Enough Double Entendre; or, NPR Covers the Spitzer Scandal

Gov Spitzer has been in a set-to with the Republican president of the NY senate. Anyone out there wonder WHERE this investigation began?

Sent by Paul Hudon [u-dawn] | 2:15 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I'm normally fairly easy-ohsy about politicians' pecadillos, but it's one thing to have an affair (a personal issue) and quite another to break several laws and exploit people in the process.

Yup. Political career over. I hope it was worth it!

Sent by Julie | 2:19 PM ET | 03-11-2008

All morning I've been railing at the hypocracy of the outrage over Spitzer's alleged use of prostitutes. Come on! Surprised? Uncharacteristic? Please! Is it any secret that men across all demographics have commonly utilized these services. Why should Spitzer's entire distinguised & brilliant career be called into question over what he does in the privacy of his . . .hotel room? To me, in terms of morality, it's apples and oranges when you compare the things he fought against like corporate wrong doing and buying the services of a hooker.

Sent by Aja Cardenas | 2:21 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I live in Flagstaff , Arizona and our Republican Representative Rick Renzi was charged with 35 felony counts. He is not stepping down and the Republicans haven't been calling for him to step down in this scandal.

Sent by Susan | 2:21 PM ET | 03-11-2008

The host just dodged a good question. Why is Spitzer's transgression more earth-shattering than Vitter's? The answer is, it isn't. The "call for resignation" is inflamed by the conservative media which minimize the Republican's hypocrisy and amplify the Democrat's. For Spitzer to resign while the moral scolds Senators Vitter and Craig remain in office, unperturbed, would be a travesty.

Sent by Mike from Boston | 2:21 PM ET | 03-11-2008

It doesn't matter to me how he apologizes. The fact of whether prostitution is a moral right or wrong is irrelevant. He is a government official sworn to uphold the laws and constitution of his state. He cannot selectively choose what laws he personally gets to follow and which he does not. No man or woman, even a Governor, has that right. At some future date, prostitution may be legal. But it is not today. That is where the hypocrisy comes in when a moral crusader meets his or her downfall. He felt he was above the law and got caught. Apologizing is all well and good, but it doesn't change the fact that he is person that must be held accountable to the law as it stands today.

Sent by Chris White | 2:22 PM ET | 03-11-2008

It's not a personal issue. He committed a crime.

Sent by Evelyn | 2:24 PM ET | 03-11-2008

It's simple, if we new this before, would he have gotten the job?

Let's see...if it came out now that Sen. Obama or Sen. McCain were doing this would they have any shot in hell of becoming the next president?
I think not!
It's misrepresentation, plain and simple.

Sent by Lori DeSantis | 2:26 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Before Spitzer seriously considers resigning or Republican legislators make a move for impeaching him, I want to know more how this story was uncovered. In the last eight plus years, Republicans have created such a culture and atmosphere of warring partisanship, that I can't help but wonder if there was any Republican operative in any branch of government who was key in moving this forward.
While I care about politicians' ethics and personal lives and think visiting a prostitute is disgusting, I don't think it's something to resign over. The governor should continue to do his job, and let voters vote him out at the next opportunity if they feel he has not done this job well.

Sent by C. Berlin | 2:26 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I have heard no one talk about mercy, innocent until proven guilty et al., for this man who has served the public for many years with NYer's applauding his efforts.

I am disappointed in his choices if indeed he hired someone for sex and indeed, saddened for his wife and daughters. That being said, I do not get to judge, except whether or not to vote for him next time around.

These are family matters that even public servants are entitled to work out in the privacy of family.

Would the vultures please step down and get a grip? I sincerely hope that everyone calling for resignation before the facts have been made crystal clear with Gov Spitzer's involvement with a prostitute, have a perfect house in order at home. I hope they have never raised a hand to child, raised a voice to a spouse, given the wrong change back to customer, 'borrowed' the car when Dad or Mom said no years ago...in other words, made mistakes at which they were or were not, caught.

People need to calm down. Issues surrounding sex are highly charged in part because we are obsessed in our culture with it rather than treating it as natural between consenting adults.
If you don't think so - check out the pornographic nature of a famous women's underwear catalogue....soap operas in the middle of the day, highly sexualized children's dolls -

We need to forgive, learn something and move on. Let's hear the facts and anticipate mercy rather than the firing squad. Accountability is important, but he did not cheat on me - he cheated on his wife. I do not get to judge their relationship or how they work it out, it is theirs to do.

Give it a few minutes, let's hear the details, let him be authentic and clear - then, if possible, let him get back to governance.

Sent by Rev. Robin Blair | 2:27 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Concerning the Spitzer story:
Any kind of sex scandal seems to be historically the greatest killer of political careers. Why is that? Is sex the most important thing in the world? It seems to be either the ugliest subject or the most beautiful.

Sent by Mike Burke | 2:27 PM ET | 03-11-2008

i hate to be sophomoric about this, but who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares, who cares?!

the correct response ~should be~: no one. your mileage may vary.

Sent by T. Emerson Coleman | 2:28 PM ET | 03-11-2008

what about the idea that governor spitzer was about to bust a leading corporation, institution or major political player so they set him up. a sting. to bring him down before he got them?????

Sent by jeannettte in tucson | 2:28 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Greenwald, in Salon, and others say, so what? Sex between two consenting adults. But I say, no, there was another adult involved whose consent should have been obtained and that is Mrs. Spitzer. Or is it still the 1800's when women are to be chaste but men can do as they like and women have to put up with it? Given that what he did is illegal, he had to also know he was risking embarrassing his children beyond words. Kids don't even like to think their parents do this thing! This was extremely selfish behavior, when it came to those who should have been nearest to him. Secondly, given the laws as they are, one has to question his judgement that he would risk his career for a lay. Thirdly paying for sex is a power trip. There is plenty available free, without emotional entanglement. To have to pay is to want a woman under that power circumstance: big I and little you. So while I don't care who the man sleeps with, how, and how often, I do care about what these actions say about Spitzer's selfishness, recklessness, and need to overpower another person personally.

Sent by Emma Lee Weibel | 2:29 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Tell us more about the wire tapping? Why was the governor being spied on?

Sent by Julie Kaupa | 2:30 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I have to admit my disbelief when i the announcement yesterday. Of course, after our NJ history of governor entertainment (McGreevy's gay announcement, Corzine's crash-test-dummy audition), it's becoming harder to surprise me.

Still, I find it hard to believe. Maybe he's been conducting an undercover investigation, or has somehow been entrapped by one of the many enemies he made over the years.

Sent by Mark Borgmann | 2:30 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Normally I am with the crowd that says personal life misdeeds are not my business. What makes Spitzer's problem rise above that is the issue of immense hypocrisy. Does anyone else see the parallel with Ted Haggard? If either one of them had not attacked the very misdeed that they committed, it would not be such a huge deal.

Sent by Marcia Verba | 2:32 PM ET | 03-11-2008

This is so sad! Here is a guy who could stand up to the ultra rich guys on Wallstreet who couldn't be touched. Now we find out he has been around them so long that he is turning into them. My heart is broken. The little guy takes another one on the chin. Rich fat cats rule!

Sent by Christina Gibson | 2:33 PM ET | 03-11-2008

What I would like to know is why his account was singled out to investigate, doesn't that seem big brother? Also, why is it that the wife must be present for the embarassing press conference. The wife that has been cheated on always looks so pathetic and I feel it is unfair for her to be there to stand by the man that has caused the mess. You know that is the last place the wife wants to be.

Sent by Nichola Engle | 2:33 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Isn't a major part of this story one political party taking advantage of another party? The GOP made Lewinski just as much of a case and reason for impeachment as did the general public wanting negative news.

Sent by Jeremy Heyboer | 2:33 PM ET | 03-11-2008

If proven guilty, I don't think that Spitzer should have a choice whether to stay or not. I find it sad that some of the American public do not find sound moral judgment to be a prerequisite of leadership. I also find it funny that amidst all this conversation of Spitzer's morality, it hasn't been mentioned that he is currently trying to pass the worst abortion laws in New York's history.

Sent by Joe Reilly | 2:33 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Everyone is missing the point. Eliot Spitzer broke the law by hiring a prostitute.

If he'd had an affair, then that would be a matter between him and his wife and family, and I would join your othe listeners in their "bafflement".

It doesn't matter how hard hitting he was as a prosecutor. That's irrelevant.

This is NOT a private affair when a public official breaks a law by paying for sex in a place where it is illegal to do so.

Sent by Louise | 2:34 PM ET | 03-11-2008

This is not about sex. Elliot Spitzer is being hoist on his own petard. Turn about is fair play. Regardless of how this came to light, Spitzer is being treated in the exact way that he treated many large corporations. How many companies did Spitzer prosecute? The irony could not be greater.

Sent by Brad Bergquist | 2:34 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I am having a problem with how it is stated that Elliot Spitzer has not been charged with any crime. Hasn't he violated the Mann Act, money laundering and mail fraud?

And let me immediately object to Alan Derkowitz's comment that this is a victimless crime. As prostitution exist, it is not a victimless crime. I am not sure how I feel about legalization, but at present there are victims.

Sent by Edith | 2:36 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I try to impress upon my high-school and junior-high school boys that character does count. What we do when no one is looking reveals our character - not our ability to contribute. Without a moral center, even the most able leader can only take us so far.

Sent by Sarah Cohen | 2:37 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Alan, Maybe Elliot Spitzer is caught in the drag net of the same right-wing conspiracy that caused Bill Clinton to lie to the Federal Grand Jury. There ought to be a whole other set of legal standards for earnest and or liberal criminals. Right, Alan?

Sent by MO | 2:37 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Thank you Alan Durshowitz! It's a witch hunt! Big business is getting their revenge. And the newspapers, New York Times, instead of using their skills, just took the bait and used the lazy way to a big story.

Sent by Sue | 2:37 PM ET | 03-11-2008

The difference is simply this: we are big into finding hypocrisy. A vehemently anti-gay politician getting busted soliciting sex from another man is different from a pro-gay politician being caught in flagrante with the same sex. A violently anti-drugs governmor being shot smoking weed is different from the man from NORML taking a hit.

In Mr Spitzer's case, he is alleged to have engaged a prostitute's professional services while having a history of prosecuting whores.

Sent by Drew Vallas | 2:39 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Just a minute ago someone said the women involved in the case were NOT victims. Is this a joke. What person, man or woman would like to sell themselves to make money. This is crazy to say the women are not victims in the case. What has our society come to that prostitution is a career choice and just a personal choice.

Sent by Deborah Want | 2:39 PM ET | 03-11-2008

God Bless Mr. Dershowitz for his indignation. However, if anyone should have been more discreet, at least for the four years while serving as governor, it would be Eliot Spitzer. I don't care how he breaks up the tedium of marriage, absolutely don't care, but he exposed himself to all kinds of personal danger and risk of blackmail. The hookers could have easily brought a hidden camera into the room and Spitzer could have been blackmailed.

No one would care if he was fumbling around with an assistant. He'd still be an idiot, but a different class of idiot. As it stands, he is a world class idiot.

Sent by IMHO | 2:39 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Eliot Spitzer should stay in office while everything is being investigated, including how the bank "discovered" the "suspicious" activity.

When one of every 100 people in this country is incarcerated, we have failed as a nation. This is an interesting case, let's look at ALL of it.

Sent by Jennifer Powers | 2:40 PM ET | 03-11-2008

A governor who hires prostitutes. C'mon.Of course he should resign if the allegations are true. An affair is a private matter, paying for sex with a prostitute is not. Prostitution is illegal.

Sent by Deb | 2:41 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Why isn't anyone talking about the 'stupidity factor'? If someone decides to enter public life, he should assume that he's going to take on the personal life of a monk or very committed spouse so that scandals like this can't happen. This is not a moral issue, but rather a judgement and hubris issue. Where else are Spitzer's failings manifested?

Sent by Carl | 2:41 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Who is Client-8 and Client-10 and how did Client-9 come to be identified?

I had the same thoughts as Alan Dershowitz. I'm glad that he weighed in with his comments.

Sent by Bob Gustafson | 2:47 PM ET | 03-11-2008

What this guy did was illegal. Most people would lose their job if their employer discovered their illegal activity. Why would it be any different for a Governor?

What is "private" becomes public when it includes breaking the law.

No double standards, please!

Sent by Laura | 2:48 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I think he was set up by those he prosecuted on Wall St. This is not to excuse his behavior but given his reputation for being such a straight arrow, I think there is more to the story.

Sent by Elise Wagner | 2:51 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I am a Adult Service Provider that started out as a hobbiest while travelling the world. Taking part in the hobby where it is legal and safe.

Over the years, I have found that the people that partake of the hobby are people that can afford to do so.

It is an expensive hobby.

People in the lifestyle are also, for the most part, educated people with expendable cash.

I just hope that someday, here in the USA, we can begin to legalize the profession and get rights and protections for both the providers and the clients.

Sent by Genella | 2:56 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I do think hypocrisy is the key here.

Vitter certainly is a hypocrite and his story didn't get the kind of media storm this has (I wonder if one reason is because the initial source was Hustler, not the New York Times though he also held a similar press conference to Spitzer. I doubt any of the NY Republicans calling for Spitzer to resign or be impeached called for Vitter to resign or be removed from the Senate).

I'm pretty sure Dershowitz is wrong that all of the women were former models who decided to become prostitutes. Some of their real stories may be told now.

And while I realize that he is friends with Spitzer, he has cited hypocrisy in the past. From a 1999 article in the Advocate on outing:

Even Dershowitz admits there are times when outing closeted gays is justifiable. "It would have been perfectly appropriate to out, say, Roy Cohn because he made a career of destroying gay people's lives," says Dershowitz. "Hypocrisy is always fair" grounds for outing.

Sent by Steve Rhodes | 3:02 PM ET | 03-11-2008

As I was listening to your show today as I was driving in my car I was very glad to hear Professor Dershowitz as I believe he eloquently articulated everything I was thinking.

The only hypocrisy going on here is that which is at large in American society.

Spitzer should not have to resign his office over this scandal which is not even a scandal. This is all much ado about nothing and his stature and methods as a former prosecutor are entirely irrelevant to his personal behavior.

Nobody is prosecuted for prostitution in this country unless they go out of their way to call attention to themselves. Thousands of people use prostitutes everyday. The fact that they are not the governor or attorney general of a state is irrelevant.

Sent by jack | 3:16 PM ET | 03-11-2008

The morning that this 'scandal' came out, it was announced that Eliot Spitzer was proposing a New York State change in the law to strengthen women's rights to an abortion as well as other safety measures to insure a woman's right to choose. I believe the Right to Life extremists were involved in the release of this expose against Spitzer. In other words, this is part of a frame up to get rid of Eliot Spitzer and the media has fallen for it hook,line and sinker into the net.

Sent by Susie | 3:23 PM ET | 03-11-2008

As in all cases like this, I believe we would be better off as a state and as a nation if we just did not know about it. It would be great if, as in days gone by, something like this could be kept quiet. Nothing good can come of it. We need to know more about the investigation that lead to this.

That being said, now that we do know, there can only be one conclusion: The man is a complete idiot! His reputation is ruined along with his credibility and he needs to step down.

What a pathetic waste.

Sent by Ken, Central NY | 3:33 PM ET | 03-11-2008

There is no conspiracy, the problem is Spintzer does not have a conscionce or any morals. He thought he could never be caught, that is the end of him.

Sent by Hiam J Chipman | 4:01 PM ET | 03-11-2008

what is the penalty for this 'crime'. Is it any worse than a traffic ticket?

Sent by Pat | 4:01 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I entirely disapprove of Spitzer's behavior, but I wonder:

I agree with what a guest said that there's something fishy about the way this indiscretion was uncovered. What I really wonder, is if this rather A-grade scandal was brought to our attention, how many other similar investigations take place that we never hear about because they didn't uncover anything nearly so juicy? How often do such investigations delve into shockingly private areas, we just never hear about it because it doesn't make an A-grade scandal for the stakeholders?

Sent by Laura | 4:05 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Governor Spitzer should be held accountable to the laws he is supposed to uphold as a public servant.
Because many seem to be of the opinion that prostitution ought not to be illegal does not change the reality that a law was broken. The governor is not above the law, period.
I honestly don't understand what is left to debate.

Sent by Sara | 4:07 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Unfortunately, I only heard the last few minutes of this discussion as I was driving home for lunch. What I did hear angered me greatly. Someone trotted out that old argument that prostitution is a victimless crime. No one challenged that statement. Possibly because most people are not aware of the circumstances of most prostitutes. While working for a police department I produced a video in which the truth about prostitution was explored through interviews with working prostitutes and the police officers charged with investigating the crimes surrounding prostitution. I would challenge Talk of the Nation to put together one of their very excellent programs dealing with this topic. Victimless? In this particular case, as in nearly every prostitution case, there are plenty of victims...the wife, children, friends, and supporters of Mr Spitzer are all victimized as are the people of New York.

Sent by Michael Doyle | 4:39 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Do you think that the enemies Spitzer created in his previous jobs had a direct hand to play in these revelations? Specifically, in light of the role the banks had in flagging the "suspicious transactions" to the authorities.

Sent by PR Ganapathy | 6:41 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I hate this "personal matter" argument! When it comes
down to it, ALL criminal acts are "personal matters."
If I decide not to pay my taxes, THAT'S a "personal
matter." If I steal from my neighbor,
THAT is a "personal matter." The rationalization of heinous acts, based on "personal matters'" is at the root of all unlawful acts.
More than the fact that he broke the law, Spitzer if
the worst kind of hypocrite. And Democrats are
hypocrites for continuing to support this man. And
just for the record, prostitution is not a "victimless
crime." Like you said, what about his family? What
about prostitutes themselves? Are they not victims?
You people who want to poo poo this as no big deal,
you disgust me!!!!!
But what bothers me more is that we only consider something a crime if there is monetary damage involved somehow.
Tom
Brooklyn

Sent by Tom | 6:48 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Alan Dershowitz so typically tries to convict the whistle-blowers rather than the criminal. Alan, he broke the law! The Law!

Sent by Tom | 6:57 PM ET | 03-11-2008

What public officers do in the privacy of their lives is NOT public business.

What public officers do in the privacy of their lives illegally and/or immorally IS public business.

Sent by Homayoun Samadi | 7:05 PM ET | 03-11-2008

One thing that would give people choice on being a prostitute is a minimun income.
Basic income earth network lobbies a Basic Income in many counties.

Sent by David L Campbell | 7:44 PM ET | 03-11-2008

I have been reeling since listening to Dershowitz's words on the radio this afternoon. Although he presented good cause for the continuance of Spitzer, I was alarmed when he so vehemently argued that prostitutes are not victims of exploitation. Regardless of what happens to Spitzer, what will this mean for our culture? I can only hope that this incident may encourage a closer look at the social constructions that guide our world's view of sex and sex work.

Sent by Jessica Hunsaker, Toledo, OH | 8:23 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Dezenhall didn't say *anything* about what Spitzer might do next. In the past when Eric has been on, he's talked about how the administration should "market" the war to Afghans and Iraqis. He's talked about what David Vitter should do to weather the DC Madam scandal.

Today, Dezenhall's analysis was limited to how much Spitzer seemed to have deserved what he's gotten for being so "moralistic" in his pursuit of corporate criminals. Many of which just happen to be Dezenhall clients.

Controlling the damage, indeed!

Sent by Mickey Price | 1:17 AM ET | 03-12-2008

It is disappointing to hear Professor Dershowitz refer to prostitution as a "Victimless Crime". Among other things, perhaps he unaware of the many dangers and health risks that women engaged in prostitution face.

He spoke as if Spitzer had an affair, but he broke the law in hiring a prostitute and should no longer hold public office.

Sent by H. Jensen | 12:55 PM ET | 03-12-2008

How can Dershowitz consider this a victimless crime? I would ask Spitzer's wife and children if they felt victimized. Spitzer wanted to have unprotected sex. Were a transmittable disease given to his wife would she be a victim then?

Sent by ES | 1:58 PM ET | 03-12-2008

As a prosecutor Spitzer's "no holds barred" approach bordered on extortion at times, as Dershowitz mentioned. To show him mercy for breaking the law, after he showed no mercy for anyone would be hypocritical. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander and a good gravy to poor on poor Elliot.

Sent by Richard | 2:19 PM ET | 03-12-2008

As a graduate of a community college, I have always wondered what it must be like to attend an institution like Harvard. After Professor Alan Dershowitz comment on Elliott Spitzer's act being a,"victimless crime," I regret the assumption that just because you are a professor at Harvard you have a better grasp on truth. It appears that in Mr. Spitzer's case the apple hasn't fallen far from the teachers' tree.

Sent by Chris Patseavouras | 4:40 PM ET | 03-12-2008