Leaders express shock, outrage over Spitzer scandal

CAPITOL — “I’m just shocked,” Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, D-Cohoes, said Monday afternoon outside the Assembly chamber.

“This place is rocked to its foundations,” he added.

Canestrari, like other Democrats, declined to comment on whether he thought Gov. Eliot Spitzer should resign as a result of his involvement in a prostitution scandal.

Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, had no such doubts. After the news broke early Monday afternoon on The New York Times Web site, and before Spitzer issued his statement, Tedisco spoke to reporters in a Capitol corridor and said if the report is true, Spitzer should resign.

Once Spitzer had spoken, Tedisco issued a statement saying “Today’s news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leads to one inescapable conclusion: He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York. He should resign his office immediately. He is unfit to lead our state and unfit to hold public office.”

Tedisco said it would be impossible for Spitzer to continue as a champion of high ethics, given his admission of wrongdoing. But he also said, “Our prayers go out to him and the family, and the kids.”

Tedisco told The Gazette he had received a call from Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who told him, “He’s ready to lead if there’s a transition.”

Paterson could not be reached for comment.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, like most people at the Capitol, expressed sympathy for Spitzer’s family. He also said, “The important thing for the people of New York state is that people in office do the right thing,” but did not respond to questions asking whether the governor should resign.

Assemblyman Bob Reilly, D-Colonie, said, “We don’t know all the facts,” but “at the moment, people are shocked, angry and disappointed” — including himself.

Reporters gathered in the Senate lobby Monday, waiting in vain for Paterson to emerge from his office adjoining it.

Among the others gathered there were Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters and Bill Mahoney of the New York Public Interest Research Group, who were discussing what the state Constitution and laws say regarding who presides over the Senate in the event of the lieutenant governor becoming governor. If Spitzer did resign, they agreed, it would strengthen Bruno’s position in the Senate, where his Republican conference has a two-vote, one-seat majority.

Paterson presides over the Senate, and has the tie-breaking vote. But if he became governor, there would be no replacement lieutenant governor, Bartoletti and Mahoney said, until one was elected in 2010. That means Senate Democrats would need to induce two Republicans, rather than one, to defect in order to overturn the GOP majority this year. The scandal also might weaken Democrats’ prospects in the November election, when they had been expected by many to capture the Senate.

“I just hope [Spitzer] has the character to resign,” said the Rev. Duane Motley, executive director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, a socially conservative group.

Peter Stix, 52, of Albany, also was waiting in the Senate lobby. He said he had head the news about the governor on WAMC radio, as he was going on business to the Corning Tower. So, he said, he thought he would come to the Capitol to see what was going on.

While many people were saying Spitzer would have to resign, Stix disagreed.

“I hope he doesn’t [resign],” Stix said, “but it would certainly be understandable if he does. After all, Bill Clinton didn’t resign, so there’s precedent for retaining your position.”

Rumors swirled around the Capitol Monday evening that Spitzer’s resignation was imminent, possibly coming in the middle of the night. Photographers and a reporter or two remained encamped outside Paterson’s office at 8:45 p.m., although the lieutenant governor was not believed to be inside.

However, Spitzer’s press office on the second floor was mostly deserted at 8:10 p.m., and spokeswoman Jennifer Givner, who had left the office, said she was not expecting any announcement Monday night.

Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, whose district includes Schoharie County, issued a statement saying, “I don’t know the facts of the situation. I will not accuse or condemn. At a time when we face such critical problems, we need the full attention of our governor.

“Depending on the facts, and the truth — and the governor knows the truth — I hope he will do the right thing and put the people of the state first.”

Away from the Capitol, reaction among area leaders was mixed.

Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton, calling it “a very sad day,” said “I think everyone is shocked. Certainly those of us who have been friends and supporters of the governor are.

“I think ‘stunned’ is a word I could aptly use for how I feel. Who expects that out of anyone? I’m almost speechless,” Stratton said.

Fulton County Clerk William E. Eschler, a Republican, said the allegations are inconsistent with Spitzer’s stated goal of cleaning up New York.

“He lost touch with the people of the state and made proposals that made absolutely no sense,” said Eschler, citing what he called the “use of state troopers to try to regain the state Senate,” the driver’s license controversy and the imposition of a variety of fee increases.

Fulton County Democratic Chairman Albert Hayes said he heard of the allegations Monday but would reserve judgment until there is more information.

Gloversville Mayor Tim Hughes, a Democrat, would say only “at this point these are just allegations.”

Another Democrat, Amsterdam Town Supervisor Thomas DiMezza, said the revelations give the state a black eye and that Spitzer should step down.

“I think he should do the right thing and resign. He’s done wrong as head of state. The governor, he’s held to a higher standard and he’s violated that standard so he needs to do the right thing, just step aside,” DiMezza said.

“It’s more than morality, it’s something that’s illegal,” said DiMezza, a detective lieutenant with the Amsterdam city Police Department.

March 11, 2008
11:07 p.m.

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Johnny ( no real name given ) says...

I wish Tedisco woud calm down a bit. What if he has a skeleton in his closet? I know he hates Spitzer, but he needs to back off a bit. Does he have to go on every media outlet and get his air time? Go on once, then release a statement and be done with it.

I agree with Tedisco that Spitzer must resign, but his actions are why most of us hate politicians. They have to make everything a partisan affair.

Jimmy, we hear ya loud and clear. Now, back off and give Spitzer a couple of days; he'll do the right thing and resign.