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Governor Eliot Spitzer is expected to resign, according to top aides who spoke to the NY Times. It's unclear when the resignation will happen, but Lieutenant David Paterson is working on a transition.
The State GOP is threatening to impeach Spitzer if he doesn't step down in 48 hours. A spokesman for Republican minority leader James Tedisco said, "The governor has 48 hours to resign or articles of impeachment would be introduced.
There are many ridiculous things about Governor Spitzer's solicitation of "high-class" prostitutes (using his own cell phone, his betrayal of his family, getting a hotel room in his friend's name but with his own address). But what the federal officials may nail him for - and what started the inquiry into the prostitution ring - were "suspicious money transfers" that feds initially thought were bribes but turned out to be payment to the prostitution ring. Forehead meet heel of hand!
A bank alerted the IRS, which then, after getting permission from the Justice Department, started to dig into Spitzer's finances with the FBI Public Corruption Squad. A Justice Department official said, "We had no interest at all in the prostitution ring until the thing with Spitzer led us to learn about it."
The investigators found that Spitzer was sending money to a variety of shell companies set up by the Emperor's Club VIP prostitution ring. Officials think that Spitzer will be charged with "structuring," which per ABC News, "involves creating a series of financial movements designed to obscure the true purpose of the payments." A former federal prosecutor told the Daily News, ""Who knew better than him that this money was going to further a criminal enterprise?"
And Spitzer's words in an interview two years ago may haunt him: "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."
Update: Newsday reports Spitzer had solicited call girls at least 7 times over the past several years. Besides the tryst in DC, there was also one in Florida (multi-state investigation!).
Photograph of Spitzer heading to his Fifth Avenue apartment by Louis Lanzano/AP
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That must've been a sweet moment for Tedisco. I'm shocked he didn't say "Spitzer's going to resign or I'll f---'n steamroll his ass."
Did he get the hotel room in his name or the name of his friend, George Fox? Or did he use the Fox name with the Emperor's Club? I read that he used Fox's name for something or another.
(sigh)
What is it with the GOP and Impeachment? That's so 90's!
Love it when the GOP tries to take the Moral "High" ground...
Ha, David! I'm sure Republicans in Albany are gonna be popping the champagne corks for days. They'll be parading their righteousness for all the world to see. I should stay sleep for the next five days.
Pretty sure he used the name George Fox with both the Emperor's Club and at the hotel. Newspapers said he used the name at the hotel with his own Fifth Avenue address. Not sure who Spitzer was traveling with to DC or how he paid.
Yes, he did use his friend's name (I even mentioned that yesterday!) but he put down his own Fifth Avenue address. And according to the tapes, he told the booker that he got the hotel room in his own name.
DISGRACE!
Ah, thanks for the clarification, Jen.
A blogger at Daily Kos brings up some interesting points about the wire transfer investigation and the subsequent leak of Spitzer being "Client #9."
AND, he met with the prostitute on Valentine's Day. Explain that one to the wife-o.
What a loser scumbag.
There isn't much interesting in that Daily Kos blog other than desperation. Just to start the writer doesn't seem to know the difference between a US Attorney at the Attorney General.
Whatever you say, EastRiver.
why
why
why
do these wives stand by these jerks side, if even for the moment???
Whoa, really? Why do they stand by their sides? Really?
Agree with EastRiver here. The Daily Kos blog is pretty lame... for instance it says
What's wrong with this version of the story? At least one thing seems to be glaringly wrong: This wasn't money moving INTO Spitzer's accounts, as it would be if the crimes involved were bribery, political corruption, or "something inappropriate involving campaign finance." This was cash moving OUT of Spitzer's accounts -- based on everything we've heard, from his personal accounts. Uh, how about extortion? the writer claims to be a former DOJ lawyer, but seems pretty clueless
EastRiver: The writer is a former DOJ lawyer. I think they know the difference (methinks you read a bit too fast).
But either way, similar to McGreevey, I don't think it's in Dems best interest to get into the details of how this was uncovered. It happened, and there appears to be no dispute in that regard.
Love it when the upper echelon of society get a big fat one right up the pooper when they deserve it, period. This has nothing to do with the GOP, this guy fucked up .
I was thinking the same thing about the wives. Why don't any of these sleazy creeps have the fortitude to stand up on their own?
I think the most interesting part of the Kos story is how did the information on Spitzer got out in the public in the first place. Anybody know? (And so glad to see EastRiver and Eyekantspel team up again. You guys are great together!)
kearnj, Oh absolutely Spitzer screwed up and deserves to be put out on the street, but it still amuses me to no end when the GOP starts taking the Moral High Ground.
Granted on the NYS scale, not so much, but Nationally, in the last year alone, The GOP has been a comedy of gafs.
Oh, And while I think they were gunning for him for purely political reasons, Spitzer did this to himself.
It does have something to do with the GOP. If this were a Republican caught with his pants down, they'd be walking on eggshells about the whole mess. The GOP has a deserved reputation for being always and exactly as hypocritical as Spitzer is.
EastRiver: The writer is a former DOJ lawyer. I think they know the difference (methinks you read a bit too fast).
You're right, I did. I skimmed from one line to the next where he quoted the words "United States attorney general" (no caps) and compared it the next paragraph where he said "Attorney General of the United States". Somehow I dropped out the word "general". My bad.
But Elderta's cynical "whatever" just goes to show that some people are desperate to believe anything. Nowhere in that piece does the writer tell us exactly how many money transfers there were and when the Feds got a warrant. But we are to believe they didn't have the evidence to get a warrant and/or that any evidence gathered must be tainted. Hey, that might all be true but I can't tell that from what he wrote. If he is so knowledgable about the banking system he should explain what sort of information the bank first reported. Surely if they know he's removing money from his own account they know where it is going. Does the government need a warrant if that information is simply turned over to them?
"how did the information on Spitzer got out in the public in the first place. Anybody know?"
As I understand it (and that certainly could be incorrect), Spitzer was informed on Friday that he was caught up in the probe, and one of his aides leaked to NYT on Monday after Spitzer met with them. The current NYT story says law enforcement officials disclosed it, but I think they're glossing over in order to protect their source. Either that or I'm just misremembering things from yesterday.
I think the most interesting part of the Kos story is how did the information on Spitzer got out in the public in the first place.
Spin. Spin. Spin. Nothing in DC stays secret. Surely you know that. Should it have been leaked? No. But I'm not sure when it was leaked to the press relative to when Spitzer was notified (sometime Friday) to when he told his staff (Sunday) to his press conference.
(And so glad to see EastRiver and Eyekantspel team up again. You guys are great together!)
I'm not intentionally teaming up with anyone but it's nice to see you're still being incredibly partisan.
I'm sure Republicans in Albany are gonna be popping the champagne corks for days.
Two days ago they could look forward to a '10 election against an impotent (metaphorically, anyway), ethically compromised, and otherwise vulnerable incumbent. Now they're going to face up against a governor who, lo and behold, is not an asshole. What big star of state politics do you think they'll find to run this time? Jeanine Pirro?
I don't see what they should celebrate. The real takedown of Spitzer's happened over the last year; as soon as he resigns he ceases to be a liability for the Dems. How much more effective is Paterson going to be at stumping for state senate candidates?
The only reason I can think of for Spitzer's wife to be up there with him is that he was thinking he could actually remain as governor and that this might somehow help his future political career. He maybe didn't realize fully at the time just how over his career is.
Now, why SHE would do it I can't really say, except that maybe she really likes being the governor's wife and wants to help him stay in office. Otherwise, if she knew he was toast, what's the point.
EastRiver.... I guess you haven't seen where I want Spitzer to go buh-bye. My whatever is to YOU, my friend, as I know that you are willing to see only one side of any story... yours. I said there was some interesting points, which you immediately dismiss while on your high East River pedestal.
I'm not desperate to hang on to Spitzer. Over the last year, I've grown weary of him. I've argued with other Democrats over this today who say it's "nothing but sex." It's more than that. But I guess that's your definition of partisan. Whatever, EastRiver.
Who's money paid for Spitzer's habits? His or ours?
EastRiver.... I guess you haven't seen where I want Spitzer to go buh-bye. My whatever is to YOU, my friend, as I know that you are willing to see only one side of any story... yours. I said there was some interesting points, which you immediately dismiss while on your high East River pedestal.
I really don't understand why you're coming at me and now you're adding personal insults. All I said was that I didn't think you're Daily Kos link added much to the story because it is entirely innuendo. That's all I said. If that's being on a pedestal so be it. Despite what you think I am willing to see any side of the story. I'm not so sure you are because you're reading Daily Kos which is incredibly partisan on a good day and that article in particular gives you one side only and you seem to buy into it completely. If it comes out that the Feds did something unethical or illegal I would totally accept it. And you're repeated "whatevers" are really childish and just go to show that you don't want to hear from anyone that doesn't march 100% lockstep with whatever you think. Whatever, Elderta.
i wouldnt be surprised if we find out the state republicans (bruno) had something to do with the investigation into spitzer... it doesnt seem the other "8" have been looked at so closely.
I don't see what the big deal is. The only wrong he has done is by his wife. No one is perfect and we are all sinners!! His wife may have stood by him because it is her husband and they have 3 children together. Did anyone ever think of the logical answer?? They have been married for a long time, there is no telling what anyone would do unless they are in that situation. Do not judge, only God can do that. We are all so quick to condem but yet we have so many of our own skeletons. This is about power between the Republicans and democrats. They don't give a hoot what he did, all they care about it throwing dirt on a democrats name for their own political party gain. Get a clue people!
I don't see what the big deal is. The only wrong he has done is by his wife. No one is perfect and we are all sinners!! His wife may have stood by him because it is her husband and they have 3 children together. Did anyone ever think of the logical answer?? They have been married for a long time, there is no telling what anyone would do unless they are in that situation. Do not judge, only God can do that. We are all so quick to condem but yet we have so many of our own skeletons. This is about power between the Republicans and democrats. They don't give a hoot what he did, all they care about it throwing dirt on a democrats name for their own political party gain. Get a clue people!
EastRiver: Right. I'm not defending the arguments.. some interesting points are raised, but really at this point it's all speculation because the public does not have the evidence.
To me there are two intriguing but ultimately irrelevant(imo) questions: 1) Did the IRS flag the transactions only because the person making them was a governor? 2) Would the AG have let the investigation proceed if it was a GOP governor?
If the answer to 1 is yes, and assuming this all involved Spitzer's personal money, I'd be a little concerned that a governor's personal financial transactions are subject to more scrutiny than any other citizen, though I do understand that there are good reasons for this additional scrutiny. I generally don't like the idea that you have to give up your private life to seek an elected office.. but that's another issue entirely.
And as I said above, this all really doesn't matter, since he's basically admitted to doing it.
I don't see what the big deal is. The only wrong he has done is by his wife. No one is perfect and we are all sinners!! His wife may have stood by him because it is her husband and they have 3 children together. Did anyone ever think of the logical answer?? They have been married for a long time, there is no telling what anyone would do unless they are in that situation. Do not judge, only God can do that. We are all so quick to condem but yet we have so many of our own skeletons. This is about power between the Republicans and democrats. They don't give a hoot what he did, all they care about it throwing dirt on a democrats name for their own political party gain. Get a clue people!
No one wants to impeach GWB no matter how many people he kills, but the minute someone sticks their wang in someone else it's all IMPEACH! IMPEACH!
No one wants to impeach GWB no matter how many people he kills, but the minute someone sticks their wang in someone else it's all IMPEACH! IMPEACH!
Invade a country under false pretenses? No problem. Consenting adults exchange sex for money? Impeachment!
Spitzer probably though he was invisible. I really though he would be a great governor for NY and turn things around in this state for the better.
(And so glad to see EastRiver and Eyekantspel team up again. You guys are great together!) Elderta must be wearing her conspiracy glasses today.
Politburo,
My understanding is that Spitzer got extra scrutiny because he was a high ranking public official. I don't know how many people meet that criteria. As for whether the AG would have let it slide if it were a GOP governor I don't know either. But if they did it would be wrong. Guy got caught red handed.
No one wants to impeach GWB no matter how many people he kills,
Some town in Vermont passed a resolution to charge him with war crimes if he ever steps foot there. And the US Congress has every right to impeach Bush. The action against Spitzer is being undertaken by the state GOP. See the difference? If the Democrats in Congress feel like getting off their asses and doing something productive they should go for it. I'm not holding their breath.
According to the Times, the wife argued against resignation. So yeah, I'd reckon she wants to hold on to whatever power/influence/status she has.
I agree with JenChungsBra as to why the wives stand by their louses.
I believe that the louse is in denial and has in their minds that there is a shred of a possibility that their careers will survive. fools. and so they have to have their wife appear to "support" the louse because without the support of the wife, the public would surely join the wife in abandoning the louse.
as to why she would do it. probably because as much as he's an asshole, she probably still loves the louse and knows how important the job is to him. she probably also believes and maybe hopes for a moment that something could be salvaged from the train wreck that has become her life.
Although in Hillary's case, I believe that she stood by Bill because she knew that she would need him for her political career. at least she's getting something out of the deal, and i think she knew that. everyone else is just screwed.
it's all a big farce, but i have to say, i am impressed with how perfectly CALM these wives all look. i would be a blotchy, clenched jaw and fist raving lunatic in that position.
I agree with JenChungsBra as to why the wives stand by their louses.
I believe that the louse is in denial and has in their minds that there is a shred of a possibility that their careers will survive. fools. and so they have to have their wife appear to "support" the louse because without the support of the wife, the public would surely join the wife in abandoning the louse.
as to why she would do it. probably because as much as he's an asshole, she probably still loves the louse and knows how important the job is to him. she probably also believes and maybe hopes for a moment that something could be salvaged from the train wreck that has become her life.
Although in Hillary's case, I believe that she stood by Bill because she knew that she would need him for her political career. at least she's getting something out of the deal, and i think she knew that. everyone else is just screwed.
it's all a big farce, but i have to say, i am impressed with how perfectly CALM these wives all look. i would be a blotchy, clenched jaw and fist raving lunatic in that position.
It's called being married and being comitted. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE.
That is is wrong with this country. Too quick to say divorce and leave!
"According to the Times, the wife argued against resignation. So yeah, I'd reckon she wants to hold on to whatever power/influence/status she has."
uhmm could it be she wanted to support her husband, the man she married? They are people just like us folks and if she chose to stand by him, she is going to stand by him. What kind of wife would encourage her husband to "Quit"?
Of course you want to support your spouse, even if sometimes you have to bite the bullet. It takes a strong woman to be in the spotlight and marry political figures or celebrities and stand by their spouse.
I know it's crazy to you puritan types, but maybe the wife was cool with it. Heck, maybe they went together. Why do we assume that everyone fits into the male/female monogamy prototype?
NYTOTX,
You have to get a clue. God ain't judging shit, cuz it doesn't exist. And of course we can judge, we are humans. It's our favorite pasttime..
Spitzer put himself in a position where could have been bribed and extorted. His credibility is shot. This is not just about him, his wife, and 3 daughters. It's about thinking you are above it all. He just shat on you and you're eating it up. Nice dessert.
I am sorry but if I was married for years and years, and it doesn't even have to be "married" (so overrated)
it would take a lot more than catching my spouse cheating on me. Every woman is different, but personally when I have 3 daughters and a life with someone, I would be up for trying to work it out.
This whole thing has been incredible from the getgo...
The fact that it has still not registered in Spitz's mind that he must resign is really making for strange entertainment.
talk about Divorce..Divorce from reality
It's called being married and being comitted. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE. That is is wrong with this country. Too quick to say divorce and leave!
oh, baloney. If the wife was an elected official caught hiring a prostitute, I'm guessing the husband wouldn't be there for the photo-op. On top of that, no one is saying she should immediately get divorced. Just that it's incredible that faced with this kind of story, so often a woman will stand by her man. The first instinct seems to be protect the family.
I know it's crazy to you puritan types, but maybe the wife was cool with it.
Then he should have come out and said so yesterday. That he didn't coupled with the looks on their faces pretty much says that your theory is probably not correct. I would have had more respect for him. I would have had lots more respect for Clinton if he had looked right in the camera and said, "Yeah, I got hummer from a fat chick that wasn't my wife. In the Oval Office. Once while I was on the phone with a member of Congress." I'm not saying Clinton should have been impeached but when you're being deposed and a lawyer starts asking odd question about interns and sex you should pretty much assume they know the truth already.
"oh, baloney. If the wife was an elected official caught hiring a prostitute, I'm guessing the husband wouldn't be there for the photo-op. On top of that, no one is saying she should immediately get divorced. Just that it's incredible that faced with this kind of story, so often a woman will stand by her man. The first instinct seems to be protect the family."
well shouldn't family come first??? Duh.
You can't say he would leave her, you don't know. Women stand by their men because that is how some women are. You cant just throw a marriage or a relationship away. I think you people are more interested in seeing Elliot suffer and laughing at him.
And lemme tell you something, true love IS for better or worse.
In a case like this, you would not want your spouse to fall harder. Do you think she wants the public to totally humialte her husband and see how his wife left him on top of everything?????/
I mean hello? knock knock.. is anyone home?
"This whole thing has been incredible from the getgo...
The fact that it has still not registered in Spitz's mind that he must resign is really making for strange entertainment."
these kinda things happen ALL the time.
we would have very few elected officials if everyone just started resigning for "the wrong they have done"
well shouldn't family come first??? Duh.
it doesn't sound like Elliot was putting his family first. spending thousands of dollars a pop with a hooker? on top of that, I'm not sure how this is to be interpreted:
"The booker said Client 9 could be "difficult" suggesting he "would ask you to do things that, like, you might not think were safe - you know - I mean that ... very basic things." To which Kristen replied, "I have a way of dealing with that ... I'd be like listen dude, you really want the sex?"
I could be wrong, but I read that as Elliot preferring not to use protection, which would also jeopardize his wife's health.
At some point NOT standing by your man is probably the right call.
A man is going to be a man.
Show me a man that does not do wrong in some way shape or form and I will eat my words.
Maybe they had marital problems and this is what men do when things aren't right at home. I don't think this is that BIG of a deal.
I'm coming after you, EastRiver because you always offhandedly dismiss things and it's a bit infuriating. You throw out "desperation" and then throw out "partisan." Sounds pretty childish to me, too, with your attempts to stop discussion on anything that you don't agree with. OOhhh! Let's call it desperate! Let's call it partisan! Sometimes, you're as infuriating as babyhitler. And really, that's saying a lot.
listen dude, U rlly want teh sex?
who knows what those krazy hookers were talking about. I'm pissed that prostitution isn't illegal.
why? because it finances terrorism and lines the pockets of terrorist, domestic and abroad.
just like counterfeit goods.
Oh forget it. I'm sorry and apologize. It's really not worth it.
these kinda things happen ALL the time.
we would have very few elected officials if everyone just started resigning for "the wrong they have done" First time I recall a sitting law-and-order former prosecutor governor being busted for regularly paying prostitutes for sex.
Do some other elected officials and married guys go to prostitutes? I'm sure the answer to that is yes. But this is a crime, and the Hobbs Act part on top of it makes it worse. Coming from his background, he's the last guy in the room to be able to argue that this kind of crime deserves a pass.
"What kind of wife would encourage her husband to "Quit"?"
A wife who has just been internationally humiliated by her husband and just wants everything to go away as fast as possible.
"These kind of things happen all the time"
What planet do you live on?
Sure things like this are happening as I type this but drama like this does not unfold every day. Get real
I think BabyHitler has mellowed a bit lately,
he has posted some honest insightful posts recently.
he didn't go off the loose end like Snoopy.
And Spitzer didn't use taxpayer funds.
I am sure people in high positions do illegal things everyday, yes I am.
We dont know all that goes on.
I mean this happened alot with politicians. It is nothing new and no one has been impeached
GET REAL!
anyone notice that Spitzer is like really really really UGLY? like he's balding and has a cromagnon face. He also has a crabby attitude. No wonder he had to pay for sex.
I think people just like having something to talk about and someone to ridicule that makes more money than them and has a better life.
"It's called being married and being comitted. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE."
Kind of goes out the window when the other person takes a nuclear-sized dump on your wedding vows. Plus, consider the fact that your average joe cheating on his wife w/a hooker is not going to get insane amounts of press. To see your husband giving a speech admitting what he had done over and over again on the news...kinda different if he just confesses to you in your living room and you move on w/your lives privately.
His poor daughters. Nice way to teach them about the "value" of their bodies. Way to keep 'em off the pole, elliott!
What an idiot.
A man is going to be a man.
NYTOTX: If Spitzer were really a "man," he'd have respected his marriage vows and abided by the laws he'd sworn to uphold when he was inaugurated.
I'm not talking about divorce and saving the family and all that stuff. I'm not advocating that she necessarily pack up and leave. The question is why would she stand there at the podium next to him at the press conference? That had to be the most humiliating thing she ever did in her life, and she didn't say anything, so either she really, really, really loves him a lot or she wants to help him stay in office for whatever reason. Meanwhile, my wife fumed at her for that, so you can see why a lot of women don't like Hillary Clinton.
Regarding the talk about Client #9 wanting sex that might not be safe, my first thought was that he wanted some kind of ass play, ass-to-mouth or something like that.
NYTOTX, no doubt some people in high positions break the law, do drugs, consort with hookers, cheat on their taxes, whatever.
But when they get caught, there's a price.
Spitzer was not supposed to be the next Marion Barry.
His whole reputation is built on being a prosecutor. It's a shame that he managed to destroy himself this way (or, for the conspiracy theorists out there, give his detractors the ammo with which to bring him down).
And Spitzer didn't use taxpayer funds.
Says where?
Elderta, I'm perfectly willing to accept anything if someone offers just the slightest bit of proof or at least some theory as to what may have happened. I'm not entirely dismissing the possibility that the government was overly aggressive in this case but I am dismissing that Daily Kos article because it was written in a tone suggesting the writer is convinced that this was a takedown from day one and yet he offered nothing as proof. And that you linked the story I think entitles me to comment on it and draw the conclusion that you must agree with at least some of it. If you want to defend the article go ahead. If you can elaborate where it falls short, please do. Frankly, I think that author knows about as much as the newspapers have reported which is not much.
And I never try to stop discussions. I throw in my opinion. Sounds like you just don't like them. If you don't like it offer a response to my argument, not "whatever". Or just don't respond. That's why I think you're partisan. Maybe "desperate" doesn't apply to you completely but skim a few of the 700+ replies to that article and you get the sense that most of the readers don't care about the truth whatever it may turn out to be. They have made up their minds that this was a setup. I don't see how my comment stopped the whole thing dead in its tracks. You could have just moved on or countered. Politburo at least caught my error and corrected me without being obnoxious or getting "infuriated".
Also, consider that it's way more than cheating, it's called ruining your entire career plus your wife's career.
meh, he's rich, he'll live on his RE holdings or whatever got his family rich. Rich people always gotta do something to fill their time, how many poor people can go on a round the world trip on a balloon?
o boo hoo
blablabla
as if we are all saints.
whatever.
the whole country is corrupt. this is just the tip of the iceberg
o boo hoo
blablabla
lol
o boo hoo
blablabla
as if we are all saints.
whatever.
was that cribbed from the draft of Elliot's resignation speech?
Go ahead and be sleazy. Just don't do it on taxpayer time or the taxpayer dime.
I'm guessing Silda stood beside him because a) she was simply in shock, b) for the sake of theitr children and c) she was pressured to do so by him and his aides. Give it a few months and they'll be Matos v. McGreevey Part II.
Imagine the Gossip Girl-type gossip those three kids are experiencing today in their little East Side schoolhouse. Yikes.
I would think the girls aren't going to school at all! But then, maybe being at school is better than going online and reading all this stuff about your stupid father.
You see, I was right for voting for Faso...
"It does have something to do with the GOP. If this were a Republican caught with his pants down, they'd be walking on eggshells about the whole mess. The GOP has a deserved reputation for being always and exactly as hypocritical as Spitzer is."
What BS.
10. Sen. Daniel Inouye. The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.
9. Former Rep. Gus Savage. The Illinois Democrat was accused of fondling a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989 while on a trip to Africa. The House Ethics Committee decided against disciplinary action in 1990.
8. Rep. Barney Frank. The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank’s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.
7. Former Sen. Brock Adams. The late Washington Democrat was forced to stop campaigning after numerous accusations of drugging, assault and rape, the first surfacing in 1988.
6. Former Rep. Fred Richmond. This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election—before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.
5. Former Rep. John Young. The late Texas Democrat increased the salary of a staffer after she gave in to his sexual advances. The congressman won re-election in 1976 but lost two years later.
4. Former Rep. Wayne Hays. The late Ohio Democrat hired an unqualified secretary reportedly for sexual acts. Although he resigned from Congress, the Democratic House leadership stalled in removing him from the Administration Committee in 1976.
3. Former Rep. Gerry Studds. He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.
2. Former Rep. Mel Reynolds. The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office.
1. Sen. Teddy Kennedy. The liberal Massachusetts senator testified in defense of nephew accused of rape, invoking his family history to win over the jury in 1991.
AND HE KILLED A WOMAN WHILE DRIVING DRUNK.
Lets not forget Arch-Dem Jesse Jackson fathering an out of wedlock child while counseling Bubba during lewinsky-time.
No one is not saying Repubs are saints, just stop with the typical Dem tactic of blowing off your own scandal by whining 'they all do it.."
looks like we got here an ole fashioned pissing match but please show us something within the last 10 years.
ugh. can we not make this a Democrat v. Republican thing?
Each time either one is caught doing something wrong, the immediate reaction is that it was a conspiracy by the other side and that [whatever party you dislike] isn't held to the same standard.
Nonsense. Spitzer would be in deep doodoo for this regardless of party affiliation, and while consorting with hookers in your first year in office is bad enough, doing it when you are a former prosecutor/attorney general running as the guy who's tough on crime and will clean up corruption is the coup de grace.
Gothamist: can't you guys fix the internal server error that results in multiple posts? This isn't a new issue.
The first phase of grief over a break-up or revelation of infidelity is shock and disbelief.
That is why they stand by their men.
And shes got a bunch of other steps before she gets to full blown anger.
You cant be angry at a woman who has just had the rug yanked out from under her and isn't making the decision that you assume you would make in her shoes.
She probably had a few hours to pull her shit together as much as possible and stand there. She wasn't *thinking* about anything.
Spitzer better be doing time. If jail is good enough for other johns and prostitutes, then it's good enough for his rich ass. I hope he brings some lube with as well.
I for one am sick and tired of poor people being put in jail for victimless crimes, but the rich get off when they want to get off from prostitutes or blow. And it isn't just the politicians. Look at the actors and celebrities.
Legalize drugs and prostitution now. Jail for Spitzer, or jail for no one.
8. Rep. Barney Frank. The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank’s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.
Normally I am all for Dem bashing but I gotta stick up for the highlarious BFrank...He didnt hire the prostitute he was his boyfriend and he had no clue the guy was running an escort service and it was not like he had a stable of male prostitutes hanging in his house. Ok resume bashing....
plus for each one of those scandals you bring up someone can line up the same amount if not more on the repub side. Dont list transgressions when it can be thrown back in your face.
It was just reported on Lou Dobbs tonight that the head of the prostitution ring may have ties to the IRS, either as a former agent or a former investigator. Dobbs speculated on how this connects to Spitzer, being that the investigation comes out of the IRS.
So maybe that Daily Kos diary I mentioned earlier isn't so desperate after all. Could be nothing, but like I said earlier, the diary brought up some interesting points.
BTW, is Spitzer gone yet?
Spitzer if you can't do the time don't do the crime but heh he will do no time At this point all he thinks he has to do is bring his wife onstage and apologize. ROTFL
Crucify this wanker NOW
Edit: Sorry I apologize I didnt read this part:
No one is not saying Repubs are saints, just stop with the typical Dem tactic of blowing off your own scandal by whining 'they all do it.."
Is it me or has Spitzer become a horny Nixon?
My feeling is that if Spitzer didn't start off as morally/ethically superior steamroller with a bad asshat mentality, people might have been (both the populace and his government co-servers) a little nicer about this.
But his snotty, "I'm the only one who's ethical and I'm going to trash all you bad apples for your dirt" approach to government management offers him no excuse, and a higher standard to uphold in himself than he expected of others.
I've got no prob with prostitution, personal drug use, "victimless" crimes. But I do have a problem with "Holier-than-thou" per(pro)-secutors of others (Swaggart, Foley, Craig) not living up, from the beginning, to being human.
Regardless of gender, orientation and/or party.
And the stupid, careless, amateurish way in which he went about all of this.
Hey, if your a NY Governor, megabucks Real Estate/Harvard lawyer & can't pick up someone in a DC bar for free sex, Dude, you're a dick.
Still want a pic of the 2K hooker AKA fed witness "Kobe Beef".
He should go, and let NYS get on with Business.
Wife stays with him cause he's got the bucks.
Awaiting nasty divorce, alimony, custody battle, with Oprah, "Dr." Phil appearances, etc.
Politicians, all of them, are there because of their natural inclination and facility towards obfuscation.
Dadoc
Unregistered Anarchist for many years.
George W. Bush and his accomplice vice-président, Dick Cheney, in the Irack war, lied to the Congress, lied to the Senate, lied to the American public, lied to the world.
An exhaustive Pentagon review has established definitively that there was no pre-war operational link between Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Al Qaeda.
http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2008/03/11/pentagon-no-saddamal-qaeda-link-flashback-saddam-al-qaeda-linked-claims-clinton/
Elliot Spitzer accusations are serious and probably should be punished, but those republicans asking for his Impeachment should also consider Bush and Cheney Impeachment.