I hope he resigns quickly... it gives us ammo against Senator Vittner. (sp)
On Daily Kos someone pointed out...
"At $5500/hour, the Emperor's Club prostitutes cost Spitzer approximately the same as Rudy's security detail cost the taxpayers of NYC every time that Rudy went to the Hamptons on a tryst with Judy."
If it comes out that this was involved with the secret electronic surveillance by the Bush administration some serious repercussions will happen. Were parts of this from FISA wiretaps, because the Escort Agency has offices around the world? Were emails a part of the search... with or without judicial oversight?
After some digging we turned up some info on Elliot's favorite go to gal. No wonder he strayed!
Elliot Spitzer's favorite go to gal
Hey, at least Spitzer paid for his hookers.
sorry folks. i too am disappointed, but thing is just like with craig and vitter, it's the hypocrisy that offends me. lord knows, after my time on the busses on tour, i have no moral high ground to take with anyone. thing is, i fucking don't.
and governor, dude, if you're on tape to the feds, it ain't a fucking private matter anymore. and if it's a crime for the people you and your office prosecuted, it cannot, and never will be, a private matter.
dude, you committed a crime. i could care less about the sin and your immortal goddamned soul. i care about the integrity of office. you fucked it, you blew it, you gotta go.
Hey, at least Spitzer paid for his hookers.
$5,000+/hr? He must have a nice little stash somewhere, as Gov. of NY doesn't pay all that well.
I think the new governor is going to be a compelling one. I wanna see how he rolls.
I have to think this ain't good for HRC. Just a reminder of the furour surrounding a certain you-know-who some ten years ago.
Zips up in 2008.
That didn't exactly harm her political prospects, Bollox Ref.
And just to satisfy myself that I am not anything like Chris Matthews-there were a lot of factors beyond that incident which caused Hillary Clinton to succeed politically. She is smart and ruthless, for example.
But Bill getting some hummers in the oval didn't hurt either.
Yes, it's going to be very interesting. For one thing, did anyone hear any rumors during his run for governor about him straying from the marital bed? Cause that stuff always gets around, but this is the first time I've heard about it. And a good friend of mine is very, very well connected to the various NYC "machines" (political, religious, media and police) that he would absolutely know, but not a peep from him about Spitzer. So either the Guv was tremendously discreet (which is impossible, you can't do things like this without someone knowing and blabbing), or he suddenly had the need to spend some of his inheritance on relaxation, or the tape isn't what it's made out to be.
Looks like the Lite Gov (h/t to Molly Ivins) may be the new Gov any time.
What I really, really don't want to wake up to tomorrow is a statement from Spitzer that begins "I want to apologize to my wife and children, my parents, and all the people who voted for me."
Yah know, Spitzer pisses me off. He's the all high-and-mighty do-gooder gov, which tripped some alarms in my head.
Sure enough. Wonder cop has the same ethics as Rudy, and probably the same charm.
Granted, I wonder about this story being released on the same day that the WSJ blows the lid off of NSA domestic spying. Funny how that story disappeared.
And Spitzer, the dumb f*ck, gave the Bushies the ammo to be shot down.
He should resign for being a dumb schmuck!
That didn't exactly harm her political prospects, Bollox Ref.
My point is, people are getting tired of this rubbish........... Dem Stars who can't control themselves.
As for Hillary, she was going to run no matter what, hence her careful relocation to NY and senatorial status, but stories like this are just reminders of......... the bad old days and getting nothing done because certain members of the Clinton household..... (see late '90's).
Dem Stars who can't control themselves? Rudy? McCain? Vitter? Or do you mean all those Dems on the boards of Halliburton and KBR and other corporations making a fortune off the war with no-bid contracts? And as I recall, the Clinton presidency was hobbled by investigation after useless investigation (Travelgate, Whitewater, Paula Jones and her lawsuit, Starr and his bunny-jump hunt), not by Bill's undone zipper alone.
there was more to travelgate than to the fed firings you are cheering on congress critters about.
How about Greevey to your list of uncontrolled dems?
Dem Stars who can't control themselves? Rudy? McCain? Vitter? Or do you mean all those Dems on the boards of Halliburton and KBR and other corporations making a fortune off the war with no-bid contracts? And as I recall, the Clinton presidency was hobbled by investigation after useless investigation (Travelgate, Whitewater, Paula Jones and her lawsuit, Starr and his bunny-jump hunt), not by Bill's undone zipper alone.
All I'm saying is, this kind of stuff is a reminder of the past. In the end, Bill's unzipped pair of trousers trumped all of the above. It would be nice to have someone in office (female or male) who can control themselves for said office's period of time. I think most people are cheesed off enough that this is a minimum requirement. Seriously, you can't get through four years without bonking someone other than your wife/husband/partner/fellow lavatory member?
anyone smelling a Siegleman style ratfucking going on here? were those NY USAtty's replaced recently or have they been around for a while?
almost makes me want to move back to the city with a big popcorn machine...Basil Paterson - that name takes me back...
Some Questions About the Spitzer Incident
http://firedoglake.com/2008/03/1...itzer-incident/
"anyone smelling a Siegleman style ratfucking going on here?"
Yo, me too, priznit!
But generally, the lack of suspicion here is depressing.
Gray,
The US Attorney scandal comes into play again. From what I have seen about the reporting on this it has all been about Spitzer all the time. At HuffingtonPost they had the government's blow by blow(no pun intended) case for Client 9 and there is little there that evokes much interest other than Spitzer wanting to give the working girl money in cash because he didn't want to wire it anymore because he had to go to too much trouble to cover it up.
Prostitution laws are about the dumbest on the books, especially since Washington is about the most whore-filled place on Earth(literally and figuratively). But Spitzer is toast and the sooner he is gone the better. He impressed me much more as a law enforcer as state AG then governor. He can now go to private practice, make a shitload of money and have as many whores as he wants.
His rock bottom seems to be floors above our ceiling. *Sigh*
It would be nice to have someone in office (female or male) who can control themselves for said office's period of time.
Yeah, it would. But, IIRC, the media was dragging this shit out on Bill before he was ever in the Oval Office. I mean, WTF, they were pulling this on Jimmy C for having "lust in his heart" before the election (if I remember my 70's Playboy interviews correctly).
Frankly, sex is something that will always excite the media and the great mass of America. I don't know if that means we ain't gettin' enough, ain't gettin it like we want it, or ain't gettin' it period, but man, oh man, we can sproing a woody as soon as it hits the papers on somebody important.
Gray:
I cited the possibility of ratfucking in my post itself.
Here:
“Thus speculation is that this damning probe may be the result of favors and chits being called in by a waning northeast GOP. It is a federal wiretap that he got his ass caught up in, and one can only wonder if this is possibly the result of some of that not-so-long-ago talked about abuse of the NSA wiretapping that was suggested as being targeted at political opponents. Nobody told ya to go hoochie-chasin' Eliot, but something smells just a wee bit dead-rattish about this probe. Hmmmmmmm...”
With a link back to TPM's original reporting about the NSA wiretaps being used for to smash enemies.
Read the post—it's in there,
This guy was angling for the prez job one day. Guess that's not a career option anymore.
"I cited the possibility of ratfucking in my post itself."
Thx, but I noticed that when reading the story. My remark wasn't targetted at you. Instead, I was a bit surprised at the many comments here focussing on the moral aspects of the story, especially the 5500 bucks. Spitzer's obvious hypocrisy is much more important, and damaging, imho.
However, if this is a Siegelman style conspiracy, Dems should defend their governor instead of allowing the Bush gang to score yet another homerun. Letting the rethuglicans have a cheap PR victory certainly is not the right way to win the next elections.
:-/
LM, thanks for your deep-focus dissection of the background.
Especially the Lt. Gov, whom I had never heard of before this post, since I live in a different part of the country.
African-American, smart, competent, experienced, connected, and blind?!
I am dancin' around the room. DATR!
"Guess that's not a career option anymore."
Someone should have told that George W. Bush in '99...
"African-American, smart, competent, experienced, connected, and blind?!"
And actively supporting Hillary!
"Paterson, also a Democrat and also a Democratic National Convention super-delegate, has always been a good deal more enthusiastic about the Clinton campaign than Spitzer."
"While Spitzer spent time at the Mayflower, Paterson slogged through Iowa and other key states on Clinton's behalf."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenatio...nation/
45296891
Were they able to determine who "Clients Number 1-8" were?
Do the number start over for each locale? Or more a highest to lowest? Like maybe former prezies are lower in number than mere governors? Or maybe its an ability or freakiness ranking?
Wasn't he the Imigrant driver's license issue governor that hillary agreed with, as her friend, then switched her answer to no?
Jes wonderin' 
Eliot And The Ill Na Na - sounds like a spooky child's fable.
Blind Lemon Patterson - the next GOTSONY. Sumbody gon' be sangin da blues up'n Albany - sho' nuff!!!
Poem entitled "Joe Bruno's Revenge":
Client, Client!! Number 9!!
Orderin' on Da Booty line!!
Flossin' dat illicit love!!
I gitz mine 'cause I'm da Gov'!!
Slipped up on dat Ill Na Na!!
Now itz yours Ol' Davy Pa'!!!
“Were they able to determine who "Clients Number 1-8" were?”
Ahhhhhh...that's where the shit gets interesting doesn't it? For that cost, the client list ain't walk-ups strollin' by the piers. I would imagine there are OTHER ballers (pun unintended) and shot-callers in the mix.
And if those people are wingers who can be damaged by exposure, I would imagine that this case has been so compartmentalized as to protect them. We know from the Siegelman witch-hunt that the Justice Dept. will not only look the other way, but also weld an iron curtain to obscure GOP wrong-doers. We shall see...
And yes, Paterson is a Hillary supporter—big time, but should Spitzer step down as is rumored, she will lose him as a super-delegate and gain nothing from Paterson who was already on her team.
The new Lt. Gov according to state rules would be the State Senate Prez pro tem—namely the Senate leader Joe Bruno...a staunch republican.
She's (Sen. Clinton) also moved quickly, scrubbing all mention and images of the vociferous supporter Spitzer from her campaign website this afternoon.
The Lord giveth...you know the rest.
LM:
I'm not making any accusations, but when you write "pun unintended," I find it hard to see the "un."
Gray:
Paterson may not be as enthusiastic a Clinton supporter as it might seem.
http://newbrooklynnetwork.typepa...d-
paterson.html
Those are not my words and I can't vouch for their correctness-but there is another view of that story out there.
I still think something doesn't smell quite right. I first saw the headlines at the Big Orange, and the first thought that came to my head was blackmail and Siegelman.
And who were clients 1-8?
“LM:
I'm not making any accusations, but when you write "pun unintended," I find it hard to see the "un."
Honest to God, the words come, I see the pun, but if the word or phrase fits—I keep it anyway, and have to acknowledge the pun.
What's a brudda to do?
And yes, I'm hearing about “soft” support amongts NY's “should be locked down” Black Clinton bloc—particularly in the 2.25 million populated Brooklyn. Remember Alma Rangel, wife of Rep. Charlie Rangel, Bill & Hill loyalist to the bone came out hard for Obama.
24 hours has drastically altered this city and state's political landscape, with the given-up-for-dead “Harlem Clubhouse” now about to see a scion ascend to where NONE of it's wizened lions ever could. Not Dinkins, Farrell, Sutton or Paterson the senior.
The Governorship. I may have to drift uptown for a few hours to the haunts to gauge what the feel is. I have a feeling it'll be something off the beaten path for the “Big Willies” who usually keep it quite sedate north of 110th Street.
Well its a good thing hillary just pointed out that the pledged delegates don't have to vote the way the voters did in their state. Isn't it.
That's the funny thing about squawking and trying to game the system...... the system can game you right back..... three fold 
This should be very interesting. Bet Elliot hired that pr firm that mark penn is the ceo of. 
I too suspect some sort of Elephascist shenanigans here.
Does the fact New York Governor sees prostitutes in his spare time disturb you? What if it was kept concealed from the public? would that render him unfit to serve as Governor? I'm trying to gauge public opinion on this one. If you're interested, please vote on my poll:
http://www.pollsb.com/polls/poll...ime-disturb-
you
"The new Lt. Gov according to state rules would be the State Senate Prez pro tem—namely the Senate leader Joe Bruno...a staunch republican."
Thx for the info, LM. Horrible news.
But I understand the Lt. Gov. has close to no power in NY? Or will Bruno gain something from the scandal?
"Ahhhhhh...that's where the shit gets interesting doesn't it?"
Let's hope clients #1-8 are rethuglicans from Albany...
:-|
"The new Lt. Gov according to state rules would be the State Senate Prez pro tem—namely the Senate leader Joe Bruno...a staunch republican."
Well, he wouldn't technically be lt. gov; there would be no lt. gov. Bruno would be first in line of succession after Paterson.
Gray, more likly we are dealing with atheleats and clebertys...soem dc politicos as well...and at least one forign diplomat will be in that group.
as for the "shnanagins", "ratfucking", or "setup". no one held a gun to spitzis head and forcedhim to pay for sex. no one forced him to cheat on his wife (notably on valintines day). no one forced him to be a hypocrit (pushing a white night, tough on crime image while visting these ladies on the side). seems to me that if he was ratfucked, he did it to himself.
there was no consperiacy to make him a john....why is it so fucking hard to understand that, he broke the law...once apon a time folks understood that...if you wanted to be up on that white horse, if you wanted to be eliot ness, well you where clean as a wistle.
we need better polititins.
...And now, a view from our little corner of the world:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps...1/NEWS/
80310033
PS to LM and DJ: Having Joe *Muthafuckin'* Bruno in line of succession is a true nightmare scenario. Plus, I guess whatever shit ol' Eliot and co. had on him may just "go away"...
Confidential to Baltogeek (from the previous Spitzer thread): They don't call our State govt. "The Most Dysfunctional [Statehouse] in America" for nothin'!
NY GOP Calling for Spitzer's Head:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/
20080...york_spitzer_dc
My 2 cents:
- Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. A Dem Giuliani.
- Spitzer is a strong Dem in an era of timid, vacillating weasels. He’s like Charles Schumer. He stands up for what he believes in: self-aggrandizement.
- Dem heavyweights like Corzine and the Cuomos need to decide whether we’re supposed to be totally shocked, or that this should be no big deal.
- His downfall is one consequence of letting the Pat Robertsons and the Catholic Church legislate control over the sex lives of consenting adults. Spitzer not only solicited a prostitute, he also committed adultery (still a B misdemeanor in NY). I say that if a politician doesn’t support ‘free love’, his/her sex life becomes a matter of public interest.
- AFAIK, David Patterson is exceptionally decent and progressive.
Thanks for the info Seitan Worshiper.
Also why the worry over this Bruno guy being next in line?
Can't Patterson choose another Dem to be Lt. Gov. once he's sworn in?
baltogeek:
The constitution of New York State only allows for a special election if both offices are open. Otherwise the temporary president of the state senate shall perform all duties of the Lt. Gov.... Which are basically nothing.
Thanks ~.
Interesting to read the (slightly) differing takes here...I'm not familiar enough with Spitzer to be an accurate judge of the man's character (I'm not even an American, let alone a New Yorker), but he certainly seems to have brought this little disaster upon himself. Even if the investigation is politically motivated, in this day and age, you have to be out of your mind to hand the GOP ammunition of this kind. Did he really think they wouldn't find out?
Whether he's a Democratic Giuliani or genuinely anti-corruption (or a little of both), it's all one, really. Hubris, arrogance and stupidity on this level deserve punishment, and what's worse, the fool has nobody but himself to thank for it. The only chance Dem politicos have nowdays is to adopt a policy of absolute zero tolerance of corruption, and that doesn't mean you slam the creeps on the other side of the aisle while pulling this sort of shit yourself.
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