Former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer returned to Albany for the first time since his resignation in 2008 for an interview with WAMC's Alan Chartock and a question and answer session with WAMC listeners. Many in the crowd were curious about the possibility of his return to public office.
During the interview Spitzer fielded questions on his possible future political ambitions, including a statement from one audience member that they hoped he would run for president. While he said on stage that he didn't wake up in the morning thinking about future pursuits for elected public office, following the event he said that his desire to do something in the public sector continues.
“I think anybody who has ever been in the public sector and derived joy and satisfaction from it understands how meaningful it can be. There are also many other ways to contribute, some of those purely in the private sector by growing a business that employs people. That is an essential part of what builds our communities and our state. Part of it is through the philanthropic community, through foundation work. ”
Spitzer noted his time as a political science professor at the City College of New York as another way to contribute. When asked whether his present contributions make him feel useful, Spitzer replied laughing, “some days."