Sources: Eliot Spitzer nears resignation

BY JAMES T. MADORE, RICK BRAND AND ERIK GERMAN | rick.brand@newsday.com and erik.german@newsday.com
11:27 AM EDT, March 11, 2008


ALBANY - Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco said he and other legislative leaders had received telephone calls from Lt. Gov. David Paterson that Tedisco took as indicating a resignation from Gov. Eliot Spitzer was in the offing.

Speaking on Talk 1300 in Albany, Tedisco said Paterson's call "indicates there is something that's going to take place."

Tedisco (R-Schenectady) was one of the first leaders Monday to call for Spitzer to step down after being ensnared in a prostitution scandal. The second-year governor was allegedly caught in a federal wiretap making arrangements for a prostitute from the Emperors Club VIP to meet him in a Washington hotel room on Feb. 13.

Tedisco said Tuesday morning that he was exploring the possibility of impeaching Spitzer, though he conceded an indictment or arrest of the governor would need to come first. "We're preparing a resolution as we evaluate impeachment. We will request a resolution of impeachment by Speaker [ Sheldon] Silver to begin the process," Tedisco said.

Asked if Spitzer should resign, Silver refused to use that word, saying the governor should do "what's best for his family." Silver added, "I think what's best for the state is we have a constitution, we have continuity in government - it is now up to the governor to make a determination that's best for his family. I pray for his children and the impact it has had. Right now, my heart goes out to him."

On Long Island, the county Democratic leaders were divided on what Spitzer's next move should be.

Suffolk Democratic Party chairman Richard Schaffer called for Spitzer's resignation. "I think it's best that he step down," Schaffer said. "We're all hoping he figures that out over the next couple of days. But for everyone, including his family, I think it's best that he step aside."

But Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs said, "I'm not going to say whether I would suggest that the governor step down -- or not step down. But if he and his advisers have come up with a strategy to continue in office they are a heck of a lot smarter than me, because I can't figure it out."

In Albany, television trucks surrounded the Capitol and distracted lawmakers trying to focus on other issues. Lobbyists continued to stream through the marble hallways as they do every Tuesday during the regular legislative session.

The Senate's Republican majority announced plans for a constitutional spending cap as part of its budget proposal for 2008-09.

Spitzer appeared not to have arrived at his Manhattan office as of 11:15 a.m.

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