Spitzer Apologizes to Paterson for Bailing

During a recent radio interview, New York City Comptroller candidate Eliot Spitzer apologized to David Paterson, his former lieutenant governor, for leaving him in the lurch with his 2008 resignation, the New York Post wrote.

Admitting that he wasn't there when the state needed him during a tough budget negotiation period, Spitzer expressed regret for resigning his office after a prostitution scandal in March 2008, while budget negotiations were still ongoing at the state level. 

As the Post points out, the move forced Paterson — who had never planned to take on the job of governor — to try and close a $14 billion state budget gap with no warning. 

Spitzer's harsh methodology while in office — he became known as "the steamroller" after self-applying the label during a profanity-laden tirade — didn't help matters at the time, leaving Paterson without much room for political maneuvering. 

The apology comes as Spitzer's campaign has turned into a pseudo contrition-tour in which he has to explain both why he would be a good comptroller, and why he's changed since he last left Albany.