Spitzer Must Resign Or Face Impeachment Proceeding

An impasse is developing in New York State government as a governor crippled by scandal has thus far refused to step down, and if he doesn't act soon, like his hero Bill Clinton, he may face impeachment:

NEW YORK (CBS) ― If Gov. Eliot Spitzer opts to roll the dice and not resign, state Republican leadership may force him to go all-in and call for his impeachment from office, according to a state Assemblyman.

Sources told CBS 2 HD shortly after it was reported that the governor was linked to a prostitution ring that he would likely hand in his resignation, which could happen within the next 36 hours.

State Assemblyman James Tedisco (R-Schenectady) told CBS 2 HD that he spoke with Lt. Governor Paterson Monday evening and that the two discussed Paterson taking on a new role of leadership, leading Tedisco to believe that action was "forthcoming."

Tedisco said if Spitzer does not resign according to a deadline that's been imposed, state Republican leadership will call for impeachment proceedings to begin.

Spitzer, though, was clearly examining his legal options Monday night; a spokesman said the governor had retained the Manhattan law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind Wharton & Garrison, one of the nation's most prominent.

The news of Spitzer's alleged transgression set off one of the largest scandals in modern New York state political history....

The announcement not only shook up New York's political infrastructure, but political pundits who took to heart Spitzer's promise that he'd keep corruption and scandal out of Albany were stunned to learn of the news.

"Eliot Spitzer was supposed to be the guy that refurbished the Democratic party and cleaned up Albany, so this is much more shocking than it would be for any other incumbent," political consultant Norman Adler told CBS 2 HD.

"I'm sure that more champagne is being filled in Albany today than in the last five years," he added.

Spitzer is a pledged superdelegate for Hillary Clinton, and when asked about the situation, she had an uncomfortable but typical Dem reaction. It was all "our hearts go out to his family" but no comment about whether he should keep his job. The good news is any presidential aspirations that Spitzer might have had - and I guarantee you that he was setting himself up for that - are over.