Thoughts on the Eliot Spitzer Prostitution Scandal

Today I received a strange telephone call. My mother called me about 2:30 this afternoon wanted to fill me in on the most current breaking news. She stated "Elliott Spitzer is about to resign." I just waited on the line waiting for the punch line. I was certain this was the beginning of the newest politically charged joke. Much to my surprise, it was not! I still sit here in shock.

I've followed Elliot Spitzer since he was the Attorney General for New York State. I always liked his character and felt he was the underdog's champion. I felt he was a brave man willing to take on the issues that other politicians simply chose to ignore. He was a man true to his word and always portrayed as a family man. This portrayal has always been evident in the pictures of him skiing with his family, the Spitzer's other family vacations and all of the pictures of the first family of New York State walking around New York City.

Last year I read an article in Runner's World about Spitzer's love of running. I was immediately draw to his "every man" interview. I found his answers to be humble, articulate and above all else interesting. I like his style, I like his humility and I like his ability to convey his simple message.

This message is now lost in the latest scandal. So all the good that was done while he was Attorney General will pale in the shadow of the Prostitution Ring Scandal. Is this right? Can it be fare?

One though I have is that it's a set-up. It was all too easy. His speech was short and sweet. His wife stood beside him, quite frankly, she was expressionless. How would you behave if that was your husband? Could you stand beside that man? Could you continue the facade of supporting the man you loved but was now under suspicion of soliciting a prostitute. I'm not sure I could.

I listened to his words and he just didn't seem nervous enough. The Republicans were quick to talk it up and offer support for his family.

Will he do jail time? Should he do jail time? If this is true, he is addressing it to save face? To save his law license and avoid disbarment?

My heart aches for his daughter's. Whether this is true or not, these girls have to face their friends, family and the public in general. How hard do you think it is to visit the local grocery store for those girls today and going forward? My guess would be extremely difficult.

I feel bad for Spitzer if this is true. It means he succumbed to the trapping of power and money. The exact characteristics that lead a vast majority of the people he busted as Attorney General to break the laws that they broke.

It's sad really. How did he not know better? He is the Governor of New York State, a lawyer and a father......how did he mess this up. Again, I refer to the fact that I think he was set up by someone or some organization that wanted him out of New York.

I guess we really can't judge a book by it's cover. I guess we really never know anyone. I guess we can never predict what someone will do. I guess we have to wish Mr. Spitzer our best and see yet another well known person enter rehab.