Personally I think Spitzer should resign.

A Governor that is guilty of a state crime while in a public elected position. But, the people of the state could recall him.

But that is me.

Spitzer would do well if he called for a press conference and publically urged Sen Larry Craig and Sen David Vitter to join him in resigning with shame.

There is no doubt this was his first. First time caught and placed in the public eye.

By the way, Prostitution is legal in a certain state that the Christian Right has not been able to confront. They never pass on the opportunity in condemning Hollywood.

$4,500 an hour? (And me with my all-night mamasan for $12MPC)

Make mine a wine Spitzer--the drink of hard-charging self-entitled whoremongers

Probably he should if hypocracy still carries any weight. Didn't he attack and break up several prostitution rings himself in addition to violating many laws he is supposed to be enforcing? He will actually be lucky to keep out of jail.

In any case, he will have to resign or be forced out from what I hear.

Too bad Spitzer didn't call his wife instead of the $4500 number. Notice who he called to accompany him to the "mea culpa" press conference.

Just what is the difference between a $2,000 BJ and a $50 BJ? Is there a lot more high-psi suction involved or is it about role playing and props? Legalization could stabilize pricing and E and I programs for the girls could qualify them for new careers, perhaps in marine biology

It appears Gov Spitzer has resolved the question of resigning or not.

So he seems to have some dignity behind that announced shame. More than Sen Vitter or Sen Larry Craig. Even more than Rep Renzi with a 35 count criminal indictment on him.

Our President's youthful discrepancies of driving under the influence, use of cocaine, AWOL from the Nat'l Guard, alcohol abuse & failure to pass a urine test which restricted him from flying (as he was a pilot). His lifes illegal snafus were dismissed because of his families wealth.

How does the President reconcile his conscience of putting people in prison and ruining their lives over the same things he did? Knowing the offenses are the same but the bank acounts is all that differed?

I see the Gov Spitzer problem as being in a public position of trust and power and having to cary out criminal judgments against the very same "crimes" against others that he might have exempted himself.

The "I'm special" legal adherence of aristicratic hypocrisy of above the law would not have been an issue if Spitzer was Gov of Nevada.

I caught the last part of today's (3/12/08) show on WPFW-FM. I thought you'd be interested in what follows, as it directly addresses your question.

The following was published this morning on the web site of the Binghamton (NY) Press & Sun-Bulletin.

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/OPINION/803120320/1005/OPINION

Jonathan Strong, Endicott

What do Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York, Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, and Democratic Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts have in common? Each has been entangled publicly with accusations relating to prostitution.

Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, on the other hand, likes to get at least some of his sex free in public restrooms. Unlike the others, Rep. Frank wasn't a hypocrite about his alleged actions.

Gov. Spitzer, when he was New York attorney general, prosecuted many people for facilitating prostitution, but he now apologizes to his family.

The two Republicans vehemently proclaim their pro-family "values" as part of their partisan political discourse, but Sen. Vitter apologized both "to his wife and God" for his activities, while Sen. Craig just pled guilty to disorderly conduct for his. None resigned their official positions.

In any event, no apologies (or resignations) should be needed. The legislatures of this country should recognize the wisdom of the state of Nevada, and progressive countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Israel, Germany, France and Canada, where prostitution has been decriminalized or, in some instances, legalized and regulated for the better health, safety and general welfare of those directly involved, as well as the society at large.

Mark,

I called in and commented regarding Dick Cheney's involvement with the DC madam scandal but I didn'
t provide a credible source. I found it for you:

http://www.counterpunch.org/block05152007.html

There are two parts to this story and I believe this is the first piece.

Cheney's whore said he shot sideways

It's too bad such an intelligent man who did so much to fight corruption fell victim to sheer stupidity and lack of moral judgement. I understand that no one is perfect and that even our leaders are human beings with flaws, that when they take a position of public office in particualr that they know that they need to rise and hold a higher standard than the rest of us.
It was right for him to resign because he lost the public trust and this event has taken away his ability to fight corruption. I have no doubt that those who are making the most noise over this in the political arena are probably the ones with the most skeletons in their closets and those that Elliot angered are those who had the most to lose by his strong stance against corruption.
The fact that Spitzer won the election by such a landslide is a message and a sign that people are sick of the corruption that is running wild in politics. It's to bad to find out he's just like the rest of us, human. I have no doubt that there are uncountable number of far worse crimes being commited by politicians in New York or else where, but they aren't as sexy.
Regardless Spitzer broke his contract with the people of New York and need to step down.
I just home such a intellegent and gifted man will use this experience to grow from and to find someway to continue to fight corruption perhaps in the private sector.
A lot of great people in human history have had to face their own demons and their own failings. The fact that they can face them and overcome them or to come to terms with them are part of what makes them great.

Should high-class prostitution be illegal? Isn't that saying that prostitution should be legal for rich people but not poor people? That sounds un-American to me. The question on whether position should be legal or perhaps do we want it to be legal is the question that should be asked. Should we ask what is wrong with our society where people have to turn to prostitution to make a living?

On a side note: Difference in $5000 prostitute and a $25 prostitute is pretty clear. If you have trouble figuring that out visit your a large cities government page and may have pages listing, with pictures of those busted for prostitution, Johns and prostitutes.

Maybe in the case of the high class prostitutes it's just plain GREED that makes them turn to that.

I believe alot of women are the victims in prostitution - in situations like this, I don't buy that.

Thank for a mature and astute approach to the Spitzer situation. I am tired of the gigglers and condemners. Yours was the approach that all should have taken. We are talking about many serious problems involving what has happened. People do not realize that someone in his bank informed on him but it is questionable if they had the right to do so. There are many parts to this from which the gigglers should take heed. He was about to release an article about the problems in the gov't involving all the goveners. Mukasey may have been involved. Once again miss use of the office. This squashed it and destroyed many lives. Before too many giggle please remember "The Hangman" Thank you, Mark, for not laughing and for trying to put a mature perspective on a tragic situation.

Politics and prostitution are such old bedfellows--I just wanted Spitzer to pose on his resignation podium with his whore (that's who everybody wanted to see anyway)

Greg Palast has an interesting take on the Spitzer thingee:

http://www.gregpalast.com/elliot-spitzer-gets-nailed/#more-1979