We do not yet know how the Spitzer story will end. But we do know already that this is not just another politician caught in a sex scandal.
Governor Spitzer came to office with a promise to hold Albany, Wall Street and New Yorkers in general to a higher standard. In an age of mistrust of institutions, Eliot was to be a role model. He promised to bring honor back to government and to hold politicians and corporate executives accountable for their actions. Even cynical New Yorkers wanted to believe, electing him with more than 70% of the vote in 2006.
We can't fault Eliot for being human. And what he does with his $4,000 can be his own business.
We can, however, ask him to make a choice. He can hold himself to the standards he has set for others and resign. Or he can lower those standards in a way that will leave him in office and further erode the trust the public has in our government.
Unfortunately his short and vague apology yesterday suggests that Eliot may be crafting a strategy to let him continue as governor, despite his misdeeds.
"I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what is best for the State of New York."
If politics isn't about individuals, why can't Eliot continue to be the bulldozer he once claimed to be? Why can't he continue to do what is best for New York? According to Spitzer, this is a "private matter" and one, he could argue, which should not affect his public life.
Take a close look at his apology. He clearly apologizes to his family. He clearly acknowledges that he is disappointed in himself and that he has disappointed the public for not living up to his potential. But nowhere does he acknowledge what he actually did. Nor does he say his misdeeds amount to a failure to uphold the standards of his office or live up to the standards to which he has held others during his tenure as Attorney General.
"I have acted in a way that violated the obligations to my family and that violates my -- or any -- sense of right and wrong, I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public whom I promised better... But I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard that I expect of myself."
Spitzer wouldn't be the first politician to argue that the rules shouldn't apply to him. But in this case, his choice matters more than most. In a 2006 ad, Spitzer said he never asked if a case was popular or unpopular, only "if it was right or wrong." He was elected for his principles. He should resign for them as well.