Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Spitzer & Perry ~ Coming & Going

Two characters who've given the chattering classes plenty to chatter about in the past, and present, shimmied into focus again this week - Eliot Spitzer and Rick Perry. Strange to say, neither of these guys sends me into paroxysms of fury and hatred such as I've noticed in several comment threads, and even in a few articles by writers who fail to see the fairly obvious motes in other eyes.

Eliot Spitzer, former Governor of New York who resigned in 2008 after his habit of consorting with prostitutes was made public, causing a scandal, made worse because he was well-known, in his professional capacity, for having zero tolerance for anyone engaged in the oldest profession - whether service giver or client. Spitzer announced this week that he hopes to return to public office and will run for the New York City comptroller's position, a more modest post than he was used to, and a job he'd likely be capable of with one hand tied behind his back.

I like what I've seen of Eliot Spitzer in interview and when he has appeared on Bill Maher's Real Time. He's been outspoken against the injustices perpetrated by Wall Street's financiers. He's a Democrat, but doesn't seem to have been infected by the spineless kowtowing to oligarchs that has been so evident in that party since they've been in office. He has made some serious errors of judgement in the past, no doubt about that - but no more serious than several other disgraced public servants who have been allowed to bounce back into political life, and are likely far less able than Eliot Spitzer.


Rick Perry, 3-term governor of Texas , announced this week that he would not run for re-election in 2014. He has held the office since 2000 when he succeeded George W. Bush. Perry ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 but blotted his copybook famously during a televised debate. He said he'd eliminate three federal agencies, then could remember only two of them. He covered his embarrassment with an "oops" and a laugh. He was heavily criticized by his opponents for holding more moderate views on undocumented immigrants. As Governor he promotes stiff abortion and reproductive rights legislation, so is not popular with many female Texans. His announcement this week sparked curiosity as to whether the Governor will risk another stab at the presidency.

Rick Perry is, for me, an attractive guy, looks-wise, I do enjoy seeing his photograph - daft as that might sound! His face belies his nature though. I despise most of his policies - but then I despise most of the policies of our President too. Gov. Perry seemed, during those presidential debates in 2011/12, to have a certain charm and nice sense of humour, but not always a firm grasp on reality. Rather than pursuing another job in politics he could do well as a TV personality, though due to what's known about him, at least half his potential audience would already be alienated. I rather hope he does run for the Republican presidential nomination again 2016 - just for the fun of it - and he is easy on the eye, which is more than can be said for the rest of 'em.


Perry and his natal chart were featured in an archived post HERE.
Ha! Looking back on that post I'm reminded why I feel some weird and irrational affinity to Gov. Perry: his natal Venus is just a degree away from my natal Sun.




Eliot Spitzer's chart (12 noon version, no time of birth available) for any passing astrology buffs. He's Gemini Sun and Mercury with Moon and three other planets in Leo. A good combination for a politician- mental acuity, great communication skills, versatility, with an innate draw to leadership and the spotlight.


6 comments:

mike said...

Twilight, you failed to mention that Spitzer's Libertarian Party opponent is Kristin Davis, his former madam! Life is stranger than fiction. In some respects, she was his scape-goat during the hooker fiasco and she paid a higher legal penalty.

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/07/08/eliot-spitzers-former-madam-is-now-his-political-opponent?s_cid=rss:washington-whispers:eliot-spitzers-former-madam-is-now-his-political-opponent

As for Perry, I suspect that the Texas Republican Party requested that he not run for another term as governor, because he would not win based on his poor 2012 presidential bid and a couple of other "problems". Texans don't like to be embarrassed nationally by one of their own. His run for governor would preclude a more viable Republican's chance of winning and perhaps lead to a Democratic Party take-over (gads!).

Texas was a blue state for many decades until recently. There have been many editorials and political blogs indicating that the state of TX is tired of rating in the low(est) percentiles for education, environment, health, and welfare funding. Obviously, after the West, TX, disastrous fertilizer plant explosion, we made headlines as being too lenient with industry's need for regulation. And now Democratic Party's Wendy Davis has given spunk to many TX women. There is an indication that TX may revert to its Democratic Party roots.

The big draw for the Republican Party, whether local or national, is the ability to cavort and mime the religious and conservative right's mantras. That has certainly been Perry's greatest strength here in TX.

I'm glad that you find Perry to be a bit of eye-candy! He's the proverbial "as long as he doesn't talk" stud. Appearance is ruined for me, if the inside isn't in agreement with my views. It usually works the opposite for me...I find someone more attractive than they were originally, once I am charmed by their views.

Sonny G said...



Spitzer is smart and fugly, not surprised at all he ad to pay to get the Dirty Deed Done.

Perry is handsome and inept and unless someone else talking in his earphone giving instructions he wouldnt know what to do with a hooker or anyone else.. I mean cant ya just hear him saying "umm ahhhh snicker giggle- where's it go again?" oh yea yea I remember now.
good grief~!

They both fall under the PUTZ catagory- just for dfferent reasons..

Twilight said...

mike ~~ I did omit to mention that spicy tidbit, thanks for adding it!
:-)

If only....Texas reverting to veering left in its politics! Maybe when the old guard have died out completely there'll be a chance of that - might be a bit soon yet to expect it. Maybe when it happens, if it does, Oklahoma would follow suit. But I'll be long gone. :-(

I'm definitely not swayed by looks in real life, the opposite in fact! But in the case of photographs, videos, or TV/movies I love to see a well-proportioned face with good eyes and a nice expression - be it male or female. Same as finding a perfectly formed rose and admiring it, I guess. LOL!

The quirky-lookin' ones are always, always way more interesting in real life.

mike (again) said...

Are you and anyjazz in negotiations right now? He'll remove the Ann Coulter poster from the bedroom wall if you'll remove the Rick Perry poster?

Twilight said...

Sonny ~~ If we put Spitzer's mind in Perry's body......we'd have a contender for president!
:-D

Twilight said...

mike ~~ YIKES! Ann Coulter - the ultimate nightmare! LOL!!

I've just remembered something Kinky Friedman said about Rick Perry when they were opponents for the governorship last time around. He said he'd chatted with Perry often and found him to be a warm and very charming guy....or words to that effect.

Just a mo.... found a reference to it:
Kinky F.:
I have been quoted as saying that when I die, I am to be cremated, and the ashes are to be thrown in Rick Perry’s hair. Yet, simply put, Rick Perry and I are incapable of resisting each other’s charm. He is not only a good sport, he is a good, kindhearted man, and he once sat in on drums with ZZ Top. A guy like that can’t be all bad. When I ran for governor of Texas as an independent in 2006, the Crips and the Bloods ganged up on me. When I lost, I drove off in a 1937 Snit, refusing to concede to Perry. Three days later Rick called to give me a gracious little pep talk, effectively talking me down from jumping off the bridge of my nose. Very few others were calling at that time, by the way. Such is the nature of winning and losing and politicians and life. You might call what Rick did an act of random kindness. Yet in my mind it made him more than a politician, more than a musician; it made him a mensch.

These days, of course, I would support Charlie Sheen over Obama. Obama has done for the economy what pantyhose did for foreplay.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/24/kinky-friedman-rick-perry-s-got-my-vote.html