Ex-Gov. Spitzer is getting some sympathy from one of the presidential aspirants, but unfortunately it's not one who's likely to be able to make him Attorney General.
It's Ron Paul.
In a House floor speech last week that we didn't notice until today, Paul -- a libertarian Republican -- blasted the tactics of financial monitoring and wiretapping that brought down Spitzer as Big Government run amok:
"He practiced what could be termed 'economic McCarthyism,' using illegitimate government power to build his political career on the ruined lives of others. No matter how morally justified his comeuppance may be, his downfall demonstrates the worst of our society. The possibility of uncovering personal moral wrongdoing is never a justification for the government to spy on our every move and to participate in sting operations."
And:
"Spitzer was brought down because he legally withdrew cash from a bank — not because he committed a crime. This should prompt us to reassess and hopefully reverse this trend of pervasive government intrusion in our private lives.
"We need no more Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act! No more Violent Radicalization & Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Acts! No more torture! No more Military Commissions Act! No more secret prisons and extraordinary rendition! No more abuse of habeas corpus! No more Patriot Acts!
"What we need is more government transparency and more privacy for the individual!"
Maybe they'll be running mates in four years.