By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer  

Posted March 10, 2008 — The Governor of New York apologized to the folks he represents today for his reported ties to a prostitution ring. His fall from grace could put an African American in one of the most powerful executive spots in the country.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer, 48,  did not resign, but his history of catching the “bad guys” and unearthing corruption made these recent allegations surprising.   

Spitzer, a Democrate, held a news conference this afternoon and told reporters, “I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my or any sense of right or wrong,” he said.

Appearing with his wife Silda at his Manhattan office, Spitzer said, “I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better.”

The governor has allegedly been linked to a high-end prostitution ring called Emperors Club VIP.  The New York Times reported the most highly ranked prostitutes cost as much as $5,500 an hour.

If Spitzer is forced to step aside, Lt. Governor David Paterson would take over for the rest of the term.  The New York state constitution would place the Brooklyn born veteran in one of the most powerful executive post in state government. 

Paterson was first elected to the New York State Senate in 1986, and became the minority leader in 2002 and later becoming Spitzer’s second in command.

Paterson who was born legally blind made his debut on the national scene when he addressed the 2004 Democratic National Convention.   

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Poltical Producer

(Posted March 11, 2008)  – Talk about hatin’ on a Black man, Democrat Geraldine Ferraro, obviously still bitter from her failed run as the first woman vice-president, is venting her disappointment by attacking Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)
 
What’s up, I thought it was all about being treated equal, and race and gender were being put aside, not according to Ferraro - she contends one particular woman isn’t being treated fairly.   

Ferraro, who ran for vice president with Walter Mondale in 1984, believes her candidate; Sen. Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) isn’t getting a “fair shake” in the media, and the reason is gender based.

Her complaint echoes the same whining Clinton exhibited during the last debate when she complained about being asked the first question by moderators.

Ferraro told Californian newspaper the Daily Breese, Obama wouldn’t be where he is in the race today if he were “a White man’’ or a woman of any color. 

Here’s what she had to say;

“I think what America feels about a woman becoming president takes a very secondary place to Obama’s campaign - to a kind of campaign that it would be hard for anyone to run against,” Ferraro said.

“For one thing, you have the press, which has been uniquely hard on her. It’s been a very sexist media. Some just don’t like her. The others have gotten caught up in the Obama campaign.

“If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position,” Ferraro told the newspaper. “And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”

So what do you think about her comments? 

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted March 10, 2008 – This weekend former President Bill Clinton talked up a Democratic “dream team” with his wife topping the ticket and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in the Vice Presidential spot.  

I’m not sure that’s the same “team” Obama would consider as dreamy.  When asked what he thought about Clinton’s re-assignment of his presidential run, he said, “Well, you know, I think it’s premature. You won’t see me as a vice presidential candidate. You know, I’m running for president.”

“We have won twice as many states as Senator Clinton and have a higher popular vote, and I think we can maintain our delegate count,” he added.

Since Obama’s Super Tuesday sweep, pundits, political watcher and actuarial scientist have wrangled over who can win the Democratic nomination.  They have analyzed the wins and losses; configured future contest; and theorized on what to do about Michigan and Florida; with all scenarios concluding Obama maintaining the delegate lead. 

Obama has recaptured his momentum winning the Wyoming Democratic caucuses Saturday with 61 percent of the vote to Clinton’s 38 percent,  giving the freshman senator 13 caucus wins to Clinton’s 3. 

Obama has generally outperformed Clinton in caucuses, because he’s organized a strong  a strong ground operation and participation is often fueled by voters passion for a thier candidate. 

So what about an Obama-Clinton ticket?  Could that be a “dream team?”

I have two theories why the Clintons have started talking about sharing the ticket with the Illinois senator.

The first is to create a distraction for the media; the second is to imply to voters “a vote for Hillary” could be a vote for Obama.  

Obama was quick to fire back, “no thanks.”

This “dream” theme began when Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) started saying, “I’ve had people say, ‘Well, I wish I could vote for both of you’. Well, that might be possible some day.”  Suggesting folks cast their first vote for her during the primary.   

Tuesday, when folks in Mississippi go to the polls, they should vote for the candidate they want to see as president, that’s how the process works.   

There are an estimated 599 delegates left, nine state primaries and two territories who haven’t voiced their presidential pick, they can’t pick a Vice President, only the nominee can.     

Voters don’t be distracted.