Eliot Spitzer Kicks Off Campaign for Comptroller

When Eliot Spitzer stepped out of the subway and into the blazing sun in Union Square this afternoon, he was planning to talk to voters.  Instead, the former governor was met by a frenzy of reporters and cameramen.  With dozens of microphones swarming his head, Spitzer could not escape questions about the prostitution scandal that forced his resignation five years ago.  He made a plea to the public to look past his faults, and give him a second chance.

"I want the voters to listen to what I've done, look at the public record that I developed ... and say, 'This guy understands the public interest.'"

Spitzer tried to keep the conversation focused his public policy, despite having to shout over a persistant heckler.  The media spectacle drew a crowd of bystanders and several supporters.  Brooklyn resident Lori Podvester says she thinks Spitzer is still popular enough to gain enough public support to win an election.

"He's resiliant and I think Americans love that."

Spitzer needs to fill a 3750 signature petition by Thursday to get his name on the ballot.  The first name signed was that of Manhattanite Andrew Fine, who wriggled his way through the tightly-packed crowd.  Fine says he does not necessarily support the former governor, but says he thinks he should be on the ballot, because he has a right to run.

"Under the process he should be allowed to run for office, and more power to him."