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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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8

Spitzer: 'What I Did Was Egregious'

Former guv has tried to address his 'gremlins'

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(Newser) – Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer opened up about his “egregious” call-girl dalliance and subsequent resignation on NBC's Today this morning. Spitzer, who also discussed his re-emergence as a Slate columnist, claimed that he didn’t hire prostitutes frequently—“not long in the grand context of my life”—but did not make excuses for his behavior.

“Like most of us, I suppose, I’ve had flaws. I’ve tried to think about it deeply, address it. There are no excuses. I have tried to address these gremlins; confront them. What I did was an egregious violation of trust to my family, to my colleagues, to the state, and I’ve paid a price and appropriately so,” Spitzer said. “I’m a very fortunate guy. I have a spectacular wife, three daughters who are wonderful. I’ve been forgiven.”

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation as his wife Silda Wall Spitzer stands next to him March 12, 2008.
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation as his wife Silda Wall Spitzer stands next to him March 12, 2008.   (Getty Images)
Then-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer arrives for church in this Jan. 1, 2007 file photo. From left are, daughter Jenna; wife Silda Wall Spitzer; and daughters Elyssa and Sarabeth.
Then-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer arrives for church in this Jan. 1, 2007 file photo. From left are, daughter Jenna; wife Silda Wall Spitzer; and daughters Elyssa and Sarabeth.   (AP Photo/Tim Roske, File)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer speaks during a news conference in Albany, N.Y., in this Dec. 12, 2007 file photo.
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer speaks during a news conference in Albany, N.Y., in this Dec. 12, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)
In this March 10, 2008 file photo, New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer is joined by his wife Silda as he makes a statement to reporters during a news conference in New York.
In this March 10, 2008 file photo, New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer is joined by his wife Silda as he makes a statement to reporters during a news conference in New York.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file)
In this March 12, 2008, file photo, Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation as New York governor.
In this March 12, 2008, file photo, Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation as New York governor.   (AP Photo)
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8 comments
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John
Apr 6, 09 11:39 AM CDT
It took him this long to figure that out? Or, is he in need of a job so he thought he should aplogize? Reply
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Mad
Apr 6, 09 11:42 AM CDT
Had it all, top of your career, hugely great rep, and you could've kept it all a secret if you just picked up street walker. Fool Reply
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prowlerzee
Apr 6, 09 12:03 PM CDT
Yeah, well, why shouldn't he think he could have it all? Doesn't David "Diapers" Vitter still have a job (R, Lousiana) after being outed in the DC Madam raid? Apparently, the rubes in Louisiana think they are well represented by a man who hires hookers to dress him up in diapers. I guess laws, decency and morality don't matter to them. Spitzer just chose the wrong state. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Robert_Dada
Apr 6, 09 1:02 PM CDT
I agree in principle but when you are taking on the role of a crusader of sorts, you have to realize you are going to make dangerous enemies of very powerful or rich people. As such, your life and principles need to be unassailable if you are to exceed.
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IN RESPONSE:
Bryanw55
Apr 6, 09 3:15 PM CDT
That is true Robert_Dada. I agree with you, but don't the vast majority of those with an R after their name always talk about family values? They should also be held to that standard. Though I agree that Spitzer was wrong, I also look at him to be one of the first victims of illegal government wiretaps that often likely have nothing to do with terrorism. He was to speak in Washington the day before he got busted on a mortgage and financial crises that has put our country in grave danger of financial ruin. This was some months before Wall Street fell.
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