The race of Eliot Spitzer's life

If the former governor of New York gets back in politics, a figure from his past will haunt him

Published September 8, 2009 2:30PM (EDT)

A lesson for prominent politicians: If you're caught patronizing an escort service, it's going to stick with you for a while. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., has had to face his involvement with the "D.C. Madam" on a regular basis as he runs for reelection, because porn star Stormy Daniels has been publicly considering a run against him. And now former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is being told that if he tries to get back into politics, he's going to have a similar problem.

Kristin Davis, who ran the agency Spitzer used, wrote on her blog last week, "[I]f Eliot spitzer (sic) throws his hat in the ring, I may just have to jump in the race myself." She also raised a fair point about the sexism often seen in enforcement of anti-prostitution laws: While Davis went to prison, Spitzer didn't face criminal charges of any sort.

That in and of itself may be a reason to run, but the other is that it would make for a hell of a race. If only Spitzer were running for governor -- add former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who's contemplating a run for that job, to the mix, and things would only get more interesting.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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