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The Mann Act and Should Spitzer Resign? | 88 comments (88 topical)

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Spitzer should fight back (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by lily15 on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 02:25:38 AM EST
This is politically motivated.  And I agree.  If Vitter gets to keep his job...and Rudy suffers no consequences for his adultery while mayor...and whatever else he was up to...this should remain a private matter.  In fact, I am disgusted by the politically motivated aspect of this...especially following the prosecution of Governor Siegelman..and the expose of the evil forces at work.  Spitzer should make this a fight against the underhanded Republicans.  Charging the Mann Act is over charging...this is at most a misdemeanor...like drunk driving...and Spitzer should take this opportunity to expose the politicization of the Department of Justice.  I'd like to believe that the American people, and in particular the citizens of New York...don't really care that much about this transgression...and are sick and tired of the sexual scandals with no victim....especially considering how many really crimes there are to uncover.  Like fraud, and war profiteering and torture...and Scooter Libby. Clearly what Scooter Libby did was worse...

fight (none / 0) (#41)
by eric on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 09:34:21 AM EST
The initial stories played this like he was "caught up" in the investigation.  That's crap.  They were TARGETING him, as is apparent by the seeking of permission from the AG.

Spitzer can flip this around and use it as an example of how much they -the corrupt moneyed interests- want to take him down.  Why?  Because he is a threat.

No excuses.  It's a personal failure.  It was wrong.  But the fight against these people must go on.

[ Parent ]

Digby asks a very pertinent question: (none / 0) (#44)
by scribe on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 09:41:31 AM EST
"Which Attorney General?"

Digby notes that if, as the NYT article suggests, the probe was going on for some time since last year, there is a distinct possibility of the AG who signed off on this having been:

 Abu Gonzo - who didn't resign until a couple hours immediately before Larry Craig's theretofore unnoticed guilty plea came up on the screen;  or

 Peter Keisler - who was, having previously been a Repug fixer and torture proponent, back from working for the telcos to be the "acting AG" for all the autumn before going back to work for more telecom immunity and such;  or

 Mukasey - who we all identified as a Giuliani plant, partisan and all-around coverer-upper.  Remember, Rudy Cue Ball's gotten a lot of money from folks like those UAE people who pushed a lot of money towards KSM and other AQ hangers-on.  Why no money laundering or structuring investigations of him?  Hmmmm?

[ Parent ]

If The Reported Timeline (none / 0) (#45)
by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 09:46:34 AM EST
Is correct it must be Mukasey.

[ Parent ]
IIRC Mukasey didn't become AG (none / 0) (#57)
by scribe on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 10:33:57 AM EST
until December.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[ Parent ]
That Fits (none / 0) (#68)
by squeaky on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 10:51:01 AM EST
In the timeline.

3. Mike Garcia is a Chertoff crony. Sources familiar with the investigation say that he sent a prosecution memo to DC two months ago asking for authority to indict a public figure (Spitzer). Which means they had their case made long before the wire tap of February 13. Why did they then include this line from that conversation in the complaint?

FDL


[ Parent ]

I (none / 0) (#61)
by tek on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 10:38:43 AM EST
really don't like to see Democrats trying to spin this away.  Whether it was a crime or not, or he was targeted or not, Spitzer has committed a very serious mistake.  Would it be okay if he hadn't been the target of a Republican investigation or if he hadn't been caught?  No.

Americans across the board have to come to terms with the reality that if a person is going to accept a personal trust (marriage vows) or a public trust (political office), or both, then that person must be committed to behavior consistent with the promises made.  

I feel so much sympathy for his wife and kids.  She looked like she was about to collapse all through the presser.  In our society, I think we've totally lost sight of the personal devastation of these situations and have devolved into apologetics for the man in question if he's in our party.  It's just time to say, this behavior is unacceptable.  If you can't behave, don't run for office.

[ Parent ]

But the people lose when a philanderer.... (none / 0) (#79)
by kdog on Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 12:19:49 PM EST
is automatically excluded from holding office.  Imagine no Tom Jefferson and no JFK.

GW appears to be faithful to his wife...and he's one of the worst ever.

The problem with Spitzer is that he broke the law...a stupid law, but one he had no problem enforcing against others.  He should reap what he has sown.

[ Parent ]

The Mann Act and Should Spitzer Resign? | 88 comments (88 topical)

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