SHOCK – AT 1:23 P.M. ET:   There is a sense of shock here in the rickety state of New York at the sudden political decapitation of our ambitious, ultra-liberal attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, over severe sexual assault charges.  The New York Post headlines it, JEKYLL AND SCHNEID.

Schneiderman, a legend in his own mind, had established himself as Donald Trump's number one adversary in New York, having his office investigate a number of Trump's business dealings.  He also established himself as a supporter of the "me too" movement of women who allege that they've been sexually abused.  Now they're saying "him too."  From AFP: 

New York (AFP) - New York state's top prosecutor, a public defender of the #MeToo movement and antagonist of Donald Trump, has become the latest public figure to resign over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Eric Schneiderman, a 63-year-old progressive Democrat serving a second elected term as state attorney general, resigned late Monday hours after being accused of physically assaulting four women.

I love the term "progressive."  It's kind of a code word for "left of liberal."

It was a swift fall from power for the chief law enforcement official in the state, an outspoken Trump opponent whose office had launched multiple legal challenges against the Republican administration.

"Gotcha," tweeted White House counselor to the president, Kellyanne Conway, although there was no immediate response from Trump.

"While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time," he said.

"I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8."

Two of the women spoke to The New Yorker on the record, alleging that Schneiderman repeatedly hit them, often after drinking, frequently in bed and never with their consent.

Both say they sought medical attention after having been slapped hard across the ear and face, and also choked, the magazine said.  

COMMENT:  Here is the question:  Did no one know that this "progressive" supporter of women's rights was actually an abusive monster?  The charges against him go far beyond the usual in cases involving public figures.  This is real abuse – physical and possibly life-threatening.  Now, of course, we must remind that the accused is innocent unless and until proved guilty, but the breadth of the charges is deeply disturbing.

Nobody knew nothin' about this guy?  What about the press?  Did it vet him properly, or were his leftist credentials enough?  This may turn out to be a major press failure.   The now-resigned attorney general was well known.  His stands were familiar.  You mean, there weren't even rumors about his dark, private side?  Come now.

May 8, 2018