New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace Wednesday after getting caught in a prostitution ring scandal that shattered his corruption-fighting, straight-arrow image, saying, "I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work."

Spitzer made the announcement without having finalized a plea deal with federal prosecutors, though a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said he is believed to still be negotiating one. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.

"Over the course of my public life, I've insisted, I think correctly, that people, regardless of their position or power, take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself," Spitzer said at a Manhattan news conference with his wife, Silda, at his side. He left without answering questions.

Spitzer will be replaced on Monday by Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who becomes New York's first black governor. He also will be the state's first legally blind governor and its first disabled governor since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Paterson said in a statement that he was saddened, but would move forward. "It is now time for Albany to get back to work as the people of this state expect from us," he said.

Black New Yorkers said they are proud that Paterson is an African-American elected official who has overcome his physical challenges to ascend to the state’s highest office. Many say Paterson effectively represented the residents of Harlem as a former state senator and will contiune to advocate for all New Yorkers as governor.

"There’s a comfort factor that as governor David Paterson will be able to address the needs of his constituency," Manie Barron, a literary agent in New York, told BlackAmericaWeb.com Wednesday.

Paterson, 53, will become the first black governor in the state and the fourth in U.S. history. The former state Senate minority leader, Paterson, who is legally blind, is the son of Basil Paterson, a longtime Democratic operative in New York City. He will be sworn in Monday and will speak to a joint session of the New York State Legislature.

Malcolm Smith, a black Democrat and New York’s Senate minority leader, told CNN Wednesday that he spoke with Paterson shortly after Spitzer resigned.

"He sounded good," Smith said. "He is prepared."

Though he can read for brief periods, Paterson usually has aides read to him. He also has developed the ability to remember entire speeches and policy arcana. State Sen. Neil Breslin recalled that he told Paterson his cell phone number once and he memorized it.

"He has one of the finest memories of anyone I've known," Breslin said.

Peter C. Groff, a Colorado state senator, publisher of Blackpolicy.org and executive director of the Center for African-American Policy at the University of Denver, said Paterson has his work cut out for him as he enters office.

"The state GOP will smell blood, and the fact that the state's Senate is up for grabs in November makes agenda-building and policy making difficult at best," Groff told BlackAmericaWeb.com Wednesday.

"However, the fact that (Paterson) is a former legislator and former leader will help that process," Groff said. Plus, the state will look to him as something of a healing force in the wake of this latest scandal. He'll need to make that a priority and perhaps use it as a way to work with state Republicans. He does not appear tainted by Gov. Spitzer's problems, so he already arrives to Albany fairly clean."

Spitzer's dramatic fall began Monday when allegations surfaced that the 48-year-old father of three was the man identified in court papers as "Client-9," who spent thousands of dollars on a call girl named Kristen at a swanky Washington hotel on the night before Valentine's Day. Later, details leaked from investigators alleged he was a repeat customer who spent as much as $80,000 with the high-priced prostitution service over an extended period of time.

"I'm deeply saddened by this turn of events and my thoughts are with Gov. Spitzer's family during this painful time," Sen. Hillary Clinton said in a statement. "I would also like to express my support for Lt. Governor David Paterson. I look forward to continuing to work with him on behalf of the people of New York. David has overcome every obstacle and broken every barrier in his path -- and I know that he'll continue to display that leadership and determination as governor."

Spitzer was a superdelegate for Clinton. Paterson is one as well. His rise is being viewed with a mixture of relief and trepidation.

"He comes in with certain strengths -- he knows state government, he knows the formal and informal rules, he knows the players," said Doug Muzzio, a professor of public affairs at Baruch College in New York. "The question is does he have the strength as an executive to get it done. There’s a big difference between being governor and being minority leader in the state Senate [Paterson’s previous job]. The minority leader in the Senate is nothing."

The relief and trepidation in New York share a common source: Paterson’s charm, his quick wit and his eagerness to please. Those traits could be an asset after Spitzer’s 14 months of bitter conflict. But at a time when the state is wrestling with a difficult, multibillion-dollar budget, there are drawbacks to having a new governor who describes his own worst failing as a difficulty in saying "no."

One thing is clear: Paterson couldn’t be more different than the man he’s poised to replace. Spitzer is the Ivy League-educated son of a Manhattan real estate baron, a man accustomed to winning at tennis and at law, and one who notoriously never cut his opponents any slack.

"I have to agree with State Assemblyman Keith Wright, who said Paterson’s ascension is the best way to make lemonade out of these lemons," Clem Richardson, a columnist with The New York Daily News, told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

Meanwhile, Spitzer said Wednesday that he was "deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me. I will try once again outside of politics to serve the common good."

He added, "Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Spitzer’s problems aside, Richardson said the business of prostitution needs a closer look.

"We as a society need to look at the whole prostitution debate and come up with some national compromises to legalize it," Richardson said.

"Our puritanical origins as a nation should not hamstring us into not letting public attitudes evolve as needed," he said. "Properly regulated prostitution can be a victimless crime. As is, we frown on it while allowing the continued exploitation of thousands of women in this country and worldwide."