Politics on the Hudson

With his poll numbers sagging in New York, Gov. Eliot Spitzer is in Texas today raising money for his expected re-election bid in 2010, aides said.

The Democratic governor is paying for the trip to Houston and Dallas through his campaign account, aides said.

Yet there was no word today on who is hosting the events and much the trip expects to raise.

The trip comes as Republicans continue to criticize Spitzer on his aides alleged plot earlier this year to smear Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno for using state aircraft to travel to political events in New York City.
A Quinnipiac University poll Tuesday showed 78 percent of voters believe Spitzer should testify under oath about what he knew of the scandal.

The case has taken a toll on Spitzer’s approval rating, which is at 47 percent in the poll, consistent with his approval rating in July.