[UPDATED] Obama, Clinton & McCain on Spitzer: "No Comment"
Submitted by modernesquire on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 6:21pm.
Neither Senator Barack Obama or Senator Hillary Clinton had any comment on the news that NY Gov. Elliot Spitzer has been linked to a high-priced prostitution ring.
On the campaign trail today in Mississippi, Senator Obama responded:
"I really haven’t seen the details of it, so I don’t know what’s going on," he said. "I’m a little in the dark."
Senator Clinton also had no comment. According to CNN:
"I obviously am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family," she told reporters after visiting with reporters in a local pizza parlor.
When asked whether Gov. Spitzer could survive politically she said "let's wait and see what comes out of the next few days. Right now I don't have any comment. I think it's appropriate to wish his family well and see how things develop."
Sounds like the news caught both campaigns completely flat-footed and are trying to play catch up with the news cycle.
It's widely expected that Governor Spitzer will resign as early as the next hour.
[UPDATE]: McCain apparently couldn't wait to be asked before he gave his "no comment" response. From the New York Times:
Senator John McCain watched news reports about Governor Spitzer aboard his campaign jet, a chartered JetBlue plane with televisions on the back of each seat, as he flew from Phoenix to St. Louis. When he came back to speak with reporters midway through the trip, he brought the matter up himself before he could be asked about it.
“I was just watching, as all of you have, this information about the governor of New York,’’ Mr. McCain said. “I don’t know what to make of it.’’
Mr. McCain said that he would wait to see more of the facts before weighing in on it. But he did say that it seemed to be something that “nobody ever expected.’’
When he landed in St. Louis, Mr. McCain said that he had no further comment on the Spitzer matter except to say “our prayers go out to his family.’’
So that's three no comments and two sympathies for Spitzer's family.
Obama didn't either...
Submitted by modernesquire on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 6:42pm.
There you go again, Jerid, parsing things that aren't there. In case you didn't notice, Obama didn't say anything because apparently he's not on top of the top stories of the day. He didn't say that Spitzer should resign, either, but you have no criticism for Obama's ignorance.
Yet again, another example where you and Tim hold Clinton to one standard and Obama to none.
modern, you're doin the okey doke again
Submitted by Tim Russo on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 6:40pm.
that was a comment from clinton.
and not only was it a comment, it was designed specifically to not address the substance of the matter.
I guess Tim and Jerid
Submitted by modernesquire on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 6:46pm.
Are smarter than AP and CNN which both characterized Clinton's comment as "no comment."
As for "okie dokey," Tim, what person above twelve years old talks like that?
Applying Jerid's standard to Obama's comment, I guess that means his silence should mean that Obama doesn't have sympathy for Spitzer's wife and family?
Of course I don't believe that, but that's how nonsensical the parsing you guys are doing here.
obama's callin it the okey doke
Submitted by Tim Russo on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 6:49pm.
guess he's just not qualified to be president.
but maybe VP!
modern, the "okey doke" FYI
Submitted by Susan on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 8:20pm.
Obama's playing the race card, and this time he can't blame it on Bill.
(Sorry, I wasn't going to post here for the rest of the primary season, but damn, somebody's got to keep these children honest.)
race card's ass
Submitted by Eric Vessels on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 9:55pm.
coded language? are you serious? next thing you know you'll tell us he's a manchurian candidate! the queen of diamonds controls you all! bwahahahaha!
don't be hoodwinked. bamboozled. run amok. led astray!
;-)
Damned, Susan thought you left
Submitted by Entrwriter on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 10:20pm.
Too bad.
Try reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X before buying into bullshit, OK?
Once you do that, then you can talk about coded words. Then feel free to insult Malcolm X. My guess is you've never bothered to pick up a book related to him in your life.
I don't have sympathy
Submitted by Jerid on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 7:12pm.
For Spitzer.
Maybe that's what it means, Modern?
My sympathy is with his wife and kids
Submitted by Susan on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 8:21pm.
I hate it when geeks get themselves into positions of power and start thinking they can get away with anything.
Both of them got it wrong
Submitted by Brody on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 7:23pm.
Bottom line is neither of them said anything of importance... Perhaps something like - "He admitted he is guilty of this, and should resign as Governor imediately!" I'm so dissapointed in Hillary because she is our Senator and should stand up for New York, and I'm really dissapointed by Obama because it's these kinda scandals and his honesty on them that make me support him... I'm hoping once he hears the story he'll smack Spitzer down like Vader on Kenobi! It's time for all of us to take our party back from these "typical" politicians...
So...
Submitted by modernesquire on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 7:31pm.
You think Obama is as evil as Darth Vader, and you hope he strikes him down only to make Spitzer more powerful than before?
When was the last time you watched Episode IV: A New Hope?
Please take this for the snark it was intended.
One of them should have a comment soon. That's Clinton.
Submitted by Mark C. Gaffney on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 7:24pm.
It's understandable if both campaigns are a little off-balance when it comes to just-breaking news.
But sooner than later, the people should expect a comment from Clinton. She receives enthusiastic support from Spitzer, and she has worked with him for years.
It's misleading to suggest that we're all waiting to simply hear what presidential candidates have to say about it. If that were the case, this post would give us McCain's no-comments, too.
No, we're waiting to hear Senator Clinton's comments. I'd like to hear Senator Obama's, too, but they don't matter nearly as much as hers in this situation.
But sooner than later, the people should expect a comment from Clinton. She receives enthusiastic support from Spitzer, and she has worked with him for years.
It's misleading to suggest that we're all waiting to simply hear what presidential candidates have to say about it. If that were the case, this post would give us McCain's no-comments, too.
No, we're waiting to hear Senator Clinton's comments. I'd like to hear Senator Obama's, too, but they don't matter nearly as much as hers in this situation.
personally i like that
Submitted by 2010 Buckeye on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 8:44pm.
neither of them is willing to jump the gun on this. maybe clinton is simply showing spitzer a little decency? after all, if it were my friend and colleague i think i'd hesitate just a moment before i jumped all over him. i hope obama is doing the same. i'm sure there are plenty of people here who've fucked up and their friends have gone easy on them or given them a second chance. spitzer is an idiot for getting involved with a prostitution ring, but he's getting what is coming to him without the help of sens. clinton and obama.
and obama has made some misjudgments on supporters as well. don't forget that gay baiting pastor he hauled around south carolina to try and solidify the black vote. when the bullshit came up on that guy, i don't remember anyone here calling for obama to have a clear response within 12 hours.
you guys are making mountains out of mole hills, and you know it.
I would tell him to stay
Submitted by Nov1976 on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 9:20pm.
I would tell him to stay since her husband went throught he same thing. I am sick of the puritanism in this country. I want Warren Harding back. It is time for the United States to grow up. Prostitution is a victimless crime when involving adults who are able to make their own choices. I don't care what people think about this I am neither a feminist or a Christian and once was a card carrying member of the Libertarian Party before it went neo-con.
Mountain out of molehills???
Submitted by Brody on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 8:21am.
He admitted IT!!! First to his advisors and then to the world... If you agree with the crime or not it doesn't matter - especially if your the Freakin Governor and can change the laws!!! He also illegally wired money, but the laws he broke are irrellevant... New York needs a ton of work (same as Ohio) and Spitzer won't be able to do shit because he's gonna be stuck "rehabbing" his image... It's the same shit with Clinton not bombing the Taliban when he had the chance because it would look like the movie "wag the dog!!!" Spitzer was my favorite Democrat - but he's paid using my tax dollars, and I want his ass fired for someone who can do the job... This isn't a right wing attack - I'm a Democrat who has even worked for Spitzer, he screwed up - and he should lose his job because of it!
candidate response = mountain out of mole hills
Submitted by 2010 Buckeye on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 1:46pm.
nothing to do w/ spitzer's royal fuck up. folks here are trying to turn the fact that clinton didn't come right out of the gate and curb stomp spitzer into some grave offense. its clearly not. that is called making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Sure Sounds Like A Comment To Me
Obama was a full no comment, he hadn't caught up with what was going on.
Clinton understood the situation, wished the family well, but didn't say anything else. Sounds like a comment to me. One that doesn't urge her supporter to resign, too.