We were all wondering what the New York Times would do. Wonder no more.

Hevesi has reached that "Nixon moment," that time when even your friends tell you to pack it in. Wow!:

But one of the main jobs of the comptroller is to make sure people who handle taxpayers’ money understand the very clear line between their personal expenditures and the public treasury. There is no way Mr. Hevesi can fulfill that vital role anymore.

Rather than choose between Mr. Hevesi and Mr. Callaghan, some political and civic leaders have called for Mr. Hevesi to resign, hoping that the political powers can then pick another candidate. While he could not be taken off the ballot, the public could presumably be told whom they would be getting if the departed comptroller won the election. That strategy smacks very much of the Albany political culture, in which almost anything can be papered over by a few powerful officials sitting down privately to make a deal. The public should choose between the candidates offered, and that means they should choose Mr. Callaghan.

If elected, we hope he avoids the political hacks and has-beens waving their résumés and chooses the all-important counsel, deputies and advisers for the pension funds from the rolls of the best and most thoughtful people available in New York State. We make this endorsement with some trepidation, but with a conviction that it is vital that voters take a stand against the curdled political culture in Albany. There have to be consequences for bad behavior — for political parties as well as individual politicians. We support Christopher Callaghan for New York comptroller.

NEW YORK TIMES LINK:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/27/opinion/27fri3.html