Silda Wall Spitzer stood beside her husband, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, as he resigned on Wednesday amid a scandal over a $1,000-an-hour prostitute. The mother of the governor’s three daughters also stood by her husband’s side at a news conference on Monday where he admitted he had violated his obligations to his family and his “sense of right and wrong.”
The public reaction to Mrs. Wall Spitzer’s stance to “stand by her man” has been mixed at best, New York Magazines notes . Political blog from N. Dakota, “Say Anything” , said it would have paid to see Silda Spitzer punch her husband on the podium.
Others were not as generous. “What’s more disgusting than a lyin’ no good, cheatin, hypocritical, political man? Their wives that stand by looking dumbfounded as their unfaithful husbands apologize to the public. Do these women have no pride?” wrote New York City Moms blog. Dr. Laura went so far as to blame Mrs. Wall Spitzer for the scandal.
She’s not the first wife to stand silently by her husband as he apologizes or confesses. Dina Matos McGreevey wrote a book called “Silent Partner ” about her life with her ex-husband, the former governor of New Jersey, who resigned after announcing he was a homosexual.
What are your views? Can we or should we read much into the private decisions of a wife of a public figure?
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No one knows what went on in their marriage nor is it any of our business. She did what she had to do right now. It took courage standing there and putting others needs first (her daugthers). There will be plenty of time to address his marital infidelity and their problems. She appears to be a classy lady. Why don’t we all just leave her alone? Why kick someone when they are down?
- Posted by jimiaSilda is a fox. She should dump Eliot and find a real man.
- Posted by JohnI have no problem with her choosing to do what she wants in this situation. I think that a loving husband would insist on appearing alone, so as not to put her through any further distress. Her appearance at his side, makes me feel that he is weaker than ever and relying on her to get him out of his mess. I felt the same way when the Clintons appeared together and with their daughter shortly after the Lewinski scandal. A truly strong and loving husband and father would keep the family out of the public eye, not using them to paint a picture. His first priority is to heal his family, not his image.
- Posted by Beckyi say dumb the bum and marry jim cramer. hes a nice boy and he woould never hurt a girls feelings.
- Posted by janiLook up the characteristics of a sociopath. She’s got to get away from him for her daughters’ sake.
- Posted by bonnie uptonFor her 3 daughters’ sake, Silda WS needed to be present on Monday, but why did she bear that cross again on Wednesday? She bolted from their SUV upon return to their Upper East Side residence, rather than waiting for her scoundrel husband. And who can blame her — we are now learning that Spitzer forced himself on that Banking Committee on February 14th, was totally unprepared by all accounts, and therefore traveled mainly for this assignation with Ms. Kristen Williams, no more than 8 years older than the Spitzers’ 17 yo daughter. So sad.
- Posted by suzanne goodeWives should not just stand next to their errant husbands. They should read a prepared statement of their own reflecting their personal views
Here is my statement if I were Mrs.. Spitzer:
“Unquestionably, my husband must take full responsibility for his actions, and our family will pay the price that these actions demand.
But there is also a second story here.
That second story is about being “caught out” by powerful people - both in Albany and New York - whose long-time goal has been to destroy the person who has led the fight to root out corruption on Wall Street and in the State.
In covering the salacious story of my husband’s personal activities, I hope that the press and the people of this state will also cover this second story in the depth it deserves.
My husband is a courageous man. He stood up for the people on Main Street when few others would battle the forces of greed and corruption.
Regardless of what my husband chooses to do and what our family goes through, I take great pride in his accomplishments. These accomplishments will live on long after the consequences of his actions are paid.”
- Posted by MaryAnnWhy are we discussing any of this? Does it concern us? Whether his family is affected by this or not (obviously they are but thats not THE ISSUE), Spitzer essentially appropriated public funds (taxpayer’s money) for his own gratification. (Even if he comes from real estate money, one cannot separate the public funds he used from his own wallet) He broke the law. Thats it. Thats enough. Which court, which jury of peers will try him CRIMINALLY on the charge ‘you hurt the sentiments of your wife?’ Its grounds for divorce, sure. But thats for a CIVIL COURT, NOT A CRIMINAL COURT. How prudish and priggish and muddled Americans are is obvious from all this misdirected attention.
- Posted by Amrita MishraSo how many politicians worldwide are actually more honest than Spitzer? Here in Italy you would be lucky to find even one. As they say, the only crime is getting caught.
- Posted by NickAfter thing more about, she knows all the underhanded shady deals that go on & she benefited from all of it up until now so she faces it just like he is nothing wrong with that —play u pay
- Posted by CharlieShe is a very pretty lady, with an education and respect, she needs to distance herself from this hypocrite. Politics aside (both democrats & republicans are guilty), Eliot is a loser, ruined a bright career because he couldn’t keep it in his pants.
- Posted by NormDr. Laura is correct: Silda may very well share part of the blame for her husband’s actions. Don’t get me wrong–it was he who chose to stray. What I’m saying is that she may have encouraged that behavior by her actions or even by not acting.
It is a well-established fact that men are reluctant to ask their wives for things they really need, suspecting that the cost of such requests far outweigh the potential benefits of the requests. The sad part is that many women behave in a holier-than-thou manner when their husbands are caught trying to satisfy their basic human needs. Sex, right after food and water, is a man’s greatest need. Women do not understand this.
- Posted by GaryThis isn’t the 1950’s and men should not be allowed to get away with philandering like this. Did he consider his wife and kids when he was on his little trysts? Its the kids who are hurt the most over this and he ought to be thoroughly ashamed for this. She will never trust him again completely. Pathetic man.
- Posted by kerryI feel bad for his family I really do but these big time politicians had better clean up there act but the awful truth is they won’t at least until they get into hot water like this unfortunate soul.
- Posted by CharlieI’m hoping she finds the strength to leave him and set a good example for their daughters. Among the many horrors of this situation, six years of his illicit activity has put her at risk, so now she has to fear for her health as well.
- Posted by leaHe may be a sex addict. They may not be having sex. We don’t know she didn’t know about it, either. None of it is our business, it’s been a husband and a wife.
Her decision is her decision.
If it was his own money, then public trust doesn’t come into it either.
Let politicians’ sex lives be their own business. For that kind of stuff, I can visit TMZ and read stories, made up and other wise, about celebrities sex lives.
This delving into others’ sex lives is a disgusting modern day trend. Personally, I don’t like feeling like a voyeur.
- Posted by DoeMaybe She likes it and does it as well. Women have things to hide as well as men.
- Posted by JimI foresee the inevitable parting when this story cools a bit. The Silda Wall Spitzer goes down. The Silda Wall goes up.
- Posted by Mac AmboWe should trust and support whatever decision she makes. Supporting her does not obligate us to support him though. He is the one who sinned, not his wife. We need to support whatever she does because she knows better than anyone else what she and her kids need.
- Posted by mikeShe is way too attractive and intelligent to stay with this repeat offender. I am sure that she would be better off on her own and setting a strong female example for her daughters
- Posted by Greg