If Spitzer Resigns - Who takes his place?

News today has centered on Eliot Spitzer's involvement and speculation over whether he will resign. If he resigned his lieutenant governor would take over. What do we know about Lieutenant Governor David Paterson? Until last year, Paterson was a state senator from Harlem. He is a Democrat and comes from a family of politicians as his father served as New York Secretary of State and was the NYC Deputy Mayor. His biography says has been legally blind since birth.

Prior to today the only time I had heard of him was when he introduced some ridiculous legislation in the state senate requiring police to shoot to wound, rather than using deadly force. Paterson (D-Harlem) wrote that a police officer, under his legislation, "would have to try to shoot a suspect in the arm or the leg." This requirement demonstrated an amazing degree of ignorance of firearms and police accuracy. You are taught to shoot at center mass so you have some chance of hitting and stopping the immediate threat. I'm sure law enforcement officials in New York are thrilled to see this guy move into the governors mansion.

Breaking News: NY Governor linked to Prostitution Ring

From the DRUDGE Report we get word that Eliot Spitzer, the sanctimonious governor of New York, is linked to a prostitution ring that federal prosecutors broke up last week.

Like Bill Clinton claiming he would have the "most ethical administration in history," Spitzer pledged to bring ethics reform and end the often seamy ways of Albany. Instead his term has had numerous scandals.

Citizens of New York should not be surprised. Spitzer was a borderline extortionist who used aggressive and underhanded tactics in going after high profile targets as New York Attorney General. I guess we can rule him out as Obama's running mate.

Separately, Spitzer's endorsement no longer appears on Sen. Clinton's presidential campaign website. Hmmm, wonder why?