New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer today ended a once-promising political career that some thought could have ended in the White House. In a televised spectacle almost OJ-like in its scope, Wall Street's mortal enemy resigned after being linked to a prostitution ring.Spitzer, who never had a problem with low self-esteem, didn't seem contrite during his initial public apology to his wife. He was more graceful today though not as apologetic as the media says he should have been. Spitzer at least seemed sorry.
"In the past few days, I have begun to atone for my private failings," he told the media throng. "From those whom much is given, much is expected."
Spitzer added that he was "deeply sorry" and that he looks upon his short time in office with "a sense of what might have been." His resignation is effective Monday. Lt. Gov. David A. Patterson will take over.
Some of the speculation about whether this was a set-up seems a bit ludicrous, although like the CNBC talking heads, I found it odd that ex-NYSE director Ken Langone happened to know someone who was behind Spitzer in line while the governor purchased money orders to pay the prostitutes.
Didn't anyone think it was weird that New York's governor, who comes from a wealthy family, was buying money orders at all? Wouldn't that have attracted at least some curious onlookers? Wouldn't that have made its way onto The New York Post's Page Six?
The Times, which broke the story of Spitzer's involvement in a high-end prostitution ring, reported that he was "engaged in an intense legal and family debate about whether to resign or, as aides said his wife was urging, to stay on." That's so sad.
Why would Silda Wall Spitzer, who the paper says has been miserable as New York's first lady, want to endure even more public humiliation?
After licking his wounds for a few months, look for Spitzer to emerge on cable TV. Both he and his wife will be asked to write books. I am sure the bookers of "60 Minutes" and other shows like it are willing to sell their first-born to book the Spitzers.
The media circus has only begun.
--Freelance writer Jonathan Berr edits the blog Ketchup and Eggs.
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