Governor Spitzer Linked To Prostitution Ring
March 11th, 2008 at 01:27am Matt Margolis
And this guys platform was all about routing out corruption..
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.
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.
UPDATE: While I am commuting back home on the train I would like to add that considering the dark ethical cloud hanging over Spitzer’s office since he became governor — his office was the subject of multiple investigations — it is somewhat unfortunate that this alone is what people will remember about his downfall.
UPDATE: Video of Spitzer apologizing…
UPDATE, by Mark Noonan: Spitzer’s prospective replacement - Lt. Governor David Patterson, formerly NY Senate Minority Leader - also has an issue to deal with:
A US District Court judge has rejected the Senate Democrats’ effort to block a discrimination lawsuit filed by a white photographer who claims he was fired by former Minority Leader David Paterson only because he wasn’t black.
The ruling, first reported by the New York Law Journal (subscription only), makes for some interesting reading.
Paterson, now the lieutenant governor, asserted he axed the photographer, Joseph Maioriello, because he was a holdover from former Minortiy Leader Marty Connor’s regime. Paterson said he was unsure where Maioriello’s loyalties lay and was worried that Connor, whom he ousted in 2002, and others were “plotting” to re-gain control of the Democratic caucus.
Maioriello was replaced by an African-American photographer, El-Wise Noisette, who last worked for former state Comptroller H. Carl McCall (the first black gubernatorial candidate who lost his challenge to Republican Gov. George Pataki in 2002).
But Paterson insisted he had no idea about the race of either man due to the fact that he is legally blind.
“Given my visual impairment, I did not know for certain the race of either the plaintiff or Noisette,” Paterson stated in his deposition.
There’s just too many jokes to say about this…I’ll hold fire.
UPDATE, by Mark Noonan: Kossacks, naturally, blame President Bush:
If Spitzer has a taste for call girls, I won’t defend that… Neither am I prone to jump on it and go to town. I’m strictly of the Larry Flynt camp…Let it all out, and let the hypocrites wither in the light of day.
But I have a very discerning internal alarm. and that alarm tells me that this story only hit the news because the NSA, or the FBI…was snooping on this guy because he is so on the record as a trust buster and corporate cop.
Mark my words…this has the Bush Administration’s fingerprints all over it…and if the MSM digs a little deeper, they will find what Congress is afraid to look for…evidence that Bush’s wiretap program has less to do with terrorists than it has to do with political foes.
UPDATE: As the New York Times notes, this is a federal crime…
Federal prosecutors rarely charge clients in prostitution cases, which are generally seen as state crimes. But the Mann Act, passed by Congress in 1910 to address prostitution, human trafficking and what was viewed at the time as immorality in general, makes it a crime to transport someone between states for the purpose of prostitution. The four defendants charged in the case unsealed last week were all charged with that crime, along with several others.
UPDATE: Impeachment threat if he doesn’t resign…
Entry Filed under: Corruption, Democrats
82 Comments
1. sleepygene | March 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Matt-
I don’t remember your position on diaper dandy Sen. Vitter’s indiscretion. Were you outraged at that corruption? For the record I think Vitter should be gone, Spitzer should resign, Craig should resign, Barney Frank should have resigned, Gary Studds should have resinged. These are public officials breaking the law. I think prositution for the most part is a victimless crime but it is against the law and law makers should obey the law.
2. Michael | March 10th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Step 1: Change the subject…
3. Joe | March 10th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
LOL Matt, amazingly enough between you and Mark it is YOU that brings this up.
You link this to “routing out corruption”. How is this related to corruption? Are you suggesting Vitter is corrupt?
You are also touting that he “may resign this evening”. Wouldn’t that be funny if he does? Yet you, in your hypocritical self, defend Larry Craig, and Sen Vitter that they should remain in their job?
You are really losing whatever credibility you had left.
4. Martin | March 10th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Joe,
In Matt’s defense he did post a blog asking Larry Craig to step down.
Silence on Vitter, though as far as I recall.
5. Just Another Taxpayer | March 10th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Public officials have the morals of alley cats! This is news only if you didn’t notice the Dow Jones closed at 11,740 today, oil went up to $108 a barrel, you don’t own a home or drive a car.
Besides, you want to see real Godly leadership, look no further than King David of Isreal.
Have a nice day!
6. Thrower | March 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Goodbye, and tonight would not be too early to resign. New York deserves much better than that guy.
While watching his news conference, I couldn’t take my eyes off of his wife. Why do these guys insist on dragging their poor women through this slime? He is the least of the victims in this. I imagine his daughters are entering a private hell as well. Spitzer needs to get out of office and work to rebuild the lives of family members who trusted him to place their well being at least on a par with his.
7. the sun god Ra | March 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I find all hypocracy abhorent. With that said, at least Spitzer was with a woman!
8. Dennis | March 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
This is a tragedy at several levels, because Spitzer has been particularly effective both as an attorney general and governor and enjoyed high respect across the board. This sad story proves the ever present danger of moral crusades, as nobody is immune to human temptation.
It would be tragic for Spitzer’s entire career to be undone on the basis of a victimless crime, a universal human weakness tied to the world’s oldest profession. Yet as a moral crusader he must be held to the highest standard of accountability.
We live in an age of diminished privacy and anyone in public office must assume they are under constant scrutiny. How ironic that Gov. Spitzer was caught by a federal wiretap.
9. Joe | March 10th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I remember MARK suggesting Craig step down. I don’t remember anything from Matt about Craig.
If he did, then I take that back on that point.
10. Magnum Serpentine | March 10th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I believe, in addition to the Governor Resigning, the Federal officials who leaked this story to the Times should be fired.
There are proper ways of handling this, one was to quietly inform the Governor “We have you on tape, Now Governor, the proper thing to do is resign and release this information as part of your resignation speech, otherwise we take it to the press”
That would had been better instead of leaking it.
I would not be surprised if george ordered this leaked.
11. phnx | March 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Spitzer was an effective Attorney General, but on the way up he ruined several people with unsubstanitated charges. Because of his arrogance he made many enemies, and not many friends. No one from his party is coming to his defense. The guy is toast.
A promising leftist’s politicalcareer down the toilet.
12. phnx | March 10th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
“the Federal officials who leaked this story to the Times should be fired.” MS
How ironic, given your past support of leakers from the CIA.
13. Obama2008 | March 10th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
And meanwhile 5 soldiers died in Iraq today.
Democrats seem to engage in activities that harm themselves and are “vice” type offenses.
Republicans engage in criminal behavior that destroys companies (Enron), entire cities (Katrina), and of course entire countries (Iraq).
When you consider that Bush himself ordered his own associates to break the law and not even answer a Senate subpoena it is clear who the real criminals are.
14. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Liberals - you can’t attack Republicans for this and not Democrats. Thats called hypocrisy.
Personally, I don’t care who Spitzer screws so long as he doesn’t lie about it under oath.
And it is a little hypocritical of him, being an anti-corruption guy. But maybe he only meant New York State? It depends on what the meaning of “is” is. But really, I don’t care.
I see you’re being vehement in your partisan replies though. Proves your drone status, I guess.
15. Darva Conger | March 10th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Spitzer should resign right now. No “ifs” “ands” or “buts” about it. But I sure didn’t hear many around these parts calling for Wide Stance Craig to quit.
16. CuriousGeorge | March 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I find all hypocracy abhorent.
Why don’t you find a dictionary?
Step 1: Change the subject…
It’s what the kooks do, Michael, and sleepy is one of the big ones. We’re discussing Spitzer here, and they’ll bring up Republicans. Let’s talk about Libby; let’s talk about Abramahoff; let’s talk about Delay.
I’ve said this before, and I’ll repeat: Immorality knows no political party. Corruption abounds on both sides; that’s why I don’t get into “got’cha” games when one of these miscreants gets nabbed.
…it is somewhat unfortunate that this alone is what people will remember about his downfall.
How true, Matt; all that other stuff will be forgotten, because, well, Spitzer is a Donkaroach…
17. the sun god Ra | March 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Why don’t you go F yourself George. What are you, a spelling Nazi? No, you are a fictional cartoon chimpanzee created by a Frenchmen in an effort to help kids read.
18. phnx | March 10th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
“But I sure didn’t hear many around these parts calling for Wide Stance Craig to quit.” Darva
Either you weren’t paying attention or you are suffering from short term memory loss.
19. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Darva - well I guess you weren’t posting here when the Craig news hit. Conservatives here savaged him.
You should not post in ignorance - it makes you look ignorant.
And switching to Craig’s is exactly what I was talking about. One bad thing does not justify another. Thats an important life lesson - something they used to teach in kindergarten, before liberals seized control of the schools.
20. Amanda | March 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
A search of this blog’s archives for “Craig” and “Larry Craig” nets only this:
http://blogsforvictory.com/2007/12/03/on-larry-craigs-accusers/
A search for “Vitter,” an entry about the Semper Fi bill. And not a damn thing more.
21. Eric T | March 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Obama2008- #13
How did republican destroy the city with Katrina???
22. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Kahn-
Why are you talking about Craig? Savaged him you say? The only things conservatives “savaged him” for was his repressed homosexuality. Apart from that what we heard was alot conservatives defending his “wide stance”. I think a better example here would be (R) David Vitter. I know there were conservatives here who took a “aww this is nothing” or a “you got nothing until its proven in a court of law” stance. Some of those same people are laying into Spitzer right now.
Well i propose this, I think Spitzer should step down, just like I thought Vitter should have. So conservatives, lets here it, are you calling for Vitter to step down as well?
23. phil | March 10th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Matt,
Spitzer should resign, and the sooner the better. But more importantly, who gives a shit? The economy is in free fall, we’re spending (most would say wasting)$12 billion a month in Iraq, inflation is rising, unemployment is up, energy, food and healthcare costs are skyrocketing, 74% of Americans think Bush has the nation on the wrong track…the list goes on. And you’re worried about what Spitzer is doing with some high priced whore? Wake up, you moral and intellectual dwarf!
Have a pleasant evening,
Phil
24. js | March 10th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Every rose has its thorn
just like every night has its dawn….
Spitzers thorn is lust.
25. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
24. js | March 10th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
“Every rose has its thorn
just like every night has its dawn….
Spitzers thorn is lust.”
Yeah Js and as we know, every cowboy sings a sad, sad song. Now if your done quoting Poison from up on your soup box maybe you can tell us what we’re you gonna do about (R) Vitter?
26. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Amanda, thats because THIS particular blog started AFTER the Craig news hit. He was attacked vigorously on Blogs4Bush.
Don’t feel so snide now, do you? Tried to attack conservatives - again - instead of discussing the subject and you muffed it.
Nietzche - personally I don’t care about Craig either. He was attacked here because he became an instant liability. People knew that (like right now for example) he would be brought up every time there was a Democrat sex scandal.
But you’re right about one thing, supposedly tollerent Democrats attack him endlessly about it. Whatever.
And what do you know - here we are talking about something other than the subject?
You people are too shallow. Is this why tou’re willing to let your leaders raise taxes, take away guns, supress political speech, and ignore Global Warming? You just can’t stand to look inward or EVER admit that ANY liberal could be wrong about anything?
This does not help your credibility.
27. GOP4ME | March 10th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Republicans destroyed New Orleans?
What??? (and I suppose, how, but I digress)
I guess the demoncrat mayor and governor had nothing to do with the “perceived” misconduct of the rescue efforts eh?
That post is the epitome of blind partisan if there ever was one.
Furthermore, the malfeasance engaged in by the corporate leadership of Enron occurred during Clinton’s tenure but hey, why let a few facts get in the way right?
Finally, Iraq, it is good to see the left think we have destroyed that country rather than save it from the savage brutality of a vicious dictator. I mean, what’s a few Baathist rape chambers between friends?
The lunatic left (is there is a sane left) is so depraved and void of any human compassion it is shocking.
28. js | March 10th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Some nut posted;
“Yeah Js and as we know, every cowboy sings a sad, sad song. Now if your done quoting Poison from up on your soup box maybe you can tell us what we’re you gonna do about (R) Vitter?”
Maybe we should do something about the Sen. Daniel Inouye, Gus Savage, Barney Frank, Fred Richmond, John Young sex scandals too?
Or, maybe you could explain why Clinton pardoned Mel Reynolds for 12 counts of sexual assault on a 16 year old, eh?
But its OFF TOPIC you idiot. Maybe if you are nice to him, Mark MIGHT make a post on that. (but I doubt it) Did I tell you that your attempt to change the subject is worthy of the Half Wit award? YOU GOT IT BUDDY!!
29. Michael | March 10th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
$4300 for an hour with a hooker? Is that an example of giving New Yorker taxpayers the best bang for their buck?
30. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Kahn-
Trying to be slick again i see.
Democrats never attacked Craig on his homosexuality they attacked his hypocrisy. You should know the difference. But that was a nice try at mud slinging on your part. Thanks for calling him a “liability” because you confirmed what we already knew. The Republicans viewed him as a liability because of his discovered homosexuality. They should have been equally upset at Vitter’s admission to using prostitutes but strangely they were’nt and it seems neither are you because you didn’t even address it.
31. plainjane | March 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Spitzer should resign, and the sooner the better. But more importantly, who gives a shit?23. phil | March 10th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Well said, can’t add anything to that.
32. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
js-
LMAOROTF!!!!!!!
Keep getting upset and saying we’re off the subject because you know there is a direct correlation between the examples of Spitzer and Vitter. Your anger stems from the fact that you probably supported Vitter and now youre calling for Spitzer’s head. Fighting your own morality does bring about such a conflict in one’s self.
33. SEW | March 10th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
“the fact that you probably supported Vitter ”
The ‘fact’ that you ‘probably’ supported Vitter.
Like I have stated before, who needs Leno? We have progressives posting comedy here.
34. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
SEW-
News Flash!!!!
Leno isn’t all that funny and you are even less so.
The fact is it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that js supported Vitter through his scandal as I’m sure you did as well. Conservatives are in lock step and possess an innate ability to suppress their consciences when it serves their purpose. One day they’re attacking you for your “corruption”, the next day they’re doing the very same thing although they consider it “different”. I mean look at Mark and Matt, they had the nerve to write a book about the “corruption” in the Democratic Party at the very height of the destruction of the Republicans from a multitude of scandals. Oh btw, how did that book do, not very well from what we hear. Anyhow there are the rare exceptions to what I said ofcourse but definitely not on this blog.
Again I say NOT ONE condemnation of the actions of David Vitter from our friendly conservatives as of yet. Interesting huh?
35. FmrMarine | March 10th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
were there cigars used?
was the oral orifice used?
B!@W job bill will be proud of his latest sleaze ball democRAT protege.
36. brett michaels | March 10th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
[i]#
24. js | March 10th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Every rose has its thorn
just like every night has its dawn….
Spitzers thorn is lust.
#
25. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
24. js | March 10th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
“Every rose has its thorn
just like every night has its dawn….
Spitzers thorn is lust.”
Yeah Js and as we know, every cowboy sings a sad, sad song. Now if your done quoting Poison from up on your soup box maybe you can tell us what we’re you gonna do about (R) Vitter? [/i]
I’m suing you both! hahahha!
It is pretty ironic that he got caught with his noodle where it shouldnt be.
Maybe if Spitzer reisgns then Vittner will resign?
37. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Nietzsche said - “Democrats never attacked Craig on his homosexuality they attacked his hypocrisy.”
Um, better check that. That may be what the meant, but he’s been attacked here regularly for his sexuality.
But you refuse to attack the liberal leadership for THEIR hypocrisy. Their lavish large carbon footprints. Their killing new nuclear AND wind power AND new hydro electric power. Their track record of minimal racial diversity within their own staffs. Their big oil, big business, money. Their writing labor laws to exclude themselves. It goes on and on.
But on a happy note. It’s so nice now that the Democrat controlled Congress has gotten us out of Iraq.
38. Christian Wright | March 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
The timing of this leak is suspicious.
It happens the same day it is revealed the Bush vetoed a bill that prohibits the use of torture by the CIA.
We have a pro-torture president and everybody is looking at the distraction.
39. SEW | March 10th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
There we go. W’s involved!
And you clowns don’t have a clue as to what BDS is. Diagnostic for a bona fide psychosis. Vitter is involved, and Craig is involved and of course W?
Who needs Leno?
40. Kurt Diekelman | March 10th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
When Spitzer said he was going to clean house, I didnt think he ment the whorehouse.
41. SEW | March 10th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Just read where the charges will be related to “structuring”. Sounds like a weak charge to me. Moving money around to obscure the purpose of it’s use!
Also here is some advice from Spritzer which is quite good I think.
“In a interview two years ago, Spitzer, then-attorney general, told ABC News he had some advice for people who break the law. “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,” he said.”
42. Michael | March 10th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I had to Google to find out about this Vitters person, and once I read about him, I realized why I never heard of him before. When that story was in the headlines, I was in the hospital on a ventilator with no access to the outside world. But to clear the air for me anyway, Vitters should have resigned just like Spitzer should and just like Larry Craig should have. I have a special category for Craig who pled guilty then pulled his plea and tried to tapdance his way out of trouble by claiming it was all a misunderstanding - bull! He should be out of public office and if he gets re-elected, the people who vote him in deserve what they get. I don’t care what the political persuasion is when these creeps get caught betraying their trust (not to mention their wives and families) they should resign or get impeached, recalled, or kicked out of their positions. My heart really went out to Spitzer’s wife today. The look on her face when he was making that phony statement was pure devastation. She did not derserve this.
43. phil | March 10th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
What a waste of time. (Ed. Note, rest of comment deleted in accordance with commenter’s initial thoughts…)
44. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Kahn-
You’re talking but all you have to say is….. DEMOCRATS ARE BAD, Democrats are evil, Democrats are stupid evil genius who can’t run a government but are brilliant enough to manipulate the American public to hate us and cause us republicans to commit adultery with men and women in bathrooms and brothels against our wills.
Time to take your pill kahn…..
45. William Teach | March 10th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
If liberals want to play the “what about X” game, here’s one for them: William Jefferson (D-La.) Caught with the bribe money, caught on tape, yet, still reelected, and Dems were not calling for him to resign. When he was finally, finally indicted, none on the left were calling for him to resign.
Let’s see: charged with $500,000 in bribes vs. a misdemeanor for foot tapping. Don’t get me wrong, Craig needs to go, but, which one was worse? One hurt his family, the other was a massive abuse of power.
Top that one, Libs!
46. Mark Noonan | March 10th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
ROFL…bunch of liberals desperate to change the subject. You lefties get more pathetic by the day…
As for me, I’m always amazed at men who will throw everything away just to get a different variety of sex…I mean, hey, I like sex, too…but for crying out loud, it ain’t that important!
47. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Nietzsche wrote- “You’re talking but all you have to say is….. DEMOCRATS ARE BAD, Democrats are evil, Democrats are stupid evil genius who can’t run a government but are brilliant enough to manipulate the American public to hate us and cause us republicans to commit adultery with men and women in bathrooms and brothels against our wills.
Ummmm, Spitzer is a Democrat, right?
But I have stated repeatedly that I don’t care about what people do in bed. When YOU throw “hypocrisy” and ignore the above examples it shows your bias, not mine. I hit a nerve and you attack - sidestepping the examples.
But I thought you were referring to Bush? Isn’t “stupid evil genius who can’t run a government but are brilliant enough to manipulate the American public” what you think of him? It’s so funny that you do, and you were using those words to try and demonstrate the absurdity of statements you (think) I made!
48. hermie | March 10th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
These troll remarks are the reason why Spitzer won’t resign. He figures that he can afford to tough it out and wait for the MSM and his party to launch an offensive against the ‘VRWC’.
49. js | March 10th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
32. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Upset? Do you think Im upset? Ill guess thats what you think. I actually am more amused than anything, when some nut posts gibberish like you do.
But really, all you do is jest when you are caught with your pants down. You demonstrate a sense of apathy thats come to represent liberalism when its most convenient, yet, you ignorantly rant about Republicans.
You will know Im upset after Ive cracked your noggin a few times with a bat. Till then, dont assume anything because you dont have the talent for that boy.
50. js | March 10th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
44. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 10th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
“Kahn-You’re talking but all you have to say is….. DEMOCRATS ARE BAD, Democrats are evil, Democrats are stupid…..”
hmmm…..
Lets see…..no….Kahn did not post any of those statements on this blog. There you go assuming again nutforbrains. You are putting words into peoples mouth and insulting thier intelligence, does that give you a charge? Does it make you feel like a “Bad Evil Stupid” democrap? Evidently. How childish.
51. js | March 10th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
What I really would like to know is, why is a Democratic Governor not arrested for Pandering in a Federal Investigation?
Thats what should be the topic!!
52. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
js,
They think of us like late 20’s NAZI’s thought of the Jews. We are evil. We are the cause of everything that is wrong. Thats why they want our guns and work to suppress political speech. That’s why they can not tolerate any dissenting voices and feel they MUST control the press. And that is why it is so hard to get one to condemn violence against us. As far as they’re concerned, we deserve violence against us for being conservative.
What’s REALLY scary is that the worst of them don’t even post here. The Huffington Blog and the Daily KOS and other places drip with hatred. And often suggest violence. Really, the late ’20’s - early ’30’s Germany analogy works well.
53. bagni | March 10th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
mattelliott:
the venutian voyeurs realize spitzer blew it
if only he went to marktzer’s home state
could have done it all legally with only a hand slap
and he does need to resign….bad dog
however
after hovering over today’s extensive wsj article
on how deep the nsa’s domestic spying digs
it does make the gas giant guru’s wonder….
if it’s got neocon political backlash written all over it
54. Mark Noonan | March 11th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Bagni,
Or it could be that Spitzer is just a monumental fool…anything is possible, huh?
55. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 11th, 2008 at 1:13 am
52. Kahn | March 10th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
“They think of us like late 20’s NAZI’s thought of the Jews. ”
OMG!! Poor marginalize conservative Kahn. (rolling eyes)
You know when you’re hiding in someone’s attic to save your life then you can use that sentence. Until that time I’ll be playing my tiny violin for your troubles.
56. Christian Wright | March 11th, 2008 at 3:11 am
How about this: When Vitter resigns, Spitzer will resigns.
After Senator Larry Craig was admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee for acting improperly after his arrest for lewd contact in an airport bathroom in February 2008, the watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington questioned why the committee had not taken similar action against Vitter.
While the Louisiana state Republican Party offered guarded support,[111] national Republicans offered forgiveness.[112] The liberal magazine, The Nation, predicted that the Republican Party would be in a “forgiving mood” pointing out if Vitter did step down, Democratic Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco would likely appoint a Democrat to take Vitter’s place until a special election took place, thus increasing Democratic control over the Senate. Margaret Carlson of Bloomberg News agreed, saying that since there is a Democratic governor in Louisiana, “they were afraid if they slapped around Vitter too much, that seat would go Democratic.”
57. Christian Wright | March 11th, 2008 at 3:52 am
Note that this prosecution was managed with staffers from the Public Integrity Section at the Department of Justice. This section is now at the center of a major scandal concerning politically directed prosecutions.
During the Bush Administration, his Justice Department has opened 5.6 cases against Democrats for every one involving a Republican. Beyond this, a number of the cases seem to have been tied closely to election cycles.
On the flip: It is widely known that the Republicans are abusing the Justice Department, so why do anything that can get them in trouble?
Indeed, a study of the cases out of Alabama shows clearly that even cases opened against Republicans are in fact only part of a broader pattern of going after Democrats. So here are the rather amazing facts that surface in the Spitzer case:
(1) The prosecutors handling the case came from the Public Integrity Section.
(2) The prosecution is opened under the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910. You read that correctly. The statute itself is highly disreputable, and most of the high-profile cases brought under it were politically motivated and grossly abusive […]
(3) The resources dedicated to the case in terms of prosecutors and investigators are extraordinary.
(4) How the investigation got started. The Justice Department has yet to give a full account of why they were looking into Spitzer’s payments, and indeed the suggestion in the ABC account is that it didn’t have anything to do with a prostitution ring. The suggestion that this was driven by an IRS inquiry and involved a bank might heighten, rather than allay, concerns of a politically motivated prosecution.
58. CuriousGeorge | March 11th, 2008 at 4:29 am
No, you are a fictional cartoon chimpanzee created by a Frenchmen in an effort to help kids read.
Well then, Ra–it’s clearly evident that you’ve never read any of the books…
59. CuriousGeorge | March 11th, 2008 at 4:31 am
…food and healthcare costs are skyrocketing,…
Thanks to Congress…
60. CuriousGeorge | March 11th, 2008 at 4:35 am
He should be out of public office and if he gets re-elected, the people who vote him in deserve what they get. I don’t care what the political persuasion is when these creeps get caught betraying their trust (not to mention their wives and families) they should resign or get impeached, recalled, or kicked out of their positions.
Craig’s not running for reelection, but I agree with you. It doesn’t matter to me what’s behind your name–D or R–if you’re a public, elected official. You betray the public’s trust, you go.
BTW, when’s William Jefferson gonna resign?
61. SEW | March 11th, 2008 at 5:19 am
“The fact is it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that js supported Vitter through his scandal as I’m sure you did as well. Conservatives are in lock step and possess an innate ability to suppress their consciences when it serves their purpose.” Nietzke
Just because your delusions are in print doesn’t make it so. Care to provide the evidence for “I’m sure you did as well”?
You are a deluded liar.
62. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 11th, 2008 at 7:48 am
SEW-
Why is it you and not JS that’s saying I’m a liar? Why hasn’t JS stepped up to say “No I do not support Vitter, I think he should resign. ” ?
I’ll tell you why, because JS and you both know I’m speaking the truth. NO ONE, NOT A SINGLE CONSERVATIVE on this site has said that Vitter as well as Spitzer should step down. Look up further in this in this discussion and you’ll see that I’ve called for Spitzer to step down. Fair is fair I called for Vitter to step down and Spitzer is no exception. However I don’t see the same sense of morality on the Right. Therefore I and anyone else reading all this can conclude that you conservatives are hypocrites.
63. Fredrick Schwartz | March 11th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Have any of you geniuses given any thought to the fact that this came out by leak eight months before the general when it will be forgotten by the electorate rather than 8 days before when it could hve been an F bomb generator in Democratic Party HQ like the Ted Haggard mess was for the RNC? The woman at the Bureau who leaked this is a Democrat. How do you like them apples!
As a former New Yorker the state is better off without Spitzer he was a Demicratic clone of the current president, all suit and no substance. The DNC is better off without his baggage. See race tracks Barry Schwartz at the Daily News for details of how Spitzer treats his “friends.” What cuts the line of distinction between the GOP Kool-Aid drinkers and Liberals both in society and in politics is that when one of ours goes down it’s really no surprise because people in positions of power get corrupted in some way at some point and we can accept that. But the eminence front of the right wing means while everyone else is getting off getting paid and and getting kicked up the heirarchy toward the White House your guys have to act like they aren’t into any of this stuff because of “family values.”
Spitzer loses his political career because of hypocrisy; Wall Street will never hire him so he’ll have to become a Republican and go on the rubber chicken circuit between Boston and DC where I hear the escorts are alot cheaper.
64. js | March 11th, 2008 at 8:50 am
62. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 11th, 2008 at 7:48 am
“Why is it you and not JS that’s saying I’m a liar?”
Its pretty obvious why NIP. So tell us, why do you insist “everyone” talk about Vitter? Do you have some particular vendetta against him, or is it just your wandering nature to drive off topic?
I really dont care, never mind. With a mind as poison as yours, answers can never be honest and straight forward. Its not possible for you to espouse the truth and stick with it, totally understood dood.
65. NebraskaMilitia | March 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am
It’s amazing how far liberals will go to stand up for criminals. We now see this morning it was the bank notifying the feds about ScumSpitzer using shell companies to launder the money going to this international prostitution ring. The feds traced the laundered money back to ScumSpitzer and that is how the international prostitution ring was found. Spitzer was transfering large sums of money into this illegal enterprise. So much for the lib argument it was a one time transgression.
Wonder now if he was blackmailed by anyone to keep this from getting out earlier.
Dear Mrs. Spitzer your husband was boinking a prostitute on Valentines day…hello…wake up…your husband doesn’t deserve your support.
Fred, your projecting
66. js | March 11th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Really it wasnt about sex.
It was about an illegal enterprise, money laundering. Money made through an illegal enterprise…..organized crime (an inter-state prostitution ring).
“A law enforcement official says New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s role in a prostitution scandal grew out of a public corruption inquiry triggered by his movement of cash to bank accounts operated by the call-girl ring. ”
Public corruption inquiry, because he moved money into a bank account….hmmmm…..its not just a solicitation charge then….its much, much deeper than Vitter.
So why change the subject NIP? It is “nothing” close to the same thing.
67. Fredrick Schwartz | March 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am
“Fred, your projecting” 65. NebraskaMilitia | March 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am
How so the guys a bum he committed at least three federal crimes he should go. If you guys policed your house that way you’d never have a scandal. I just don’t see Howard Dean being as terrified about this as Mehlman was in ‘06.
That’s all.
68. DM | March 11th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I’m a conservative and disagree with many of Spitzer’s positions as governor. I did however look forward to the possibility that he would work to eliminate corruption, something he appeared to do well as the state AJ. Looks like everyone losses - how unfortunate.
69. js | March 11th, 2008 at 9:46 am
We should get to wondering if his involvement in the call girl ring is connected in any way to his activities to eliminate corruption. Why would he directly move money into thier account? The rabbit hole is much deeper than it seems….
70. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 11th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Again Js-
Keep avoiding the that white Republican elephant thats in the room. Why lick your chops over nailing Spitzer, whom I’ve already stated should resign, and give David Vitter (R) total absolution. Why not dig deeper into Vitter’s dealing with prostitutes and the money shuffling that he commited?
Again I say you’re a hypocrite if you let Vitter walk.
71. Kahn | March 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am
CW, once the Federal investigators caught Spizer on tape, how could they have NOT gone public without being seen (correctly) as covering it up.
Looking at how they’ve gone after some crooked Republicans lately, you argument rings hollow.
Personally, I don’t care if he was with a whore. I don’t care so long as he doesn’t lie under oath and wasn’t using public funds to pay for it. If I was him, I wouldn’t resign.
72. NeoClown | March 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Governor Spitzer will resign, while Senator David Vitter, and Senator Larry Craig stay on. This will serve as a great comparison/contrast for the voters in November.
73. Mark Noonan | March 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
NiP,
No, not a hypocrit; just forgiving and also taking each case as it comes along. Only in the bizarre mind of the left is anyone required to use a hammer in all instances…sometimes, a lighter touch is called for…as it is, we’ve called for Craig to resign as soon as his scandal broke, but didn’t call for Vitter to resign - in this scandal, we haven’t called for Spitzer to resign, though there seems to be a good case for him to quit.
And there were calls on the right for Vitter to resign:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzBiMjI5MWUyMzJhZWZiNTdkZTI4NDI5Y2FlZWM0NDY=
As for me, my view of Vitter is the same as my view of Spitzer - the men screwed up real bad.
74. Kahn | March 11th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Neo, well he’s know about the tapes for several days now…..
I don’t think he’s going to resign. I’ll bet you a Coke.
75. bongoman | March 11th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
But according to Dr. Laura Schlessinger, it’s all Spitzer’s wife’s fault!
Unbelievable. How on earth does she know what went on in their marriage? What a vile woman she is.
76. Canadian Observer | March 11th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is the last person you would want to see giving moralistic advice to wives who have been cheated on. Check out her bio. It’s not pretty.
77. FmrMarine | March 11th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
neoass
>>>>Governor Spitzer will resign, while Senator David Vitter, and Senator Larry Craig stay on. This will serve as a great comparison/contrast for the voters in November.<<<<
UMMMM
What party does the $100,000.00 bribe in the freezer belong to????
And
Did he resign???
78. Almiranta | March 12th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Well, let’s see…we’ve had the typical Lefty efforts to change the subject by talking about everybody BUT Spitzer, we’ve had the typical Lefty claims that this is just about sex, we’ve had the typical Lefty lies that they didn’t care about the homosexual aspect of Craig’s toe-tapping (or Foley’s billets-doux) and we’ve had the typical Lefty denial that they are either hypocritical or maybe just incapable of seeing any wrong in any of their own.
But I think my favorite is the spin that revealing the criminal charges against a public figure is a “leak” and the subsequent effort to spin it into, you guessed it !!, a CONSPIRACY.
You guys would be funny if you weren’t so pathtetic.
Criminal charges are always public, you morons. Every single day if you turn on your local news you will see a new story or six about some person or persons being accused of some crime or crimes.
Ever hear of that cop whose fourth wife has disappeared and his third wife is finally declared to be the victim of a homicide? Was that information LEAKED??
Yeah, right, fire a newspaper reporter who reports public information, but defend the one who reveals classified information which impacts national security.
YOU are the ones who got so orgasmic about a simple indictment against DeLay, not seeming to realize that an indictment is just an accusation. And now you are bleating about one of your own being accused.
You never fail to entertain.
79. Almiranta | March 12th, 2008 at 2:44 am
“Governor Spitzer will resign, while Senator David Vitter, and Senator Larry Craig stay on.”
And Barney Frank still lives in the townhouse that was the home base of a homosexual prostitution ring, and remains in the Senate. And Gerry Studds got a standing ovation when he returned to the House after being found guilty of having actual, personal, sexual relations with an underage, same-sex, page. And Jefferson is being put up for top committee positions. And Bill Clinton is a hero to the Left, even to the psuedo-feminists who suddenly dropped their concerns about superiors having sex with subordinates, not long after they forgot about protecting women who have the courage to face their attackers.
Oh, and didn’t some northeastern state re-elect, quite a few times, a proven adulterer and alcoholic who seduced a young campaign worker and then callously left her to drown in icy waters while he swam, alone, to safety and tried to figure out how to hide the accident to save his political career?
(Later re-electing, several times, a man who repeatedly lied in sworn testimony before Congress and illegally conspired with the enemy in a time of war.)
But you guys just keep up with the bogus moral indignation about a toe-tapper and a john, hoping you can make enough racket to cover up the noise that will surround the many felonies piling up against Spittzer that go far beyond just visiting a call girl.
And remember, it is the DEM mantra that it’s just fine if it’s “just about sex”.
80. js | March 12th, 2008 at 5:09 am
70. Nietzsche-Is-Pietzsche | March 11th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Again Js-
Keep avoiding the that white Republican elephant thats in the room. Why lick your chops over nailing Spitzer, whom I’ve already stated should resign, and give David Vitter (R) total absolution. Why not dig deeper into Vitter’s dealing with prostitutes and the money shuffling that he commited?
Again I say you’re a hypocrite if you let Vitter walk.
——————-
You are the only white elephant in the room NIP. You lie, change the subject, and ignore the issue. You are also the only hypocrite here, and a snyde one at that.
81. js | March 12th, 2008 at 5:14 am
Came out this morning that Spitzer transfered 80k to them.
If the guy is that addicted to sex, he needs a psych, not the Governors mansion.
Then again, I really doubt that he spent so much. I would like to see an investigation into influence peddling, or even an investigation going back a few years to see if call girls were involved in any of his earlier investigations. That would open up a can of worms or worse.
82. block buster video&hellip | April 14th, 2008 at 5:00 am
[…] …http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN0945504620080409Governor Spitzer Linked To Prostitution Ring And this guys platform was all about routing out corruption.. Gov. Eliot Spitzer has been caught on […]