State Editor, Albany Times Union
State Editor for the Albany Times Union
PROFILE
Jay Jochnowitz
Guest
FROM Jay Jochnowitz
To the Point
The Transition of Power in New York State Ethics crusader Eliot Spitzer has been driven from office by a long-time association with expensive prostitutes. Today, the Governor publicly apologized to his family and the people of New York, but made no mention of reports that he was caught moving money into shell companies allegedly to disguise his patronage of a prostitution ring. Unclear is whether he'll be prosecuted by federal authorities. On Monday, Lt. Gov. David Paterson will become the first African American to govern the state of New York. The Acting Lt. Gov. will be Republican Senate leader Joe Bruno.
To the Point
New York Governor Spitzer Hanging onto Job, for Now Republican leaders in Albany are threatening impeachment if Democratic Governor Elliot Spitzer doesn't resign in 48 hours. Assembly minority leader James Tedisco says he's already promised Republican support if Lt. Gov. David Paterson assumes the governorship. Paterson is a Democrat from Harlem who's legally blind. But Spitzer has his defenders, including Alan Dershowitz from Harvard Law School, where Spitzer served as his research assistant. The renowned constitutional scholar, who called the entire matter "overblown," said history "has proved that people can govern well during the day while acting as children and adolescents in the evening." Will sexual misconduct end a career that might have led to the White House?
Recommended
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.