Sex and Politicians

It's hard to avoid writing about Spitzer (best potential New York Post headline, "Eliot-- Phone Ho", thanks to my partner Rich Masters). Having represented a president facing his own sex scandal, I can say from first-hand experience that damage control in these situations is extremely difficult. There were times that the crisis team was sitting around our offices in the White House wondering how many days before Clinton would resign-- and wondering how solid our relationship with the Vice President was-- just as Spitzer's team no doubt has been doing.

But I think there is one mistake that both Spitzer and Clinton have made once the scandal became public-- listening to their lawyers about how to protect their legal positions instead of talking to their constituents. I understand that they are both lawyers, and both were surrounded by attorneys advising them on how not to get indicted. But unlike executives in the private sector, governors and presidents have one responsibility first and forement, and that is to lead. That's why the tens of millions of voters elected them, and that has to remain their number one priority.

That means explaining their actions to their constituents, and not hiding behind legal walls. Even if the risk is of self-incrimination, in my humble opinion that is what they owe to the public. Putting their own self-interest over that of their constituents got them into trouble in the first place. Transparency, humility, compassion, and a way to move forward. That's what's called for, not legal maneuvering. Just my two cents from experience.