It really gave a sensationally big issue to the State’s Republicans to launch a fierce attack on the rival Democrats, when New York Democrat Governor Eliot Spitzer was found linked to a prostitution ring at the center of a federal probe. (View Ashley Alexandra Dupre Pics)

Spitzer, who was reportedly caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute while on a trip to Washington, D.C., last month, is now facing pressure to resign.

According to reports, Spitzer hired a high-priced $1,000-an-hour prostitute from the Emperors Club VIP to travel from New York to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, for a liaison at the Mayflower Hotel. He was caught on a federal wiretap at least six times on Feb. 12 and 13 arranging to meet with her at a Washington hotel. He has been implicated in the case in which 4 other people have already been indicted. Spitzer could face federal felony charges for transporting a prostitute across state lines.

SUNY-Plattsburgh Political Science Professor, Dr. Harvey Schantz reckons, the likelihood that Spitzer can survive this scandal is minimal. Schantz said, "This is the kind of issue that could really end a political career, and it's really amazing because he had such a promising political career."

Most NY residents are virtually shocked on the news. 48-year-old, Spitzer has been a promising Democrat who investigated prostitution as New York's attorney general. He made his name as a crusader against corruption and white-collar crime.

Apologizing for what he described as a "private matter" on Friday, with his wife, Silda, standing by his side, Spitzer said, "I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and violates my, or any, sense of right and wrong, I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better."

But, he didn’t say any word on resigning. He neither confirmed nor denied the report. Spitzer evaded taking questions from reporters, saying, "I will be back to you in short order."

Spitzer is now facing pressure to resign. Several high-profile Democrats have called for Spitzer to step down immediately. But, State Republicans are exerting more severe pressure on him to step down.

On Spitzer's insistence it was a "private matter," the New York Times wrote, “It displayed arrogance. He did not just betray his family in a private matter. He betrayed the public, and it is hard to see how he will recover from this mess and go on to lead the reformist agenda on which he was elected to office.”

However, Spitzer has some voices in his favor, from the people who see this scandal as nothing but another to-do about a politician's personal life. One of NY residents was courageous enough to say, “As long as he does a good and honest job it doesn't really affect me at all. It would seem to me that if the regular old John can go to a prostitute, so should Governor Spitzer."

But the issue is really very hot. It could really spoil the image of the Democratic Party, which is looking to win the Presidential election later this year. If Spitzer does resign, Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson will take charge. The last time that change took place was 1974, when Governor Nelson Rockefeller resigned after being appointed Vice President.

(View Ashley Alexandra Dupre Photos)