Elliot Spitzer, New York State Governor, appears to have been implicated in a scandal among politicians who frequented Washington D.C. prostitutes. He has NOT said he will resign, but the pressure to do so will be huge.
What does this mean for the rest of us? Maybe an end to the Democratic stalemate. If Hillary Clinton were to drop out of the presidential race in order to become the heir apparent to governor of New York, it would be seen as a move "for the good of my constituents". And it would give her executive experience to make a 2012 or 2016 run for president much more credible, even after an Obama presidency.
Of course, the Lieutenant Governor of New York state probably has other plans for the top office.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Spitzer hands Hillary a way out?
Posted by Nomad at 3:51 PM
Labels: clinton, governor, HillaryClinton, newyork, presidentialcampaign, scandal, speculation, spitzer
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9 comments:
I want you to notice that the IRS are the ones who were performing the sting operation. The reason that prostitution is illegal is because the government can't get a piece of the action. Think about it. They take money off the top of alcohol, cigarettes, and guns, they only thing that would fully make the government in to the mafia we know them to be is if they legalize prostitution and take some pimp money for that too.
A small government is a good government.
PS. I in no way indorse legalizing prostitution. The act is degrading to women as well as sick and morally and emotionally harmful to both parties involved.
Except that in some areas of Nevada, I've heard that prostitution is legal. Not sure about other areas of the country. Seems like it's for more reasons than just the money.
I do agree with Nomad that running for Governor would be a good way for Hilary to bow out gracefully. But I don't know when the governor's term would be up. It would be hard to run against the Leutenant governor unless there was a promise to support that person for the senate or something.
Interesting that this angle has not (yet) been mentioned by media types. But the Lt Governor is black AND legally blind. Hard to fight or dispossess those two groups.
Honestly, I don't see the Lt. Gov as being a major stumbling block. The deal would go something like this:
1. Spitzer resigns
2. Lt. Gov. sworn in
3. Hillary agrees to drop out of the race
4. Obama agrees to make Lt. Gov. a part of his cabinet (allegedly he is already a supporter of Obama)
5. Hillary runs for Gov of NY in a special election and gets the job. Or is appointed to the position (not sure how it works in NY).
The only fly in the ointment is that Hillary is not guaranteed the spot in a special election. And if Rudy were to run against her, it'd be a hard fight. But no harder than what she is doing now, and it sets her up with Executive Experience for 2012 or 2016. And no matter what she is guaranteed a place in the history books as the first female NY Governor (I think).
And yes, BH, it is weird that sometimes the most effective law enforcement agency in the country, is the IRS prosecuting crimes that no one else will or can touch.
The IRS is the one who gets most Athletes. (not reporting income, buying illegal drugs over the internet and the like.)
I honestly don't think Hillary will go for that idea. She is to convinced that she can pull off a win over Obama. And after some of the things she has said, I doubt the Obama campaign or the Lt. Gov. would support the idea.
Could be, Nick. But it seems like a compelling way to get out and save face. We'd need someone else to broker the deal - probably someone who is a real Clinton friend, maybe even Bill himself - but I think it is possible.
But possible doesn't mean certain. And hubris has caused many a politician to miss opportunities. Heck, the whole reason this opportunity is out there is the hubris of Elliot Spitzer.
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