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Mar 11, 2008 6:36 pm US/Eastern
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Campaign '08: Candidates React To Spitzer Scandal
Political Wives Victimized By Infidelity Speak Out
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
With Mississippi holding its primary Tuesday, the Spitzer scandal is presenting a distraction to the presidential candidates, all of whom were asked to respond to the allegations.
While campaigning in Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton said, "Let's wait and see what comes out of the next phase, but right now I don't have any comment. And I think it's appropriate to wish his family well, and we'll wait and see how things develop," she said.
Hillary Clinton also famously stood by her man, Bill, during multiple sex scandals during their time in the White House.
In another Clinton-Spitzer connection is the now infamous 'Mayflower Hotel', the scene of the governor's alleged indiscretion in Washington. It is the same hotel where President Clinton was photographed hugging Monica Lewinsky back in 1996.
The governor had become involved with presidential politics by endorsing Hillary Clinton last year, and has already caused one political headache for the Clinton campaign.
His plan to give licenses to illegal immigrants led to an awkward debate moment, where Clinton was accused of being evasive when asked whether she supported the proposal.
Pundits have called Spitzer a distraction to Clinton's attacks on Barack Obama for his relationship with Tony Rezko, a political patron on trial in Chicago.
Obama has responded to the Spitzer scandal, saying: "I really haven't seen the details of it, so I don't know what's going on. I'm a little in the dark."
As for John McCain, the New York Times reports he watched media coverage from his campaign's private plane, and said the Spitzer family is in his prayers.
It appears that Silda Spitzer is standing by her man during the governor's sex scandal. However, another political wife who had a similar "stand by your man" moment is calling on the governor to resign.
Dina Matos McGreevey supported her husband, then Governor James McGreevey of New Jersey, when he resigned in a gay sex scandal.
Now locked in a bitter divorce battle, she told CNN that by not resigning immediately, Spitzer is prolonging his family's pain. She sympathized with Silda Spitzer saying, "She's ridiculed and shamed in front of virtually the entire world. She's not only dealing with her own personal pain but trying to protect her daughters from this."
Silda stood with Eliot Spitzer as he apologized to the public, and his family.
"I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and that violates my or any sense of right and wrong," he said.
Married in 1987, the couple has three daughters. They left Monday's news conference holding hands.
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