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Aug 13, 2007 9:03 pm US/Eastern
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Gov. Spitzer No Longer Speaking On 'Troopergate'
New Yorkers Tell CBS 2 HD His Silence Is A Really Bad Idea
by Marcia Kramer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Amid new allegations of a cover-up, Gov. Eliot Spitzer unveiled his latest strategy for dealing with the dirty tricks scandal known as "troopergate." Some might call the clam-up defense.
Spitzer has apparently decided that silence is golden.
"Marcia, I'm simply not saying anything more on that stuff. I'm not answering those questions anymore."
The questions he's not answering are new charges that his aides "moved to shut everyone down" after learning that a member of his administration unexpectedly confessed to his role in trying to ruin Senate Republican Leader Joseph Bruno.
"I've spoken, answered every question and been totally forthright so now we're back to governing the state," Spitzer said.
The problem for Spitzer is that many New Yorkers think the "Omerta" -- or code of silence -- defense is not the way to go.
"It suggests a lack of openness," one person said. "I think he should answer the question."
Added another: "I think it's a bad strategy for any politician not to answer questions."
But not everyone sides with being open.
"I think it's a good idea," another New Yorker added. "Because he stays out of trouble that way."
Still others feel it's his job to answer questions. Political pundits agree.
"From a crisis management point of view, from a PR point of view you really need to get all the facts out as rapidly as possible," political consultant Joseph Mercurio said. "Stonewalling is just going to make a two-day story become a four-week story."
And there were more problems for Spitzer on Monday. The New York Post has demanded that the State Ethics Commission open up its proceedings when the governor testifies.
The ethics commission said it has received the Post's request to have the governor testify publicly and is reviewing it.
Normally, ethics committee proceedings are held behind closed doors.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)