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An Appropriate Hamster Wheel for Spitzer

By Joseph Lawler on 12.10.09 @ 4:22PM

I've argued before that Eliot Spitzer needs to spend a lot more time gnashing his teeth in the outer darkness before he returns to public life. But now that the NY Post reports that he is considering a run for statewide office in New York, I find that my mind is changed.

Eliot Spitzer, who stepped down from the governor's office amid scandal, is now strongly considering a run for state comptroller, sources told The Post.

OK, as long as Spitzer is bound and determined to return to the scene one way or another, comptroller might just be the perfect office for him. The comptroller's job is mechanical and doesn't entail a lot of opportunities for mischief. "Spitzerism" works a lot better from the attorney general or governor's office. Spitzer is intelligent (at least in the sense that he has a high IQ) and should be capable for the job, and doing so will preoccupy him from angling for bigger positions with more discretionary powers or writing any more misbegotten Slate pieces.

View all comments (5) | Leave a comment

Paul| 12.10.09 @ 5:41PM

Dear Mr. Lawler,

You're not serious, are you?

Mr. Spitzer used the power of his office to threaten, intimidate and browbeat companies and individuals to bend to his will or face the prospect of years of litigation, all in service to his career ambitions, without regard to justice or ethics. Only Richard Grasso and Hank Greenberg had the guts (and the money) to stand up to the spoiled little rich kid and his bullying ways. Spitzer was a highly unethical public official who should not be encouraged in any way to return to government service in any capacity.

Jim Hlavac| 12.10.09 @ 6:14PM

The man is a consummate bum -- a liar, a fraud, a hypocrite, and on and on into the lower depths of humanhood. I suppose running would just high light the travesty that is the political process in America today. Sure, let him run, what a great moral boost and mentor to the youth of the nation -- screw a hooker, screw over your wife, screw the public -- then wait a year or two and get back into the fray to start all over again.
Either the piece is such sheer dry irony that I don't get it, or it is ... well, I'm not sure -- but it ain't good.

Roy| 12.10.09 @ 10:13PM

re: few opportunities for mischief: - Don't bet on it.

Richard Baker| 12.11.09 @ 6:53AM

Spitzer doesn't deserve the public trust again. His arrogance and dishonest character absolutely disqualify him from ANY access to office holding regardless at what level. Of course, that means that New Yorkers will elect him again. Maybe General Washington should have let the British keep New York State, or precisely, New York City.