A flash poll of 900 New Yorkers statewide conducted by SurveyUSA immediately after news stories broke about Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s alleged involvement with a prostitute ring said that 58 percent of those surveyed believed he should resign, while 32 percent said he should stay on the job.

Self-described Republicans and Independents called for his resignation by margins of more than 2-to-1 while Democrats said he should leave by a 55 percent to 37 percent margin. Ironically, the question was part of a survey on Spitzer’s approval rating which had fallen to 35 percent in February compared to a 62 percent approval rating in January.

SurveyUSA said that, in asking the resignation question, it “did not allude to or characterize the news stories in any way” but asked, “Based on what you know, should Eliot Spitzer remain in office? Or resign from office?” The pollster added that the figures may shift further as New Yorkers learn more about the story.

Here is some coverage of the Spitzer story:

– **New York Times:** Revelations Began in Routine Tax Inquiry
– **Newsday:** Will Spitzer Resign?
– **Washington Post**: At The Mayflower, Client 9’s Sinking Ship