Freaking Elliot Spitzer

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

Once again, I felt mostly for the poor wife standing behind him. Just once, I'd like to see a politico's wife hit him on the head with a frying pan during one of these press conferences.

Amen to that. If she chooses to work through this for the sake of her marriage that is totally her choice. But in the interim, there is no reason that she needs to be trotted out like some show pony for his benefit.

Double amen. It is cruel. HE got himself into this mess--why does she have to suffer the humiliation further? It just makes me more unimpressed with him.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

Well, at least in NJ our Governor stayed with his lover after the scandal!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So did Guilliani. I highly doubt Spitzer will follow suit though.

I heard that Wall St is celebrating, I bet so is my old job.

[alison]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

I think it's a smart move. If I were in her position, I would want to be left alone.

And for now, people will do that. They won't chase after her looking for a disparaging comment about her husband, because of her show of support (although I think standing there stone-faced says enough about how she feels).

There will be no speculation on whether she will leave/stay/divorce/separate from her husband - she made a public appearance, and the public can be left to gather whatever they want from it.

I mean really, who's interested in her point of view at this point? On the other hand, if she didn't go to the press conference, the speculation would be running wild and there would be lots of money on the picture of her wielding the cast iron pan.

[fluffhead]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

I don't see what the big deal is. The guy went to a hooker. So have lots of politicians. If he hadn't been such a self righteous SOB, this wouldn't be such big news.
OK, I don't feel at all bad for him, given the way he treated the hedge fund managers in the past, but the moral outrage, IMO, is misplaced.

[DCJenn]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

If he hadn't been such a self righteous SOB, this wouldn't be such big news.

That's the gist of the story for me. Good lord, we can't possibly call for the resignation of every person in office who has ever used a prostitute (or cheated) for that matter. There'd be like 3 people left.

Jenn

[Vishenka69]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

If he hadn't been such a self righteous SOB, this wouldn't be such big news.

That's the gist of the story for me. Good lord, we can't possibly call for the resignation of every person in office who has ever used a prostitute (or cheated) for that matter. There'd be like 3 people left.

Jenn

This is the main reason most people (at least in NY) are calling for his resignation. Nobody cares that he slept with a hooker, it's all about him tumbling from his self-erected throne of righteousness. He build his career on prosecuting people (and industries) who drink, smoke, make money and have sex. Well, this story puts him smack in the middle of that, thus by his own logic, he should be prosecuted in the same way.

[Meenah]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

In NJ it wasn't that he had a gay lover, it was the fact that he was illicitly on the payroll that was the problem. Of course the fact that he had a wife and daughter didn't help matters.

[Sheherezade]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

I'm not crazy about the whole hiring a prostitute thing. After all, that IS illegal, right? I'd prefer if he was sleeping with an intern or the odd staff member. Then, I'd see the thing as an issue within the relationship between the husband and wife - and as a religious issue if the couple had married in a church. It would be a personal matter. Sad, not my choice....but it happens. Soliciting is illegal, right? That's different for me.

My DH didn't score any points with me when he said he would only have issue with it if the guy used public funds. I asked him if he'd feel the same if the money was being used to contract a hit on his wife instead.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen all the time, just that I think this is worse than the guy having an affair. Affairs aren't illegal - just sad and messy.

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

OK, I don't feel at all bad for him, given the way he treated the hedge fund managers in the past, but the moral outrage, IMO, is misplaced.

Oh - I don't feel the teeny-tiniest bit of sadness for HIM. Disappointment, yes. Sadness - no way. His wife? That's another story.

[DCJenn]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

It does make it awkward for Sen. Clinton while it's all being played out in the news though. I'm sure she was like, "dude, could you have kept it in your pants for another few months?"

(he's a Super Delegate pledged to HRC)

Jenn

[JaneDoe]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

If he hadn't been such a self righteous SOB, this wouldn't be such big news.

That's the gist of the story for me. Good lord, we can't possibly call for the resignation of every person in office who has ever used a prostitute (or cheated) for that matter. There'd be like 3 people left.

Jenn

This is the main reason most people (at least in NY) are calling for his resignation. Nobody cares that he slept with a hooker, it's all about him tumbling from his self-erected throne of righteousness. He build his career on prosecuting people (and industries) who drink, smoke, make money and have sex. Well, this story puts him smack in the middle of that, thus by his own logic, he should be prosecuted in the same way.

Exactly. This is why I just don't get what he was thinking. How could he reason/justify to himself that he wouldn't get caught, especially as a prosecutor. What an self-absorbed idiot.

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

I'm not crazy about the whole hiring a prostitute thing. After all, that IS illegal, right? I'd prefer if he was sleeping with an intern or the odd staff member. Then, I'd see the thing as an issue within the relationship between the husband and wife - and as a religious issue if the couple had married in a church. It would be a personal matter. Sad, not my choice....but it happens. Soliciting is illegal, right? That's different for me.

My DH didn't score any points with me when he said he would only have issue with it if the guy used public funds. I asked him if he'd feel the same if the money was being used to contract a hit on his wife instead.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen all the time, just that I think this is worse than the guy having an affair. Affairs aren't illegal - just sad and messy.

ITA.

[Sheherezade]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

I just read that he may have spent up to $80,000 on prostitutes.

We're going to need a bigger frying pan.

[alison]

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

I agree with Angie too.

But further, I think there's a place for moral outrage, even if it would severely diminish the pool of available politicians. How you treat your marriage speaks to how you treat the other commitments in your life. And if you're a politician, one of those commitments is to us.

I'm not sure I buy it - I think people can be pretty darn good at compartmentalizing different aspects of their lives.

Re: Freaking Elliot Spitzer

I just read that he may have spent up to $80,000 on prostitutes.

We're going to need a bigger frying pan.

That is a lot of money. For a public servant???

No kidding.