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Tale of the tape: David vs. the former Goliath

amNewYork staff

March 13, 2008

New York Lt. Gov. David Paterson attends the opening night of "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof," in this March 6, 2008 photo, in New York. Attention turned to Paterson immediately after word surfaced, Monday, March 10, 2008, that Gov. Eliot Spitzer had been linked to a high-priced prostitution ring. If Spitzer quits, Paterson automatically becomes governor and would complete Spitzer's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

Eliot Laurence Spitzer
Born: June 10, 1959 in tony Riverdale to a wealthy family.

Personal: Married, with three daughters.

Family biz: Bernard Spitzer, real estate magnate who helped fund his son's attorney general campaigns.

Education: Undergraduate from Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard.

Personality: In his words, he's a "streamroller." He's known as a smart, aggressive, bully.

Career: NY attorney general; made his name on ethics crusade, tackling Wall Street corruption.

David Alexander Paterson
Born: May 20, 1954 into a prestigious, powerful Harlem political family.

Personal: Married, with a son and a daughter

Family biz: Basil A. Paterson, legendary Harlem politician.

Education: Undergraduate from Columbia University and a law degree from Hofstra. He never passed the bar.

Personality: The "anti-steamroller." He's called decent, talented, and well liked.

Career: State senator; helped engineer coup in 2002 that made him Senate minority leader.

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