In the wake of the allegations against Spitzer, he held a press conference yesterday, in which he apologized to his family and the public but failed to specifically address the allegations or his political future.
"Today I want to briefly address a private matter," Spitzer said. "I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and violates my sense of right and wrong. I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better. I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what’s best for the state of New York. I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family. I will report back to you in short order."
It is interesting to note that last year Spitzer and Lieutenant Governor David Paterson announced an agreement on legislation that "will combat the trafficking of human beings." A press release, dated May 16, 2007, reads in part:
"New York now joins the federal government and 24 other states that have enacted anti-human trafficking legislation. Under the legislation, traffickers who advance or profit from prostitution activity by compelling, inducing, deceiving or forcing their victims into prostitution activity can be convicted of the class B felony of Sex Trafficking. Traffickers who exploit workers using similar types of coercive activity can be convicted of the class D felony of Labor Trafficking."
The press release further quotes Spitzer as saying, "Updating and enhancing our human-trafficking laws to adequately punish the perpetrators of these unspeakable crimes and sufficiently support victims is critically important."
Many lawmakers are calling for Spitzer to resign; however, as of this writing he has not been arrested for his alleged criminal activities. If Spitzer does step down, Paterson would make history by becoming New York's first black governor.
