New York Governor Sitzer To Resign

[JustDoIt 10]

Why you resigning Governor?It's just about SEX!

[Nimue1995 1]

Why you resigning Governor?It's just about SEX!

Haven't even read the story yet but have to ask. Is he a Republican? If so the Republican Party is much more inclined to throw their members under the bus for sexual indescretions. As if no one in their lives has ever made a mistake.

[weishan14 0]

Haven't even read the story yet but have to ask. Is he a Republican? If so the Republican Party is much more inclined to throw their members under the bus for sexual indescretions. As if no one in their lives has ever made a mistake.[/quote/]Here's the story:Spitzer, Ethics Crusader, Now Probed Over Own Conduct Henry GoldmanMarch 11 (Bloomberg) -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who spent the last nine years pursuing malfeasance in government and on Wall Street, now finds himself a target following reports linking him to a prostitution ring.After a public apology yesterday for behavior ``that violated the obligations to my family and that violates my or any sense of right or wrong,'' Spitzer faces calls from friends and adversaries for his resignation less than 18 months after winning election with the biggest majority in state history.``It's very unlikely he can survive,'' said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute of Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, New York. ``Everything is made more problematic because it's an issue of integrity, which had been his strong suit.''On Wall Street, where Spitzer made his reputation as state attorney general with battles against firms including American International Group Inc. and Citigroup Inc., ``I can only tell you that people are somewhat gleeful,'' said Chuck Gabriel, whose Washington firm, Capital Alpha Partners, provides political analysis to institutional investors. ``This is a guy who had Wall Street under his thumb, and now he's fallen into the same kind of trap as those who suffered under his hand.''IRS ProbeThe New York Times reported today that the investigation into Spitzer's behavior was triggered by a routine Internal Revenue Service check.IRS investigators examining suspicious financial transactions reported to them by banks spotted several unusual movements of cash linked to the governor of New York, the newspaper said.Spitzer appeared to be trying to conceal the source and destination of thousands of dollars, which went to the accounts of what seemed to be shell companies, the newspaper reported, citing unidentified officials with knowledge of the matter.Messages left today at Spitzer's office by Bloomberg News outside regular business hours weren't answered. Calls and e- mails sent today to the Manhattan U.S. Attorney General's office at the same time didn't get a response.The Times reported on its Web site yesterday that Spitzer, a Democrat, was caught on a federal wiretap planning to meet a prostitute in Washington after arranging for her to travel from New York. A person briefed on the federal investigation said Spitzer was the individual identified in an affidavit as ``Client 9'' who met with a woman in the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, the Times reported.High StandardsClient 9 paid $4,300 for an appointment that began on Feb. 13 and ended at 12:02 a.m. the next day, according to the affidavit.``It goes beyond anything I've ever seen,'' said former three-term U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato, 70, a Republican. ``He had enormous potential. He was outstanding as attorney general but if you're the crusader, you're going to be held to the highest standards, and so I think he has to leave, and soon.''Rebekah Carmichael, a spokeswoman for Manhattan U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia, whose office is prosecuting the prostitution case, declined to comment when asked if Spitzer was under investigation for links to the ring, known as the ``Emperors Club.''At his 1-minute, 18-second Manhattan briefing with his wife, Silda, by his side, Spitzer, 48, didn't specify the behavior by which he ``disappointed and failed to live up to the standard that I expect of myself.'' The governor has three daughters.Public ScheduleSpitzer said politics was more ``about ideas, the public good and doing what is best'' than about individuals. He promised he would report back ``in short order.''The governor's office said Spitzer would be in New York City today, with no public activities scheduled. ``It's another instance in which a very smart, very powerful man brings himself down through his own hubris,'' said William Cunningham, a political consultant who worked on the senior staffs of former Democratic New York Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo. ``We have seen it with Richard Nixon, we've seen it with Bill Clinton, very successful people who think they have their own set of rules, and self-inflict their own wounds.'' Washington Testimony The encounter by ``Client 9'' with the prostitute occurred while Spitzer was in Washington to testify before a House subcommittee on the higher costs of government debt caused by the impact of the subprime crisis on bond insurers. That testimony held the prospect of helping to reverse a yearlong slide in the governor's approval rating, political analysts said. The governor's popularity plunged last year after disclosures that his staff had directed state police to compile records on Republican Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's use of state-owned aircraft. In November, the governor withdrew his proposal to permit illegal immigrants to obtain drivers licenses amid widespread opposition. H. Carl McCall, a former state comptroller and gubernatorial candidate in 2002, said Spitzer ``will have to decide whether under these circumstances he can provide the leadership to carry forward his priorities.'' Hevesi Resignation Spitzer played a role in forcing McCall's successor as state comptroller, Alan Hevesi, to resign amid disclosures that Hevesi had used his state-paid driver as a chauffeur for his disabled wife, at a cost to the state of more than $170,000. He gained nationwide attention after investigations by his state attorney general's office exposed conflicts of interest between Wall Street analysts, who misled investors on the value of Internet stocks to win underwriting assignments during the dot-com boom in the 1990s. Securities firms eventually paid $1.4 billion to settle claims from the probe. Spitzer then investigated the money management industry in 2003, showing how hedge funds and mutual funds were given preferential treatment in the timing of their trades by brokers. Funds and brokerage firms paid more than $5 billion to resolve the federal and state investigations. Should Spitzer step down, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson would finish the governor's term, and Bruno would be next in line. ``The important thing for the people of New York state is that people in office do the right thing,'' Bruno said in a statement. `Shocked' Democrats Hank Sheinkopf, the architect of Spitzer's upset victory election to state attorney general in 1998, said ``it's not likely'' the governor would survive. ``Democrats are shocked,'' Sheinkopf said. ``The state faces major economic problems and probably soon-to-be-governor Lieutenant Governor David Paterson will have to rise to the occasion.'' State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Manhattan Democrat, issued a two-sentence statement yesterday, saying, ``The allegations against the governor are before the public. I have nothing to add at this time.'' Joseph Mercurio, a New York political consultant who has worked for both Democrats and Republicans, said politicians have survived these kinds of scandals before. ``This isn't malfeasance in office, he wasn't misusing public funds, it's a matter between him and his family,'' Mercurio said. ``But his damage control is going to have to be handled very delicately.'' Political Stability Spitzer's removal, said D'Amato, would bring ``some political stability back to the state because Paterson's a guy who could govern in a much less partisan way. He knows how to deal with people to get things done.'' The scandal will make it more difficult to conduct the state's business, several lawmakers and political scientists said. A budget is due for the fiscal year starting April 1. The state's schools need improvement, and its health costs continue to rise. As the economy slows and revenue decreases, the political environment will become more challenging, said Hunter College political science professor Kenneth Sherrill. ``Until the governor's future is determined, the state's finances will be limbo or worse,'' Sherrill said in a telephone interview. ``The New York budget process is in flames.'' To contact the reporter on this story: Hernry Goldman in New York at @bloomberg.net.

[Miguel McHarris 0]

Haven't even read the story yet but have to ask. Is he a Republican? If so the Republican Party is much more inclined to throw their members under the bus for sexual indescretions. As if no one in their lives has ever made a mistake.

No.

[JustDoIt 10]

Haven't even read the story yet but have to ask. Is he a Republican? If so the Republican Party is much more inclined to throw their members under the bus for sexual indescretions. As if no one in their lives has ever made a mistake.

You just don't get it!

[nutzbuster 7]

Anyone here live in New York?Me either.Next...

[Southern Buddhist 1]

Haven't even read the story yet but have to ask. Is he a Republican? If so the Republican Party is much more inclined to throw their members under the bus for sexual indescretions. As if no one in their lives has ever made a mistake.

Nope, he's a Democrat. You can tell because the sex was straight, unlike the last several Republican scandals, including the still-"serving" Larry Craig.

[Balloon guy 158]

Here's a picture of him to help with the story.That's him on the left.The other one is not the prostitute he hired fyi

[akoff 0]

Nope, he's a Democrat. You can tell because the sex was straight, unlike the last several Republican scandals, including the still-"serving" Larry Craig.

It seem to me you must have forgotten Democratic governor of New Jersey Jim Mcgreevey and gay affair he had…link belowhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/12/mcgreevey.nj/

[HollywoodAFD 0]

Here's a picture of him to help with the story.That's him on the left.The other one is not the prostitute he hired fyi

Well played.He's the male Heidi Fleiss

[JustDoIt 10]

Well played.He's the male Heidi Fleiss

Love to read Camille Paglia.Quote from her today"And if the media is treating Hillary in a gendered way, hasn't she herself constantly and cynically dramatized her embattled womanhood? It began with her snappish defense of her hangdog husband during the Gennifer Flowers imbroglio of 1992. Blame tail-chasing Bill, from Little Rock on, for sexualizing the popular perception of the Clintons. Nubile, exploited Monica Lewinsky will always hover around Hillary like ghostly baggage. Bill's serial abuses betray a profound ambivalence about and deep-seated hostility to women -- something the Clintons' giddy feminist flacks just don't see. Why was Hillary flying around the world to those 80 countries anyhow -- building her résumé while leaving her randy hubby unleashed? Anyone who thinks Bill's exploits are going to stop after Hillary is president has, well, a screw loose. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's entrapment in a sex scandal is coming at a particularly inopportune moment for the Clintons, since it simply reminds everyone again of tawdry, furtive, high-placed adultery."Her columnhttp://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2008/03/12/red_phone/

[Nimue1995 1]

Love to read Camille Paglia.Quote from her today"And if the media is treating Hillary in a gendered way, hasn't she herself constantly and cynically dramatized her embattled womanhood? It began with her snappish defense of her hangdog husband during the Gennifer Flowers imbroglio of 1992. Blame tail-chasing Bill, from Little Rock on, for sexualizing the popular perception of the Clintons. Nubile, exploited Monica Lewinsky will always hover around Hillary like ghostly baggage. Bill's serial abuses betray a profound ambivalence about and deep-seated hostility to women -- something the Clintons' giddy feminist flacks just don't see. Why was Hillary flying around the world to those 80 countries anyhow -- building her résumé while leaving her randy hubby unleashed? Anyone who thinks Bill's exploits are going to stop after Hillary is president has, well, a screw loose. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's entrapment in a sex scandal is coming at a particularly inopportune moment for the Clintons, since it simply reminds everyone again of tawdry, furtive, high-placed adultery."Her columnhttp://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2008/03/12/red_phone/

Salon.com? You're coming along, JDI you're coming along.

[JustDoIt 10]

Salon.com? You're coming along, JDI you're coming along.

No problem, being very conservative I do not limit my radio and reading to conservative writers and commentators. I have a test, are they intellectually honest and consistent, Camille Paglia meets this with flying colors.Kudos to former Governor Spitzer doing the right thing. Unlike President Clinton who lied to the nation and sent his attack dogs Lanny Davis, Paul Begala and James carville out every night to beat us over the head and polarize the nation.

[gobears 0]

No problem, being very conservative I do not limit my radio and reading to conservative writers and commentators. I have a test, are they intellectually honest and consistent, Camille Paglia meets this with flying colors.Kudos to former Governor Spitzer doing the right thing. Unlike President Clinton who lied to the nation and sent his attack dogs Lanny Davis, Paul Begala and James carville out every night to beat us over the head and polarize the nation.

I'm on the liberal side but I read National Review just to get the other side although I tend to like Derb and Pod on that site and not so much Lopez.Spitzer did the right thing - let's not forget Vitter/Craig who like Clinton did not fall on their sword.

[Nimue1995 1]

Was he a Hilary supporter? If so then all I can say is YIPPEEYIYA! That would be the only good thing to come out of that mess is that she loses one more super delegate vote. I look at prostitution as a whole though as being like marjuana possession. A basically victimless crime that is a waste of taxpayer dollars pursuing the prosecution of. We'd be much better off just staying out of America's bedrooms alltogether.

[JustDoIt 10]

Was he a Hilary supporter? If so then all I can say is YIPPEEYIYA! That would be the only good thing to come out of that mess is that she loses one more super delegate vote. I look at prostitution as a whole though as being like marjuana possession. A basically victimless crime that is a waste of taxpayer dollars pursuing the prosecution of. We'd be much better off just staying out of America's bedrooms alltogether.

Has nothing to do with the bedroom. If it was just about him being a john nothing would have come of it. If he is prosecuted it will be for laundering money and improper use of government funds. The way he was caught was the bank reported suspicious movement of money. This was not a victimless crime, it involved organized crime.And yes he did break the law just like President (it was just sex) Clinton.

[gobears 0]

Has nothing to do with the bedroom. If it was just about him being a john nothing would have come of it. If he is prosecuted it will be for laundering money and improper use of government funds. The way he was caught was the bank reported suspicious movement of money. This was not a victimless crime, it involved organized crime.And yes he did break the law just like President (it was just sex) Clinton.

Well the main victim was his wife of course - he's basically a rich John who got caught. The Feds almost never get involved with prostitution as it's typically a states right issue (otherwise wouldn't they be raiding the Nevada brothels on a daily basis?)Spitzer was hated by many - especially on the right so he was dumb enough to leave a trail for his enemies to play "gotcha".Organized crime? Maybe the brothel was involved although that hasn't been proven at all but Spitzer's was just being a john.

[freak2304 0]

It seem to me you must have forgotten Democratic governor of New Jersey Jim Mcgreevey and gay affair he had…link belowhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/12/mcgreevey.nj/

Alright. Since you brought it up...name some more homosexual encounters involving Democratic leaders in the last 10 years in one column. Then, name the same type of encounters involving Republican leaders in another. I'd be interested to see which one has FAR more than the other. It really doesn't matter to me, but it's laughable to think that the right loves what it preaches so hard against.

[Balloon guy 158]

Was he a Hilary supporter? If so then all I can say is YIPPEEYIYA! That would be the only good thing to come out of that mess is that she loses one more super delegate vote. I look at prostitution as a whole though as being like marjuana possession. A basically victimless crime that is a waste of taxpayer dollars pursuing the prosecution of. We'd be much better off just staying out of America's bedrooms alltogether.

The majority of prostitutes are trapped in a world they cannot escape. Whether from drug abuse, being enslaved by a pimp, or just being poor, most prostitutes are victims.I was raised by a feminist, read Ms mag most of my childhood, and had a mother that worked at a rape crisis center for most of my life. Prostitution is not a victimless crime.We just want to pretend it is so we can ignore the weak.

[gobears 0]

The majority of prostitutes are trapped in a world they cannot escape. Whether from drug abuse, being enslaved by a pimp, or just being poor, most prostitutes are victims.I was raised by a feminist, read Ms mag most of my childhood, and had a mother that worked at a rape crisis center for most of my life. Prostitution is not a victimless crime.We just want to pretend it is so we can ignore the weak.

I'm taking this from Glenn Greenwald but he says it well * Sometimes, people get drunk and drive, or get drunk and abuse others. Therefore, we should outlaw all alcohol (rather than just outlaw drunk driving and assault).* Sometimes, the media libels people and destroys their reputations. Therefore, we should outlaw all freedom of the press (rather than just proscribe libel).* Sometimes, children get a hold of cigarettes or pornography. Therefore, we should outlaw all smoking and pornography (rather than just outlaw the act of selling cigarettes or porn to minors).* Sometimes, men rape women or molest minors. Therefore, we should outlaw all sex (rather than just outlaw rape and child molestation).* Sometimes, people use drugs (prescription or recreational), get addicted and then steal or act violently. Therefore, we should outlaw all drugs (rather than just outlaw theft and violence).* Sometimes, people force women against their will to work as prostitutes. Therefore, we should outlaw all prostitution (rather than just outlaw forced prostitution and human trafficking).

[freak2304 0]

The majority of prostitutes are trapped in a world they cannot escape. Whether from drug abuse, being enslaved by a pimp, or just being poor, most prostitutes are victims.I was raised by a feminist, read Ms mag most of my childhood, and had a mother that worked at a rape crisis center for most of my life. Prostitution is not a victimless crime.We just want to pretend it is so we can ignore the weak.

With this argument, I'd say all people living in "inner-city" settings are victims, as well. Agree??

[Balloon guy 158]

Pretending that the average prostitute is Julia Roberts, making a great living for a short time then escaping with no emotional scars is niave.Of course there are women that will, but most prostitutes are living in a hell, maybe of their own making, but hell none the less.I will take the the: err on the side of humanity side of this argument

[Balloon guy 158]

I'm taking this from Glenn Greenwald but he says it well * Sometimes, people get drunk and drive, or get drunk and abuse others. Therefore, we should outlaw all alcohol (rather than just outlaw drunk driving and assault).* Sometimes, the media libels people and destroys their reputations. Therefore, we should outlaw all freedom of the press (rather than just proscribe libel).* Sometimes, children get a hold of cigarettes or pornography. Therefore, we should outlaw all smoking and pornography (rather than just outlaw the act of selling cigarettes or porn to minors).* Sometimes, men rape women or molest minors. Therefore, we should outlaw all sex (rather than just outlaw rape and child molestation).* Sometimes, people use drugs (prescription or recreational), get addicted and then steal or act violently. Therefore, we should outlaw all drugs (rather than just outlaw theft and violence).* Sometimes, people force women against their will to work as prostitutes. Therefore, we should outlaw all prostitution (rather than just outlaw forced prostitution and human trafficking).

Clearly you are confused. I think I have clearly established that I am the one that uses slippery slope arguments with broad generalizations and pretend logic.You're too good for this, leave it to the religios right please.

[Balloon guy 158]

With this argument, I'd say all people living in "inner-city" settings are victims, as well. Agree??

No because they are mostly democrats, and vote democrat, which means they are sleeping in the bed they made for themselves, and if we tried to help them they would just use the money for drugs.See gobears...THAT's how it's done.

[freak2304 0]

No because they are mostly democrats, and vote democrat, which means they are sleeping in the bed they made for themselves, and if we tried to help them they would just use the money for drugs.See gobears...THAT's how it's done.

Sigh, ok.