Spitz Swallowed by Hooker Hullabaloo

Given a tumultuous year that has included Troopergate, driver’s license issues for immigrants and even skipping Governor’s Day at the New York State Fair, Eliot Spitzer might have needed some fast, fast relief. But there must be a million other ways to ease such creative tension instead of getting caught with your political pants down as an alleged client in a high-priced prostitution ring. (The “seven-diamond” madames merited $5,500 per hour!) At press time the guv (pictured here when he finally did show up at the 2007 fair) remained noncommittal about whether his private peccadilloes would affect his staying the course at the statehouse, but things to come if Spitzer goes include legally blind Lt. Gov. David Paterson succeeding to the top seat, and maybe Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Spitz’s Republican nemesis, becoming second in command in accordance with the state Constitution. Meanwhile, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is surely warming his rhetoric in the bullpen.