Questions of trust
On the I have to admit I am not sure whether the British rules (Chad Moser wonders about them) are entirely clear-cut with regard to off-the-record comments. I shall ask my esteemed colleage Nick Robinson, the 大象传媒 Political Editor, and he will inform us.
Several people make the point that the Scotsman had no hope of building a relationship with the Obama campaign - this surely has an impact on how you behave as a journalist. Ralph's story is great and reminds me of one I was told by John Major, the former British prime minister: he was with Boris Yeltsin, then Russian president, at the Kremlin. Russia was going down the tubes and Major asked Yeltsin what, in a word, his opinion was of Russia's future. "Good," he says. Major is nonplussed (it seems to be a ridiculous answer and an attempt to palm him off with nonsense in front of his officials), so he says: "And what's the longer version of that?" Yeltsin, without pausing, replies: "Not good!"
The story is on the record by the way - I have heard Major repeat it at public functions.
As for Eliot Spitzer, it is not about sex, it is about trust. And if is to believed, he may well have a criminal case to answer (not something that a British or French politician would have to deal with). That is why he has to go: plus the obvious . I imagine the 3am calls tonight coming FROM her to him.
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Justin,
Yes, Spitzer is an embarassment to the State of New York and to the Hillary campaign that touted his support. Just call it a 'judgement thing'. The man admitted the wrong doing to his wife and State just today. The man doesn't just have to go, his prosecution is just paperwork away.
The Clinton campaign will be distancing themselves quickly, but as the saying goes, 'birds of feather,.. stick together'
Thanks Justin and those who write in for a great site to read.
Doug
I think it's a bit naive to write that's the Sptizer story is not about sex. It is about trust, too, but it's also about sex because, whether we like to talk about it or not, we all know that sex is one of those things with which we all have some difficulty in terms of perfectly controlling our behavior. Of course in this case, it also involved a very expensive prostitution ring, which implies a world of favors and political connections as well. But it is ironic and sad that perhaps more deliberately power-oriented and unethical actions by politicians (cronyism, lying to the public about policy, quid pro quo financial arrangements, etc.) do not rise as quickly to the level of scandal as do sexual transgressions.
Compare Bush's unconstitutional use of "signing statements" with Bill Clinton's sexual transgression...
It's worth noting that customers of prostitutes are rarely prosecuted in the U.S. If Spitzer is indicted, it will be because someone wants to make an example of him.
"As for Eliot Spitzer, it is not about sex."
Try telling that to his family, although I see your point. To the public its about trust. And although I admit this may seem a little rude, but I kind of hope he stays on a little while longer, to help make up the ground Obama lost in the race last week do to Clinton fear mongaring, something which I thought was, up until then, only praticed by Republicans.
My deepest sympotheys to his family, though.
I don't think Gov. Spitzer should resign unless he has sponged off public funds to pursue his side wishes. Moreover, this can also be a setup by his enemies. If President Clinton was forgiven and still be admired by many to the point that some have said they would vote for him in a second, if they could. Look at Mayor Giulliani too, didn't he have a girlfriend story too?
Nobody is perfect! Life is about learning and not making the same mistake again.
Spitzer should NOT resign but take this opportunity to work hard and continue to do good for society. Time heals all wounds. To pay back to NY, continue to focus on doing good for the state. Why should one go away in shame? You have stood up to admit your wrongs. It takes a brave man to do it. Don't quit, Spitzer, you would only makes your enemies happier. Some people just thrive on seeing some individuals go down.
Cheers.
Kate Hsu
This is a very frustrating blog to read - you assume that readers know what you mean all the time, but in the UK we don't. A little context to the posts would be helpful. If I hadn't just heard about the Spitzer story on Today then the sentence 'as for Eliot Spitzer...' would make no sense.
Something like 'meanwhile NY governor Eliot Spitzer has been allegedly been caught phoning prostitutes' would help.
The same thing happens with just about every post. We didn't hear about the 'monster' thing. I read a throwaway comment on this blog and had to search around to find out what it was all about - none of your links made it clear.
Blogging, like journalism, requires context... Just thought I'd say :-)
This guy will feel very at home with the Clintons. I can just see them sat near a fire discussing their extra marital sexual exploits and peccadillos for days at a time.
Spitzer pontificated about busting a couple of prostitution rings in NY, yet has no problem being a client of one elsewhere. It is absolutely impermissible for someone with the power to promote and enact legislation to ignore the universality of a law. Spitzer can resign or be forced out, I personally don鈥檛 care.
There鈥檚 no meaningful effect on Hillary unless the media tries to make it so (and plenty will) Spitzer is not part of Hillary鈥檚 campaign. George Bush admitted-to ignoring the very explicit FISA law has endorsed McCain but the press is ignoring that of course.
#2 Kate Hsu remarks 鈥渢his can also be a setup by his enemies.鈥
It seems obvious to me that Spitzer has been caught 鈥榙ead-to-rights鈥, judging by his public reaction.
But it is interesting that the FBI appears to have moved so quickly and decisively on this, in comparison to David Vitter (R-Louisiana) who was exposed as a frequent client of a DC prostitution service, NOT by the FBI, but by the 鈥楳adam鈥 herself. It would appear that the statute of limitations now prevents an indictment, but despite the proofs of extensive phone records and witness accounts, Vitter remains in office as a result of GOP support.
The FBI is right to go public as soon as they have a case to do so and this one seems pretty straighforward, but I sometimes wonder how their priorities are determined.
The "Crime" is the worn out law that prohibits a private transaction between a man and a woman. As long as prostitution is illegal, those who have access to the FBI, CIA and police surveillance information will, like a puppeteer, continue to manipulate our politicians.
Spitzer took on the filthiest of corporate America. He was hired to do this, and it took him to the Governorship of N.Y. Eventually it would have lead him to the White House.
This was a preemptive strike by an intelligence agency that, more and more, appears to be the dirt generating arm of a political machine.
Should he resign? absolutely not. Ride it out Eliot. Take the stand of "so what? you want a morality leader - go to church, you want a champion of the little people, keep me in office."
It's disheartening that a politician (prosecutor then governor) who did so much damage to the corrupt powers-that-be would fall like this. Issue of trust? I don't know about that. The prostitution thing is a rife problem amongst American wealthy males. sugardaddy.com and that ilk, it's all exploitation of others on the basis that the wealthy guy has power over others by virtue of his money.
The bigger crisis is not Spitzer's issues or possible criminal involvement (look behind the laws he might be charged with violating and that will tell you what American's care about... the major one having been enacted in 1910 for pete's sake), it's that this stuff "came out" or "was revealed" by a hyper-conservative justice department on the same day as the first major abortion rights legislation in NY history was being promoted in Albany by Spitzer.
With Amerikaans it's all about sex and their perverse and paradoxical fear and lust. And while this distraction continues, women suffer at the hands of wealthy men. Brilliantly Amerikaan.
This ought to be a matter between Spitzer and his wife. Would it not make life easier for US politicians if they, too, didn't have to answer to questions about their personal lives?
On the other hand, why does a married man in the public eye risk so much for a night with a prostitute? $4,300 for a "date" with a call girl? What does he get for that? I suspect there are $100 clean, safe hookers even for a wealthy egomaniac.
"I don't think Gov. Spitzer should resign unless he has sponged off public funds to pursue his side wishes. Moreover, this can also be a setup by his enemies. If President Clinton was forgiven and still be admired by many to the point that some have said they would vote for him in a second, if they could. Look at Mayor Giulliani too, didn't he have a girlfriend story too?
Nobody is perfect! Life is about learning and not making the same mistake again."
Well, he broke a federal law, that for ordinary people would involve serious jail time. Prositituition IS illegal and when it crosses state lines it's a federal crime. Given the fact that the governor is not only an attorney, but one who views himslef and campaigns as a crusador, he will be held to a higher standard. There is no setup, he was caught, pardon the pun, with his pants down, and publiclly admitted to it. As for Clinton, he should also have reigned but didn't have the decency to do so. Not everyone,as you seem to think, "forgives" Clinton.
It is tragic to see the suffering he has caused his family.
I think it would be in everyone's best interest if he stepped down.
Does My Right Honourable Friend the Member for North America agree with me that, as a Scottish and, ergo, British newspaper, The Scotsman should not have any trouble dealing with either campaigns from the Demcorat or Republican side of the political spectrum and does he also agree with me that were the Member for Politics (or even, for that matter, himself) to quote off the record comments they would surely come under more intense scrutiny? Particularly when those comments relate to a senior source from one of the political campaigns of our greatest ally?
Hear! Hear!
Thank you Kate Hsu. I agree with you. It is a sad day when the only thing Americans care about is who their politicians are sexing with. This is the base level to which our press, and our public have sunk to. How he handles it with his family is his own business. How he handles his job is New York's. But then, Americans are the most self-righteous and judgmental people on the planet.
There is much current talk that Sen. Clintons best chance of getting the Democratic nomination is to win the popular vote and then use this to lever the superdelegates into voting for her.
How do states that don't have a primary but have caucuses instead get counted in this calculation?
It is well known that Spitzer was lurk warm about his support for Senator Clinton - he declared it really late - and that they have never been close political allies - it is true that they are both democrats in NY, but no much more. Mr. Webb, I found your clear bias towards Clinton and lack of knowledge basis very troubling.
Justin, can you explain why neither you nor anyone else on the 大象传媒 website have reported Geraldine Ferraro's extraordinary comments that Obama has only been successful because he is a black man?
It's reported in a number of places, including the Telegraph blog:
Wake up, 大象传媒!!
#7
"...Should he resign? absolutely not. Ride it out Eliot. Take the stand of "so what? you want a morality leader - go to church, you want a champion of the little people, keep me in office."
Exactly...politicians are normal people. I wonder how many poeple who voted for him have never ever committed a crime, whether caught, or not, speeding...drinking slightly over the limit, slightly false tax returns..etc etc? Utter hypocracy.!!
It is just ok if you're not caught; which Justin eluded too in a recent post. That is just hypocracy here. I think the French (god forbid im defending them) have the right balance. When their president has a sex scandle, it is...so what?
This is a little off topic but it's so enfuriating that I have to mention it. What does the 大象传媒 mean when they report on the results of the Democratic Mississipi contest, first written as "Obama 'wins' Mississipi primary and later changed to "Obama 'wins Mississipi primary". What do they mean 'wins', he has a double digit lead. Why is the 大象传媒 so desperate to see Hillary Clinton prevail with their biased coverage?, giving double banner spreads to Clinton victories and reducing Obama's victories to 'wins'.
I was hoping you can shed some light Justin.
Spitzer should not resign! Why was he singled out? Sounds like a set-up! An elaborate scheme by rivals & bigwigs he stepped on, from GOPs, Wall Street, Insurance Co.s, even Feds. Like cheese on a mousetrap - The Emperors Club - i.e. parlayed at the man's weak spot in a very polished way, lured him in. A posh website offering beautiful woman doesn't take much to set up. Investigation should happen, before crucifying him. Hypocrisy? Politics? Who hasn't been guilty of it? Look in the White House!
I have not followed Gov. Spitzer's career until now, mainly because he is in New York and I am in Missouri. However, I have been reviewing people's comments and it finally provoked me to lodge my own rant.
Spitzer broke the law, and he has all but admitted it. It does not matter what your particular moral stances is; what your political persuasion is; if the Europeans think we are prudes or not, or how good bad a politician he has been. He played the game and lost. I ask, what makes him any different from the dumb schmuck that gets his name in the paper for solicitation. The answer is, 鈥榥othing鈥. I don't know why he did it, and I don't care. If you play, be prepared to pay. If New Yorkers don't like what happened, then they need to legalize prostitution, as Nevada has; and then it would truly be a private family matter.
All of this poor Gov. Spitzer business is a new trend in American politics that worries me. Namely, people, be it politicians, or their boosters, wanting to rationalize non-compliance with the law. To my mind, this trend started with Bush and his signing statements, or maybe even earlier when DeLay was Speaker of the House, but I can鈥檛 cite a specific incident. It鈥檚 seems like it鈥檚 cropping up everywhere now, even at the state level. Consider Florida and Michigan. The lawmakers there are trying to paint the DNC as bad guys, because the DNC is holding firm on the rules that Florida and Michigan agreed to. It鈥檚 very bad behavior that, in the end, erodes the law.