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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Reports: Spitzer to resign

Posted: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:50 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

From NBC’s Robert Windrem
The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Albany Times Union are reporting that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) will resign after being linked to a prostitution ring.

NYT: “Top aides to Gov. Elliot Spitzer said Tuesday morning that they expect the governor to resign his office, although the timing of the resignation remains uncertain.”

Video: NBC's Mike Taibbi reports on New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer facing calls to resign amid a sex scandal.

WSJ: “Eliot Spitzer, the onetime nemesis of Wall Street now engulfed in a sex scandal, is likely to resign, perhaps as early as today, according to a person close to him. The resignation would effectively end Mr. Spitzer's political career just 16 months after he was elected New York's governor by a wide margin. ‘But first he's dealing with this personal tragedy at home,’ this person said.”

The Albany Times-Union: “Spitzer publicly apologized to his wife and family Monday and began planning to exit his office in shame as both his life and political career were unraveling over his role as a patron of an international sex ring, according to government sources. Aides close to Spitzer, 48, expect Lt. Gov. David Paterson, 53, a Harlem Democrat, will succeed him as governor before the week's end to fill out the remaining 33 months of his term.”

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This is very bad timing and embarassing for the Democrats.  I feel he should resign and he should have done it at the same press conference yesterday.  Holding out like this only gives the entire story more time to air night and day.
Yes, Republicans should be held to the same scrutiny -- but their machine defends them every time, right or wrong. They are so good at looking shocked and put out by scrutiny.
As for Spitzer, there is something relevant to Clinton. She has been touting the great judgment of superdelegates -- how they have the knowledge and judgment to overturn the mere mortals who voted in primaries and caucuses. Now, we have the poster child of a Clinton superdelegate plastered all over the media, looking like the picture of Clintonian judgment. Yep, those Clinton superdelegates have superior judgment tot he rest of us! LOL!
I think Spizter should resign. He's a hypocrite. I also think that Sen. Vitter, the Pub who recently got caught in a prostitution scandal, should also resign. He's a hypocrite, too, but bald-faced  hypocrisy seems be a sign of strong character to Publicans, so he gets to stay in the Senate and prattle about family values.

Nothing funnier than seeing a self righteous clown being undone by the same phony virture he won the office on. Anyone else and I might feel sorry for them... but not this man on THIS issue. It couldn't happen to a nicer hypocrite
Hillary's co-campaign chairman?Hillary campaigned for him in election to Gov of N.Y. One of her superdelegates?Is this the kind of judgement we want in W.H.This guy is a little creepy and not the brightest bulb on the tree.
One of the first things heartless ol Eliot did as Gov was try to closeand/or merge many nursing homes and hospitals under the Berger Commission, not caring about the individuals involved. Now we see he doesn't care about the feelings of his wife and daughters either.  He likes to be called 'ELIOT NESS - WELL, HE'S NOW ELIOT MESS! Reportedly he disputes the prostitutes charges too, and wants to pay on time... LAYAWAY SEX
...And still Larry "I AM NOT GAY" Craig is still practicing his wide stance in the Senate.  Where's the moral indignation from Repugnants there?!?
While Vitter is a sleazy hypocrite, Spitzer's situation is not analogous to Vitter's.  

It is Spitzer himself who, as a prosecutor , set himself up as an avenger going after financial, ethical and moral corruption, including prostitution rings and opposing politicians over anything that smelled, including sexual scandals.  It was as that kind of prosecutor that he ran for Governor.  

He won by a landslide but quickly sank to Bush levels of approval before anything like this ever broke.  Now this and he's done.   Dems can't wait to see Paterson take over.
If it looks too good to be true, chances are it is too good to be true.

Spitzer run on changing and cleaning corruption. Holier than thou platform. Let's see what happens with Obama and his change platform. Let's find out what happens when Rezco and what out Larry Sinclair lawsuit fields the air.

I'd rather have someone who's dirty laundry and closet are out in the open and have been scrutinized than a mysterious holier than thou candidate in charged on the future of this country.

I dare MSNBC print this for a change.
What's your point, Lee?  Kennedy was buried in what, 1963?  Bobby no longer had access to LBJ's White House.  So, the difference is say, 40+ years?  Thisis our governor, the holier than thou, previously the most feared prosecutor in the north east, if not the whole country, showing that he has no moral compass whatsoever.

I won't go partisan, becuase there are enough people without morals on both sides of the aisle.  But, he needs to go now, for the good of New York-he has no more credibility and you can't govern that way.
Karen NYC - you are a sick demented obamamoron with your hillary monster comments.  I hope you truly get the therapy and help you deserve.
Wow. We should call him the people's governor. Every guy wishes he had $4300 to spend on a hooker. If I had that money, I too could pull a Spitzer.
I don't want to go into that hypothetically, but I can say this that failure happens all the time, it happens every day in our life. What makes us better is how we react to it. Other things may change us, but we start with and end with the family. It's a powerful bonds of love that no force on earth can tear a part, stay united.!!!
So much attention to 'dirt'. Nobody running for president, that the media will talk about, has given any solutions to Abortion or Drugs.  Both of these kill or murder more people every day than either wars or terrorists. SAD what the media calls 'news'--any piece of 'dirt ' they can dig up===not saying that these evils should be overlooked or forgotten.
Dragging Vitter into the discussion only works until we find that Spitzers crime is federal and a prima facie violation of the MANN Act of 1910 that specifically prohibits interstate sexual commerce and travel.[thus the insertion of the ''same basic''crime by Bill of Corpus Christi who should know better. Vitter went TO a place or prostitution. There is a differance. MANN is not engaged for Vitter]. This prostitute,at the behest of Spitzer[who should have known better as well],crossed state lines in order to engage in a sexual practice for pay. Ergo,the mechanics of federal law violations were put into play. This is the end of ''Elliot Mess''.
I agree with Lee from Auburn.  Not only John and Bobby  - what about Ted???????  What about MLK?  Enough about the Clintons!
And this is the man who crucified Alan Havesi for taking his wife to medical appointments in a state car.
Why hasn't Spitzer resigned yet? Because he's making a behind the scene deal with the FBI so he won't be prosecuted on the felony he committed by transporting her over state lines. He has nothing to wager EXCEPT his resignation. Wake up people, this is politics we are talking about and he won't resign until he gets the best deal he can!
And what ties do the Clintons (Bill) have to Spitzer and these rings???? We haven't heard from Hillary and N.Y. is her state.... Of course not, all she cares about is her campaign.... Listen up Pennsylvania!!! Don't fall for the double, under-handed talk she's trying to convinve of!!!! Wake up before it's too late...

Vote Obama

GAVIN NEWSOM BOFFED HIS BEST FRIENDS WIFE and will run for CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR IN 2010.

ELLIOTT is still sexy-there's a place for him in the sun.
Does it matter Why do America people puy so much attention to person's sex life
Foreign people especially European people really don’t care the marriage life of the politics. They really laugh at why people here are so serious about Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica.I lived there at that time Ex-German Chancellor Schroeder had many problems in marriages and personal life and elected as chancellor. If you are still not convinced, just dig the marriage life of French President Sarkozy.
I believe many men do the some. if his wife can forgive him why another people do the some
Well, the Governor had won an erection by a huge margin going into his office, and seems to be very knowledgeable about inter-state trade. Plus, compared to some of the idiots we've brought to Washington, you've got to give him an edge there too. However, as a taxpayer, I don't think we can afford to pay for his staff.
How’s this for Hillary’s judgement.

1. Choose Eliot Spitzer as her national Co Chairman.
2. Choose Bill Clinton as her husband.
3. Supported NAFTA during her White House years- now she’s changed her mind.
4. Voted for the war.
5. Voted for No Child Left Behind-now she’s against it.

What else do we need to know about your so called experience and judgement.

Obama 08
Gov. Spitzer should resign asap.  He went into office with a veneer of credability that was false.  The time has come for politicians and people should trod the moral road .
commit the sex crime WHEN IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY.
FEEL SORRY FOR SELF LOATHING HANDSOME MAN.
"HE MUST HATE HIMSELF".
a republican would have resigned already
sadly the bastard won't get the full penalty because of all the liberal judges he helped to appoint

and i never rlly liked jfk either, whether that is true or not anyway
I heard about spitzer when he prosecuted Martha Stewart. the guy just didn't look right at that time. Martha must be having a field day, I bet she's planning a big sending away party for Spitzer. For you client-10 or 11 out there, watch out! you'll be next.
Who is Kristen and when will she be doing her interview with Barbara Walters to promote her tell-all book?  The advance will make $4300 look like pocket money.  
Spitzer main problem is that he set his standards so high that any fall would be a huge one.  If he does stay, then it would be so hard for him to get much done since people can't take their eyes off a scandel or an accident on the road.  

I would hope that any public figure that gets caught in some scandle (sex, bribes or other) would acknowledge the problem and step down to make way for someone who, I hope, can do things cleanly.  
My parents always said: do Not trust anyone, especially not a Politician or a Lawer, well DC is full of them.......that is America.

Not much to be proud of here, the people, the people, you put them there!!!! And now you want to place Obama in there? I think the lady Ferraro is right! God save America!
dOESNT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WHAT HE DOES LOOK AT WASHINGTON 75PERCENT OF THE DUNOTHINGS ARE JUST AS BAD..AND WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KEEPING COMMING BACK FOR MORE....REALLY DONT HAVE A SOLUTION UNTIL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE START CARING OTHERWISE 4 MORE YRS OF THE SAME, BACK TO POLITICS AS USUAL.....FED UP
If he is guilty then he must register as a sex offender.  

We cannot dismiss this as a private matter, simply  a case of a powerful man being unfaithful to his spouse.  Once the governor paid, to a criminal shell company no less, money for sex, this became a public offense, and disqualified him to hold a position of enforcing the law.

There are good reasons why Mr. Spitzer put people in jail for prostitution while attorney general, and not for spousal infedility.

He is innocent until proven guilty, but if he confesses to these actions to avoid a phelony conviction, then he must resign his elected office as part of the agreement.

thats what you get for f*#king with Joe Bruno!!!! Joe has been involved in nys for 40 yrs and has done a hell of alot more then you eliot ness!!!
spitzer should resign but not out of any concern about new york state's budget which hasnt been passed on time forever.
 All this hoopla, while Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) sneaks quitely out the backdoor...

 Gov. Spitzer has been a target of Wall Street for years, and now they pounce on this like its the biggest story since Enron.
 The markets rallied today following the news that he MAY resign, licking their corporate chops.  One of their populist enemies caught in a moral scandal having nothing to do whatsoever with his job.  

Tragic.

By the way, not every escort service is a prostitution ring, how about letting the facts be established before calling for someone to resign or be impeached.
To all of the people who compare this act to other immoral mishaps -
There is a defined difference in paying thousands of dollars (taxpayer dollars at that) in an ILLEGAL act and in making a clearly wrong and immoral decision to have extramarital affairs. Neither is right, but what Spitzer chose to do is illegal - he should know, he saw to it that others involved in prostitution paid the price! This definately constitutes him losing his position as lawmaker/enforcer in the respect that he has purposefully broken the law as well as losing the respect of those he governs.
all this frenzy because Spitzer got caught with his pants down.

how sad that nothing is being done to G.W. Bush for war crimes and the murder of 4,000 American in an illegal war.
Well, like all Paper Hanger his brains fell into his pants, Clinton should have taught him to say the word ""IS"". that was a mistake!!!!!! All these paper hangers have time to serve their self serving agenda's and serve themselves. we don't expect to see any thing less, especially and surly will not see any thing more.  
He's just a man with his brains in the head of his 9889! What else can you expect from trailer trash, no wonder he is a demo!!!
The democrats can't get it right, they keep getting involved in heterosexual affairs.  In this day and age the party of family values keeps getting involved in homosexual affairs.  Let's stop this comparing democrats to republicans and vice versa.  Most of them are professional parasites and and have no ethics or values.  That's the experience gained by being in politics most of your adult life/


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