Governor Spitzer’s handlers have been hyping his reading of Robert Wesser’s 1967 book, Charles Evans Hughes:  Politics and Reform in New York, 1905-1910.  The Wesser work was referred to in The New Yorker profile, “The Humbling of Eliot Spitzer” and in the December 2 edition of the Times, their resident New York historian, Sam Roberts, opined on Hughes tenure in the executive mansion.  When asked about the fuss, spokeswoman Christine Anderson said Spitzer “believes in the value of learning from the experiences of effective governors who came before him.”

Readers should know that Republican Charles Evans Hughes, who served as New York’s governor from 1905-1910, was an ineffective and aloof elitist who lacked the political skills to tame Albany.  According to Professor Wesser, Hughes “insecure as a politician and possessing a profound dislike for political manipulation … abandoned the traditional ways of quietly cajoling unwilling colleagues into accepting his program…. Though his personal campaigns achieved a remarkable degree of success, their value was limited and not always did they alone assure an administration victory.” (more…)

Treadwell for Congress, Inc. paid for the printing and mailing of a fundraising letter signed by the former governor of Massachusetts, extreme liberal Bill Weld.  In the letter, Mr. Weld gushes over Treadwell:  “In truth, I had the honor of getting to know Sandy during my campaign for Governor of New York.  He was one of my earliest and strongest supporters…. On the issues, Sandy’s a social moderate…”  (Beware: “social moderate” is a code phrase for “liberal Republican.”)

Weld’s enthusiastic support of Treadwell should not surprise Conservatives — both of them are liberal elitist trust babies.  Because they inherited wealth they believe they are entitled to hold public offices. (more…)