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You are here: Home / Politics / Who Does He Think He Is?

Who Does He Think He Is?

by John Cole|  March 10, 20083:51 pm| 53 Comments

This post is in: Politics, Democratic Stupidity, Outrage

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Elliot Spitzer’s remarks:

“Good afternoon.

“For the past nine years, eight years as attorney general, and one as governor, I have tried to uphold a vision of progressive politics that would rebuild New York and create opportunity for all. We sought to bring real change to New York and that will continue.

“Today I want to briefly address a private matter. I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and violates my, or any, sense of right and wrong. I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better.

“I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good, and doing what is best for the state of New York. But I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family.

“I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order. Thank you very much.”

Who the hell does he think he is? Like Tim, I think prostitution should be legal, but really, who does this jackass think he is? He has spent his career aggressively prosecuting individuals, then holding elaborate press conferences in which he pompously attempts to seek not only justice, but to shame people, humiliate them and ruin them.

And now, we find out that he is no better. In other words, just another pompous moralizing hypocrite who thinks everyone else should live by rules he can’t, only this time he has a (D) after his name instead of an (R). Spitzer needs to resign, and he needs to resign now. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.

*** Update ***

On the upside, remember this?

It takes a truly twisted perspective to see a man who commits private sins while arguing in public for virtue, and choose to take issue with the latter.

So, two cheers for the hypocrites. Even if they don’t do right by themselves or their families – even if, at times, they deserve to be punished by the law or defeated at the polls – they should still be proud to have done the right thing in their time in public service.

It should be fun watching Red State leap to the defense of this hypocrite. I mean, after all, he was fighting the good fight, amirite?

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Reader Interactions

53Comments

  1. 1.

    Zifnab

    March 10, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    Who Does He Think He Is?

    He’s Rick James, Bitch!~

  2. 2.

    Thepanzer

    March 10, 2008 at 3:56 pm

    Yup, resign or be forced out. This nonsense needs to stop.

  3. 3.

    Cassidy

    March 10, 2008 at 3:56 pm

    Credit for not trying to duck and weave about it.

  4. 4.

    DrDave

    March 10, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    Hubris, plain and simple.

    He can go, five guys just as foolish will follow him.

  5. 5.

    Shabbazz

    March 10, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    Damn shame. I actually liked the guy and would have voted for him were I still in New York. Always felt like he tried to stick up for the little guy.

    But, the precedent has been set — and it has been set very low. If lying about war isn’t a resigning offense…

  6. 6.

    Svensker

    March 10, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    According to HuffPo he’s resigning at 7PM EDT tonight.

  7. 7.

    demimondian

    March 10, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    Credit for not trying to duck and weave about it.

    Not much. Yes, he has the good sense to not lie (which is good since the cover-up is always worse than the crime). Unfortunately, if you’ve spent your life humiliating others, then you do need to hold yourself to a higher standard.

    — demi “except for me, I’m different” mondian

  8. 8.

    Gus

    March 10, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    Yep, he’s gotta go. I agree that prostitution should be legal, but it’s not.

  9. 9.

    Lavocat

    March 10, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    Well, even though his career as governor seemed to be circling the bowl early, it now appears to be in a death spiral.

    Looks like NY’s rising star just went supernova.

  10. 10.

    Jake

    March 10, 2008 at 4:03 pm

    Yeah! How dare this putz come out with a straight-forward apology? He should be blaming the media for upsetting his wife and using the passive voice to describe this terrible scandale that has been thrust on him.

  11. 11.

    Tim

    March 10, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    Snark on….

    Hey at least he wasn’t patronizing CHEAP hookers, his were thousands of dollars and hour! It’s not like he’s Eddie Murphy or Hugh Grant!

    Snark off….

  12. 12.

    Tim

    March 10, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    Oh and I forgot….

    ‘…that has been thrust on him.’

    that’s what SHE said!

  13. 13.

    Jake

    March 10, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    It takes a truly twisted perspective to see a man who commits private sins while arguing in public for virtue, and choose to take issue with the latter.

    Wowzers. If stupidity is an STD, the RedStaters have lowered the IQs of a lot of farmyard animals.

  14. 14.

    Cyrus

    March 10, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    It should be fun watching Red State leap to the defense of this hypocrite. I mean, after all, he was fighting the good fight, amirite?

    It is annoying, depressing, not very effective and maybe not even very principled to so frequently take solace in the claim that the other side is worse. However, it isn’t mistaken.

  15. 15.

    LarryB

    March 10, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    Hmm. The NY Sun reports that the DAs handling the Spitzer case are from the Public Corruption division, not Vice:

    When we first got the case, we were surprised that these were the assistants handling the case, said a defense attorney, David Gordon, who represents one of two women alleged to have booked engagements for prostitutes.

    Not to get all paranoid or anything, but is this a coincidence or just another verse of Sweet Home, Alabama?

  16. 16.

    Jen

    March 10, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    Well, I’m not trying to defend the guy, but what, exactly, is he supposed to say about it at this point? If there’s an indictment against him, he’d better clam up. The humiliation will come. As they say in the Princess Bride, humiliations galore.

  17. 17.

    Incertus

    March 10, 2008 at 4:09 pm

    Where was all this coverage when David Vitter was outed like this?

    Not that it excuses Spitzer–he’s toast, and rightfully so, given his position. But that liberal media really does a shitty job of protecting their own.

  18. 18.

    myiq2xu

    March 10, 2008 at 4:12 pm

    Hey at least he wasn’t patronizing CHEAP hookers, his were thousands of dollars and hour!

    A good Democrat would be helping the low-income hookers in his own state.

    The important issue is: Were these girls undocumented aliens?

  19. 19.

    Grumpy Code Monkey

    March 10, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    Today I want to briefly address a private matter. I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and violates my, or any, sense of right and wrong.

    Dude. You broke federal law. It is, by definition, no longer a private matter. Your obligations to your family and you sense of right and wrong don’t really enter into it at this point. You didn’t just pick up a prostitute on a streetcorner, you arranged to have her meet you in another state, thus violating the Mann Act.

    Resignation at minimum.

  20. 20.

    myiq2xu

    March 10, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    Where was all this coverage when David Vitter was outed like this?

    The difference is Vitter never claimed to be a paragon of virtue, running on a platform of morality.

    Oh, wait . . . nevermind.

  21. 21.

    Billy K

    March 10, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    Well, it’s official – Democrats are just as bad (or worse) than Republicans.

  22. 22.

    r€nato

    March 10, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    It should be fun watching Red State leap to the defense of this hypocrite.

    I look forward to Jonah Goldberg coming to Spitzer’s defense, using something he says often when Goopers are caught saying one thing and doing something else: “A certain amount of hypocrisy is to be expected in [Albany].”

    Naturally, I won’t be holding my breath for this to actually happen.

    Well, it’s official – Democrats are just as bad (or worse) than Republicans.

    Horseshit.

  23. 23.

    Jake

    March 10, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    If there’s an indictment against him, he’d better clam up.

    Yep. If only he’d remembered the rest of his lawyerin’ lessons before this incident.

  24. 24.

    Keith

    March 10, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    Dude. You broke federal law.

    No sarcasm here, just an honest question, but which federal law did he break? I understand the machinations behind going after the prostition ring itself (taxes, scope), but generally clients are usually prosecuted at a more local level.

  25. 25.

    Tsulagi

    March 10, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    On the upside, remember this?

    LOL. The merry boys of RedState are happily all over Spitzer. The same twit who wrote Two Cheers For The Hypocrites (at ‘remember this’ link), a defense of the diaper-wearing Vitter, has busily and gaily promoted two side diaries about Spitzer to their front page.

    If there’s a sequel to Idiocracy they should hold a casting call at RedState.

  26. 26.

    PeterJ

    March 10, 2008 at 4:30 pm

    Anyone should have seen this coming a mile away.
    He’s wearing a lapel pin. And it seems like it’s one with a US flag…

  27. 27.

    r€nato

    March 10, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    No sarcasm here, just an honest question, but which federal law did he break?

    I believe he arranged for the services of a prostitute from NY, with a DC-based prostitution ring. The crossing of state lines made it a federal matter. Sorry I’m not more specific with the details or exact law broken, but I believe that’s the essence of it.

    Sooooooo… who else is on that client list?

  28. 28.

    r€nato

    March 10, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    The same twit who wrote Two Cheers For The Hypocrites (at ‘remember this’ link), a defense of the diaper-wearing Vitter, has busily and gaily promoted two side diaries about Spitzer to their front page.

    Clearly, you don’t understand that the thinking which makes hypocrisy a virtue, also extends to meta-hypocrisy.

  29. 29.

    Zuzu

    March 10, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    PeterJ Says:

    Anyone should have seen this coming a mile away.
    He’s wearing a lapel pin. And it seems like it’s one with a US flag…

    Yep.

    I was just about to post it, as a matter of fact.

  30. 30.

    JoyceH

    March 10, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    Since this information was obtained by federal wiretap, it would be interesting to see the warrant and learn what was the target of the investigation.

    Um… if only warrants were required anymore…

  31. 31.

    Billy K

    March 10, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Well, it’s official – Democrats are just as bad (or worse) than Republicans.

    Horseshit.

    No, this is just as bad as Duke Cunningham’s exploits, Bob Ney, David Vitter and…crap, I can’t even remember all of them. The pedo, wide-stance, half of Ohio, Ambramoff, etc., etc. It’s the same thing and proves Dems are just as bad as Republicans.

    At least that’s what Matthews and Russert will assert.

  32. 32.

    Gus

    March 10, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Has anyone pointed out to the Red Stater that he’s a hypocrite?

  33. 33.

    dbrown

    March 10, 2008 at 5:04 pm

    This lying pig took an oath to uphold the law – he is worst than the congress-scum; they never took an oath to enforce the law. As a prosecutor, he put people in jail for doing what he, that lying pig, did. As a left of left liberal I want prostitution to be legal but that pig needs to go to jail – period. But like all wealthy, he will get off – re-pubic, or demo-rat, they all are above the law.

  34. 34.

    myiq2xu

    March 10, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    Wonkette has more pics of the girls

  35. 35.

    Dennis - SGMM

    March 10, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    Sorry I’m not more specific with the details or exact law broken, but I believe that’s the essence of it.

    It’s a possible violation of the Mann Act.

  36. 36.

    Donnie

    March 10, 2008 at 5:26 pm

    Paying thousands of dollars for prostitutes. I’m against it.

  37. 37.

    MikeL

    March 10, 2008 at 6:03 pm

    Redstate has a post about it

    What gets me is the picture with Barrack Obama – looks to me like they are trying to create the impression that Obama has been accused of sexual assault. The words “Sexual Assault” are in much larger letters than “aide charged with”, and the aides face is covered with text, so you don’t see him. Obama’s face is the only non-obscured face.

    I’ll bet dollars to donuts things only get nastier from here.

  38. 38.

    Goseph Gerbils

    March 10, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    Has anyone pointed out to the Red Stater that he’s a hypocrite?

    Said RedStater has proclaimed his approval of hypocrisy. He’s just living up to his principles.

  39. 39.

    Bob In Pacifica

    March 10, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    If I ran the Democratic Candidate School, the first class on the syllabus would be “Imagination, Masturbation and Staying In Office.”

    I guess the FBI have finished their examination of Jeff Gannon’s sleepovers in the Lincoln Bedroom.

  40. 40.

    Chris Johnson

    March 10, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    He’s wearing a lapel pin. And it seems like it’s one with a US flag…

    buahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHA…

    These guys are killin’ me :)

    Never trust a democrat with a flag lapel pin!

  41. 41.

    MNPundit

    March 10, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    He was doing the right thing, prosecuting the laws.

    Still he’s got to go, and it sucks. But, resign Spitzer. Go.

  42. 42.

    RSA

    March 10, 2008 at 6:39 pm

    There is no Schadenfreude in Mudville today. . .

  43. 43.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    March 10, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Spitzer? I didn’t even know her!

  44. 44.

    Darkrose

    March 10, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    If I ran the Democratic Candidate School, the first class on the syllabus would be “Imagination, Masturbation and Staying In Office.”

    See, this is why people should have listed to Jocelyn Elders.

  45. 45.

    mere mortal

    March 10, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    … attempts to seek not only justice, but to shame people, humiliate them and ruin them. And now, we find out that he is no better.

    This is a bit much. From Wiki:

    As attorney general, Spitzer took cases relating to corporate white collar crime, securities fraud, internet fraud and environmental protection. He most notably pursued cases against companies involved in computer chip price fixing, investment bank stock price inflation, the 2003 mutual fund scandal.

    Visiting a prostitute disqualifies one from protecting the public against fraud and environmental degradation?

    Protecting the savings of retirees and stockholders from fraud then seeing a callgirl makes you a hypocrite?

    I don’t get it.

  46. 46.

    cleek

    March 10, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    ahh RedState:

    That’s what the Democrat Party is at best, and traitors at worst.

    such bright boys.

  47. 47.

    Conservatively Liberal

    March 10, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    Spitzer is obviously a Democrat, and his liberal use of cash to get laid shows it. Republicans prefer to exercise fiscal restraint, so they go for the $20.00 Men’s Room Special. More bang for the buck, so to say. ;)

    Prostitution should be legal, and the constant reference to it as ‘the world’s oldest profession’ shows that making it illegal has not worked. Legalize and regulate it, get it over with already. Idiots who think with the wrong head will visit hookers, and nothing will ever change that.

    Spitzer blew it, and blew it royally. Emperor style blown. You do not build your career as a legal crusader and then do stupid shit like this. It is rightly a career ender in the world of politics since it is the politicians who refuse to legalize prostitution. Doubly so when you have a career built in the way Spitzer has. He is toast.

    Stick a fork in him, he is done.

  48. 48.

    Asti

    March 10, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    re-pubic, or demo-rat

    I thought you wrote a fairly intelligent post, dbrown, until you got to this part. Your maturity flew out the window at such high velocity that it shattered the glass.

  49. 49.

    Asti

    March 10, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    I think it’s high time we take a serious look at all people who wear flag lapel pins. This appears to be the one unifying factor that all political crooks have in common.

  50. 50.

    Asti

    March 10, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    According to HuffPo he’s resigning at 7PM EDT tonight.

    and sleeping on the couch at 8.

  51. 51.

    demimondian

    March 10, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    sleeping on the couch at 8.

    Wow. That’s some luxurious doghouse they’ve got in the Governor’s Mansion in Albany.

  52. 52.

    Andrew J. Lazarus

    March 10, 2008 at 11:57 pm

    Living in a country (Israel) where prostitution was legal cooled my enthusiasm for legalization here. Notwithstanding its legality, Israel is a major center for traffic in women, mostly Slavic, working without legal documentation and abused by pimps. Nor did legalization stop streetwalking in the slums of South Tel Aviv, with the attendant nuisance and piggyback crime. And pimping and streetwalking were still (nominally) illegal, as a result of which there was still bribery and corruption of the police. I recognize that taking some of the danger out of the business is a plus, but other expected benefits will fail to materialize.

    In Spitzer’s case, not only is there the absurd hypocrisy, but the way half the incomprehensible sums of money ended up with the “agency” disgusts me.

  53. 53.

    Asti

    March 11, 2008 at 1:25 am

    Living in a country (Israel) where prostitution was legal

    The entire state of Nevada with the exception of a few counties (including Clark, the county that contains Vegas) have legal prostitution. They don’t seem to have the problems you’re talking about. Perhaps prostitution is best left to run freely in a rural setting and give people a place to go to get those desires out of their system when they choose, without the crime and such that can go along with it in an already corrupted urban area?

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