Spitzer Resignation Imminent; Update: Effective March 17

The fight for change is nearly over as a report from WCBS in New York says the scandal-plagued Eliot Spitzer will be resigning shortly.

Eliot Spitzer is going to resign his post as governor.
Sources tell CBS 2 HD he's using the resignation as a bargaining chip with the feds and was expected to make an announcement some time Wednesday morning.

Spitzer doesn't have the luxury of playing deal or no deal. Experts agree that his involvement in a prostitution ring makes him damaged goods.

"I think his career is politically at an end," noted criminal defense attorney Ronald Fischetti told CBS 2 HD.

Sources tell CBS 2 HD the governor knows this and is using his defense team, led by Michele Hirshman, to leverage his resignation against potential charges he may face.

When asked what the best-case scenario is for Spitzer, Fischetti said, "No charges, absolute resignation and contrition. I think the worst that could happen is a felony plea on a number of charges they could lodge against him."

More from the NY Post.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer has decided to resign and will begin notifying top state officials of his decision just after 9 a.m., The Post has learned.

Word began circulating of his decision in state political circles just minutes ago, which came after what one source called "an agonizing night," as the governor's wife, Silda Wall Spitzer, and the governor's lawyers went over a possible plea deal offered by federal prosecutors, sources told The Post.

Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who has remained at his suburban Albany home for the past three days, was expected to be notified of Spiter's decision within the hour.

Meanwhile, media supersleuth Howard Kurtz has astonishing news.

The big news, of course, is that Eliot Spitzer will no longer be a superdelegate if he steps down as New York's governor, as several news outlets are now predicting he will do.

Really, isn't that punishment enough?

That's the big news? I think that's the least of his problems.

What's striking, in the avalanche of news coverage about Spitzer's secret life as Client 9, is how no one is cutting him the slightest bit of slack, including liberal outlets that might ordinarily be sympathetic to a Democrat. Not the NYT editorial page: "His short, arrogant statement simply was not enough, not from the Sheriff of Wall Street, not from the self-appointed Mr. Clean who went to Albany promising a new and better day."

Thanks for admitting the liberal media is biased toward Democrats, Howie.

Update, via Lawhawk:

A top state official says New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer will resign effective Monday after being linked to a prostitution ring.

More at Hot Air, with video.

Just a pathetic performance. In typical cowardly fashion, he wasn't man enough to take any questions.