Heave Ho, Hevesi's Got To Go

Alan Hevesi's problems are not going to go away. They're only going to get worse as we approach election day. Democrats are shying away from him, or calling on him to step down, and Republicans are not only calling for his resignation, but are throwing support to his challenger Chris Callaghan who broke the drivergate story in the first place.

When you get top Democrats like Spitzer and Clinton putting serious distance between themselves and Hevesi, you know that Hevesi is in trouble. Problem is that Hevesi doesn't think he's in trouble, despite all the warning signs. He's scheduled to appear in a debate with Callahan tonite, and one should expect at least one question on this subject.

Namely - how can someone, who is responsible for the state's fiscal picture and oversight of the dozens of public authorities, engage in unethical and potentially criminal conduct (violation of the Public Officer's Law - and now under investigation by the Albany DA), conduct proper oversight when withholding reimbursement of tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs and an implication that there was no intent to repay? Is this the kind of person who should be entrusted with the responsibilities and authority of comptroller of New York?

I don't think so. He's broken the trust with the people of New York, and needs to step down.

The pressure's rising for him to step down. The Post endorses Callahan because of the drivergate scandal. Thus, despite the 35 years of public service, Hevesi has wiped out all that good work with the unethical and potentially criminal actions.

The NY Sun has much more, and they too have endorsed Callaghan.

The Daily News was none too pleased at being stiffed on a meeting with Hevesi yesterday. Hevesi claims it was a scheduling snafu. And Daily News reporters have uncovered that Hevesi took two pricey trips to Las Vegas and Tel Aviv on taxpayer dime - nearly $30,000. Oh boy.

UPDATE:
The debate went off tonite, and while protestors outside were calling on Hevesi to step down, Hevesi said that he was absolutely not going to resign. Once inside the debate forum, Callaghan unloaded on Hevesi noting that he's lost the authority to call out other state and local officials on their misdeeds - precisely because he's acted inappropriately.

Newsday wonders - from shoo in to has been. Good question. Are voters paying attention?

The Politicker notes that Hevesi could resign, and still win reelection. That's a possibility in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by larger than a 2 to 1 margin.

Gothamist has more.

Technorati: hevesi, new york, spitzer, ethics, scandal, democrats.