I see what you mean!
Vladimir Pooty-poot. Compare and contrast ...
Posted on 12/31/2005 10:32:11 AM PST by Behind Liberal Lines
ALBANY—Top New York Republicans have called for a formal investigation into allegations that Attorney General Eliot Spitzer threatened a man who wrote an editorial critical of Spitzer’s conduct.
According to the New York Post, both Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer) and state Republican Chairman Stephen Minarik have urged that a formal investigation be launched into claims by John Whitehead, “one of the most respected figures on Wall St,” that Spitzer telephoned Whitehead and threatened him after Whitehead wrote an editorial about Spitzer in the Wall St. Journal.
a furious Spitzer tracked him down in Texas last spring after he authored an earlier piece in defense of former American International Group CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, who was being investigated by Spitzer for corporate fraud. Citing notes he said he took during the telephone conversation, Whitehead quoted Spitzer as saying, "Mr. Whitehead, it's now a war between us and you've fired the first shot . . . I will be coming after you. You will pay the price."
In addition to Bruno and Minarik, the Post notes, Governor George Pataki has said he had "no reason not to believe" Whitehead was telling the truth.
Assemblyman Tom Kirwan (R-Newburgh) has called for Spitzer's impeachment “if Whitehead's charges are proven to be true.”
Spitzer has denied Whitehead’s claims. However, on Friday, the Post reported, Spitzer admitted to having a “a passionate conversation” with Whitehead.
Spitzer, considered the front-runner for New York's Governor in 2006, has come under criticism from some circles for what some view as "politically motivated" prosecutions of New York business leaders.
In November, the New York Daily News reported that Spitzer was using fines and settlements obtained from these prosecutions to hand out "millions of dollars to politically connected organizations that could boost his campaign for governor in 2006."
Spitzer denies that politics play a role in his office's activities.
That is one of the great truths of our time -- it can't be repeated too often.
Not only that, it's also a lose, lose situation, which I think is even worse.
See the apropos Ayn Rand quote on my FR profile page.
Too bad it'll die on the vine as a "he said - he said" kinda thing.
NewsMax:
Eliot Spitzer in Second 'Threat' Flap
A second accuser now says that New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer threatened to use his office against him - after he publicly criticized the top Empire State Democrat.
John Whitehead - a former head of Goldman Sachs who now runs the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. - says Spitzer threatened to "come after" him after he wrote an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal last April complaining that the AG was overzealous in his prosecutions.
After the piece appeared, Whitehead said Spitzer personally called him to declare "war."
"It's now a war between us and you've fired the first shot," Whitehead quoted Spitzer as saying. "I will be coming after you. You will pay the price. This is only the beginning and you will pay dearly for what you have done. You will wish you had never written that letter.'"
Insurance News Net:
SPITZER VS. SPITZER?
Did state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer issue an ugly threat against the chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. for daring to criticize him in print?
And, if so, does that constitute a crime?
New York Republicans say yes on both counts, and they're demanding an investigation by Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau. No surprise there - Democrat Spitzer, after all, is way ahead in all the polls for next year's gubernatorial race.
Absent any evidence that Spitzer actually followed through on the threat, we don't see how what happened - if it happened - rises to the level of a crime.
Or, for that matter, if it would be an action deserving impeachment from office, as demanded by some on the GOP side of the state Legislature in Albany.
But it would certainly speak to Spitzer's judgment - and whether, frankly, he has the kind of firm, even temperament needed to effectively serve as governor.
Which is why voters need to be paying attention.
The brouhaha dates back to April when LMDC Chairman John Whitehead wrote an op-ed article in The Wall Street Journal taking Spitzer to task for his public indictment, absent any criminal charges, of Maurice Greenberg - former CEO of the AIG insurance group and a decades-long friend of Whitehead's.
Last week, in a short follow-up piece meant to dispel "rumors in the media," Whitehead said he received a phone call from Spitzer after his earlier article ran.
"I was so shocked," said Whitehead, "that I wrote it all down right away so I would be sure to remember it exactly as he said it."
What Spitzer said, according to Whitehead, was this:
"Mr. Whitehead, it's now a war between us, and you've fired the first shot. I will be coming after you. You will pay the price. This is only the beginning, and you will pay dearly for what you have done. You will wish you had never written that letter."
This is getting lots of mileage..
Did you ever really look at this guy? Anyone who looks like that is surely one sick ticket. Look at his eyes.
If Whitehead is the second accuser, who is the first?
A good portion of the prosecutors in this country are just as corrupt. Spitzer is simply more famous.
Richard Grasso, and friends?
-PJ
-PJ
It appears to be a pattern for Eliot.
From: http://prorev.com/hillary2.htm
NEWSDAY: New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer was accused of threatening unspecified action against talk-radio station WABC after getting embroiled in an on-air quarrel with talk-show host Sean Hannity and author and Clinton critic Laura Ingraham. A spokesman for Spitzer denied the charge leveled by producer Eric Stanger.
The fracas began during the regular program featuring Hannity, a host with conservative leanings. Spitzer appeared via telephone as the Democratic participant in a discussion with Hannity and Ingraham, author of "The Hillary Trap: Looking for Power in All the Wrong Places." Spitzer spokesman Scott Brown said Spitzer had been told the subject was to be Republican vice presidential candidate Richard Cheney. The debate grew heated, straying from the subject of Cheney. But as Hannity continued talking over his responses, Spitzer attacked Rep. Bob Barr as a hypocrite who had fathered an illegitimate child, apparently mistaking Barr for Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), who has admitted an extramarital affair.
Spitzer kept to that position, although Hannity gave him a chance to step back. Spitzer hung up when the show went to a commercial. But shortly afterward, according to Stanger, Spitzer called the station control room and began speaking with him. "At one point," Stanger said, "he says to me, 'Let me assure you, I intend to use my capacity of the office of attorney general to act on this.'" "My eyebrows went up," Stanger said. "I said, 'Sir, is that a threat?'" Stanger said Spitzer immediately responded, "No, no, no. What I meant is that I am going to call my friends in government to tell them to boycott the show." Brown denied that Spitzer had threatened the station. Spitzer felt "sandbagged," Brown said, because he expected to talk about Cheney and did not know Ingraham would be on the show. Brown also acknowledged the reference to Barr was a mistake.
A little more than a year ago I was obliged to defend myself publicly against a legal smear. Eliot Spitzer, the full-time New York state attorney general and part-time fund-raiser for his political ambitions, called me "unsavory," "deceptive" and "tainted." When many in the media were uncritically swayed by his posturing, Mr. Spitzer then pledged to "put a stake through" my heart.
-PJ
You're right. Though I'm depending on some fellow NY Freeper to remember the particulars. I know Spitzer made a threat to a NYC radiojock on a live phonecall, but I can't remember the radio guy's name or the circumstances of the call. Need some help here.
Sorry to all. Should have read down the page.
I was listening that day. I am pretty sure it was Sean Hannity that was threatened.
I see what you mean!
Vladimir Pooty-poot. Compare and contrast ...
There is some talk that Donald Trump may jump into the
race for NY gov. against Spitzer.
Even more so.
He scares even the democrats in the state.
Currently, and this is no secret, Hillary and Schumer are trying to recruit the exec from Nassau County to run against him, and Tom Golisano, who is being urged by republicans to run for Governor has been seen with and praised by Bill Clinton.
You know a guy is scary, when the Clintons fear you, your own party fears you, and the other party fears you.
His goal is to run for prez in 2012.
It was a stunt by Bruno to kind of force Golisano to make up his mind.
Trumps polical advisor Roger Stone kind of concedes that...Roger Stone generally works for republicans but last time around was running Al Sharptons campaign, in what had to be the strangest pairing ever.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.