A week ago, AG Andrew Cuomo concluded that Gov. Spitzer's office engaged in no "unlawful" conduct in efforts to gin up a negative Bruno travel story. Today, one week later, the Senate is suggesting that Cuomo be named special prosecutor to investigate Spitzer's office, according to Newsday's Albany bureau.
Obviously, it's kind of fun for the GOP to try to pit two Democrats against each other, forcing Spitzer to resist naming a fellow Dem to probe him, and focusing more attention on Cuomo's disputable conclusion that there was no crime. But really -- does this make any sense whatsoever, to appoint a guy who's decided there wasn't a crime to decide whether there was a crime?
Notice the second sentence of this statement from Cuomo spokesman Jeffrey Lerner: "It is inappropriate for us to comment on this matter. The findings of our report speak for themselves."
Update: Here's the release and letter to Spitzer from Senate investigations committee head George Winner. It's worth noting that the release suggests that maybe Spitzer could give Cuomo the power to name someone else, instead of naming Cuomo himself.... But this afternoon, Spitzer seemed to say "no" to the whole idea of a special prosecutor.
John Riley