Reply #32: Clinton declines comment on Spitzer

[ProSense]

Clinton declines comment on Spitzer

By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer 53 minutes ago

SCRANTON, Pa. - Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton carefully sidestepped questions Monday about the sex scandal engulfing Eliot Spitzer, her home state governor and political ally.

"I don't have any comment on that. Obviously I am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family," Clinton said, opening her first campaign swing through Pennsylvania, which holds its presidential primary April 22.

Spitzer apologized Monday after he was accused of paying for sex with a high-priced call girl. Authorities say he was caught on a federal wiretap arranging a tryst with the woman at a Washington hotel room.

It was a blow to Clinton, who recently had intensified her criticism of rival Barack Obama's relationship with Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a political patron on trial in federal court in Obama's hometown of Chicago for alleged fraud and corruption.

While not personally close, Clinton and Spitzer have been friendly colleagues since the former first lady first ran for the Senate in New York in 2000. Her aides said Clinton deeply respected Spitzer's work during his two terms as state attorney general, where he became a national crusader against corporate corruption and Wall Street investment excesses.

more

Get used to this.