Caught With His Pants Down

I hear from various sources, including the first ten minutes of the CBS Morning Show, that New York governor Eliot Spitzer (Democrat) got caught as a client of a prostitution ring. On one hand, I think that what two consenting adults do in private is not a government problem. On the other hand, it's the height of hypocrisy to lead high-profile prosecutions against call-girl rings while being a client of one. Kind of the reverse "Hair Club for Men" thing.

An amusing side of the CBS coverage of this mess was their "come back after the break" teaser. They were promising to discuss "why powerful men cheat." Well, duh, they do it because they want to and can. Which is the same answer as why not-powerful men (and women) cheat. I will say that, assuming the pictures of the ladies (from the prostitution ring's website) were accurate (truth in advertising is always a problem with illegal businesses) the girls were stunningly attractive.

I do wonder what kind of salary the Governor of New York makes. Four figures for the girl, plus in his case travel expenses, is not cheap. And Eliot Spitzer of all people ought to know that trying to structure bank transactions is a dumb idea. Unfortunately, "Mister Clean" has made his bed - now he has to lie in it.