Eliot Spitzer interview in Denver Post

[InternalDialogue]

Q: What is about you that talks this way? As a state official you've done more reform than many federal officials I could think of in history.

A: I don't know. I don't think I'm any different, any smarter, braver, wiser or anything else. I really don't. I'm just doing my job and I have some awfully good lawyers here. And we've found some interesting cases and we push. I will say that by and large the people in Washington who were supposed to be doing these things are spineless and gutless. And they are more worried about what their next job will be, than in actually challenging people they are supposed to be overseeing. If you think about how many lawyers there are at the EPA, the FDA, the SEC and the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) and ask yourself: what have they really done to protect consumers? I think the answer is disappointing. ... During this administration, in particular, there has been such an effort to pull back from asking the hard questions. That is a problem.

Q: You deal with facts. A lot of people who attack you deal with political accusations. Would you say that's true?

A: Absolutely. People spend a lot of time challenging my motives. That's fine. They are free to say what they want to say. But what I always say is that challenging the motive of the prosecutor is the last refuge of the guilty. Challenge the facts. If we are wrong, tell us how we are wrong. If we are right, then don't waste my time ... saying, "We'll, he's right but he's doing it for this improper motivation." ... I'm here with a job to do and I will continue to do it. They are saying, "Oh, he's doing it because he wants to be governor ..."

more at
http://denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E33%257E2823440,00.html

[rigel99]

1. GO ELLIOTT

is he the last honest man left in government?

really, Howard Dean, take a lesson from Spitzer's playbook. Play hard and play punitively with lawyers... great article.. thanks for post...

now if he really gets Bernie Ebbers 85 years in jail, this man will have my undying respect....

[Eliot Spitzer 2006]

2. I am an Eliot Spitzer fan

Obviously, I am an Eliot Spitzer fan. Not only do I think he would make a great Governor for the state of New York, I think he would be an awesome Presidential candidate one day. He has the luxury of being right - 10 out of 10 successful prosecutions isn't bad. Imagine having a Democrat Presidential candidate who has actually done something.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi Eliot Spitzer 2006!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[rigel99]

6. welcome

We should start making buttons for him... he is awesome! welcome to
DU

[spooky3]

3. He's a true hero. And his speeches are excellent.

anyone who's interested should check out his website.

[loudsue]

5. I'm another Spitzer fan!

I don't live in NY, but I've been following him for years. And I LOVE the guy! I wanted Kerry to appoint him Atty. General (before the Diebold, Triad & ES&S machines threw the election, with the help of crooked secretaries of state). As atty. general, he would have CLEANED UP the mess that this country has become.

Would I vote for him for president?? Hell yeah! Will Diebold ever let him win the primary and get the nomination? Not a chance!

:kick::kick::kick:

[InternalDialogue]

7. Well, there's always that dream chance

that Spitzer would get the opportunity to rip into Diebold while he's still NY AG, and disable them before he even runs.

Fantasy? Yeah, sure. But, man, what a good one!

[ReadTomPaine]

8. Watch for the smear campaign against him

The minute he gets close to something tender with an investigation or a run for higher office takes off. The GOP are watching him very carefully, you can be sure.