|
Clinton camp mum on Spitzer |
|
By Sam Youngman
|
|
Posted: 03/10/08 06:18 PM [ET] |
|
Hours after reports first said that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) solicited a prostitute, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) campaign had yet to comment on its New York surrogate’s involvement and afternoon statement. Clinton later in the day reportedly said she did not want to comment on the situation except to offer her "best wishes" for Spitzer and his family. Clinton twice said she did not have a comment when asked directly for one, according to reports, saying she wanted to "see how things develop." Spitzer publicly apologized to his family Monday after The New York Times reported that the governor was caught on a federal wiretap “arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month.”
Spitzer did not take questions at an afternoon press conference, and he did not resign.
He endorsed Clinton last year, and, as recently as Feb. 26, the campaign hosted a conference call featuring Spitzer along with Govs. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) and Ted Strickland (D-Ohio).
On the call, Spitzer said he might campaign on Clinton’s behalf in Ohio in the days leading up to Clinton’s victory in the state. In response to several requests for comment, one Clinton campaign aide would say only that Spitzer did not ever make the trip to the Buckeye State as a surrogate for the former first lady.
Spitzer had not been a high-profile Clinton surrogate, and his lack of involvement was a topic during last month's conference call. Several reporters on the call asked Spitzer if his controversial plan to allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses — a move that caused Clinton headaches when she was asked about it at a debate — was the reason for his distance from the campaign.
Spitzer said the issue had nothing to do with his absence on the campaign trail.
Clinton press aides did not respond to e-mails asking whether the New York senator thought Spitzer should resign.
Spitzer is the most recent campaign endorser to be accused of misdeeds.
Last year, Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Larry Craig (R-Idaho) both made headlines with high-profile stories involving sex.
Vitter, who was a regional co-chairman for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's (R) campaign at the time, was accused of frequenting a Louisiana prostitute. And Craig, who had endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), was arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. |
