Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Spitzer & Siegelman:
GOP Bookends
Gotham is just now getting to the Gov. Elliot Spitzer matter because we've been too angry to write about it.0 comments
Let's get one thing clear at the outset.
All Elliot Spitzer stands accused of is a GWD.
Governing While Democrat
Crooks and Liars has a good recap of all this crap about Spitzer and Gov. Don Seigelman of Alabama.
Republicans have spent the last eight years firing Howitzer shells of corruption, greed, theft, child molestation and core anti-American behavior at the American people. The GOP has dropped the bombs of the wanton slaughter of our brave soldiers, the destruction of our once-proud military and the moral corruption of our national intelligence apparatus on the American people. They have hit us with every vile weapon at their disposal. Now, they have a guy they REALLY, REALLY HATE in Elliot Spitzer—they hate him with every dollar in their Swiss bank accounts—so, they jump on the chance to go after him when they find out he's carrying a cap gun.
It all stinks bad—like a psychotic guy on the subway.
Make no mistake: this bit of GOP Legal-eagle-ism is not intended to safeguard the public; this case is meant to destroy a career. Period.
This is a hit. A Republican political hit. Pure and simple. Designed to make a successful foe go away.
And at the outset, Gotham encourages Governor Spitzer NOT to resign.
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We say directly to you, Governor, hang tough, let time be your ally. Geraldine Ferraro's racist remarks have already forced you off the front pages, where you were being used to keep Iraq, the coming Depression, Bush 19's push for unfettered power and the sorry state of John McCain's tattered campaign from being talked about. They can't pull Terror Alerts anymore without getting giggles, so they set out to ruin a real thorn in their side.
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Elliot has made LOTS of enemies. But simply put, they are all enemies who needed to be made. For New York's sake. You and I are better off today because Elliot pissed on their shoes. Half of the Republican, east coast, corporate world has been nailed by Elliot and his team at one time or other, it seems. Most of these perps were charged with crimes akin to Grand Theft Wall Street. Or insurance coverage guidelines extortion. Or assault with a deadly banking product.
Elliot has worn the White Hat while fighting the scummiest of White Collar Crime criminals.
When they talk about what a prick he had been during all his dealings as NYS AG, they clearly mean he wouldn't play ball with them, and deal away these "unfortunate" charges they were accused of. They did the crime; he made them or their companies either do the time or pay the (whopping) fine.
Spitzer stands accused now for the exact same reasons that the U.S. Attorneys were fired:
He insisted that the playing field of our legal system be kept level. For you. For me. For all the red-tie corporati.
Republicans simply cannot put up with that for very long. Action had to be taken.
For the fleshy white corporate types, they didn't pass all those funds along the pipeline just to have someone go all (small d) democratic on them.
You can be certain, that if Karl Rove and George W. Bush were getting nasty phone calls about U.S. Attorney David Iglesius not playing ball in New Mexico with Republicans there, you ABSOLUTELY know the phone lines from New York City to DC were en fuego over Spitzer!
Just the fact that the U.S. Attorney's office never works these kinds of cases, tells you that it stinks. Or the fact that they've used ancient, never-used and rarely enforced laws. Or that they set a U.S. Land Speed Record in turning this case around and bringing a (ready-to-go?) sketched-out indictment.
To the Democrats in Albany:
Back Spitzer in his fight against the Republican machine, or plan on getting regular jobs soon!
From what we've been led to believe over the years, yes, Elliot may well be a prick.
But know that he's OUR prick, and the people of New York State need him to continue being just as much a prick on our behalf as he has always been.
Or the perilous times we live in, and the slime from the Joe Bruno delegation chokes us all.
Remember, Elliot: Republicans did this to you!
Let 'em have it.
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Update: OK, so Elliot resigned. The Republicans removed their "meddlesome priest."
God Save David Paterson. He's gonna need it. He was Gotham's state senator for a time, and has been on the scene for a very long time. But with all that, we still couldn't tell you much detail about the new governor. He's simply THAT low key. They call him a consensus builder, which is double-speak for "go along; get along."
I watched NYS Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R - Hell) give a press conference immediately following Spitzer's resignation. He was on the verge of creaming his proverbial jeans. It's rare to see such glee on the face of a practiced pol. When asked about the new governor, he had extraordinarily happy, encouraging things to say. He was highly complimentary of Paterson's time as Senate Minority Leader [a powerless, ignored office since New York State is run by three men: a consensus of Governor/Senate Majority Leader/Assembly Majority Leader (Sheldon Silver, (D - Manhattan). They work it out, and tell everyone else what's going to happen].
Translated?
Bruno to Paterson: "David, I own you!"
Bruno to New York State: "We shot the sheriff! We're back in business, boys!!"
Citizens of NYS can only hope that David Paterson has cojones that haven't appeared as of yet.
He (and NYS) is going to need them.
posted by Gotham 2:18 AM
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