Should Elliot Spitzer be a part of the Administration?

[Thrill]

Check out his Washington Post Op on keeping Wall Street in Check

How to Ground The Street
By Eliot L. Spitzer

Sunday, November 16, 2008


The Former 'Enforcer' On the Best Way to Keep Financial Markets in Check.
President-elect Barack Obama will soon face the extraordinary task of saving capitalism from its own excesses, much as Franklin D. Roosevelt had to do 76 years ago. Up until this point in the crisis, policymakers have appropriately applied the rules of triage -- Band-Aids and tourniquets, then radical surgery -- to keep the global financial system alive. Capital infusions, bailouts, mega-mergers, government guarantees of unimaginable proportions -- all have been sought and supported by officials and corporate chief executives who had until now opposed any government participation in the marketplace. But put aside for the moment the ideological cartwheel we have seen and look at the big picture: The rules of modern capitalism have been re-written before our eyes.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/13/AR2008111303634.html?sub=AR

[tabbycat31]

1. personal life aside

he was a VERY VERY effective AG for NY. And he won the governorship in a landslide election (i voted for him in my last NY election)

[book_worm]

40. true, but Obama will not begin his administration appointing somebody who had to resign

his office to a top position in his govt.

[Skwmom]

70. If it's only a personal scandal, why should it be an issue?

[eleny]

2. If it makes Hannity's head finally explode, I'm all for it

[JI7]

3. Attorney General , but i think the prostitute stuff will get in the way

even if charges weren't filed against him it was still illegal.

it's too bad because with the corporate problems he would have been perfect for that role.

[lapfog_1]

6. Bailout Czar?

We have one now, a former Gold Man Sacks (or Man Sacks Gold) guy. Waxman just had him before his committee. It was horrible. Should be in jail. Maybe Elliot could be the "G-man" in charge of knocking corporate heads if they take bailout money.

[spindrifter]

4. Chief of Procurement?

He's toast. His hubris took him down.

[goforit]

5. Yes under one stipulation, he goes through sexual addiction therapy and is

never allowed to be prescribed Viagra.

[lapfog_1]

7. So long as he didn't misappropriate funds for his activities...

(but I think he might have)... what's the harm? Further more, what business is it of ours?

[Jackpine Radical]

8. We want the insights without the baggage.

Somebody ought to consult him informally, but there would be no good to come of putting him into a visible spot in the Administration. After the kind of vetting Obama has put others through, he's not gonna go near Spitzer with a 10 foot pole. Obama's political horse sense will prevent that.

[Unsane]

9. He was a shoe-in for USAG before the scandal. It's too bad, really.

[still_one]

10. NO /nt

[hlthe2b]

11. Paid advisor behind the scenes-- maybe an appointed position in

second term... We don't need the controversy right now that an appointment would bring, but I think putting him in some role to advise on Wall Street crime would be very helpful.

[Nancy Waterman]

51. Exactly what I thought reading him this AM

Paid adviser behind the scenes and maybe an official position in the 2nd term when the stench from the scandal is diminished.
I was so struck in reading his WP article today. He has such a clear and concise grasp of what is happening and what needs to be done. This is the clearest explanation of the issue and its solution I have seen anywhere. it would be a horrible waste not to tap it, even if unofficially.

[mth44sc]

12. nope

n/t

[MadMaddie]

13. I don't see Obama picking him for anything right now

No drama for Obama...that's his mantra and I don't see him moving away from it.

[thesquanderer]

14. About as likely as John Edwards (n/t)

[karynnj]

55. He might be in slightly better shape than Edwards

Though I agree he is as unlikely to be in the administration. He might though be an adviser to people working on this issue as he really has a substantial record here - Spitzer made a name for himself fighting corruption on Wall Street. He will not be prosecuted for the prostitution stuff. (I wonder if that would not have happened if he would be the top choice for AG.)

[Historic NY]

15. No, he is still radioactive.

[jmg257]

16. Baggage - that is not necessary. nt

[MercutioATC]

17. Absolutely! ...except for the prostitute thing...

He'd be an effective AG. I really like him.

...but the hooker stuff limits him. There's no way he's gonna get it.

[MichiganVote]

18. LOL...you're funny.

[JVS]

19. FAIL

[undeterred]

20. How's his wife these days?

[Top Cat]

21. It will never happen. He could not pass the vetting that is required.

Spitzer's political career is over.

[Uzybone]

22. No

we can do better. His judgment is in serious question IMHO.

[southernyankeebelle]

23. Good Choice

Eliot Spitzer would be a great idea. They are not throwing him in jail. He didn't use govt. money. He will really be good at it.

[Neshanic]

24. If he was gay this would be a non-starter here. But fucking around is OK.

[Danger Mouse]

25. Uh no. I think pretty much everyone who has replied to this thread has said no to him.

[JI7]

27. check out the John Edwards threads

[TreasonousBastard]

26. No, and not because of hookers...

he was a lousy Governor-- fighting with just about everybody, including his own party.

As NY AG, he did a lot of grandstanding going after Wall Street, but he ignored much of what the NY AG's job really is-- small consumer stuff, dealing with contract law...

Nah, he's an arrogant hotdog, and exactly what we DON'T need right now.

[Hippo_Tron]

30. Going after Wall Street could help Obama gain some short term political capital

But in the long run I don't see it being very helpful. It would be like Tobacco was for Clinton.

[TreasonousBastard]

31. He can go after the Street without Spitzer, who...

likely will ignore any direction from the White House anyway.

[lolamio]

34. I agree. He was not well liked, divisive, and has way too much baggage..

He would be a terrible choice.

[Undercurrent]

28. No.

[Hippo_Tron]

29. No, if Obama wants to go that route Andrew Cuomo is Elliot Spitzer without the baggage

[JVS]

33. Andrew Cuomo, yeah right.

[POAS]

32. Is this a joke?

Have you heard about the job application for getting a job in the Obama administration?

The headlines it would generate at the NYTimes alone would disqualify him.

[stahbrett]

35. No, too much of a hypocrite

I think adult prostitution should be regulated and legalized, but Spitzer was a big-time advocate of prosecuting adult prostitution cases, while he hypocritically paid for prostitutes for himself.

[THUNDER HANDS]

36. not at this time

maybe in the future, but not now.

[djg21]

37. Fuck no.

The guy is a hypocritical asshole with a sense of entitlement only exceeded in size by his ego.

[dkofos]

38. It's a shame to let this much talent go to waste. He knows what went wrong,

and what needs to be done to fix this massive economic CLUSTERFUCK.

[book_worm]

39. Obama isn't going to start his administration appointing somebody who had to resign the gov of NY

to his government. Sorry, but Spitzer, like Edwards, blew it.

[kimmerspixelated]

65. Furthermore, one could say...

they blew it, while getting blown!

[Honeycombe8]

41. Is this a joke? He's lucky he's not in prison. nt

[saltpoint]

77. Do you mean for adultery? I believe in New York State adultery

is a class B misdemeanor.

It seems unlikely to me that anyone convicted of soliciting prostitution would be sent to prison.

[Medusa]

42. Nope. Scandal too fresh in public's mind

and the press would have a field day and revive all the talk of hookergate again.

[defendandprotect]

43. They succeeded in destroying him....which points to how terrific he would have been ---

Always liked him -- too bad!!

Spitzer organized Governors to do something about lending practices leading

to mortgage foreclosures 3-4 years ago-!!!

Bush stopped him-

and they stopped him for good now--!!!

[Unsane]

45. "They"? He alone chose to frequent hookers.

[defendandprotect]

46. What are the chances we would know about it---???

Obviously, like Clinton, these were the sin-catchers at work --

How many in government we haven't yet caught--??

[Unsane]

49. What's the way to prevent that? Don't engage in the behavior.

[defendandprotect]

56. Basically, we're still waist deep in sexual/societal myth --

Patriarchy wanted procreation -- labor -- can't create wealth w/o it --

Oppression forced all women into marriage --

Societlal pressures forced all males into marriage ---

and I mean "all" because we've only just moved past the dark ages when

all males married or were labeled "gay" and ostracized --

My personal opinion is that much fewer of us would be bearing children --

it's pretty much still deemed a "norm" --

THEREFORE, sexuality would not be as restricted to one or a lifetime

partner --

And presumably we would not have women needing to prostitute themselves AND

we would be more accepting of "new" interests ...

Whether she would actually have any interest in him minus status and money...???

[Unsane]

60. good luck with that

Spitzer is a flawed man.

[defendandprotect]

62. Would you have said that about John Edwards last year ...???

Do you think Obama is pure and "flawless" ....

and above all this .. ??

Spitzer, Clinton and Edwards are simply men who got caught --

Do you think all engaging in hey-nanny-nanny actually get caught -- ???

[Unsane]

64. That question is incoherent.

and yes, John Edwards is also a flawed man. Anyone who cheats on his terminally ill wife is a POS.

[defendandprotect]

66. You're naive --

if not a Puritan --

[Unsane]

68. you're an idiot

Spitzer cheated on his wife with dozens of hookers. It was Spitzer who made that choice and no one else. Instead of blaming the people who uncovered this behavior (who, by the way, were federal investigators uncovering a larger prostitution ring), maybe you should focus on Spitzer, the one who willingly chose to do this to his wife and family.

[defendandprotect]

72. You're on ignore --

I never said Spitzer didn't make the choice --

I said you wouldn't have know about it except for same kind of entrapment

used on Clinton and Edwards ...

Are they all jerks --? Of course --

How many more just like them -- Dem & Rep -- are still out there--???

None, you think --??

And what a "shock" that government agencies/agents would be used for

some corrupt/political errand--??? We've certainly never heard of that before--!!


:sarcasm:


See: Nixon, Bush, Cheney -- Firing of Attorneys General
Former Gov. Don Sieglman etc....

[djg21]

76. While advocating for anti-prostitution legislation . . .

enhancing the penalties to johns.

He thought he was too smart and powerful to get caught.

He's pondscum.

[seabeyond]

47. he..... succeeded in destroying. n/t

[defendandprotect]

58. Right ... "and Clinton lied" ....

You know this reminds me of someone I know only from seeing around town ...

when I spoke about "Global Warming," she wanted to know what 'Global warning' was ...

In a discussion about HRC for president, her major concern was that if Hillary was

president, "Bill would be up every woman's skirt..."


These are distractions ... as we saw with the "impeachment" citizens didn't want --

This was entrapment of Clinton -- that's all -- and I've no doubt that Spitzer

was also entrapped in one way or another ...!!

Are these men jerks? Yes ..

Is this unusual behavior for men ... No --

[seabeyond]

69. bill, too, gets to own his behavior. burned my butt i had to defend him, back and support him

when i thought he was a creep for his behavior. but i did cause what repugs did was ALL wrong. they MADE me have to stand up for the pig. and yes,.... clinton is a pig

same with spitzer.

i would have to stand up for him to work his job (if he hadnt broken law....) and would piss me off cause he is a pig.

i dont respect the behavior.

and they get to own the choices.

reality check here

[defendandprotect]

79. There is choice and there is entrapment ---

We see this in over-policed African-American areas/communities --

Our jails are filled with AA offenders ... because they made a choice

many whites have also made but didn't pay a price for ---

[seabeyond]

81. wtf... this isnt a tough one. bill chose to fuck around. i chose not to respect him

spitzer paid for a prosititute. i chose not to respect him

bottom line. period. end of story. both men lack, imo

now

spitzer railroaded, clinton railroaded..... yes. why i have to defend the piece of shit pigs.

IF they hadnt made piss poor choices, there would have been nothing to hang them with.

THEIR fault.

[defendandprotect]

82. "Railroaded" ---!! Correct --

Certainly didn't ask you to "respect" them ...

they're jerks and many morelike them -- in office.

[TankLV]

44. You mean Bill Clinton has refused?

oh, wait, you're not referring to his "hobbies"...

[seabeyond]

48. no. n/t

[Cha]

50. All I know is I saw a pic of Elliot

Spitzer and his wife, Silda, in a magazine and he looked good and healthy.

And, they looked happy together.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

52. I would love him to be but realistically no, He needs time to "rehabilitate" himself.

Not for me, I couldn't give a rats ass, but that seems to be the only way with the American people and Washington.

[ShortnFiery]

53. No! Too much arrogance ... that's a non-starter. He can't keep his hormones in check. eom

[ElsewheresDaughter]

54. yes

[La Lioness Priyanka]

57. obama would NEVER have someone like spitzer. i just never see that happen

[defendandprotect]

59. Never ... remember how pure people thought John Edwards was ...???

Men are like this -- if they have the opportunity, many will take it --

High office creates opportunities they never dreamed of --!!!

Obama also looks pretty straight-laced --

but remember ... he is still a man--!!!!

[Unsane]

61. I don't appreciate your stereotyping of men. Just because it happened to YOU,

doesn't make it the norm.

[defendandprotect]

63. Unfortunately, it's more a "norm" than society wants to admit --

tho your reply is a signal you're not only naive but childish --

And -- No -- I've no personal experience with this ...

[La Lioness Priyanka]

67. i dont mean to say spitzer is the only one who cheated, but he is the one who was found out in a

public manner

obama would not touch this controversial, losing issue

[defendandprotect]

73. Absolutely agree -- see my msg #43 above ...

[Dappleganger]

71. Hell, no.

[bronxiteforever]

74. No Way

[saltpoint]

75. It would give the Bible-thumpers a weapon to use against Pres. Obama

but on the merits, I like Spitzer pretty well.

The idea that a capable man is no longer capable of serving a nation when we need capable people in charge is ridiculous.

Perhaps President Obama could let the dust settle a bit and run up an impressive string of triumphs and then find a spot for Spitzer.

[Whoa20]

78. absolutely NOT

because Spitzer is too hated by Republican politicians PERSONALLY, where Hillary is hated politically. Spitzer fell not solely because of his actions, but because he made too many political enemies on his way to the top. Its almost as if they had caught J. Edgar Hoover in everything he did. If you're gonna invoke Clinton, its not as if Clinton ever prosecuted adulterers the way Spitzer prosecuted pimps who supplied his whores. There is a lot more respect for the Clintons than there will ever be for Eliot Spitzer, throughout America, let alone the world.

[Rosco T.]

80. What part of "no charges filed" are the naysayers missing??? n/t