Newsday columnist: Republican operator claims he knew in advance about Spitzer downfall.

[JackRiddler]

http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-nyhen125610573mar12,0,5345252.column

GOP schemer predicts more shakeups ahead
Ellis Henican
March 12, 2008

(...)

Yesterday was beautiful, bright and crisp in Albany, with just the earliest hint of spring. But before I could even make my way to the Capitol to gather up a new pile of reaction statements, my cell phone was ringing from a place even nicer than this.

The call-back number said 202, for Washington. But the sunny voice on the other end could only be in Miami. Yes, it was Roger Stone. And the exuberance in his voice made high-fiving Albanians sound almost morose. "I didn't make him go to a prostitution ring," said the most famous and ruthless Republican dirty trickster who still walks the earth. "He did that all on his own."

Stone said that even before I asked if his hand was somehow in Spitzer's latest trouble. I figured, somehow or another, it had to be. "No comment on that," Stone said. "I will say I knew it was coming. That's why I wasn't too upset about the results of the special election," where a Democrat grabbed a supposedly safe Republican State Senate seat, leaving Democrats just one vote shy of control.

Conversations with Stone often go like that. Always cocky. A little cryptic. Leaving you wondering about more. With a guerrilla-politics resume that goes all the way back to Richard Nixon, Stone's fingers have been in some of the most dastardly Republican schemes of the past 40 years, up to and including the Florida 2000 presidential recount. He helped rich guy Tom Golisano make high-priced mischief in the previous governor's race. He returned to Albany last year on the dime of Senate boss Joe Bruno. Desperate to keep his tiny Republican majority in the Senate, Bruno figured Stone could help. And he helped, until he had to quit when a voice that sounded awfully like his turned up making threats on the governor's father's voice mail.

(...)

Even though there's no evidence he sent the governor to a hooker or made the Bush Justice Department follow up on a banking tip, he's been energetically working to undermine the governor.

(...)

"My work isn't done there," he said.

"Just watch."

(...)

Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.

Dismiss it as bluster, but Stone's claim would be a confession to illegality on the level of at least, oh, paying for sex. Is Stone supposed to know about ongoing investigations before they are unsealed? Who are his friends at Justice?

For more speculation on how the Spitzer take-down may have been set up, go here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=recent_posts&command=replies&parent_id=2995172&forum=389

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. It was set up ... so what? Elliot walked into this lovely trap of his own making n/t

[JackRiddler]

3. Yes. Want to go beyond the obvious, or what?

Some of us would like to know.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. Spitzer quit. There's nothing left to defend - not even a principle

But it was always about him ... even the targets he chose when he wielded power. No, beyond the obvious is just as sad as the public debacle that has been the Spitzer administration. I wish the best to David Paterson; he'll need all the help he can get.

[JackRiddler]

5. I don't care about Spitzer.

To be truthful, he can go to hell. His year in office was a disaster. His only accomplishment was a workers' compensation "reform" that screwed workers. That's it. He supports making poor people pay to drive into Manhattan. He didn't investigate 9/11, he supported the Iraq war, and until yesterday he was one of Clinton's most important backers. He had a hypocritical "law and order" stance, including against prostitution. And he was a famously arrogant prick.

I welcome Governor Paterson.

That doesn't change the fact that when something like this happens, if there is a story behind it, I want to know it. Ignorance is not strength.

[Fredda Weinberg]

6. Story? There's another history book ... we're in agreement

But action? Even accusing the prosecutors of misconduct in this case is laughable when you consider Spitzer's own conduct.

[malaise]

13. Spitzer showed more decency by retiring than

any Rethug. Good for him.

[EFerrari]

8. So what? Your Justice Department is politicized as hell and

your response is "so what?"

You outdo yourself.

[Fredda Weinberg]

11. Our justice department, unless you're not a citizen. But it's not new

and unfortunately, Spitzer himself was guilty of many of the same offenses. So what? No, I work through individuals and organizations for long term change that doesn't generate backlash. That's what ... this is silly season. Get a grip.

[EFerrari]

12. It must be comforting to believe you can control everything.

There is no "long term change" without confronting our real time corruption.

And, no thanks, I don't need a "grip".

[Fredda Weinberg]

14. I know what I can't control ... changing the gravitational constant of

our universe is beyond my capacity. Humans are more plastic.

But if you don't have a plan, how do you know where you're going? You mock long term change, but offer nothing of your own. So your criticism rings hollow ... maybe not a grip, but consider that while your hostility is directed toward me, I'm not the source.

[devilgrrl]

2. And when is Larry Flynt going to release his list?

Has he gotten around to that?

[Bozita]

10. I was wondering the same thing.

[liberal1973]

7. Rod stone's ass needs to be taken down too.

[annabanana]

9. JACK>> Check out these threads

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3222574&mesg_id=3222574


and

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2995772&mesg_id=2995772