This is fascinating in that is says so much about so many elemental issues, and really brings to light how very different men and women are in relation to sex and sexuality. More than Mars / Venus different. More like entirely seperate Universes different!

Others have intimated this same feeling - I feel that she was standing by her family, not by her man. And I also agree with Marlo and others who don’t understand why these women feel the need to stand next to the slimeball while he tells the world his sins at the podium. I also agree with Candice, that this is different than Hillary Clinton’s situation, because it came out of the blue. The armchair psychologist in me feels that Spitzer’s trysts are all about power and trying to feel important, where as Bill Clinton’s habitual pattern of infidelity is/was just a character flaw. On the flip side, I can see where Silda may stay with her man to preserve her family, and because Spitzer’s actions may be a one-time thing, something he can treat by working on his fear of (or need for) power and control with a well-qualified therapist. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, stayed with a habitual cheater, took it time and time again, taught her daughter that it’s ok for a man to treat you this way…all for - what? Her turn at the helm? Does she really have such low self-esteem that she belives she couldn’t have gotten to where she’s gotten without being married to a habitual cheater?

Silda should do what she feels is right for her and for her daughters. My heart breaks for her. A man she loved, she trusted, and the betrayal — I can’t imagine it. But I have to admit that just once I’d like one of these political wives to come out and say “that arrogant @##hole, screw him, I’ve called the lawyers and I’m taking him to the cleaners.”

This is a very personal decision. I would not but she has three teenage girls to consider. How do you balance these things? I am not a professional. I am a 60-year old retiring great-grandma who misses the simple life of the 60’s and 70’s. Does this disqualify me?

I feel like it is up to the wife if she stands by her man or not. It is so easy to say leave but when you are in that place, each person has to decide for themselves of what they should do. Personally I would want to leave the Bastard but I don’t know if I would have the strength to. I think to have her there with him during these public interviews is a very selfish move on his part and he only cares about his career and not what it is doing to his wife.

I am in total agreement with Marlo Thomas and Liz Smith with respect to the public humiliation of “standing by your man” in the face of scandal. What Mrs. Spitzer chooses to do about her marriage is a private matter, but she and her children should not be paraded in front of the media to prevent her husband from being booed. He should be publicly booed for his actions. They were hypocritical to the morals and values he purportedly held up to the public who elected him and who he served.

While certainly the decision to stay is Silda Spitzer’s, the same as it was Hillary’s decision with Bill; however, I do not look at this as courage on the part of these women. At stake is integrity, moral values and doing what is ethical. Perhaps a one nightstand or mistake as we call it is one thing but paying more than $80,000 is another. He as well as Bill Clinton knew what they wanted and repeatedly made the same “mistake” over and over using their power and positions. The wife should not stand “by her man” and condone his mistakes publicly; this is a sell out to all women, that we will sell our own morals for power and positions. Ms. Spitzer must look at her future and character before such a decision. I would be concerned such as the case of Hillary Clinton, while doing well in the Presidential race, would not get my vote because of her moral values in public supporting and condoning such unethical behavior. Her character is now on the line because you have to ask; what would she overlook as President?

Silda, please, listen to everyone, who thinks you should dump him. Have dignity, self-respect, I know it is hard, it up to you to change your daughters future, and in such a short time, I know how you feel, you didn’t have a chance to prepare for separation, it wasn’t in your life’s plan. He does not deserve you, if you stay, he will not learn or care. He is way too full of himself. He only worked for his wants, and not family’s need.

Most acts of “betrayal” in a marriage can warrant forgiveness - most. If this is a sole event, which only they can answer, then probably… I believe the circumstance of a public official being an idiot, in this case, showing disrespect to his wife and family, requires MORALS. Sorry, but, she is now in a predicament of deciding if his sexual deviancy should be publicly reprimanded or forgiven. She did her duty, momentarily, to “stand” next to him during his confession. Men and their appendages= idiotic behavior, tsk tsk …. I personally demand more, shouldn’t everyone?

How many women have heard the age old expression “It’s me honey, not you” from a man when he wanted to worm his way out of a sticky situation. What a silly man he is to think that line would work with the New Yorkers he’s represented. Mr. Spitzer must have some poker face for his wife to not notice that he was being unfaithful. All women have a sixth sense when it comes to a lying and cheating husband. Some choose to act upon their instinct and some don’t. Give a man enough rope and they’ll hang themself eventually. He should prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law he supposedly upheld in all his years as an attorney. If not, then anyone prosecuted for breaking the Mann Act should be exonerated. Hopefuly he’ll be brought to trial and judged by a jury of 12 women. That would be more punishment than a divorce. He’ll find more prostitutes to take his money if he stays married or becomes single. As far as the “page 26” comment goes “When in Rome…” the only problem with that is that Mr. Spitzer chose to act European in the USA. I think he has more explaining to do to his daughters than anyone else. Mrs. Spitzer will most likely leave her marriage with a huge cash settlement, book deals, tv interviews, etc… shopping will heal most of her wounds.

wow O wow..tricky road to walk down…i know if it were me, i would be soooooo gone, all you would see was my dusty footprints…i have gotten old enough and experienced enough to have an absolutely zero tolerance for men and their ‘erroneous’ ways…i dont care if they’re rich, poor, good looking, ugly, powerful, not powerful…every one of them puts his pants on one leg at a time…..dna being used as an excuse for their constant roving eyes…yikes!! a woman in ‘power’ who behaved in such a manner would be tarred, feathered, and ridden out of town on a rail…

For the life of me I cannot understand how a woman stands by her man after he has cheated on her. This is so disrespectful for the wife. If problems occurred in the home, why not discuss them, and take a corrective action? If a woman accepts her husbands infedilities, he will definitely do a repeat. To him it would seem as though it is not a big deal to the woman; he can cheat once again knowing that the wife is not going to leave him. Woman need to be stronger and have more self respect for themselves. Speaking from experience, after being married for 25 years my ex cheated on me. I filed for divorce; end of story. Welcome new life.

As for staying with “her man”, only she can answer that one. However, having lived through a partner’s infidelity (as sadly, most of us have), one should never have to stand up in public and put on this brave face!Too bad that there isn’t a catagory for divorce for stupidity. He takes the cake! Now she has the job of trying to explain their father’s behavior to her children and what a place to be in. bless her heart.

I’ve never met Mr or Mrs Spitzer; perhaps if I knew them I wouldn’t hesitate to support or criticize the decision to stand up there together. I would expect and tolerate this scenario: he would stand up there alone; his announcement and apology would be for the people he was elected to serve. His private apology to me and our family would take much too long for TV soundbites. I did have this thought: hmmm…wonder what public office she wants to run for?

Hasn’t he humiliated her enough. Let him confess his sins to the world, but Sildia please don’t stand supporting the man who deceived you. Whatever you decide to do is your business, but again, it’s his scandal not yours. He should do it alone. Discuss your future in the privacy of your own home and go on with your life not matter what you decide. This is the real world. How can this be a surprise to anyone — it happens everyday and it will continue to happen.