What's good for the Spitzer is good for the gander...

Eliot Spitzer today announced sweeping ethical changes once his administration takes office next year.

He will impose a ban on executive employees receiving gifts other than coffee or t-shirts.

He will prohibt former executive branch employees from lobbying the executive branch.

He will not appear in any state-funded commercials.

He will not participate in fund-raisers in the Albany area while the legislature is in session.

He will limit contributions to $10,000, down from $50,000.

BRAVO.

And what was Senate Republican Majority leader Joseph Bruno's retort? It is "nonsense" to think lobbyists are buying influence with legislators by contributing to their fund-raisers.

Nonsense?
Jim Traficant (D-OH)
Nonsense?
Randy Duke Cunningham (R-CA)
Nonsense?
Jack Abramoff? (Lobbyist)
Nonsense?
Bob Ney (R-OH)
Nonsense?
Tom Delay (R-TX)
Nonsense?
William Jefferson (D-LA)
Nonsense?
Tammany Hall
Nonsense?
New York Highest court Chief Judge Sol Wachtler

Perhaps Spitzer is a political opportunist, perhaps he cleaned up wall street in order to make a name for himself and win the Governorship, perhaps he's implementing wide-ranging ethical reform in Albany to advance his career and aspirations for national office.

Perhaps.

But if the public will benefit from his self-indulgence, what's the problem?