Eliot Spitzer can't stay out of the spotlight
It would appear that Eliot Spitzer is intent on being talked about.
In an interview posted this weekend by NYT, Spitzer said it's unclear whether Andrew Cuomo has the guts to take on tough political fights as governor. He also said he wasn't sure if he would vote for Cuomo.
Of course,there's some history here. Spitzer and Cuomo fought over the Joe Bruno investigation (Spitzer tells NYT Cuomo's approach was a "whitewash"). And Mario Cuomo reportedly said Spitzer wasn't qualified to be governor because he was "a bad man."
The book and the doc
Also stoking the coverage of Eliot Spitzer are Rough Justice, the book by Peter Elkind and the the untitled documentary by Oscar-winner Alex Gibney.
The reviews of Rough Justice are generally positive. Michiko Kakutani calls it a "a succinct and fair-minded overview of Mr. Spitzer's overall career." A review for the WaPo calls it "an entertaining gallop." And LAT's reviewer writes it "adds fresh details" to the story of Spitzer's downfall.
Gibney's unfinished doc, currently called The Untitled Eliot Spitzer Documentary, screened at the Tribeca film fest this past weekend. In the New York Press, the doc is described as raising "enough tantalizing new questions to keep audiences enthralled." And the NYO's Azi Paybarah says the film is "a pretty good examination of how a political star veered head-on into a brick wall."
Joe Bruno makes an appearance in the doc, "hitting a punching bag and acting like a side player in a Scorsese movie," according to NYDN film critic Joe Neumaier. (The film's "breakout star" apparently is the woman who ran the day-to-day operations of The Emperor's Club.)
"Friends" tell Politico that Spitzer is hoping the book and documentary will be "the last word" on the sex scandal and allow him to move on.
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Comments
Good god, really? He really just needs to shut up for the next few years. I'm not done being pissed off at him, and this isn't helping matters.
... said Slacker on Apr 26, 2010 at 3:55 PM | link
I've said it before, I'll say it again: Spitzer's main problem wasn't the prostitution, it was his uncontrollable ego and consistent pattern of sociopathic behavior.
... said Kevin Marshall on Apr 26, 2010 at 4:06 PM | link
This is the Elliot Spitzer who thought David Paterson the best choice for backup governor, right? He's certainly proven to be a great judge of character and ability.
... said CJ on Apr 26, 2010 at 4:39 PM | link
@Kevin -
Elliot Spitzer's uncontrollable ego and consistent pattern of sociopoathic behaviour make him the perfect politician.
Come on, tell me you can name a NY politician without an ego the size of St. Lawence County...
... said komradebob on Apr 26, 2010 at 4:40 PM | link
Really annoying that he feels such a compulsion to shoot his mouth off so much and so publicly. He has a good brain and could contribute valuable insights and ideas. In fact, many people do so but stay in the background. Such a role would be both a service and favor.
... said KM on Apr 27, 2010 at 10:32 AM | link
The man with the hook should really pull this man off the stage.
... said rob on Apr 27, 2010 at 4:59 PM | link