Gov. Spitzer apologizes to family, public

Source: cnn

CNN) -- Gov. Eliot Spitzer said he "acted in way that violates his obligation to his family," speaking hours after the New York Times reported he told senior administration officials he had been involved in a prostitution ring.

"I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, to whom I promised better," he said.

He did not elaborate on the paper's claims and did not take any questions after making his statement.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/10/spitzer/index.html

I'm sure some sorta addiction is involved.

:)

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

On one hand, you have to condemn the actions of Governor Spitzer - this is an ethical lapse that could have (or may already have) seriously compromised his ability to govern NYS. On the other hand, being about the same age as Eliot I can understand that men have needs that are sometimes not addressed properly while in a long term relationship. Maybe if he had just used his hand?

since the sex workers were apparently working for him.

Is that what you imply?

Where is the evidence? I've seen nothing substantial.

"involved in a prostitution ring."

This is not what they call it when people get caught frequenting prostitutes. This is what they call it someone gets caught running a stable.

... of a ring under surveillance... with the added difficulty that it sounds like there may be wiretaps discussing Spitzer, allegedly, as running a tab and owing money. More than just the simple "he was a client of a prostitute" story.

the press?

the corrupted DoJ?

Even Skinner used the term.

If you'd like to surf around a little, using "politicians who solicit prostitutes" as your search term, you'll find such crowd favorites as Bob Allen, the Florida state legislator who resigned after his arrest for trying to sell a $20 blowjob to a cop. "Prostitution ring" never shows up in such a story. It does here.

Consider too: there's no way the governor would NOT be involved at a level higher than "John." If I was running a prostitution ring and found out the governor was on my client list, I'd have one of those little talks with him: protect us from legal action or we'll call the press. And that's the real problem here, not whether he was getting some on the side.

we're in the fight of our lives with this republican party and HE IS DOING THIS? NOW? couldn't he have waited a few fucking years???

he's a jerk for doing what he did.

... that we can skip the denial phase, where he takes down the credibility of all those around him. No need for any DNA testing, here.

Men are jerks. Just ask my ex-Wife.

have gotten higher in the party --

What's wrong with these guys?

How dumb is Spitzer to even do something like this -- but a former DA getting caught?

This is sad because at one point he looked like a right kind of guy ---

now all in the garbage.

He should resign --

What is this thing with prostitutes . . . ?

A new status thing for males who find relationships too time consuming...?

Agree about his wife and family, as well --- what choices do they have now?

Any politician that doesn't understand that the other side is going to constantly be looking for ways to discredit him or her is a complete moron and not someone that we need on our side!!!

When they set themselves up as easy targets (I mean a hooker????!!!!!! Come on!!) what in the hell do they expect? Do they really believe that they are so powerful that they are simply bullet proof?

The smarter politicians are going to be the ones who KNOW that they are being watched and are willing to keep their noses clean.

It's sheer stupidity in my opinion when someone in the public eye does something like this.

That's why he tried to hide the money moving around.

Ultimately, he was too smart for his own good.

In trying to avoid the track-record of a wire-type transfer using a credit card, he ended up bringing on the suspicion of the IRS who thought it was bribe money being moved around.

This nonsense that it is the wife's fault if the husband strays is just that - nonsense.

Yes, he should have used his hand.
Or talked with his wife.
Or even left her, if he truly wasn't fulfilled.

But please don't go blaming her for his ethical lapse...

I can understand how it happens but I can't condone the behavior. Especially in this case.

and is found guilty, he will also be disbarred.

He is scum!!!!

You know she's hurting and still in shock. Why do they always expect the wife to stand beside her husband before she's had time to deal with matters herself?

It's such bullshit.

edition of the newspaper, front page. Woman standing by her man through thin (as well as the nice, cushy, happy, thick times). But yeah, they always drag the spouse out to share in the shame. After all, the reasoning among strategists, I suspect, is - what would it look like if she wasn't there standing solidly with him?

ASSHOLE. Frickin' ASSHOLE.

Just what we need as Dems. Of course, this is a sex scandal, which ALWAYS has more legs (so to speak!) than anything else because it's so easy for numbskull reporters (or those racing against some desperate deadline) to write about and sink their teeth into. Doesn't take much deep background knowledge of Wall Street or economic policy wonky stuff with a lot of complicated minutae to explain or interpret. It's sex. Sex always catches fire. Sex always sucks all the oxygen out of the room. You don't need a PhD to figure it out.

You think giuliani's kids hate him for publicly humilating his now-ex-wife (their mother)? Wait til Spitzer's three daughters get hold of him!

Then again, other than seeking reaction from Obama and Clinton, it'll distract the press from the campaign squabbles for awhile and give us a bit of a rest from all of that nausea. Hey! They can all go obsess about something else than nonstop Hillary v Barack. That might actually be a welcome change for however long it lasts.

Also, to a lesser extent, what's bad news for Spitzer might be an opportunity for Lt. Governor Paterson, who's African-American, now gets to shine on his own rather than having to live under the large shadow of this Mr. Big. Paterson will assume the governorship if Spitzer steps down (as he should).

Lordy, Lordy, Lordy... Thanks a heap, you hypocritical horndog schmuck! JUST what we need at the moment. It's the GOP that's supposed to be the Casa de Corruption. ASSHOLE.

.... and the locks changed by the time the press conference was held.

:evilgrin:

I suppose we're supposed to be glad that he didn't surround himself with a human shield of children.

is not a public figure, has to stand in the spotlight and face the public and her embarrassment publicly just to make him look good. Tell me how that's fair?

I'd want to say "honey, you just made your own $5500 a night bed, you go lay in it all by yourself".

who planted his wife next to him for his "apology" to the people of Detroit.

My mayor is more scummy than your governor.
:rofl:

you made your bones prosecuting whores, now it seems you are way beneath those honest women.

... and does he now lose that status?!?

:nuke: :) :nuke:

What a bummer... in so many ways. What a fall; so much was expected...

I don't have any idea if he loses that status now, however.

Putting the fear of God into Democrats.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

...I hope he begins his speech, "Unlike Senator David Vitter....."

which hand wins: a pair of red senators or the blue governor of a large state?
What makes it so goofy - from the "it's the end of the world as we know it" point of view - is that the red senators were both family values guys while the blue governor had come in on an ethics reform and had prosecuted high-end prostitution rings.

really for me to say..........I look at this a little differently given that he's a GOVERNOR, than I would if he were still the NY AG. As AG I would say resign immediately!!! Probably it's just as bad with him governor, as he's head of the executive (enforcement) branch.

My biggest complaint is not that he used a prostitute, but that it is HYPOCRISY to make and enforce laws against it and then DO what you deem illegal. If it's illegal for the little guy, then it's illegal for him. Period. And there is really no place in government for scofflaws, particularly when it comes to things that we all pretty much know shouldn't be illegal in the first place, but it serves the powers that be to make them illegal as a tool to oppress the little people.

They (the IRS) were following the money.

It's up to the prostitute to report the income, not up to him to report he paid her.

If it's not his money, but belongs to the State of NY, well that's another matter entirely.

But Mr. Hypocrite Spitzer has vigorously prosecuted prostitution rings when he was AG, so on this level I find it amusing.

I feel sorry for his wife. He made her look like a fool in front of the whole world. He needs to go. The sooner the better.

And what a nice Valentine's Day gift for his wife. :spank:

which is what the Republicans are noted for.

Gotta wonder, though, if it's gonna stir-up any Clinton fatigue.

My husband points out that the tri-state area is now 3 for 3 wrt governors in disgrace...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3217539

Perhaps there's a bit too much Viagra in the water out there.

this is a private family matter, and should be treated as such.

it wasn't solely an affair. He was caught involved in an illegal activity. One in which customarily victimizes women.

There's a little more involved than just some personal (family-only) crap.

Professional hypocrisy and trading in illegal services make this a few steps above "personal/private family matter".

an affair, I'd have no problem with this. But, since he was involved in an illegal activity on top of that, one in which often victimizes women who are prostitutes, and he is a government official, I find it really unpalatable. He's supposed to be upholding the laws of our state and leading the people in our state. The violation against his family is bad, but he broke the law. I don't see how he can successfully get past this and remain Governor.

He a fake.

with consenting adults?

It's all sexual deviancy and extremely disrespectful of a woman who has been married to her husband for 21 years and his three daughters.

If this is their website, it even had a paypal option:

http://www.qatgroup.com/BusinessConnectionsUSA.html

We will provide you with the right business connections.

Our services are comprehensive and hands on. Our attorney, investment bankers and bank managers are ready to help you with any legal or financial matters and assist in developing new projects and markets.

As our client, you will be protected with “attorney-client privilege of information”, as defined and secured by the Law of the United States—your privacy is strictl and your business/tax affairs will always remain yours private matters.

The price ranges from $600-$3000 depending on complicity of the project.

To make a payment , please go to Contact Us page and click on the Buy Now button using your

Visa or Master Card

He was elected with a landslide and I enthusiastically supported him. He's just been a total disappointment so far and this is just the last straw. Why the hell can't these guys keep it zipped? I could tolerate an affair, but this? Whether we agree with the law or not, it's illegal and he's not above prosecuting others caught in the same thing. I can't take hypocrisy.

why do they risk so much? Disgusting.

This is just so tacky.

Can't believe how easily he screwed up like this.

out in front of the cameras. He should be person enough to go out there on his own and explain himself.
:mad:

I do not support lies and deceit. I wish prositution to be legal, but require licensing, condoms, and showers with anti-bacterial soap. I believe nearly 60% of the people wish to have other sexual partners. I know that there are those who do not care about this because of their own religious or philosophical views, yet in a free country moralist should not have the right to restrict the freedom of others.

It is argued that prostitution destroys the moral fabric of a society. I think living a false life destroys the fabric of society even more.

I was disappointed to hear about this today. I like Gov. Spitzer. I wish well upon the people of New York and his family.

than the Right's world of black and white absolutes.

I posted something similar before I read your post. I though the lies and deceit - if there were lies and deceit - were more problematic than the prostitution.

How refreshing it is to examine situations from multiple perspectives!

this was used or was going to be used to blackmail him; to do or support something horrible and he didn't cave.

politicians and prostitutes(republicans like boys) go hand in hand and this type of exposure doesn't happen unless someone gives the nod.

From what I knew about him, there was a lot I admired about Spitzer. This story makes me sad, because I think the good he's done will be overshadowed by this indiscretion.

If it has evidence, the Times was obligated to report this story. I would want to hear about it if it was the other side, so I don't fault the paper for running it.

That isn't to say that Spitzer shouldn't be forgiven -- I think it's absurd that prostitution is illegal when war is peachy keen. I find more fault in him lying to his wife, if that is what happened. But that is something he will have to work out with her.

I hate to break it to you all but it sounds like he knew EXACTLY what he was doing, since he moved the money around in such a manner as to draw the attention of the IRS.

and heard this. What a fucking numb nut. What was he THINKING??? Obviously NOT! All the bullshit going down and he pulls this shit??
We have diapers for Vitter, Foley's disappearing act to the real estate business and "toe tapping" Craig in an airport bathroom and Spitzer pulls this??? :wtf:

the man's private life is between him and his family.

not that he can't keep his tallywacker at home. Breaking the law and prosecuting the the same laws he broke=HYPOCRISY.

Moral character is important in judging the potential effectiveness of political leaders.

...d**k.