Husband's past scandal puts Clinton in tough spot on Spitzer case
WASHINGTON - As New York Governor Eliot Spitzer weighs his political future after being accused of patronizing a high-priced prostitute, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is faced with an awkward choice: Call for the resignation of a fellow Empire State Democrat and raise comparisons with her own husband's behavior as president, or keep quiet and risk the appearance of condoning Spitzer's alleged offense.
For the moment, the New York senator - like her rival, Illinois Senator Barack Obama - is keeping relatively mum, deflecting questions about Spitzer's situation as she campaigns in Pennsylvania ahead of the April 22 primary. Clinton said on Monday only that she sent her "best wishes and thoughts" to Spitzer and his family, and yesterday avoided talking about the political drama.
"In the end, this could hurt Senator Clinton - unfairly so," said Jon Delano, a political analyst at Carnegie Mellon University. "There's nothing worse than guilt by association."
A Spitzer resignation in its starkest mathematical terms would deprive Clinton of a coveted superdelegate in the race for the nomination. Normally, the new governor - in this case, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson - would move up and take the superdelegate slot. But because Paterson is a Democratic National Committee member, he is already a superdelegate, and would not get another vote upon becoming governor, according to the DNC.
But as long as Spitzer remains in office, his alleged behavior is an uncomfortable reminder of the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal, political specialists say.
Spitzer faces being charged with a sex crime while Bill Clinton engaged in a consensual relationship. Still, Bill Clinton was facing possible perjury charges, and if Hillary Clinton were to suggest that Spitzer should resign because of his alleged criminal wrongdoing, some observers might detect a double standard.
Still, some analysts say the public is unlikely to draw any parallels with Spitzer.
"People don't need to be reminded of that [Lewinsky] period - they'll think of it all on their own," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
John Zogby, an independent pollster based in upstate New York, said: "The difference here is that there wasn't the charge of hypocrisy with Bill Clinton. America kind of knew what it was getting."
But Zogby said Hillary Clinton can't go much longer without weighing in more forcefully on Spitzer's fate. "She's an elected official in New York State who is running for president and she has to take a stand," he said.
