The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down

I wonder what this blog is going to be about.

It all seems so improbable. A phenomenally attractive Democratic governor; a relatively young, rising star in the party; the 75% approval rating in January 2007; the high ethical standards that he expected of everyone else.

Within the next 24-48 hours, it is very likely that Gov. Eliot Spitzer will resign the office of Governor of New York State, following the revelation that he was the client of a prostitution ring, and that he is facing a possible federal indictment as a result. However, regardless of whether or not his resignation occurs, this incident marks the destructive end of a spectacular political free-fall that began as soon as Gov. Spitzer took office 14 month ago: the illegal surveillance of New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, the driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, and now this. It's a political trifecta from hell.

Should he have to resign? If it were just a matter of visiting a prostitute, I would say 'no' -- there have been other politicians who have weathered the infidelity storm, and it is even legal in certain parts of the country. However, the possible indictment may come due to the fact that Gov. Spitzer had his...friend travel from New York to Washington, DC, which is a federal crime because he's transporting a prostitute across state lines, and could face up to 20 years if convicted. Mix that with the surveillance scandal and the driver's licenses, and I don't know if he will be able to survive. Some people are speculating that he has not resigned yet in order to use his office as leverage in possible ongoing negotiations with law enforcement. Gov. Spitzer may agree to resign his office in order to escape criminal prosecution.

But the bottom line is that he should have known better -- not only for his political carrer and the State of New York, but for his family and himself. This is a man who made his name prosecuting the very element of society that will likely do him in. He should have known that he would get caught. He should have known that this stuff doesn't stay secret for long. And it just goes to show you, that you can only claim the moral high-ground if you actually live there, no matter what letter you choose to put after your name.

Governor Eliot Spitzer (D-NY), this one's for you:

"Oh, the Merry-Go-Round broke down

And we went round and round

Each time t'would miss, we'd steal a kiss

And the Merry-Go-Round went

'Um-pah-pah, um-pah-pah

Um-pah! Um-pah! Um-pah-pah-pah!'

Oh, the Merry-Go-Round broke down

And it made the darndest sound

The lights went low, we both said 'Oh!'

And the Merry-Go-Round went

'Um-pah-pah, um-pah-pah

Um-pah! Um-pah! Um-pah-pah-pah!'

Oh what fun - a wonderful time

Finding love for only a dime

Oh, the Merry-Go-Round broke down

But you don't see me frown

Things turned out fine and now she's mine

Cause the the Merry-Go-Round went

'Um-pah-pah, um-pah-pah

Um-pah! Um-pah! Um-pah-pah-pah!'

Oh, the Merry-Go-Round broke down"

-D. Franklin/C. Friend