions to a higher standard than the right does theirs.  Spitzer isn't just any governor, he rose on the back of his prosecutorial record.  

[ Parent ]
Much harder for an executive (0.00 / 0)
Besides, he was Attorney General before this.

He's already gone.

John McCain--He's not who you think he is.

[ Parent ]
Gavin Newsom slept with his staffer. (0.00 / 0)
I want to say he reassigned her to a cushy job elsewhere after that, but I can't remember.

If that's not illegal (sleeping with a paid subordinate), it's damn close.

So why are these two things so different, again?

Obviously there are some differences, but I think the most important one is that Spitzer's politics put him on the bad side of Wall Street, and Newsom's politics put him on the good side of Montgomery Street.

I could be wrong though, the devil tends to be in the details and I don't know all the details.  It's a serious question as well as a rhetorical one.

[ Parent ]
this kind of left apologizing is not going to get us anywhere (4.00 / 1)
Eliot needs to go because his central theme is removing corruption in Albany. With a scandal of this magnitude, not just breaking the law, but the punishment he heaps on his wife as well, his WORD is completely broken. Eliot so far as run an inept term of office, any good will he has is certainly spoiled by this, and that makes his ability to be a reformer impossible. The goal in NYState is to reform Albany, as it has deep corruption problems; Eliot can no longer serve the cause of changing that, and since he can not do that there is no point to his staying in office. There is no point in keep Dems in office just for the sake of keeping Dems in office. Lt-Gov Paterson can take over and pick up the reform movement and move it forward more effectively than Eliot can by retaining office.  

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare
[ Parent ]
Ok (0.00 / 0)
1) I'm not apologizing for the Left. I don't believe politicians need resign over personal scandals unless they abuse their powers. I don't see an example of Spitzer doing that in this case, though we'll see what the actual accusations end up being.

2) Hiring a prostitute isn't corrupt. Not saying I'd encourage anyone to do it, but it's not like he paid for it with tax payer dollars. I know it doesn't fit in with his personal narrative very well (ok, that's an understatement) but he didn't run on a platform of personal morality, he ran on an anti-corruption platform.

I support John McCain because children are too healthy anyway.

[ Parent ]
good luck on winning support with "it not like he paid for it with tax dollars" (0.00 / 0)
you can't be for real with such rationalizing.

you can argue these points till you are blue in the face, but rank and file voters simply don't give a darn about these kinds of technicalities; and all opponents need to do is roll their eyes any time Eliot tries to discuss ethics.

I want to see change happen in Albany, as long as Eliot's hanging around it's now not going to happen. He had his chance, he blew it in more ways than one, this is the icing.

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare

[ Parent ]
"Bill Clinton had sex in the Oval Office!" (4.00 / 1)
"He has no credibility with the public any longer!  He needs to resign so Gore can be an effective progressive president!"

Right?

You're probably right, actually, that Spitzer might as well resign.  But assuming you know what the voters will think is probably premature.  

The real kicker is that Spitzer had run out his goodwill earlier, with the public and with Established Power and with their agent, the press.  With at least one of those things, he could survive.  It's not clear that he has any of them.

[ Parent ]
The personal (0.00 / 0)
stops being purely personal when you are a prosecutor (I was one).  When you engage the legal machinery of the state to punish criminal violations, you are inevitably making a moral statement about the acts you prosecute.  This makes your personal judgment a public matter.  
[ Parent ]
How could he possibly stay? (0.00 / 0)
If he violated the Mann Act by transporting this woman across state lines and is subject to federal prosecution, what shot does have at staying in?
       At any rate, the Lt. Gov. who would take his place would be the first black and also blind governor of NY state.  
[ Parent ]
Spitzer Resigns (0.00 / 0)
It's Official

Former Edwards Supporter, Obama Supporter since January 30, 2008
Umm... (0.00 / 0)
...that story doesn't say anything about Spitzer resigning.
[ Parent ]
Sorry for the mix-up (0.00 / 0)
They changed the headline. It used to say "Spitzer Expected to Resign" and then it had several quotes from close advisors clarifying this. Here is a new link

Former Edwards Supporter, Obama Supporter since January 30, 2008
[ Parent ]
Clinton erases Endorsement (0.00 / 0)
The Clinton team is fast.  The Spitzer endorsement has already been erased from the Clinton website.

Clinton is not involved in this controversy.  As far as I know.

Yes, but (0.00 / 0)
Questions remain.
[ Parent ]
What questions? (0.00 / 0)
This has absolutely nothing to do with Bill or Hillary Clinton, and should not be attached by association.

Former Edwards Supporter, Obama Supporter since January 30, 2008
[ Parent ]
no subject (4.00 / 1)
Of course it doesn't. I mean, that, you know, there is no basis for that. I take her on the basis of what she says. And, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that... No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know.
[ Parent ]
Spitzer likely resigning (4.00 / 1)
Guys, you're losing sight of the big picture (tongue firmly in cheek): as a Governor, he's an automatic delegate, and with a Clinton endorsement, is presumably counted in her favor.  Where does the Lt. Gov. stand, b/c he's going to the convention now.
[ Parent ]
Absolutely right (0.00 / 0)
If Hillary Clinton doesn't resign RIGHT THIS INSTANT SHE'S NOT A RREAL DEMOGRAT!!!!1

I support John McCain because children are too healthy anyway.
[ Parent ]
What a scumbag (4.00 / 1)
People like this make me sick. Think of everything he's risking just for some fleeting sexual gratification. When you're in public office, people are depending on you. You have an enormous obligation to do right by them. Gambling with their fate like this is pure selfishness.

You know (0.00 / 0)
I have to say, I feel the same way. I'm not so much mad at Spitzer for sleeping with a Prostitute (I still am, but I recognize it could have simply been a lapse in personal judgement). I am more angry at the fact that he would do this with all the weight on his shoulders. He is the first Democrat elected Governor of New York in ages, and one of the most Progressive ones in the Country. He had a whole movement behind him, depending on him to get real reform passed in the state, and then he goes and does this. It's one thing to mess up on something which affects you personally, but I can't forgive someone who does something he knows will have broader consequences. This lack of foresight is very disappointing.

Former Edwards Supporter, Obama Supporter since January 30, 2008
[ Parent ]
Power is an aphrodisiac (0.00 / 0)
Wasn't it Henry Kissinger who said that?

Men think that if they pay a great deal of money for sex, it must be fantastic.  Can you imagine why he thought she was worth $5500?  But really, it is all about feelings of power that need to be, as it were, discharged.  

Better prostitutes than bombs and missles, though.

John McCain--He's not who you think he is.

[ Parent ]
Th real scumbags (4.00 / 2)
The New York Daily News has a story that links Spitzer"s behavior with his prosecution of Wall Street crooks as NY Attorney General.  It is hard to state how much this little group of overpaid crooked insiders hated Spitzer.  Oddly, insider trading makes Wall Street far less safe for the little guy and was a threat to the long term profitablility of the Street.  But this group of spoiled rich folks never got that lesson.

I never knew why Jim McGreevey quit.  Yes he had a gay affair but so what?  Personal sex "scandals" are tools of the rich and connected.  There goes the NY State Senate and 50 years of frustration will continue.

Abuse of the wife/girl friend/husband/boyfriend is something else.  Chris Christie's $3 million haul on privatizing the US Attorney's office (as detailed on Blue Jersey) is a fire-able offense.  This should be a divorceable offense.  There is a difference.

Hmm. (0.00 / 0)
I'm torn because I am sympathetic to the idea of some form of legalization of prostitution.

That said, it is currently illegal and moreover, Spitzer is a former prosecutor who has prosecuted people for breaking these selfsame laws.

If he had been on record as wanting to avoid prosecuting johns or prostitutes he might have a case for staying.  

McGreevey's problem was the harassment angle as far as I'm concerned.  It isn't really comparable.  He could stay as far as I would be concerned providing the harassment allegations were false.

Adultery isn't resignation worthy except for politicians who make a big deal of morality.  For a "law and order" democrat like Spitzer, there is no escape I can see.  He wasn't just cheating on his wife, he was breaking the laws of the state he governs.

[ Parent ]
McGreevy (0.00 / 0)

I never knew why Jim McGreevey quit.  

Corruption.  The McGreevy administration stank.  Giving his boy toy a national security job for which he had no qualifications was the tip of the iceberg.  All of NJ politics stinks, the Democrats retain power because the Republicans are worse, and batshit crazy on top of it.  Corzine has his work cut out for him, but if he doesn't succeed, we will pass Alabama on the way down economically.
[ Parent ]
Sex (4.00 / 1)
What bothers me most is where someone puts their dipstick/lipstick is always the thing that brings down a Politician, it's never the real things that affect America.

Why is not the money, the favors, the bills passed written by corporate lobbyists the thing that would bring a Politician to tears.  

NoSlaves.com  


The Economic Populist

Spitzer is done (0.00 / 0)
He must resign now and if doesn't he should be kicked out.

If Spitzer doesn't take a fall for this it sends a message that human trafficking is okay. It isn't. It is unacceptable. He needs to step done for the good of his state.

It's not about politics. It's about right and wrong.

Now we've just got to stop a hack like Mario Cumo from becoming governor. The new Guv (current Lt. Gov) David Paterson has a very inspiring story and would be only the second African-American governor in the nation right now. However I'm not sure how progressive he is.

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

Vitter? (0.00 / 0)
It may not be strictly comparable, but David Vitter had long, continuing relationships with prostitute(s).  Vitter was forced out of a run for Governor because of the scandal but is in DC as a Senator some 9 months after admitting to using a prostitute.  

Vitter was elected (albeit in a "jungle primary") with 51% of the vote; Spitzer got 69%.

Vitter's worse offense was blaming federal problems on beaurocracy rather than privatization and being the one LA official most supportive of the Bush relief "efforts" following Katrina.  Vitter's not dumb (he's a Rhodes Scholar).  This is either a case of politics or ideology trumping the facts and I'd guess it was the politics.

Either Spitzer and Vitter or no one should be forced to rewsign and I am in favor of no one.

Spitzer's Scandal | 50 comments
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