Spitzer's Resignation Speech: Transcript

The following is the text of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's resignation speech in the wake of the sex scandal that broke on Monday which revealed that he had been the client of a high-end prostitution ring on numerous occasions. Details of previous involvement in prostitution on multiple occasions going back as much as a decade have emerged over the past few days. Spitzer resigned this morning at approximately 11:44 a.m. and handed over the governorship to Lieutenant Governor David Paterson. Video of the speech is available here. The text is as follows:

In the past few days, I have begun to atone for my private failings with my wife Silda, my children, and my entire family. The remorse I feel will always be with me. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the love and compassion they have shown me.

From those to whom much is given, much is expected. I have been given much -- the love of my family, the faith and trust of the people of New York, and the chance to lead this state. I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me. To every New Yorker — and to all those who believed in what I tried to stand for — I sincerely apologize.

I look at my time as governor with a sense of what might have been. But I also know that as a public servant, I and the remarkable people with whom I worked have accomplished a great deal. There is much more to be done, and I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work.

Over the course of my public life, I have insisted — I believe correctly — that people, regardless of their position or power, take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself.

For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor. At Lt. Gov. Paterson's request, the resignation will be effective Monday, March 17, a date that he believes will permit an orderly transition.

I go forward with the belief, as others have said, that as human beings, our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

As I leave public life, I will first do what I need to do to help and heal myself and my family. Then I will try once again, outside of politics, to serve the common good and move toward the ideals and solutions which I believe can build a future of hope and opportunity for us and for our children.

I hope all New York will join my prayers for my friend David Paterson, as he embarks on his new mission. And I thank the public once again for the privilege of service.

Related:
David Paterson: New York's Next Governor
Spitzer Prostitute Details: Up To $80,000 Spent
All About The Emperor's Club

Comments

[Tulipp56]

Women who chose to be prostitutes need to help themselves, not expect others to do it. Get an education, get a real job, the world is a tough place, you gotta be tough to succeed. Govenor Spitzer was not bipolar, whomever thinks so knows nothing of the disorder. He is a brilliant man who made a mistake when he wanted to see what walking on the other side of the tracks was like. I think it is a disgrace that some low life like this girl gets so much media attention when REAL working people never do. BTW, where is the list of the other patrons of the Emporer club, surely they must be known by now....Eliot must not go down alone, he should have fought it, Clinton did, now look at him, if his harpy wife manages to steal the election, ( which since she acts just like a Republican, she should be able to do) he will be roight back to his old tricks........the hypocrisy never ends.

[Burgess]

May Mr Spitzer get the psychiatric need he seems to need. He seems to exhibit a typical Bi polar 1 type behavior. A tragic end to what it could have been a brilliant public life,only if he was not so "split". It is very disturbing and sad.

Also, may I add that prostitution is not a victimless crime. A socially secure psychologically whole woman does not wake up one morning and decides to become a prostitute. The implication that "it has been around for ever" suggests it should not be even be tried to be eradicated, that it is a choice.

Women by not having other choices become prostitutes. It is a social and economic and psychological problem. Men demanding the services of these women indirectly encourage what they call an " industry" and sex slavery, pornography. Families selling children for sex( prominent in Asia) tourists traveling for sex. It objectifies and denigrates women. Most prostitutes were abused as children, have low self esteem, otherwise they could not be selling their bodies anyway. And if they are forced into it than it is a completely another crime,it is human slavery,

I think NYT readers should read a little more about prostitution before they take it so lightly that our governor was calling on them. Not only it is illegal, also ethically it is wrong, a woman who sells herself needs help to get out of that business. A governor should know that.

[PacificGatePost]

This story has mesmerized all of us....

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/03/sex-trumps-presidential-race-coverage.html

Sex has drawn us to this flame. Candidates? What candidates?

[mimsnpips]

A noble albeit delayed apology. As an ex NY'er nothing surprises me anymore. The Lt. Governor looks promising, indeed an example of the famous "heartbeat away from the top job" line used by the politicians so often right now.

may the band play on