New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has joined the rogue’s gallery of adulterous politicians who appear before the press to confess their “failures” while using their wives as supportive props.

Spitzer’s press conference Monday followed media reports that Spitzer, who as attorney general of New York prosecuted two prostitution rings, has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington, D.C. hotel last month.

Spitzer began his press conference statement by saying that he wanted to “address a private matter.” He included an apology to the public, but didn’t say what the matter involved and didn’t admit to any illegal conduct:

"I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my or any sense of right or wrong,” said Mr. Spitzer, who appeared with his wife Silda at his Manhattan office. “I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better. … I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family.

Spitzer’s wife of 20 years, Silda, was at his side and was visibly upset.

Hopefully, the Spitzer family will experience forgiveness and reconciliation. That takes time and work. But exploitation of the family by the one who broke the trust is hardly the right catalyst.

So why does a man who says he needs to “regain the trust of [his] family, further abuse whatever trust remains by using his traumatized wife as a prop at his press conference or as his defender-in-chief?

Recall the following with wife at his side:

* Former Democratic President Bill Clinton did have “sex with that woman.”
* Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.) resigned after admitting extramarital affairs.
* Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) whose phone number appeared on the client list of the “D.C. Madam.”
* James McGreevey, former Democratic governor of New Jersey, admitted to having a sexual relationship with a man.
* Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) who pled guilty to disorderly conduct after trying to seduce an undercover police officer in a public restroom. Continued...