A while ago I published a well received article on the upcoming race for the New York governorship lambasting incumbent George E. Pataki and lauding the democratic nominee for 2006, nationally renowned N.Y. attorney general Elliot Spitzer. Spitzer’s poll numbers are stratospheric and, it seems, barring some sort of James McGreevy-like confession, he will be coronated king of the Empire State come January 2007.

Spitzer is beyond qualified: he has a proven his character in striking contrast to the current stagnant Republican administration: he brings a real sense of purpose and a tireless work ethic. He is, of course as any politician seeking higher office, the focus of damaging criticism. He is most harmed by the notion that he is guilty of dereliction of the office by pursuing cases that serve primarily to raise his profile and ensure political success rather than to genuinely serve the greater good of the people of New York State.

A recent experience I had with the attorney general throws this criticism away like the Knicks’ playoff hopes.

At 10:27 on Sun., Nov. 13, 2005, I proceeded downstairs to the vending machines in Oneida Hall, where I reside. I put a dollar into the machine, which it readily accepted. To my dismay I discovered the machine to be a cold-handed thief. It never credited me with a dollar towards the purchase of a PowerAde.

A few minutes of punching, kicking and throwing chairs into the machine later (whatever technology is put into these should be used in tanks, by the way), I remembered a New York Times article I had read a few weeks back about rampant vending machine corruption around the state, and with a closed Senate session, Attorney General Spitzer secured funding for a Vending Machine Taskforce. Who says the man doesn’t care about the little guy?

I filed a report with the Vending Machine Taskforce (VMT) office at 9 a.m. the next morning. The staff of high-powered lawyers knew I had a case began an aggressive investigation. Within a week of my report the unscrupulous proprietor of PowerAde was summoned to appear before a judge.

We settled out of court for one dollar and two thirds of a cent compensatory damages (inflation adjusted) and $702,482 in punitive damages for mental anguish.

You can bet your bottom dollar that Spitzer cares about your bottom dollar. It was because of Spitzer’s unflagging support of the little guy like me that I can safely say justice has been served. I’m supporting him for governor in 2006.

Joseph C. Galente-Eisenberg is a junior economics major.