Spitzer Considers Run Against Gillibrand

[IndianaGreen]

What is it about Kirsten Gillibrand that causes homophobes like Harold Ford and scumbags like Eliot Spitzer to consider running against her?

Spitzer's Redemption Strategy
by Lloyd Grove

Eliot Spitzer is making fresh noises about running against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in New York. Lloyd Grove on how Client 9's Colbert Report appearance was a big step in his return from political purgatory

For a guy who insists he's not plotting a comeback, Eliot Spitzer sure looks like he's ready to run for something.

The 50-year-old former governor of New York, who quit in March 2008 after a federal investigation of a prostitution ring caught him patronizing the high-priced talent, has been working hard to repair his shattered image—this week making two back-to-back appearances in which he confronted his scandalous past head-on.

And even while he publicly scoffs at reports that he's considering entering a Democratic primary race against either Senator Kirsten Gillibrand or State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Spitzer has been meeting privately with friends to discuss a possible return to public life.

I've spoken to three longtime Spitzer pals who've recently met with the disgraced ex-governor, who clearly hasn't resigned himself to the quiet life of a rich property baron, helping to run the family real-estate empire. One friend says he advised Spitzer that public office is out of the question, but the other two tell me they didn't discourage the idea.

"He wants to be relevant," said one Spitzer pal who was summoned to talk politics late last year. "I think he keeps toying with it—running against Kirsten Gillibrand or running for comptroller. He doesn't have to raise the money. He already has the money, if he decides to do it. I told him he had to consider if this was something he wanted to drag his family back through again, especially if there is anything else (that is, a fresh scandal) out there…I hear that Silda (Spitzer's wife) doesn't want him to do it."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-02-04/spitzers-redemption-strategy/full/

[ericgtr]

1. If that fincancially and ethically corrupt Ensin can be Senator so can Spitzer

I welcome it.

[bigdarryl]

2. What the hell is in the water in NY with these dem's running against each other

DAMN!!!! there just asking a rethug to take that Senate seat

[flpoljunkie]

3. A New York senator who would stand up to Wall Street. That'll be the day.

[ericgtr]

5. Spitzer would

He used to eat corporate scum for breakfast in his day.

[flpoljunkie]

6. I know.

;-)

[whistler162]

23. Be a total disaster of epic proportions!

[frazzled]

25. Yeah, and he used to eat purveyors of call girls every day, too ...

Think about that for a while.

[KingFlorez]

4. Please, no

He needs to stay out of politics permanently.

[otohara]

7. I Like Spitzer - Plus

don't you think he'd do better than Gillibrand?

Can't take anything for granted after MA

[IndianaGreen]

8. Other than Spitzer's voracious appetite for prostitutes, where does he stand on marriage equality?

Hard to believe anything from an man that can't keep his own marital vows.

Gillibrand supports full equality for LGBTs.

[prolesunited]

9. That's between him and his wife

I could give a shit who he sleeps with.

[IndianaGreen]

11. Spitzer's predilection for prostitutes is evidence of deep seated sexism

Why Men Do Stupid Things: The Psychological Appeal of Prostitutes

A psychotherapist explains what might go on in the deeper recesses of the minds of men like Eliot Spitzer.

March 14, 2008

There will no doubt be a lot written about Eliot Spitzer's ethics, his hypocrisy and the damage done to his family, as well as discussions of the degradation that most prostitutes experience. He will be tarred and feathered for seeing a prostitute. And perhaps he should be, having broken vows to his wife, supporters and the citizens of New York State. As Spitzer takes his place with other politicians who have been busted for seeing a hooker, questions invariably arise: What is up with politicians screwing up their careers by visiting prostitutes? How can smart men do such incredibly dumb things? Does the attraction have something to do with power? Escape? Self-sabotage? For the moment, I want to put on my psychotherapist hat and try to explain what goes on in the deeper recesses of the minds of men like Spitzer.

The appeal of prostitutes to politicians is, in fact, identical to their appeal to "ordinary" men. On a psychological level, it doesn't matter if the women come from the Emperor's Club or a sleazy strip joint. It doesn't matter if they cost $2,500 an hour or $40. The appeal of hookers lies in the temporary psychic relief they supply to men struggling with conflicts about guilt and responsibility.

Having studied the dynamics of sexual arousal for almost 15 years, and having treated dozens of men who find prostitutes irresistible, I have found that for the overwhelming majority of them, the appeal lies in the fact that, after payment is made, the woman is experienced as completely devoted to the man -- to his pleasure, his satisfaction, his care, his happiness. The man doesn't have to please a prostitute, doesn't have to make her happy, doesn't have to worry about her emotional needs or demands. He can give or take without the burden of reciprocity. He can be entirely selfish. He can be especially aggressive or especially passive, and not only is the woman not upset, she acts aroused. He is not responsible for her in any way. She is entirely focused on him. He is the center of the world. Now, of course, these interactions are scripted. The prostitute is acting. But it doesn't matter. For men who like to go to go to prostitutes, the illusion of authenticity is enough.

If a man is compelled to use a prostitute because it makes him feel free of guilt, responsibility, and worry, then those feelings must be a special burden to him. Such men feel psychically weighed down by the belief that they're supposed to take care of women, that they have an obligation to make women happy, to please them. Such beliefs are often exaggerated and based on a belief and perception that women are high-maintenance, helpless, or disposed to be unhappy and dissatisfied. These beliefs are formed in childhood and are reinforced by our culture. They are often false, but they can inhibit such men in their sexual relationships. In real relationships, they feel that there is always a hidden quid pro quo, that they can't get much unless they give a lot, that they have to pay a high price for getting what they need. Of course, intimate relationships then suffer.

http://www.alternet.org/sex/79635/

[prolesunited]

13. So a therapist who has never met him

is able to provide a broad generalization and he is no longer suited for public office?

He had a strong track record of going after corruption and standing up for the voters. I'll base my opinion on what he did in office, not on who he slept with or the opinion of someone who has never had him on his couch.

[invictus]

20. +1

[4lbs]

28. If that be the case, then Bill Clinton and JFK should have never been President.

Their sexual trysts and frequent cheating on their spouses is well documented.

[vaberella]

31. Jefferson, too. Basically every President excluding....hmmm...Lincoln should never have been Pres.

[PassingFair]

48. Jefferson's wife DIED.

He may have been a "ladies man", but
there is no evidence that he cheated
on his wife.

[vaberella]

30. I think it's an absurd claim.

But then again, most of these studies make broad statements and use a sort of..."majority" of people. Because I sincerely doubt it explains all people and why they may do certain things. I wonder what a psychologist would say about the many manga artists who write extreme yaoi stories and have their mother's help them with shading and story building---most said manga artists are young females.

[otohara]

16. Spitzer Vowed to Push for Gay Marriage

when he was governor.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/07/nyregion/07gays.html

He's worked it out with his wife and isn't hanging with prostitutes anymore - why so judgmental?

[vaberella]

32. It doesn't matter...he's sexist the OP claims. n/t

[invictus]

19. +1

[quiller4]

37. He opposes marriage equality. He has a poor record on LGBT issues generally.

[ShortnFiery]

43. I do. I'd choose him over Gillibrand or Ford. Go Spitzer! eom

[alsame]

10. IMO as a NYer, Gillibrand has been extremely low profile and is

largely an unknown. There is very little press coverage of her (even locally) and most people I speak to don't really know much about her except that she got Hillary's seat. There isn't a real sense of who she is and where she stands on a lot of issues.

I think this is why she is perceived as vulnerable to challengers, she doesn't have a strong 'brand'.

[grantcart]

33. That is so strange because I see her often and like what I see

[alsame]

34. I like her too and I actively seek out info about her. I get her

emails too. But I hardly ever see her on TV - maybe I'm watching the wrong shows, lol.

[quiller4]

38. Low profile? I've seen her on MSNBC 3 times this week alone.

[alsame]

39. Yes, this week she's been very visible. But in the months since she

took office, I saw very little of her. I'm comparing it to how often I would see Hillary in her first year - and yes, I know that's very different because she already had a national profile as First Lady.

Gillibrand never campaigned state wide for the Senate seat, so many NYers out of her Congressional district weren't really that familiar with her.
Like I said, I had to actively seek out information about her and I signed up on her website for emails to get a good idea of her positions.

[JI7]

42. she probably needs to do more local news and just meet more with people

[bluedigger]

12. Spin it however you want.

Strong and viable candidates are looking at her Senate seat as vulnerable. Gillibrand was appointed, not elected, and if she wants to stay there, she better make sure all of her constituents view her more positively than her opposition, not just her GLBT friends. This is one of the most important Senate seats in the country, and she will have to fight hard to retain it.

[Historic NY]

14. I'd vote for him in a NY minute.

[zalinda]

15. Me, too n/t

[Paladin]

17. I Would Too, Were I Able.

What a shame that Spitzer tripped over his own dick and put himself on the sidelines---he might be president right now, and instead of acting like schoolyard bullies, Republican legislators would be cowering under their desks in fear, with one Democratic initiative after another becoming law......

[whistler162]

22. After the total mess he made of being Governor......

NEVER again in a NY minute!!!

[invictus]

24. +1

[whistler162]

18. Even he CAN'T be that stupid!!!!

SHUT UP and go away Eliot!

[Lord Helmet]

21. Spitzer > Gillibrand > poop > Ford

[glowing]

27. That is so true. Ford is a fake Dem... But then again most D.C. Dems are.

[pleah]

26. K&R

[vaberella]

29. I thought this was easy to tell. She's new on the block & didn't have HRC's political clout.

It's completely easy to see how her seat is being threatened. I doubt they'll get it...maybe Spitzer has a chance---since his name is not unknown. However, Gillibrand is not a recognizable face nor name like so many other's. This is not rocket science.

If Cuomo said today that he would run for Gillibrand's seat----she wouldn't have a chance to retain that seat and nor would anyone else who would run against him. He's got massive political clout, his family name is extremely well known and loved in New York. If he ran, my entire family in New York would join his office---they adore him and his father before him.

[thesquanderer]

35. Don't Dems say that people's personal lives are no one else's business?

I hope Spitzer does find a way back into public life.

Before anyone criticizes him too harshly, check out http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4409860 .

For those who don't want to go through all that, the short version is that he was writing things like this while he was still governor, warning of the impending mortage/banking meltdown well before it happened:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021302783.html

According to articles like http://discuss.epluribusmedia.net/spitzer_was_whacked_warning_taxpayers_of_financial_crisis the Bush administration was after him because of stuff like that. (Which is not to say he wasn't responsible for his behaviors in the first place, but it does put a slightly different slant on what happened.)

And he has continued to be outspoken, and on (I believe) the right side of the issues since then as well...

http://www.slate.com/id/2231088/

http://www.slate.com/id/2213942/

and numerous others. I don't care that he visited prostitutes. He's good for our country.

[whistler162]

36. It is interesting that people ignore everything

that led up to his resignation except his liason with the prostitute.

The guy was a failure as Governor with a capital F.

[thesquanderer]

40. Maybe because Patterson makes him look good in hindsight? (n/t)

[whistler162]

44. No... Paterson makes Spitzer look even more pathetic!

[nyc 4 Biden]

46. +1. His ego pretty much shut down Albany. n/t

[golfguru]

41. More the merrier n/t

[dsc]

45. I was very opposed to Gillibrand upon her appointment

thinking her much too conservative for New York. I admit, I was wrong. I like Spitzer but see no earthly way he can win any election at this time and see no reason to replace Gillibrand who is doing a fine job. If I were a New Yorker, she would have my vote.

[Ter]

47. No way I'm voting for him

If he gets the nomination, we lose another seat. He can't win.

[LatteLibertine]

49. IMO it's time for us to raise our standards

If he wants to run fine, and I won't be supporting folks like him.