Speeding from "linked to prostitution ring" to "resignation" in a mere 48 hours is a stunning (de)feat no matter how it's chronicled. Has ever the mighty fallen so fast? So I can't help wondering about the role the Internet played in this sorry spectacle.
On Monday afternoon, I scratched my head when my handheld displayed a New York Times alert that Spitzer was linked to a prostitution ring. My immediate reaction was that he had somehow been caught up in some kind of money laundering or corruption scandal. Or maybe he was a kingpin behind the ring's operations. Still, this was hard to fathom given the Eliot Ness white knight persona he had so carefully crafted, especially in his days as New York AG. And when I clicked on the link, I thought surely I was reading it wrong when the story said he'd been captured in a Federal wiretap and identified as "Client 9." Imagine that! The prostitution ring linkage wasn't nearly as interesting as Spitzer turning out to be some kind of corrupt white-collar criminal. If only. Instead, The Honorable Elliot "Ness" Spitzer was just a john!
Within hours, the blogs were abuzz and inboxes were filling up with links to lurid affidavits serving up the shocking and depressing details on the court filings. The New York Times reported a 60% jump in traffic to their web site after posting the March 10 "linked to the prostition ring" story and not even 48 hours later, Spitzer apologized and stepped down from public life. The loop is complete when the linkage extends to online commerce: Zazzle is selling "Client 9" t-shirts and Elliot Spitzer mugshot buttons in your choice of colors and sizes!
All this in two days!
Surely, this is some kind of record. So, I'm wondering, again, how big was the Internet's role in all this? Did it hasten Spitzer's demise? It's clear the Internet is having an enormous impact on our economic and social lives. Has it become so indispensable that it now has the power to change society?
One last question: how long until "Kristen" shows up on Larry King Live?
12 comments ↓
Bingo! Meet “Kristen.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/nyregion/12cnd-kristen.html
Very good point. With the speed in which information is created and disseminated there is no doubt the internet played a huge role in the Spitzer scandal.
I am an Idahoan and the Senator Larry Craig “foot tapping” incident spread like wild fire over the internet. Within 48 hours there were news stories, email jokes, utube videos, bloggs, etc. Anyone that used the internet was exposed to the Larry Craig story and could not avoid it.
There are many that believe Senator Craig was setup in a “Sting Operation” by the police departed with several potential names or groups thrown in as being behind the alleged sting.
I am not saying Senator Craig was setup or that he is innocent of the charges but if he was setup look at the influence of the internet on this case and the career it has potentially damaged.
You make a great point. How big can this internet be and what is it capable of?
The internet age and the “right now” availability of news 24/7 has altered the political landscape significantly. It must be similar to how network TV news changed that generation. You can’t hide from it, and it’s bigger than all of us.
Reputation management with the walls to media coverage breaking down is going to be more and more important.
Politicians have skated for a long time thinking their misdeeds will be glossed over.
http://www.therealestatebloggers.com
I think Spitzer would have still been in serious trouble and resigned anyway but no doubt the Internet and the millions of blogs expedited the process. Politicians have to be very careful in todays age, with what they do and what they say.
There is nowhere where we can hide except maybe in mis/dis information. So, no pictures please.
It seems politicians are taking the line, if I don’t get caught…I’m good.
My generation believes this started with Pres. Clinton wagging his finger in our faces…it didn’t…and it just continues.
Everyone has ‘vices’, the problem is they legislate morality while using their ‘vices’
Bad news/gossip always travels fast. It’s no doubt that the internet played a part, but also our change in the way we communicate came into play too. Cell phones not only connect to internet for news, but the use of frequent text message to others helps spread stories.
The problem with the internet is that news is controlled by limited source sites. When a source site information is spread by PR firms, the news spreads virally as the PR firms distribute the news to their favorite bloggers etc. I am not sure whether I believe what I read on blogs any more because I don’t know if they are pawns of PR firms or truly adding news worthy posts.
http://www.SirkinLaw.com
My favorite bloggers have all gone commercial and now cater to big corporations. They simply spread news about products that the corporations pitch to them, so as far as I am concerned, I don’t buy products based on blogger recommendations.
Jerry
The internet definatly played a role in the scandal. I also would never buy a product based on blogger reccomendations.
I do believe the internet is and will continue to change the world as we know it. It is only growing and the possibilities are endless.
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