According The Wall Street Journal, New York governor Eliot Spizter admits he "failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself." Whatever. As Client Number 9 continues his fall from political grace, Empire State motorists are breathing a sigh of relief. The scandal effectively kills Spitzer's plans to remove the state's gas tax cap. If he'd been successful in that endeavor, the potential indictee's Petroleum Business Tax (PBT) would have elevated gas taxes by nearly $56m per year. The Hudson Valley Times also reports (retroactively) that "Spitzer Car Tax" would have increased NY's registration fee from $5 to $20. Oh, and Spitzer also supported Thruway toll hikes. So, once again America's hopes for freedom from onerous taxes begin with the Mayflower. [thanks to starlightmica for the link]
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As a former resident of the People’s Republic of New York—-I am very sad for the family of Governor Spitzer.
That said, I am elated that this SOB got what was coming to him. This self-rightous hypocrite bullied his way through life ramming “his rules” down peoples throats ….”his rules” apparently did not apply to his life however.
If he had his way—he would ram down this gas tax to the residents of New York—this rule would not apply to him however because he would have his daddy pay for the gas or the residents of New York.
Don’t let the door slam you in the ass Spitzer !
Spitzer made a lot of powerful enemies, and just I can’t help but recall Tom Cruise’s character getting set up with a call girl in The Firm. A coworker tells me Spitzer stood up for one of his friends, a state employee, when he was in some DUI trouble, so he’d always thought of him as a great guy. I’d have more respect if he didn’t make his poor wife stand next to him.
Spitzer may be a perfect example of the Peter Principle (seriously). Here’s a guy that was a sharp AG but didn’t really have the people skills to be an effective governor.
I’m devastated that these noble tax hikes are in jeopardy just because a guy cheats on his wife and family. And transports a hooker across state lines. And launders money to indulge his clandestine lifestyle. I weep. Allegedly.
A coworker tells me Spitzer stood up for one of his friends, a state employee, when he was in some DUI trouble, so he’d always thought of him as a great guy.
So Spitzer helps his friends get away with endangering the public and circumventing the law? What a prince! And now I weep more.
No more gas tax hikes? The State of New York is truly doomed.
Yes, yes — very interesting.
But, can anyone find a picture of what this $4,300 an hour lady of the evening looked like?
somebody buy that hooker a double!
I have absolutely no bias either way about Spitzer, let me get this straight – based on comments here, the guy is allegedly an arrogant asshole who favors unpopular policies, but he still gets elected governor. Then he gets caught with a prostitute – and suddenly he isn’t good enough? Wow, this country still has too many uptight puritans.
It wasn’t one of Spitzer’s friends, and AIUI he didn’t get away with anything, he just kept his job.
“Then he gets caught with a prostitute – and suddenly he isn’t good enough? Wow, this country still has too many uptight puritans.”
The lead editorial in today’s NYTimes said:
“Mr. Spitzer’s own record of prosecuting such cases gives him scant breathing room. As state attorney general, he prosecuted prostitution rings with enthusiasm — pointing out that they are often involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering. In 2004 on Staten Island, Mr. Spitzer was vehement in his outrage over 16 people arrested in a high-end prostitution ring.”
But go read the whole thing. They are really steamed.
Thinx : The guy is a prick who is a pathological lier and believes rules / laws apply to everyone but himself. His approval rating has gone from 77% when he came to office 15 months ago to 30-something today (and this is before his hooker deal)…there is a reason for this plunge and it goes well beyond policy.
Spitzer had a panache for going after organizations whether there was wrongdoing or not. He hung out H & R Block due to a false claim. He allowed the media to hang them out to dry, and then later issued a paltry apology for getting his facts wrong.
Good example of one man’s lust for power overriding better judgment. Ironic that bad judgment carried over to his personal life, but not surprising. What a hypocrite.
To keep this somewhat car-related, allow me to offer this analogy. If Spitzer was a “brand”, his one thing that he does better than everyone would be ethics. Ethics are to Spitzer what reliability is to Toyota or insane performance is to Ferrari. I remember having to read about his body of work as Attorney General, way back in my management ethics classes in University.
So to be involved in criminal behavior, it sort of becomes a career-ender. How can he ever credibly mount a crusade for the little guy ever again?
In politics, if you’re going to throw big stones, you better be beyond reproach.
“But, can anyone find a picture of what this $4,300 an hour lady of the evening looked like?”
Not yet. The fools who own this business took their website down and thus aren’t taking advantage of all this free publicity. It’s worth noting that not all the $4,300 he paid her were for her services this time; part of it was credited to his account for future encounters. Also, the per-visit fee of some of her associates went as high as $5,500 an hour.
Was that picture of him taken as he left the room?
Wow.
She must be earning her keep, because every photo/video I have seen of him since this scandal began has him giggling like a school girl.
mel23: If she was pulling down $4,300 per night, she must be very attractive, as well as educated and “polished.” I’m sure that no escort service would send just anyone from the streetcorner to meet a governor.
Which also means that she probably has a “real” career, and doesn’t wish to be exposed. In her case, publicity is NOT a good thing, as I doubt that her family and the co-workers at her first job have any idea how she earns some extra money…
The escort service doesn’t want any free publicity because what they are doing is illegal, and they are probably employing women similar (in background, education, having another job, etc.) to the one who met with Governor Spitzer, and thus also do not want any publicity.
$4,300.00 for an hour? Wow, he should do business in my part of the country, a hundred bucks will get you the same thing…. albeit with fewer teeth, additional poundage and less comfortable bed. I would not know any of this of course first hand, just what I have heard….really.
Signed,
Client #8
People who think campaign promises of change are for real, should think again. He’s had a few good ideas over the past year though. Like the one to give illegal immigrants a drivers license.
geeber:
Well, I was being facetious. The huffingtonpost.com has lots of details.
Newsday has clips from the Emperor’s club website:
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-emperorsclub,0,2966631.photogallery?index=1