Forgive me for going back to this well, but today's Eliot Spitzer news conference raises a lot of questions. One of which that won't get so much coverage is why the hell do all these cheating husbands insist that their wives show up at their fake tearful apology press conference?
In true, political consultant form, the cheating pol once again trotted out his wife in the time-honored attempt to deflect some of the shame and humiliation that he so richly deserves, but cannot bear to accept. Its like page one of the politician playbook's chapter on getting caught: "Always bring the wife to the press conference. No one can fault the husband if they see the wife accepting his apology." So the wives get victimized twice: once when their husband sexes around on them, and again when they get paraded in front of the cameras playing the part of the supporting little woman. The problem is, I think, most people instead see the woman whose husband found it necessary to troll for hookers, interns, staff assistants, secretaries, Congressional pages, other guys in airport restrooms, etc. Its even worse with Spitzer, because that guy couldn't even bring himself to admit what he actually did, just leaving it with the Clintonesque apology for the "private matter" and of course, refusal to answer questions.
Do we really need to put the wives out there? Does it really accomplish anything? Who in New York politics is going to say, "I know spending $80,000 on hookers over 10 years is illegal and all, but his wife is ok with it so who am I to criticize?" Not so likely I would guess. Its gotten to the point of cliche now. Every one of these guys does this; they all bring along their wife, apparently give her directions on how to cast a troubled yet forgiving look while he tries as hard as he can to deflect. In other words, to hide behind his wife's skirts like a little kid hoping for Mom's protection when Dad gets home and finds the broken cookie jar. David Vitter, Larry Craig, Jim McGreevey, hell, even Kobe, all these guys do this. At least Vanessa Bryant got eight carats worth of reasons to show at the presser (although she probably could have shaken loose millions more)
Look at that picture of Silda Spitzer. You can just feel her cringing, thinking "how much can I take this guy for," or "how much longer til I can throw this guy out of the house," or "how soon can I get to Hawaii," or "things to do today: (1) get STD test after 20 years of marriage, thank you very much a-hole." Talk about the Girl With Far Away Eyes. She's standing there, like all the wives have to do, as the victim, who may be (I would assume) feeling humiliated and exposed for everyone to see as the woman whose husband couldn't keep it in his pants. Spitzer has three teenage daughters too; why didn't he have them there to pitch in? After all, its a good cause, right?
You can say a lot of things about Bill Clinton, but he never made Hillary stand up there with him on display when he finally admitted being with "that woman" (or maybe she had the good sense to tell him to do it by himself).
So, what have we learned? If you're going to troll for sex without your wife's help, you can show up for the eventual public exercise of begging for mercy when you get caught without her help too.
In true, political consultant form, the cheating pol once again trotted out his wife in the time-honored attempt to deflect some of the shame and humiliation that he so richly deserves, but cannot bear to accept. Its like page one of the politician playbook's chapter on getting caught: "Always bring the wife to the press conference. No one can fault the husband if they see the wife accepting his apology." So the wives get victimized twice: once when their husband sexes around on them, and again when they get paraded in front of the cameras playing the part of the supporting little woman. The problem is, I think, most people instead see the woman whose husband found it necessary to troll for hookers, interns, staff assistants, secretaries, Congressional pages, other guys in airport restrooms, etc. Its even worse with Spitzer, because that guy couldn't even bring himself to admit what he actually did, just leaving it with the Clintonesque apology for the "private matter" and of course, refusal to answer questions.
Do we really need to put the wives out there? Does it really accomplish anything? Who in New York politics is going to say, "I know spending $80,000 on hookers over 10 years is illegal and all, but his wife is ok with it so who am I to criticize?" Not so likely I would guess. Its gotten to the point of cliche now. Every one of these guys does this; they all bring along their wife, apparently give her directions on how to cast a troubled yet forgiving look while he tries as hard as he can to deflect. In other words, to hide behind his wife's skirts like a little kid hoping for Mom's protection when Dad gets home and finds the broken cookie jar. David Vitter, Larry Craig, Jim McGreevey, hell, even Kobe, all these guys do this. At least Vanessa Bryant got eight carats worth of reasons to show at the presser (although she probably could have shaken loose millions more)
Look at that picture of Silda Spitzer. You can just feel her cringing, thinking "how much can I take this guy for," or "how much longer til I can throw this guy out of the house," or "how soon can I get to Hawaii," or "things to do today: (1) get STD test after 20 years of marriage, thank you very much a-hole." Talk about the Girl With Far Away Eyes. She's standing there, like all the wives have to do, as the victim, who may be (I would assume) feeling humiliated and exposed for everyone to see as the woman whose husband couldn't keep it in his pants. Spitzer has three teenage daughters too; why didn't he have them there to pitch in? After all, its a good cause, right?
You can say a lot of things about Bill Clinton, but he never made Hillary stand up there with him on display when he finally admitted being with "that woman" (or maybe she had the good sense to tell him to do it by himself).
So, what have we learned? If you're going to troll for sex without your wife's help, you can show up for the eventual public exercise of begging for mercy when you get caught without her help too.
5 comments:
I agree. I'd be like "you got yourself into this; you can get yourself out." LOL.
Here's an odd thing about this: I asked my MIL (who's a Democrat) who she supported for the nomination. She refused to support Hillary because *she stood by Bill.* After all he did to her, she stood by him. I wonder if anyone has considered that angle with why Hillary isn't more popular with women?
Samantha Bee on The Daily Show did a hilarious spoof of this last night. You must see this: http://www.thedailyshow.com/
Click on "Shame Parade"
Is the New York Times lying, then?
'Cause if they're not, she's the one who convinced him not to resign immediately.
Your post is painting a Harvard Law grad and former corporate lawyer as a meek and subservient "little woman."
I don't see how that squares with your stated concerns.
I TOTALLY agree. Man, if I was married to this goon I'd have had those three kids outta there so fast and had my own press conference.
You are right. He should have taken it like a man.
The STD issue is a big concern too. He endangered his wife.
I hope Mrs. Spitzer scats with the kiddos before her husband starts thinking his daughters' friends are irresistible.
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