Gov. Eliot
Spitzer announced Wednesday that he is resigning, completing
a spectacular fall from power for a politician whose
once-promising career imploded amid allegations that
he paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for high-end
prostitutes.
''I look at my
time as governor with a sense of what might have been,''
Spitzer said, with his expressionless wife, Silda, standing
at his side. ''There is much more to be done, and I
cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the
people's work.''
Spitzer says his
resignation is effective Monday. He will be replaced by
Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who will become New York's first
black governor.
The scandal
erupted two days ago when allegations surfaced that the
48-year-old Spitzer spent thousands of dollars on a call
girl at a swanky Washington hotel on the night before
Valentine's Day.
Spitzer was more
composed than he was at his appearance two days ago,
when he looked pale, drawn, and glassy-eyed. The couple
stood quietly Wednesday, inches apart; they never
touched as they entered or left the room.
His wife took
deep breaths as hundreds of photos were taken at close
range. Each of Spitzer's words was accompanied by a rush of
camera clicks. (AP)
