Classic NY Magazine cover

Heh.

Spitzer

If you're interested in Eliot Spitzer's background, motivations and methods as attorney general, check out Roger Donway's 2005 analysis. Here's a sampling:

... In the case of business, he seems to begin with the moral principle that self-interested behavior, such as moneymaking, is at best a merely practical activity, and if not constrained by noblesse oblige a positively malign one. ... Spitzer therefore wages war against the self-seeking, moneymaking bourgeoisie in the name of the little guy. All he asks in return is ever more power to do so.

... Spitzer's moral outlook has definite, discernible contours, and at its core are three elements that have shaped his crusades against business.

• First is an antipathy toward anything he perceives as greed. He may not be a socialist who wants to eliminate the pursuit of economic self-interest altogether, but he demands that self-interest be restrained and decorous—a necessary evil
• Secondly, Spitzer is profoundly egalitarian in his outlook. He assumes that conflicts of interest between the classes are manifold, and the danger of exploitation constant. With that conviction, he invariably sides with workers and small investors against the wealthy and successful.
• Third, and worst of all, Spitzer is a Jacobin: he is willing to sacrifice the political principles of a free society—individual rights, the rule of law, and democratic processes—when they stand in the way of his moral views.

Name that party

Mark Hemmingway:

As a sidebar to an article at ABC news about Elliot Spitzer, they've helpfully put together this slideshow of 13 politicians involved in famous sex scandals.(Collect them all!) Anyway, it's rather interesting that of the 7 Republicans on the list, all of them save one are identified by ABC as Republicans. Of the six Democrats on the list, only one is identified by party affiliation.

Hypocrisy -- some quotations from the Spitzer record

In light of today's revelations, here are some choice Spitzer quotations (all emphasis mine):

• From Spitzer's Jan. 2007 inaugural address:

  "And so in order to return to policies of opportunity and prosperity, we must change the ethics of Albany and end the politics of cynicism....
  
  "If ever there was a time that called out for introspection by those in government, it is now. Lincoln spoke of listening to "the better angels of our nature." Indeed, those of us who work in the great building behind me must hear and heed the serious responsibility that public service demands and rise to this moment and show the public in words and in deeds that we understand that our responsibility is to the people of New York."

• From a Jun. 2006 statement by Spitzer regarding pending legislation:

  Another important issue that needs to be addressed is the problem of sexual predators. For over six years I have been pushing for legislation allowing the civil commitment of such individuals, and we should not let another year pass without action.

  In addition, we need legislation to punish those who engage in human trafficking. This is a particularly heinous crime that primarily targets women and immigrants, including those forced into prostitution. This is a growing crime, and we need strong provisions allowing us to address it.

• From an Apr. 2004 press release from Spitzer's office:
  

  Attorney General Spitzer said today that 18 people associated with popular "escort services" operating in New York City, Long Island, Westchester and New Jersey have been indicted for promoting prostitution and related charges.

  The indictments by a Staten Island Grand Jury follow a lengthy investigation of the escort services, which authorities believed were really a front for a massive prostitution ring.

  "This was a sophisticated and lucrative operation with a multi-tiered management structure," Spitzer said. "It was, however, nothing more than a prostitution ring, and now its owners and operators will be held accountable."

• From a Feb. 2004 press release from Spitzer's office:
  

  New York State Attorney General Spitzer announced the indictment by a Dutchess County Grand Jury of the operators of a travel agency on charges alleging that they used their tour business to solicit customers for prostitution rings operating from South East Asia.

  The defendants... are charged ... with Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, a class "D" felony, and Promoting Prostitution in the Fourth Degree, a class "A" misdemeanor. If convicted on the charges, the defendants face up to seven years in state prison.

• From an Oct. 2003 description of Spitzer's "Clean Sweep" program from Neighborhood Watch: A Report from New York 's Attorney General Eliot Spitzer:

  To qualify for this initiative, a house, apartment or store must ... have been the site of repeated convictions in recent years for drug dealing, prostitution, or other type of illegal business...
  
  Attorney General Spitzer remains committed to filing Clean Sweep
  cases wherever appropriate.

• From an Oct. 2003 press release from Spitzer's office:

  Attorney General Spitzer today announced that a Monroe County couple were arrested and arraigned on a[n]... indictment filed by an Erie County Special Grand Jury, charging them both with running a prostitution business in Erie, Monroe and Niagara counties.

  The defendants... are each charged with two counts of Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree, both are class "D" felonies....
  

• From an Aug. 2003 press release from Spitzer's office:
  

  Attorney General Spitzer today announced a lawsuit against the operators of a travel agency operating in Dutchess and Queens counties that arranged tours of South East Asian bars that serve as a venue for illegal prostitution.

  "The company ... promotes prostitution and the abuse of young women," Spitzer said. "This suit seeks a halt to this egregious conduct."

  ... Joselito A. Jimeno, Acting Head of Consular Post at the Consulate General of the Philippines said:

  "The Philippine Consulate General in New York hails the lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General against "sex tour" operators as an important move in the international battle against crimes against women and children.

(Disclosure: My view of today's news may be a bit colored by the hit my pocketbook took from then-Attorney General Spitzer's aggressive approach to prosecution.)