March 11, 2008
Posted: March 11th, 2008 03:36 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch Koch's interview on The Situation Room.

(CNN) – As the political world comes to grips with revelations of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's involvement in a high-priced prostitution ring, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he thought Spitzer's behavior was "irrational."

"I think there's a screw loose," says Koch. "I believe that his behavior, beginning with his becoming governor, has been irrational. And, what he did is to indicate that he doesn't play by the regular rules, that regular rules don't apply," Koch adds.

Koch also shares his thoughts on Spitzer's political future and whether he thinks Spitzer was targeted by political enemies in New York.

–CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Filed under: Elliot Spitzer • The Situation Room


Jack S.   March 11th, 2008 7:23 pm ET

Spitzer merely got caught being human. He obviously had issues with his marriage or this would not even come into the picture.

The path he took to fill his needs was what was illegal. If he had a woman or girlfriend on the side and transported her to Washington only his wife would have cared, not the feds.

Mickey, NY   March 11th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

Who really gives a crap what Koch thinks these days anyhow.

Mike   March 11th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

To: NZ in NJ I want to play.

What proof is there that John McCain Can deal with a foreign policy crisis.
answer: 25+ years dealing with foreign policy in the Senate as a member of the foreign policy committee.

What proof is there that John McCain will cross party lines and work non-partisan with Democrats?
answer: He is the only one of the three that has done that, and currently has 4 active bills drafted with a Democrat counterpart.

What proof is there that "past behavior" will not come back to haunt John McCain?
answer: because the only "scandal" where John McCain's name ever appeared was the "Keating 5". John McCain was cleared completely by the DEMOCRAT attorney who was in charge of prosecuting the case.

Case closed.

Paul   March 11th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

I love Koch. What a breath of fresh air. Would that our current politicians
had his candor and clear headedness....

Grif   March 11th, 2008 6:21 pm ET

You can guarantee Mr..... If Mr Spitszer needs help.

There is no way. you could. Definitely, not that night!!!

Chewbacca   March 11th, 2008 6:18 pm ET

I suspected something was wrong with this Spitzer when he failed to investigate the manipulation of the gold and silver markets on the COMEX back in 2002.

Manuel TX   March 11th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

I agree with NZ from NJ.

:)

jw, canadian,ok   March 11th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Ed Koch, why do you guys/gals keep dragging up all these old fuddies that no one cares about?

Benjamin   March 11th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

Mrs Clintion has not been implicated with anything. You Obama supporters need to worry about Rezco. It's coming and pretty soon too!

Next President Hillary Clinton 08   March 11th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Oh, and I wish women would not " stand by their man " when they do wrong. What in the world are they thinking? Pathetic !!!

Next President Hillary Clinton 08   March 11th, 2008 5:44 pm ET

Just another bad seed in our government. They seem to be florishing! DISGUSTING !!!!

Grif   March 11th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Good Collie! Ms Polly Molly... Hillary is a Smile a Mile!

Where's yours????????????

Sean McM   March 11th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

No screw loose at all....he is a MORAL PIGMY!

ct   March 11th, 2008 5:18 pm ET

mess. what the men think? That they will not get exposed? I feel sorry for his wife and children, they should not hear the news, it must be painful as it is.
And do not throw his private nastiness on Hillary. She did not know, no one knew.

polly molly   March 11th, 2008 5:16 pm ET

now cheaters can just send a claim to the insurance: oh i have a screw loose, and also explain to their wife that is what the theory goes now..............
waooo, wonder who can be behind this comment.. cheaters= "having a screw loose"

polly molly   March 11th, 2008 5:15 pm ET

who does this remind us of?.. we dont have to think so far back, guess who is going to be very quiet............

James, Houston, TX.   March 11th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Koch what do You Know? Go buy a Doughnut; At Your AGE; Its not a loose screw; its an over loaded circuit ! He's looking for a new transformer to relieve the Overload!

Tyler in Raleigh   March 11th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

"I believe that his behavior, beginning with his becoming governor, has been irrational. And, what he did is to indicate that he doesn't play by the regular rules, that regular rules don't apply"

Swap the word govenor with presidential candidate and you have a PERFECT description of Hillary Clinton. Irrational, arrogant, does not play by the rules and thinks she is right and above everyone else when she is down in the same dirt as them.

CB   March 11th, 2008 5:09 pm ET

Spitzer should look to audition for a spot on the next Lord Of The Rings saga. He has experience looking for the precious, being corrupted by the power of the Ring and paying the price for being enticed by the Ring.

deedee macdonnell   March 11th, 2008 5:07 pm ET

AND THIS GUY WANTED TO GIVE DRIVER'S LICENSES TO
ILLEGAL ALIENS....ANOTHER WRONG DECISION GOV....
DEE IN CA.

Charlie, Upstate NY   March 11th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Ed Koch of all people should not be throwing stones about people's private lives.

Spanky   March 11th, 2008 4:54 pm ET

I'll say this about Mayor Koch - at least we never had to worry about him being mixed up with call girls.

henry   March 11th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

it takes nine months to come out from the womb,and our entire life trying to get back in(males)

VOTER FOR TRUTH AND DIGNITY IN AMERICA   March 11th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

I did not even know Koch was a Democrat and I liked his
fair comments. It is amazing to me how I can have my
eyes closed and have the ability to know whether it
is a Democrat speaking or a Republican Speaking.
I hear honesty and fairness in this man's voice and
words.

OBAMA 2008

Nobillary Andobama   March 11th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Very good observation by the former mayor...maybe that will explain how he could possibly conceive an idea as ludicrous as giving illegal immigrants a driver's license.

NZ, NJ   March 11th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

To John Smith of your post March 11th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

I have changed Hillary's name to Obama's name and let's see if you can answer THESE questions......

Where is a single proof that Obama can deal with a Foreign Policy crisis? I await your answer_____

Where is a single proof that Obama can unite Republicans and democrats to implement real solutions for this nation?
I await your answer_____

Given that "past behaviors" best tell what the individual will do in the future. What is the hope that scandals would not become evident during an Obama term? (I remind you of Rezko)
I await your answer_____

Please be honest and give me actual data to each question

Jeanie   March 11th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

I love Mayor Koch. He hit the nail on the head. Spitzer has a screw loose. Just like Bill Clinton. And imagine, Spitzer was one of Clinton's superdelegates. But the thing I find so disturbing is the description ot the prostitute which bears a striking resemblance to Spitzer's' daughters. Yep. Spitzer definitely needs some serious psychological help.

Willis   March 11th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

I SUSPECTED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHEN HE STARTED GIVING DRIVER'S LICENSES TO ILLEGALS!

SORRY FOR HIS PROBLEMS NOW!

hillarycouhtinaction   March 11th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

Next week you will see the story of hillary like her friend spitzer. Jesus is back exposing all the bad people about time.

food for thot   March 11th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

politics -sex scandals,hmmm sounds familiar,clintons supporters prepare for 4 yrs of the same stuff after voting her into the white house.
obama stands for change,vote wisely

DR.Mimi De La Cruz   March 11th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

KOCH IS WRONG, NOT ONE SCREW BUT, AL OT OF THEM.
IT'S THE OLD BOY NETWORK MENTALITY. I WON'T GET CAUGHT AND IF I DO, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. AND MOST TIMES NOTHING DOES HAPPEN. BOTH CLINTONS GOT AWAY WITH IT, MANNY TIMES.

Grif   March 11th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

Long time??????????????
Never mind, you still have your memories.....

Remember the last time?????????

Arkansas Undertaker   March 11th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

LEAVE THAT MAN ALONE............Spitzer has done no worse that any other politician holding office. Their sins just havent caught up with them YET!

He made a mistake that had absolutley nothing to do with his job. This situation has everything to do with his personal life and nothing to do with his public life. Although it is very embarrising at most.

He is no worse that Bill Clinton and he finished his term in office. I really hope he doesnt resign, because I dont think that he will formally be impeached.

KEEP FIGHTING GOVERNOR SPITZER!!!!!!!

Gavin   March 11th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

GEEZ...
PLEASE...

ED KOCH SAYING SOMEONE HAS A SCREW LOOSE....

Pot calling the kettle black !

Kraig Rasool   March 11th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Please inform me of the regular rules..... Mr Koch, When he was mayor of NY or should I say trying to be mayor the things he did were just as bad, if not worse... People seem to forget the past especially when it comes to leaders.. The govenor made a crucial mistake , yes but impeachment seems a little harsh... When Clinton was caught with Lewisnsky they slapped his hands and said "Now dont do this again or we will have to slap you harder"....and his relationship was more than a one night stand..

DVW   March 11th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

First of all, how can Koch be talking about anyone's screws?? Does anyone else remember him in office?

What I want to see now is someone like Andrew Cuomo get Hillary's Senate seat. She needs to be sent home to Arkansas where she belongs. Let's face it- She is no New Yorker or White House material.

Joann Urbanek   March 11th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

Here in Detroit, there is the same "screw loose " mentality by a "powerful" politician, Kwame Kilpatrick, Detroit's mayor. Check out the Text Scandal that has prevailed on our news tubes for weeks. Yes, he too, feels he should not resign, God told him so.

Grif   March 11th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

When is a Man, not a Man??????????

If you don't know this..... I look down, now and again.

Mark-Texas   March 11th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

this chick got $ 4000.00 an hour!!!!! Did she bring her own trampolene? There is the poor wife looking on and supporting her man.....if she would of done the same thing, he would of dropped her like a hot potato. I guess that is why we just can't elect a woman president. Hey, men rule!!!! All you women get back in the kitchen and bake a pie and keep your mouth shut.....speak when your permitted.

ACFX   March 11th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

Talk about the pot and the freaking kettle!

MCillary   March 11th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

MCcain Hillary 2008

Ronald, American living abroad   March 11th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Hmm . . . Spitzer doesn't like to play by the rules . . . ? No wonder he supports HRC for president! The Clinton's don't play by the rules either.

Grif   March 11th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

I guess you didn't appreciate that one. Still never a truer word spoken.

Men will always be Men!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shannon   March 11th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

You think, Ed?

JH   March 11th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

if u pervert lier and crook and u can run be US president as long u great lier like slick willie dinasties

ACFX   March 11th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

This is the last thing Hillary needed – people talking and reminiscing about political sex scandals.

Steve   March 11th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

I'm relieved that as a NY'er I won't have to read about Spitzer's bush-league tactics anymore. That pompous, egotistical "politician" deserves everything thats coming to him. How can you go from being a great AG into a horrible governor so quickly? I just hope his wife doesn't pull a Hillary and run for President after her husband is involved in a sex scandal.

U Smart   March 11th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

That loose screw is familiar. He is an ardent Clintons' supporter. Can you see the point now? Show me your friend and I will tell who you are.

HD   March 11th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Clinton losing another superdelegate?

Amy in Iowa   March 11th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

This seems like a sign from the heavens. Spitzer please resign so Hillary can run for your post as governor. She can serve New York in other ways because she sure is not going to be President.

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