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September 4, 2008
Posted: 01:27 PM ET

NEW YORK — Kwame Kilpatrick is back in the news. He’s Detroit’s mayor and prolific sex text messenger and today he pleaded guilty to obstruction. But his was not the first sex scandal to bring down a politician and it certainly won’t be the last.

Three years ago Governor Jim McGreevy left the New Jersey statehouse and his wife, declaring himself a gay American. New York lost its crime fighting governor, Elliott Spitzer, when he was caught with a prostitute. And toe tapper Larry Craig is losing his senate seat come January. Ah, the private foibles of middle aged male politicians.

Is it weakness, perversion, corruption? Or is it just to be expected? Are politicians having more illicit sex now than they have in the past? What’s changed? Not the sex. Not the men. But here’s what has: The press. We now prefer to report on sex than to dare speak the real dirty word in politics: issues. Gas prices, mortgage mess, health care, the war.

But now, with so much at stake, its time to start focusing on what our elected officials are doing in office. Not on what they are doing in bed. That’s the Last Word.

–Jami Floyd, In Session anchor

Filed under: Jami Floyd • Last Word


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Petronia   September 4th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Once again Jamie , you are right on key with your comment.
Our society glamorizes mortal bankruptcy and remains brain dead on the very issues that have more impact on our ever day lives.

Terry   September 4th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

Mr.Kwame Kilpatrick Sir:
It is way over do and I’m glad its over, now maybe our city can get back on the map and move ahead.

Leah   September 4th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

Almost as sad as the actions of some of our leaders is the press’s obsession with exploiting the news.

Jean   September 4th, 2008 8:22 pm ET

Is there anyone in government who is not morally bankrupt?

0sahon   September 4th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

this time around we will remeber to apply that the law is no respecter of no body. i do agree ,patrick should answer to the law, on that he does not have any president to pardon him ,as it was in libbys case .

MKP   September 5th, 2008 12:57 am ET

Jamie,
While I agree the press should focus on the issues, I do not want some who lacks morals and integrity representing me. I believe those traits speak volumes about whether I can trust that they have my best interest at heart.

MKP, hawaii

Antonio   September 5th, 2008 11:15 am ET

As usual, I agree with you Jami! Its time that we wake up and realize that the ‘media’ is simply feeding us un improtant stories just to distract us from the real issues. When we elect our officals, we elect them for what they will do for us while in office, not their ‘late night expeditions.’ NewJersey lost a very good Govenor because of this, and New York as well. Its time that we focus on the pertinent issues to better this society, and not the private lives of men.

G.Brown   September 5th, 2008 11:26 am ET

I agree !
The relaventcy of the issue gets blurred when you are married, spending more time in the sack that at work, or using public office/position to solicit favors.
It appears the MORAL FIBER of America has a severe tear, that has injured the population as a whole. What happened to “doing the right thing” or when confronted just resign quitely, rather than become a spectical at tax payer expense.

What a person does on their own time is no one’s business….

kerstin   September 5th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

What Kilpatrick did while in office was use City owned property to send text messages to Beatty - also went on ‘business’ trips with Beatty that were only ‘play dates’ ** ALL paid for with my tax dollars.
The issues with Kilpatrick started during business hours and fell into his personal time.
He brought it on himself so I would say the majority of what was reported should have been.
He abused his power in office and is a thug in my book.

Herb---Jeffersonville. IN   September 5th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

that is the price one pay—when they seek a public office—they made their bed now they have to lay in it

Doug   September 8th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

Politicians…love em or hate ‘em

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Sidebar takes you behind the scenes of the day's legal headlines with breaking news and in-depth analysis from In Session's anchors and correspondents.

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Ashleigh Banfield
Co-anchor of the daily trial program Banfield and Ford: Courtside
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Jack Ford
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Anchor of the daily trial program Lisa Bloom: Open Court
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Jami Floyd
Former defense attorney and anchor of her own daily program Jami Floyd: Best Defense
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Senior Editor Fred Graham covers legal news in Washington, D.C.
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Attorney Jean Casarez covers trials around the country
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Beth Karas
Former prosecutor Beth Karas covers trials around the country
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