Democrashield.com

Eliot Spitzer resigns as the Governor of New York:

“I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me,” he said in a brief news conference announcing his intention to resign, effective Monday. “I will try once again outside of politics to serve the common good.”

With his wife, Silda, at his side, he added, “Our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.”

The announcement came as the New York governor faces allegations — but no charges — that he is tied to an international prostitution ring ensnared in a federal probe.

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U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia in New York issued a statement saying, “There is no agreement between this office and Gov. Eliot Spitzer relating to his resignation or any other matter.”

Lieutenant Governor David Paterson will take over, making him the first African-American Governor of New York and the 4th African-American Governor in American history.  More on Governor-to-be Paterson:

“Like all New Yorkers, I am saddened by what we have learned over the past several days,” Paterson, 53, said Wednesday in a statement issued by his office.

“On a personal level, Gov. Spitzer and Silda have been close and steadfast friends. As an elected official the governor has worked hard for the people of New York.

“My heart goes out to him and to his family at this difficult and painful time,” the statement continued. “I ask all New Yorkers to join Michelle and me in prayer for them.

“It is now time for Albany to get back to work as the people of this state expect from us.”

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“The public is hoping for that replacement to redeem the office and to redeem their faith in elected officials in general. So David Paterson, in a sense, walks into a great opportunity,” said Steve Kornacki of the New York Observer.

Paterson is legally blind, and although documentation is scarce, it is widely believed that he will be the nation’s first blind governor when he takes office Monday.

Unfortunately, Republican Joe Bruno, the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, will take over as Lieutenant Governor.  Bruno is a partisan hack, a right-wing Republican who has blocked progressive reforms like gay marriage  and campaign finance reform, while pushing for greater use of the death penalty and for anti-choice parental notification laws.  Now he’ll be able to bring his brand of extremist, obstructive conservatism to Albany, where he’s sure to do all in his power to trip-up David Paterson.

It’s a sad time for my home state of New York. Hopefully we’ll be able to move past this scandal; hopefully Paterson will continue the reformist spirit Spitzer had before his fall from grace; and hopefully New York Democrats will be able to limit the damage Joe Bruno is hoping to do to our great state.