Probably the best shot the GOP has of keeping the governor's chair. Trump has done some remarkable things in his time, NYS could do a LOT worse (e.g., any Democrat and most NY Republicans).
That, and more. Spitzer is the chief kneepadder in the Friends of Hillary cabal. Spitzer's defeat is a major blow to Her Heinous -- what's the point of being a FOH if it costs you your current job (Atty. Gen.) and can't move you up the ladder (Gov.)? Dire implications for Hillary in 2008.
Those who say Trump is no better than Spitzer are delusional. Spitzer is a black-hearted SOB who regularly threatens to use the power of his office against his opponents.
During a debate with WABC-NY's Sean Hannity and "Hillary Trap" author Laura Ingraham, New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer claimed that Georgia Congressman Bob Barr had once fathered a child out of wedlock. "Spitzer later admitted he had no evidence to back up the charge." ALBANY—Top New York Republicans have called for a formal investigation into allegations that Attorney General Eliot Spitzer threatened a man who wrote an editorial critical of Spitzer’s conduct. According to the New York Post, both Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer) and state Republican Chairman Stephen Minarik have urged that a formal investigation be launched into claims by John Whitehead, “one of the most respected figures on Wall St,” that Spitzer telephoned Whitehead and threatened him after Whitehead wrote an editorial about Spitzer in the Wall St. Journal. A furious Spitzer tracked him down in Texas last spring after he authored an earlier piece in defense of former American International Group CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, who was being investigated by Spitzer for corporate fraud. Citing notes he said he took during the telephone conversation, Whitehead quoted Spitzer as saying, "Mr. Whitehead, it's now a war between us and you've fired the first shot . . . I will be coming after you. You will pay the price." NEW YORK—"In July of 2000, Spitzer defamed then-Congressman Bob Barr by erroneously alleging that Barr had fathered an illegitimate child.
"NYS could do a LOT worse (e.g., any Democrat and most NY Republicans)."
The point is to let the D states vote in these walking disasters. Once it becomes apparent that they can't help maintain the standard of living in their state, then it's an opportunity for a conservative Republican to win a blue state gubernatorial election.
It worked for Reagan, on the national level. Imagine how things would have turned out if the party chose a "moderate" republican for '80 on the basis that he'd be less worse than the Dem? That standard is not good enough, not any more.