It’s funny how the right-wing is very serious about calling for the resignation for New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who apparently has been caught up in a prostitution ring, but when it was one of their own who was on the wrong end of a prostitution hotline, it’s another story.
When it’s someone like Republican Senator David Vitter, who placed calls to a prostitution service while he should have been on the floor of the Senate voting, no big deal. All in the past. After all, if he resigned it would have meant a Democratic pickup in the Senate. Family values are great to thump your chest about and all – until they conflict with staying in power. In that case, values lose.
In fact, Sen. Vitter was given a standing ovation by his Republican colleagues after the fact.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and sons Carter and Colton.
Partisan hypocrisy and political convenience issues notwithstanding, I think dude should resign. What a freakin’ moron.
First things first, politicians (especially at Governor and Senator levels), as I’ve mentioned before, are egomaniacal, holier than thou windbags and should never be put on any higher pedestal than a normal person. They are, for the most part, in it purely for themselves, and not any sort of greater good or public “service”, so this most recent scandal is no surprise to me, heck it’s almost become commonplace….
Now, not to play partisan politics, but the difference between the two is simple: one is illegal (federally I might add) and one is not. Spitzer PAID $4300.00 to someone, paid for transport of the woman, and in turn broke the law. What did Vitter do? As of today, his name and number is on a reputed escort service, by the way, not illegal. Did Vitter engage in illegal activities? Nobody knows, and until it is proven that he did, i.e.: wire taps, proof of payment for sex or the like, the two situations are in fact DIFFERENT. Couple Spitzer’s penchant for playing the Moral Superior to everyone around him and the fact that he was a prosecutor in past jobs, he simply put himself up to be knocked down – and hard.
Bottom line, regardless of what side of the aisle you’re on, illegal behavior cannot and should not be tolerated by our politicians. To complain that Spitzer’s getting worse treatment than Vitter did is missing the point. Spitzer, for all of his soap box preaching, broke the law, broke the trust of his constituents, and shattered his family. He needs to be, by everyone, chastised for his behavior. If Vitter is found to have broken the law, he too should be given the same negative press, and calls to resign as Spitzer has.
Dan,
You’re right, it’s not like Spitzer had a $100,00 in bribe money hidden in his freezer (W. Jefferson, D-La.) or had sex with an underage Congression Page (G. Studds, D-Ma) or left a woman to drown in his car (you know who, D-Ma.).
I demand that the prostitute resign to save governor Spitzer more embarassment and restore his good name!
I’m not complaining that one is going to get worse treatment or better treatment from the law, that’s for sure. And it’s really easy to say if Vitter was guilty of anything he should be held to account (by the law, not by his constituents?) when the statute of limitations on any crime he may have committed have long passed.
And you really think Sen. David Vitter didn’t have his own moral soap box that he was all to happy to stand on during his career? Mr. Family Values?
And Smitty, if you’re also completely missing the point. Dragging out two events that were news more than 25 years ago or a straw man like Rep. Jefferson only illustrate that. I’m not talking about comparing corruption in party X with corruption in party Z.
I’m pointing out two similar events and how they’re looked upon differently. One man was cheered for his admittedly criminal behavior (proof is inconsequential, he admitted to having sex with a prostitute, and that’s the difference between PAYING for sex with someone and not PAYING, so that point is shot down too) and the other is being threatened with impeachment.
By the way, I’m not standing up for either of them and didn’t allude to that in any way. I’m simply pointing out as above.
Dan,
Forget about the “right wing” demanding Spitzer’s resignation, are Democrats and the MSM demanding it?
…sound of crickets.
By the way Congressman Studds was also applauded by fellow Democrats after after he admitted a “mistake”.
How is the “right wingers” hypocrisy any different than your “left wing” hypocrisy? I mean this sincerely and as to not offend.
You chastise Republicans any chance you get for the political gain of the Democratic party, but never chastise a Democrat. You are every bit as partisan as the Republicans who gave a standing ‘O’ to Senator Vitter.
Do you mean to say that it’s ok for liberals to be partisan, but not right wingers? I don’t understand. It’s like you are the pot calling the kettle black.
Well, if I were being a partisan about this, I’d be defending Spitzer or trying to spin it as something better than it is. Again, I’m not commenting on anything except about this particular set of circumstances and the similarities and differences between the Vitter response and this one.
As usual and predicted, the original point has been completely lost and ignored as everyone scrambles to point out how this is different and the same as everything else that’s ever happened. Somehow by simply asking the question and pointing out the difference, that makes me a hypocrite…
My original point here wasn’t condemnation or adulation of either Vitter or Spitzer. Again, I’m merely pointing out the differences in how they’ve been treated after sleeping with a prostitute. I can’t help but to think that the desire to talk about everything except that point is simply proving it.
@smitty: The differences between consensual sex and hiring a prostitute speak for themselves. Even so, Rep. Studds was still censured by the House for his indiscretion. Am I defending his bad choice and abuse of a position of power? Of course not.
Just to recap: on one hand you have consensual gay men having sex and being censured by the House. On the other you have a Senator who had sex with a prostitute and has faced no repercussions for his actions.
And just to be clear, you mean he was applauded by constituents who happened to be Democrats. Not by other members of his party who serve in the House/Senate. Again, big difference.
Dan,
Rep. Studds had sex with an underage Congressional page; when you have sex with a minor, consent is irrelevant.
Regarding Sptizer’s indiscretions, I haven’t seen anyone call for his resignation, certainly not New York Senators Clinton or Schumer. Meanwhile the media has bent over backwards to avoid identifying his political affiliation. As the WSJ noted today, both ABC and NBC, in their extensive coverage of the scandal yesterday, failed to mention Spitzer was a Democrat, only CBS did—and that in passing. Such reticence was never accorded Republicans Foley and Craig.
But we’re quibbling. The “right wing” is irrelevant, Spitzer will stay unless New York Democrats and the New York media demand that he resign. I think it’s 50-50, stay or go.
Not to pick a bone here, and this is irrelevant to the original discussion, but the age of consent in Washington DC is 16, thereby making it a consensual sexual relationship between the two. The age of consent is what makes a “minor” a minor with regard to sexual relationships and hence dictates what is and isn’t a crime… In Wisconsin, that age is 18, but it varies from state to state.
An unethical relationship to be sure, but a legal one.
I think it’s interesting that in the same comment you’re decrying the involvement of the media and your belief they’re bending over backwards to protect him, but then you call for the New York media to demand his resignation. That isn’t the media’s responsibility. The media should be reporting on this and other news, not making it.
I think it matters little what side does what when the you-know-what hits the fan. I think historically they all act the same. When Clinton lied to the American people about his escapades with “that woman” Monica Lewinsky all of the republican side called for his impeachment and all of the democrats did not.
Scandals are everywhere in Washington. They are in your backyard too. Politicians, after all, are people. When they get caught they should have the decency for the public good to resign, and in the case of Spitzer who not only is the Governor of his state, but also held the position of Attorney General, he should too.
Just to recap: on one hand you have consensual gay men having sex and being censured by the House. On the other you have a Senator who had sex with a prostitute and has faced no repercussions for his actions.
Oh man – this is an oversimplification of the issues – the page was his subordinate and 16 yrs old (excuse me while I vomit), not some friend, which presents problems. But, whatever – you are right, this is splitting hairs.
You raise a good point that Senator Vitter should have been punished somehow, the Republicans responded inappropriately to that issue. However, where you fail to gain any traction with me is that I believe you would react the exact same way if a Democrat got into trouble.
I think historically they all act the same
That is my position as well – I just wish Dan would admit that fact. Instead he comes up with excuses for Democrats, but has a special section called “Republican Moron of the Week!” But he’s not partisan – just notice how he how he is not spinning the Studds disgusting behavior as “something better than it is”. If Dan were partisan he would be doing that. Oh wait.
When they get caught
I am unsure how to take this comment …. How about they act appropriately in the first place?! Maybe restating that sentence would be better.
The media should be reporting on this and other news, not making it.
Holy crap – Amen to that brother. :) I am not sure when they will start *reporting* it, but when they do, please let me know. They have been making news for several years now.
but then you call for the New York media to demand his resignation.
I agree with you on this, Dan. Smitty – either you want the media involved or you do not.
Dan and Yeah Boy,
Please re-read my 6:37 pm posting. I did not call for the media to demand Sptizer’s resignation, I actually said that Spitzer would resign only if the NY media (and NY politicians) demanded it—I was making an obsevation, not a call to action.
Anyway, this is all moot, Sptizer has departed the scene. He had no choice and no friends.
And Dan , let me know when the media merely reports the news.