Spitzer impact on the presidential race?

[jvirginia]

[zoeyz]

I wonder if he'll keep his superdelegate status, and if he does, if he'll have lost influence among his peers (probably). Beyond that, I don't think it's going to impact the election. It's all over the news, but I don't think your average person really links his actions with either candidate. I guess we'll see on April 22nd. But I think that's so far off that the Spitzer thing won't be front page any more.

[SandyLM]

Here's what the AP is saying:

ALBANY -- New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's connection to a prostitution ring could mean bad news for presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, who needs every superdelegate vote she can get.

Spitzer, a Clinton supporter, is under pressure to resign. He remains a superdelegate only as long as he is governor, according to Democratic National Committee rules.
If he quits, he would not be replaced as a superdelegate. Lt. Gov. David Paterson would become governor and he already supports Clinton, meaning the New York senator would lose one superdelegate. Sen. Barack Obama leads with 1,579 delegates to Clinton's 1,473. A total of 2,025 is needed to win the nomination.

Personally, I think it's more likely that this will result in helping Obama, because of the NY "connection" and the loss of a superdelegate. But it's really a tough call. The commentators on the local political network last night were saying they didn't expect it to make a significant impact. Of course no one specifically asked the question about superdelegates, so perhaps they weren't even thinking about it. Just wondering how Spitzer could have been so stupid.

[jordansmom]

I heard on the news that

Hillary removed Spitzer from her list of endorsers.

[Scout]

I'm still voting for Obama! Not to be sarcastic, but I really would like to know who numbers 1-8 and 10 and on are; wondering if Bill is one of them.

[KirstenP]

I don't think it will have an impact, except for the loss of Spitzer as one of her Super D's.

Scout... it would be interesting to know 1-8 and 10. The buzz in Chicago is that #10 is a famous person from Chicago. Michael Jordan's people have already made a statement that it isn't him. I'm wondering if it's some politician only Chicago people will know, as I can't think of many famous Chicagoans (that still live here) besides Oprah Winfrey. Now, wouldn't that be something if it turned out that she was #10! It's definitely not Chicago's mayor, I don't think it's Senator Obama, I don't know who!

Kirsten

[jknyc]

I don't think it will have an impact, except for the loss of Spitzer as one of her Super D's.

Scout... it would be interesting to know 1-8 and 10. The buzz in Chicago is that #10 is a famous person from Chicago. Michael Jordan's people have already made a statement that it isn't him. I'm wondering if it's some politician only Chicago people will know, as I can't think of many famous Chicagoans (that still live here) besides Oprah Winfrey. Now, wouldn't that be something if it turned out that she was #10! It's definitely not Chicago's mayor, I don't think it's Senator Obama, I don't know who!

Kirsten

Doesn't Mr. T still live in Lake Forest?

And isn't it fishy that Michael Jordan would deny it's him in a statement? Kind of like Sptizer...those who protest the most....

[KirstenP]

Doesn't Mr. T still live in Lake Forest?

And isn't it fishy that Michael Jordan would deny it's him in a statement? Kind of like Sptizer...those who protest the most....

No, they ran Mr. T out of town, I think. At least he's not living in his big mansion there anymore and hasn't for a long time. WRT, Michael Jordan, I guess people were speculating that it was him, so they wanted to put it to rest. But... those who doth protest... exactly what I originally thought when I heard it on the radio! I'm not entirely convinced it wasn't him, though I can't believe he has much trouble getting the ladies and doesn't need to be discreet since he's divorced.

Kirsten

[jenm]

No, they ran Mr. T out of town, I think. At least he's not living in his big mansion there anymore and hasn't for a long time. WRT, Michael Jordan, I guess people were speculating that it was him, so they wanted to put it to rest. But... those who doth protest... exactly what I originally thought when I heard it on the radio! I'm not entirely convinced it wasn't him, though I can't believe he has much trouble getting the ladies and doesn't need to be discreet since he's divorced.

Kirsten

But using a prostitute isn't just for men who can't attract the ladies. Eliot is no looker, but he would not have problems finding that special someone. Too many women will do anything for a man with power. Of course, discretion may have been the issue for him.

I wonder if men who make use of high price hookers have some other motivation. The transaction is simple, there is no negotiation in getting what he wants, there may be status in being a part of the right "club" (I wonder if you need references from current members to join the Emperors Club?!), and even if you are not married, you may not know the world to know that you like to wear diapers during sex or whatever weird stuff one may do.

I think that Spitzer will not be charged with a misdemeanor because nine other rich, and possibly powerful, people will have to be charged also. That will open a real hornet's nest. Especially if it's Oprah!

[jknyc]

But using a prostitute isn't just for men who can't attract the ladies. Eliot is no looker, but he would not have problems finding that special someone. Too many women will do anything for a man with power. Of course, discretion may have been the issue for him.

I wonder if men who make use of high price hookers have some other motivation. The transaction is simple, there is no negotiation in getting what he wants, there may be status in being a part of the right "club" (I wonder if you need references from current members to join the Emperors Club?!), and even if you are not married, you may not know the world to know that you like to wear diapers during sex or whatever weird stuff one may do.

I think that Spitzer will not be charged with a misdemeanor because nine other rich, and possibly powerful, people will have to be charged also. That will open a real hornet's nest. Especially if it's Oprah!

Too funny that you mentioned diapers. When the news first broke, I told DH I wouldn't be happy until there were photos of Spitzer in a diaper going around the internet. For some reason, of all the things I have had heard of people doing for kicks, that's the one that makes me giggle the most.

And, to your larger point, I think men who choose prostitution like the power and control--real or imagined--in the same way rapists like the power and fear. The sex is secondary, even if they may deny it. So it's not just ability or inability to attract an attractive 22 yo.

[jenm]

FWIW, my DH kept insisting that a dog collar and leash would be involved--and Spitzer would be the one wearing the collar. It gives him a good laugh.