The View From Here . . .

By Bob Morgan, Jr.

The departure of Governor Eliot Spitzer from the New York political scene certainly opens up a new era in the politics of our state.

We very likely will never know what prompted Mr. Spitzer to risk everything to become involved in a prostitution ring. But once the story broke on The New York Times website on Monday, it quickly became clear that he had to go. Republicans quickly clamored for impeachment and virtually no Democrats sprang to his defense. Indeed, at least two Democratic officeholders in marginal districts urged the governor to resign.

Mr. Spitzer's fate in the criminal justice system may well rest on whether the money used for the governor's illicit activities were his own, or alternatively were funds from other sources such as campaign contributions or even worse, state money. While a number of criminal charges are certainly possible under the circumstances, prosecutors have enormous discretion in bringing legal action. If Mr. Spitzer were at least financing his own depredation, there is a decent argument that his resignation under humiliating circumstances is punishment enough, or at least that he should be allowed to plead to a misdemeanor and likely retain his law license. On the other hand, illegally dipping into funds to pay for prostitutes would seem to warrant a felony prosecution.

Beyond the sad spectacle (especially for his family) of the governor's downfall, his exit has some negative ramifications for the state. Like or dislike Mr. Spitzer's controversial tenure as attorney general, his election as a reformer did promise a change from the traditional "three men in a room" method of government in which the governor, the state senate majority leader (currently Joe Bruno) and the assembly speaker (currently Shelly Silver) would meet privately to work out the state budget and most other important issues. There was a hope that Mr. Spitzer would add a measure of transparency and idealism to the process, a hope that was only partially diminished by the unseemly Troopergate investigation of Mr. Bruno. Obviously, these hopes have been dashed,

The partisan dynamics in the state may well be affected. Prior to Mr. Spitzer's departure, Democrats had moved within one seat of taking over the state senate, which would give the party unfettered control of the state legislature, and of redistricting after the next census. Mr. Spitzer spent considerable effort in helping his party win the senate and was a major fundraiser for senate candidates. The disgrace of the state's leading Democrat may brake the party's momentum.

The 2010 race for governor is also vastly changed by Mr. Spitzer's resignation. The new governor, David Paterson, a former state senator and a member of a politically prominent family in Harlem, is generally regarded as an affable and conciliatory man. The big question is whether he has the combination of forcefulness, experience and political skill to succeed at a difficult job. There are examples of "accidental" governors in other states that have done well (Jodi Rell in Connecticut is one example), but Mr. Patterson will be facing some big challenges, most notably including a budget deficit of approximately $4 billion.

If Mr. Paterson is perceived as faltering, there is no shortage of potential aspirants for his job. Democratic Attorney General Andrew Cuomo might consider a run. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who cannot run for reelection when his term ends in 2009, could end up being nominated by the Independence party and endorsed by the Republicans.

In any event, New York will very likely move in directions not foreseeable just a few days ago.