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Campaign Implications

10 Mar 2008 05:26 pm

Of course these days everything reduces to the Democratic presidential primary. Thus, what are the implications of the "Client Nine" scandal for the race? Rosa Brooks wonders what Hillary Clinton will say:

Quick reaction: I think this is actually a complicated one for Hillary. Spitzer isn't just any prominent Democrat who happens to support her; he's a close ally from her adopted home state of New York. And prominent men caught in sex scandals isn't a new one for Hillary. How she handles this will tell us something, perhaps, not just about Spitzer, but about how's she's come to define herself ... as a woman in a world where a few too many of the prominent men around still think it's OK to do this kind of thing.

In the real world, I'm pretty sure Clinton's just going to try to avoid commenting publicly. I wonder, though, if this won't make people worry about the fact that putting Bill Clinton back in the White House seems to raise the possibility of once again having a Democratic administration derailed by a sex scandal.

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Comments (68)

Is there a number where she can be reached at 3 a.m.? We could call her and ask her.

Don't people rememeber that pretty well already? I thought the whole Bill's-a-horndog thing was part and parcel of the Clinton's image at this point. The Lewinsky crap gave her a sympathy bump that got her talked about as a Senate candidate in the first place, didn't it? Having a comment on fellow politico's Lesbian sex scandal (please?) would probably be much more damaging.

@max:
"having [to] comment."
Duh.

Chris Matthews will tell you that she wouldn't have been elected to the senate had there been no sex scandal. Perhaps in a year's time he'll say the same about the presidency.

Don't people rememeber that pretty well already?

Sure, but it's not always so prominent. Most Democrats though Clinton was more ready to be commander in chief, but her campaign lost 11 primaries until it found a good framing of the issue in the "3 a.m." ad. That pushed the issue up a bit, closer to the front of late-deciders' minds.

I don't want to predict anything, but it'll be interesting to see how white, conservative Democrats and independents - who the Clinton campaign was counting on to make the Mississippi primary close - break tomorrow. These are people who voted for Clinton in 1992 and 1996 but voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004. Their evening news and morning papers will have local news on the race right next to news of Hillary Clinton's governor, endorser, and superdelegate falling after a sex scandal.

That Hillary will likely spend the next 8 years not paying for the services of a prostitute will likely work in her favor.

Matt - please reissue your prediction that Hillary will take the nomination...

Keep hope alive.

The timing couldn't be better: Precisely when the Democrats should be basking in the glow of a crucial off-season special election, this week's media cycle will be consumed by New York's big Democratic Party scandal.

Well, considering that many argued that the GOP lost the Congress in 2006 due to widespread ethical scandals, I certainly wouldn't mind - over the course of this year - if Spitzer's misfortunes weren't unique within his party.

It's also worth pointing out that while Spitzer appears to have perhaps been into some kinky stuff with the hookers, it's tough to surpass the Monica-cigar hookup in that arena.

Yeah, and, one less SD for Hillary.

How she handles this will tell us something, perhaps, not just about Spitzer, but about how's she's come to define herself ... as a woman in a world where a few too many of the prominent men around still think it's OK to do this kind of thing.

How she handles it? I think we've pretty much established that long ago. Hillary is fine with a powerful man walking all over her for the sake of long-term political gain. Oh, and she invariably blames the other woman in instances of her own husband's infidelity. You know - like a real, strong, proud feminist.

How is that hard to understand?

It's also worth pointing out that while Spitzer appears to have perhaps been into some kinky stuff with the hookers, it's tough to surpass the Monica-cigar hookup in that arena.

Don't forget the Starr Report's multiple references to "oral-anal contact." Ewwwwwwww.

Jake,
Client 9's successor, Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson, is also a Hillary supporter.
But we did pick up 2 supers today - Sanders of Mississippi, and Brayboy of NC.

I think this is the perfect opportunity for some enterprising reporter to ask Hillary how she intends to ensure that Bill doesn't pork all the interns in the White House.

Beyond the loss of one SD, I don't see how this changes anything in the presidential campaign, really, unless the smell of dirtydirtysex wafts over into PA and turns off some older voters.

The truly sad fallout of all this is probably at the state level: The Dems are within one seat of taking control of the Senate. That was supposed to end the smoke-filled-room gridlock in which Sheldon Silver and Joe Bruno controlled everything sub rosa. Now, however, state Dems are going to be in disarray, statehouse leadership is blowing in the wind, and who knows where it will all come down? Here's a brave prediction: Nowhere good.

Paterson is already a Hillary superdelegate in his own right. He can't have two votes. Thus, net one down for HRC.

As much as I would like to believe this news will be bad for Clinton, frankly I doubt it will have any effect whatsoever. How many Americans outside New York even know who Spitzer is? It's a story-for-a-day, of mostly regional interest. Clinton won't say anything, and by tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest the story will be replaced by something else.

I don't think that the Clinton's sex life should be an issue in the campaign, for obvious reasons. That being said, if Obama had ever had a sex scandal, you can be sure that Clinton surrogates would go to town.

You can tell Spitzer was a Democrat because the prostitutes were apparently female.

I guess this story could hurt Clinton if it turned out that she was the prostitute.

Hope you didn't just jinx your boy, Matt.

Spitzer shows that sex scandals can happen anywhere.

Hillary's already taken him off part of her site. But, only part of it.

It also seems like this is going to end up being about much more than if he'd simply hired a street worker. Not only did he apparently violate federal law, and not only was he extremely sloppy about it, but one of the Atlantic voice's says there's a mob link, although I didn't see it in the court papers.

If true, the last one takes this to a whole new level.

And, I'm certainly not surprised about this happening after Spitzer's corrupt scheme to reward illegal activity simply to gain votes.

Now, I hate Hillary Clinton, probably more than anyone on this thread, certainly more than Matt. (I vote for left-wing third parties.) But... this has nothing whatsoever to do with the Clintons. Any political sex scandal does not automatically require Hillary's comment. I find the association bizarre and kind of unpleasant.

Given what we know about Michelle, I think Clinton surrogates would be the least of Barack Obama's concerns if that ever happened.

Hope you didn't just jinx your boy, Matt.

Spitzer shows that sex scandals can happen anywhere.

Classy.

It's worth pointing out that this is deliberate conduct we're talking about. Ain't like playing pinochle.

Now, if a la Godfather II we could get the venal, inebriated Senator (Clinton) into bed with some dead Pacific Rim hooker at some out of the way cathouse owned by us and then orchestrate her withdrawal from the race...Well, that would be ideal.

Shorter Whack O'Mole: "Scary Mexicans! Won't Get Me! I'm Safe Under My Bed! Blogwhore Link!"

If Joe Bruno and Roger Stone helped cook this one up -- and I wouldn't put it past the fuckers -- then they got results.

As for Paterson, the presumption was that his support of Hillary was tied to the prospect of a vacant Senate seat. That may change if he has an unexpected promotion.

Too right, TH. Hell hath no fury...and no one was ever talking about the electorate.

Prominent Hillary supporters this year:

* Gavin Newsom
* Antonio Villaraigosa
* Eliot Spitzer
* Bill Clinon

Bad for Obama. Young males running on a presumption of personal rectitude by being new to the arena suffer.

Every male elected President while under 50 since TR - over a century ago - wouldn't fare well under current media standards due to sexual mores.

It reemphasizes the safety of the Clinton choice for the Party.

>>Every male elected President while under 50 since TR - over a century ago - wouldn't fare well under current media standards due to sexual mores.

What about Truman and Wilson? Or Coolidge and Hoover?

It has nothing to do with the Presidential election except for knocking it off the front page for a day or two.

Petey, that is PRICELESS. You argue against electing someone who may potentially be involved in a sex scandal, followed by:

It reemphasizes the safety of the Clinton choice for the Party

God, that is rich.

"What about Truman and Wilson? Or Coolidge and Hoover?"

One of us is having trouble with basic math or basic English, and I don't think it's me.

>>elected President while under 50

sorry, I missed that bit.

It reemphasizes the safety of the Clinton choice for the Party.

Not really Petey. After all, Hillary is a lesbian.

"Not really Petey. After all, Hillary is a lesbian."

That trial balloon got no traction. Age has some advantages in politics.

(slightly) Shorter Petey: THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!!! FOR HILLARY!!!

"Every male elected President while under 50 since TR - over a century ago - wouldn't fare well under current media standards due to sexual mores."

Shorter Petey "JFK and Bill Clinton are/were horndogs."

The insights never stop.

The thing that I always am astounded by in these "wealthy, powerful and famous guys buying sex" scandals is how---with the 24-hour scrutiny and brutal schedules they hold in their lines of work---do they have ANY ENERGY MUCH LESS SEX DRIVE LEFT TO EVEN CONSIDER SEX.

Dang! My poor 45 year-old hubby is too tired after a nine-hour work day and soccer practice with our 10 year old's team to even sit up straight at the dinner table, much less actually put the effort out to ring up a call girl.

"Shorter Petey "JFK and Bill Clinton are/were horndogs." The insights never stop."

Hey. Two in a row is no longer an isolated data point. Instead, it's a trend.

JFK and Bill Clinton

"Two in a row . . ."

Apparently, Petey's allegiance to Not-Obama has led to the loss of his knowledge of basic history and/or math.

"Dang! My poor 45 year-old hubby is too tired after a nine-hour work day and soccer practice with our 10 year old's team to even sit up straight at the dinner table, much less actually put the effort out to ring up a call girl."

The ultra-rich are not like you and me.

Hence why Democratic economic policy deserves to be defended. Clinton '08!

"Apparently, Petey's allegiance to Not-Obama has led to the loss of his knowledge of basic history and/or math."

I will again assert that one of us is having trouble with basic math or basic English, and I don't think it's me.

Sorry Petey, I missed the point you were responding to. Apparently you just don't trust young (under-50 men) because of their enormous libidos.

Apparently, we shouldn't support Obama because there's a good chance he's a sex-crazed maniac (hide all your women-folk).

It is true that Obama is a good-lookin' & charismatic guy and likely has had lots of groupies in the political and university worlds. Has he cashed in on any of these opportunities? Any rumors in the Chicago press? If the answer is no, I would feel quite safe about him.

This is relevant to the campaign in that it will make Hillary think a little bit (even if it's just a tiny, tiny little bit) about saving face, conceding, and becoming the next Governor of New York in 2010 (or sooner, if they hold a special election, though I don't think they do that in NY, correct?). It's not a bad consolation prize, considering her chances of being prez right now are low and she likely would not be chosen for VP.

"Apparently you just don't trust young (under-50 men) because of their enormous libidos."

No. Just think the political implications are very slightly negative for Obama on the margins.

Shorter Petey: Obama is not a crazed sex-maniac . . . as far as I know.

"Any rumors in the Chicago press? If the answer is no, I would feel quite safe about him."

There were no sexual rumors about Spitzer in the NYC press yesterday...

"Shorter Petey: Obama is not a crazed sex-maniac . . . as far as I know."

More accurate shorter Petey: Obama is different than the average 46 year old male high achiever, as far as we know right now.

"Shorter Petey: Obama is not a crazed sex-maniac . . . as far as I know."

More accurate shorter Petey: Obama is different than the average 46 year old male high achiever, as far as we know right now.

Ugh. Double posting is a vice crime.

Obama has so far steered clear of these scandals due to his strict upbringing among Louis Farrakhan and his Taliban teachers paid for by Tony Rezko's coke dealings.

Deep thought:

Democratic sex scandals are really good for the Clintons.

Hence why Democratic economic policy deserves to be defended. Clinton '08!

I forget who said that a vote for Clinton was a vote for the status quo. Anyone remember?

"Democratic sex scandals are really good for the Clintons."

I wasn't going to go there, but it certainly is the case.

"I forget who said that a vote for Clinton was a vote for the status quo. Anyone remember?"

Hey, hey. Ho, ho. The General Electric / Marty Peretz / Austan Goolsbee status quo has got to go.

I've no idea where this lesbian rumor started, I mean look at her 'right hand woman' for God's sake.

http://images.politico.com/global/humaimage.jpg

bit dowdy, unattractive even, but obviously good at her job, like her boss. Why else would she be there?

Slightly embarrassed to admit that I keep fantasizing that one of Clients 1 through 8 will turn out to be William Jefferson Clinton ...

SHAME ON YOU er! Speculation about the Clintons' sex life is irresponsible and horrible.

Now, lets speculate about the Obamas' sex life . . .

WE know sex is worthy of IMPEACHMENT, but what about TREASON? Call Nancy Pelosi @1-202-225-0100 and DEMAND IMPEACHMENT. DC business hours only, call often, and spread it around. I believe Valerie Plame is a loyal US Citizen. Destroying her work in Iran and ruining her career for political gain IS TREASON against the People of The United States of America.

"Having a comment on fellow politico's Lesbian sex scandal (please?) would probably be much more damaging."

Having to comment on her own lesbian sex scandal - with a Mossad "swallow" to boot - would probably be even more damaging.

Google "Huma Abedin" if you don't know what I'm talking about.


It's worth pointing out that this is deliberate conduct we're talking about. Ain't like playing pinochle.

Honestly, who the hell knows? I don't see where this has anything at all to do with Obama/Clinton. Poor judgement on MY's part to try to score points with Spitzer. I'm glad Obama is far smarter than his cult members.

Honestly, who the hell knows? I don't see where this has anything at all to do with Obama/Clinton. Poor judgement on MY's part to try to score points with Spitzer.

Of course it has to do with Clinton. He's a prominent supporter of hers, from her home state no less (its governor, even). She should certainly have some thoughts on the issue. Prior to today, he was plastered all over her site.

When Rick Renzi was indicted for corruption, bribery, money laundering, and a slew of other charges, John McCain was asked about Renzi, who was a co-chairman of his campaign in Arizona or something of the sort. When Larry Craig had his little snafus, it was a problem for Mitt Romney. When an old supporter of Barack Obama was put on trial, it became an issue for him.

This is how these things go. It's no different for Clinton than anyone else.

I don't see where this has anything at all to do with Obama/Clinton.

Right, which is why it's a good idea to speculate with no evidence that Obama is hiding a sex scandal.


Right, which is why it's a good idea to speculate with no evidence that Obama is hiding a sex scandal.

No speculation. I'd be totally shocked. I'd bet heavily against it.

But I'm superstitious and I think MY is asking for trouble hinting this could be a talking point for Obama. People are fallible. Flesh is weak. Leave it alone.

Fair enough.

Whatever you may think of Hillary, it is not her fault that Spitzer is a scoundrel. Furthermore, it is not her fault that her own husband was a scoundrel while in public office. Why is a woman being blamed for the screw-ups of powerful men? Especially where the Clintons are concerned, doesn't that sound a little like blaming the victim?

If you want to prevent more such sleazy scandals, how about electing more women to positions of power. I don't recall hearing of any scandals involving powerful women engaging in such escapades. (If it did happen, such a woman would probably be burned at the stake, sad to say.)

Gentlemen, please take one sympathetic look at Eliot Spitzer's humiliated wife. Next, take a pause from your Hillary-bashing to consider why many women might consider "change" to take the form of a woman who stands up for herself and fights back. Go Hillary!


Comments closed March 24, 2008.

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