Yesterday evening Eliot Spitzer successfully walked around 149th Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx. “Successfully” in that he actually was able to walk and talk with people on the street, unlike his campaign-launching media maelstrom in Union Square two weeks ago. He received a very positive reception, with many people recognizing him, wanting a picture with him and professing past or future votes for him.
There’s no way of knowing how many of the people he spoke with are registered Democrats, and how many will show up to vote for him on September 10th, but his campaign would be rightly encouraged by the short stroll. High recognition, positive comments, smiles all around and virtually no heckling or objections from passersby made for a successful visit.
In an unexpected turn of events, the media and public focus on Anthony Weiner and the latest revelations of his sexting seem to be indirectly helping Spitzer. It’s given Spitzer a chance to begin a more normal campaign as the media and public onslaught returned to Weiner and his disingenuousness. The Weiner saga has become a tale of ongoing uncontrollable compulsion, with the previous neat storyline of “I did wrong, but learned my lesson” shattered. Spitzer and his personal troubles suddenly seem more comprehensible, less bizarre by comparison and, absent any new disclosures, in the past. What will happen when the Weiner focus fades? Will media and public attention turn to Spitzer’s past personal behavior with renewed energy? Or will some sense of exhaustion with the tawdry move the comptroller’s race focus to the office and the candidates’ plans and qualifications? Stay tuned.
Special Condensed Edition:
Here is a special condensed edition of Spitzer’s walk. And we do mean condensed. Watch – you’ll see.