To every Republican calling on Spitzer to resign.
Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:06:53 AM PDT
It was rough for many of us, being a Democrat yesterday. We saw one of the more dynamic members of our party, NY governor Elliot Spitzer, revealed as someone who likes to frequent expensive prostitutes.
There have been a few diaries on the Recommended List here questioning the particulars of the case -- the political motives of all involved, the methods used to catch Spitzer, and so on. I hope such work will continue. As diarist eugene says, borrowing from Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake, these are the more important questions, ultimately. If our justice system is an arm of political interests, that's a real danger to our democracy
(more below...)
All stipulated.
It's my personal opinion that Spitzer should resign immediately. A lot of others here agree; some think otherwise. But I think Spitzer made the best case for himself resigning yesterday:
I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what is best for the State of New York.
Exactly right. Since he has proven himself to be an individual with such piss-poor judgement, and since his effectiveness will be hobbled, he needs to resign. And as I write this there are reports that he'll be doing exactly that later today.
We'll see. As I said, I hope he does. I have a lot of sympathy for his family, but very little for him. And he's now a liability in terms of getting some good work done in Albany. He has to take himself out of the picture, because it's not about him. Politicians have a hard time understanding that, but hopefully this bucket of cold water will make Spitzer realize he has to go.
Now...
Republicans -- who have long loathed Spitzer -- had a fun day yesterday.
And I'll spot them a good deal of schadenfreude here. Not long ago Spitzer had a reputation comparable to another Elliot, Al Capone's storied nemesis Elliot Ness. This was a sudden and massive fall from grace.
But the bloviating and celebration from the GOP / Wall St. types can be taken only so far, before the spotlight needs to be turned back on them, and ask why Republican David Vitter is still in the United States Senate. In fact, let's start right now:
Dear Republicans calling for Elliot Spitzer's resignation,
Why is David Vitter still in the United States Senate?
If you don't think a man who has visited prostitutes is fit for public office, why is one of your own in the United States Senate?
And if you actually think David Vitter shouldn't be in the Senate, please direct us to where and when you have called publicly for his resignation. It should have come on the very day that the story broke, if you're actually concerned about such things.
sincerely,
the citizens of the U.S.A.
We'll be waiting and watching.
Please use this diary to ask Republicans about their other morally unfit party brethren still in office, and ask when they'll be demanding their resignations.
Thank you.
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