My report on the fall of Spitzer: Commentary by Dave Shiflett March 13 (Bloomberg) -- Eliot Spitzer's quickie resignation speech left every indication that the atonement for his ``private failings'' had just begun. The wait wasn't long: By the end of the day, the Woman in Question had told the New York Times that she doesn't want ``to be thought of as a monster.'' Those of us who have monitored the New York governor's flameout these past two days perked up as the day progressed. Cable commentators had started running low on material, despite moments of exciting insight. My favorite was the wild-eyed woman on CNN, who said Spitzer was commanded by impulses radiating from the back of his brain. Expensive boarding schools, Ivy League educations and the best of breeding seem powerless before such primal instincts. I also was entranced by the elite ex-call girl who detailed her former lifestyle on NBC's ``Today'' show. She said she once made $29,000 in one weekend. ``It's like Wall Street,'' she said. ``You have to go in, make your money and get out.'' Just before noon, Spitzer rode -- inched, actually, through Manhattan's unforgiving traffic -- to the rescue in a gas- guzzling SUV. He was accompanied by his wife Silda, who assumed the position of humiliated spouse as her husband explained that he'd begun the healing process with his family. She didn't look like much healing had sunk in yet, but who can blame her? She's bound to have lots on her mind. When your husband's been bedding hookers, who knows what he's brought home? `Out of Body' On MSNBC we were treated to expert testimony from Dina Matos McGreevey, similarly poleaxed by former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, who left his wife for a man. She accompanied him before the cameras on that grim day in August 2004, she explained, for the sake of their daughter, whom she thought would benefit by seeing mom standing by dad in his hour of need. Must be a strange child. She further described the day as an ``out of body experience,'' looking as if she had yet to fully return home. Like many viewers, no doubt, I found myself wondering what my dear frau would do if I pulled such a stunt. Not likely she'd show up at the press conference in the flesh. She'd probably send along an arrangement of orchids -- with a tarantula hidden in the stems. Spitzer's speech hardly ends the affair, the commentator corps now insists. This is surely correct. Besides the possibility of money laundering and other criminal charges, there are other reasons to believe this story, like those five- grand call girls, has pretty good legs. The now legendary $4,300 payout appears not to have been Spitzer's first interaction with the accounts-payable department at the Emperors Club. I assume a platoon or two of Spitzer girls have lawyered and agented up and are in the process of contacting the appropriate media outlets. Maid's Outfit? The smart money says more juicy stuff lies ahead. The woman in the Feb. 13 tryst, identified in a Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit as ``Kristen,'' was reportedly told by her dispatcher that ``Client-9,'' as the governor is referred to, might ask her ``to do things that, like, you might not think were safe.'' The mind whirls. Will we soon see photos of Spitzer in a French maid's outfit? We didn't have to wait long. By the early evening, ``Kristen'' had come forward with her real, albeit somewhat Tennessee-Williamsish name, Ashley Alexandra Dupre. Unlike Blanche DuBois, however, Ashley, 22, has a MySpace page loaded with details of a troubled childhood and artistic aspirations to accompany that deluxe price tag. Whether she ever sings on ``American Idol,'' we do know now that Ashley Dupre sang Monday in Federal court. The song was familiar. I'm sure it won't be long before we hear every warbled note. (Dave Shiflett is a television critic for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)
