Eliot Spitzer interview in Denver Post [View All]

[InternalDialogue]

Q: What is about you that talks this way? As a state official you've done more reform than many federal officials I could think of in history.

A: I don't know. I don't think I'm any different, any smarter, braver, wiser or anything else. I really don't. I'm just doing my job and I have some awfully good lawyers here. And we've found some interesting cases and we push. I will say that by and large the people in Washington who were supposed to be doing these things are spineless and gutless. And they are more worried about what their next job will be, than in actually challenging people they are supposed to be overseeing. If you think about how many lawyers there are at the EPA, the FDA, the SEC and the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) and ask yourself: what have they really done to protect consumers? I think the answer is disappointing. ... During this administration, in particular, there has been such an effort to pull back from asking the hard questions. That is a problem.

Q: You deal with facts. A lot of people who attack you deal with political accusations. Would you say that's true?

A: Absolutely. People spend a lot of time challenging my motives. That's fine. They are free to say what they want to say. But what I always say is that challenging the motive of the prosecutor is the last refuge of the guilty. Challenge the facts. If we are wrong, tell us how we are wrong. If we are right, then don't waste my time ... saying, "We'll, he's right but he's doing it for this improper motivation." ... I'm here with a job to do and I will continue to do it. They are saying, "Oh, he's doing it because he wants to be governor ..."

more at
http://denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E33%257E2823440,00.html