We were worried that Governor Eliot Spitzer might step down too hastily, depriving us of the opportunity to mock the horny toad. But the Spitzer sex scandal is the gift that keeps on giving, and Spitzer's aides are now spreading the word that the guv's not going anywhere.
A top aide to Governor Spitzer said today Mr. Spitzer has not made up his mind about whether to step down, the New York Sun reported this afternoon.
"He has not made up his mind," a senior adviser to Mr. Spitzer, Lloyd Constantine, said. "It is more correct to say that he is not resigning."Another source close to the governor said Mr. Spitzer was refusing to resign until he clinches an agreement with federal authorities about charges that he could face. "I don't think anything happens for a couple of weeks," the source said.
Is Spitzer a sociopath? A meglomaniac? For a man who said he thinks politics should be about ideas and not individuals, he sure seems intent on keeping on individual named Spitzer in office. Meanwhile, Republican New York State Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco is threatening impeachment.
Aide: Spitzer May Defy Calls To Step Down [New York Sun]
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 4:32PM
meglomaniac.
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 5:34PM
delusional psychopath. I expect Spitzer to go on a shooting rampage at the State Capitol any day now. He'll show them. He'll show them all!
Posted by diablo , Mar 11, 2008 6:14PM
Spitzer lawyered up with his old firm. Even if he resigns, he's not going down quietly. And he's not pulling a Larry Craig, resigning and then unresigning. That's why he's taking his time.
By the way, all politicians are megalomaniacs, it's part of the job description. However, as a prosecutor one has to deal with and prosecute sociopaths. Someone who is on the edge could become one of them after a while.
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 6:43PM
I commented earlier today that I thought Spitzer would try to survive this mess. One conversation that's sure to have been conducted: Spitzer's criminal attorney calling U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia to see if the feds plan to get real with Spitzer concerning this Mann Act stuff. It's very uncommon to prosecute johns. I think the Times reported that the most serious federal charges would be for "structuring," i.e., trying to conceal illegal payments.
I think Spitzer is clinging to belief that minor federal charges the U.S. Attorney would rather not prosecute won't bring him down. His wife Silda didn't want him to resign "in haste."
The whole thing is nauseating, but I have to say one wonders if the feds don't have better projects for scarce resources.
Spitzer is bizarre and this scandal has shed some light on what was previously considered unattractive character traits. Like he's totally nuts. Also, I do agree with Langone.
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 9:40PM
The AP is reporting that Spitzer spent as much as $80,000 on prostitutes.