The Spectre Of Spitzer

By Michael Quaranta

The recent scandal that has enmeshed former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer in a web of prostitution and evident corruption has led many to wonder how could one so promising, so intelligent, make such a monumental blunder.

Spitzer coasted to power on a platform of reform. With a crusader’s mantra, he targeted and destroyed many of Wall Street’s elite. It was on the heels of these “victories” that Spitzer catapulted to the governorship of the State of New York.

Now, after having been accused of moving money in order to solicit the services of a high-end, global prostitution ring, Eliot Spitzer has become, in the eyes of the public, what he long claimed to be fighting against. Spitzer has been accused of spending as much as $80,000 on prostitutes over a 10 year period, according to various news sources. This is rather ironic, since as attorney general for New York State, he was well known for prosecuting and breaking up prostitution rings.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen; so the saying goes.

It did not help Spitzer that he handled most of his cases in a high-handed, almost brutal fashion. His quote to New York State Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco (“Listen, I am a f****** steamroller and I’ll roll over you and anybody else”) was just a glimpse as to the volatility of his demeanor.

The fall of Eliot Spitzer was long over due in coming. After the State Trooper scandal in July of 2007, where his staff ordered the State Police to keep special records of Republican Senate majority leader Joseph L. Bruno’s whereabouts, to his executive order to grant drivers licenses to illegal aliens, which was hotly contested, along with his arrogant view on how politics should work, all contributed to the universal condemnation of this fallen star of the Democratic Party.

Eliot Spitzer brought nothing new to the scene of New York politics. He created nothing; contributed nothing.

At best, his most memorable contribution to politics was a greater appreciation as to how hypocritical and mean-spirited the game can be. In the end, Eliot Spitzer will be remembered; not for his failures in office, but for the ironic way in which he failed his constituents.

Karma really does exist after all.