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Spitzer: Cuomo 'Dirtiest, Nastiest' Of Politicians

NEW YORK (1010 WINS / WCBS 880 / CBS 2) -- Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said he will back Democrat Andrew Cuomo come November, but it sure didn't sound like much of an endorsement.

"Everybody knows that behind the scenes that he's the dirtiest, nastiest political player out there," Spitzer said of Cuomo Thursday.

Al Jones of 1010 WINS reports Spitzer, in his new role as CNN commentator, also said the Cuomo will likely face a stiff challenge from Republican Carl Paladino. The tea party candidate also appeared on the news network Thursday, and accused Cuomo of playing dirty.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Peter Haskell looks at recent polls
LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Al Jones reports

"He's sent out in the past week and a half every surrogate he could from the cesspool of Albany and from the cesspool of city government in Buffalo," Paladino said.

Spitzer predicted the attorney general will carry the city and his opponent upstate.

"The suburban ring and the independent voters will determine the outcome of this race," Spitzer said.

In a recent poll, Paladino had pulled within 6 points of Cuomo in what is traditionally a blue state.

Cuomo's campaign said his record, credibility and honor speak for themselves, then added: "As do Mr. Spitzer's."

Spitzer, who resigned in 2008 amid a prostitution scandal, has said he'll support Cuomo for governor, although they've had conflicts.

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