Quinn: Spitzer, Weiner Haven't Earned Second Chance

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Democratic mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn took some shots at the comeback efforts of Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer.

Weiner, the former congressman and current challenger in the mayoral race, resigned in June 2011 after it was exposed that he sent racy photos to women other than his wife using Twitter and Facebook. Spitzer, who resigned as governor in disgrace in 2008, was caught in a prostitution scandal.

Spitzer formally announced Monday he's seeking the post of New York City Comptroller.

"Yesterday was a circus of sorts with Eliot Spitzer out there in Union Square, but I have great faith in the voters. They're going to focus on the issues, they're smart," said Quinn.

Quinn made her comments on the steps of City Hall Tuesday. She said she believes in second chances because none of us is perfect, but added those seeking redemption must work for it.

"The question is: What have Anthony Weiner and Eliot Spitzer done to earn that second [chance]? What have they done with their time since their fall from grace that would earn them this second chance? I would say, not very much," Quinn said. "What have these two men done since their fall from grace to make it clear to women and men, for that matter, that their selfish, dishonest ways are behind them?"

The council speaker, who has been locked in a tight battle for the top slot since Weiner entered the race, said the election has to be about ways to improve the city.

"We need to make it a serious conversation about issues, not about people's fall from grace," said Quinn.

The only woman in the mayoral race made her comments about the two disgraced former elected officials after receiving the endorsements of six members of the City Council.

"Women deserve elected officials who've dedicated - whatever their gender is - their lives to serving them, making their lives better, have conducted themselves in honest, selfless ways," said Quinn.

Neither the Weiner nor the Spitzer campaigns returned calls for comment.

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