Attorney General Eliot Spitzer declared his candidacy for New York governor so early, and built up such a strong lead, that he's now the campaign issue in the 2006 race.

From Republican candidate John Faso's press office today issued this statement from the former Assemblyman:

While I am sure that county governments and property taxpayers throughout the state will welcome Eliot Spitzer's new interest in Medicaid fraud, the truth is he's a little late to the dance.

After seven years as Attorney General, Mr. Spitzer has had little to say until now. The sad fact is fighting this kind of abuse does not generate the kind of headlines in which Mr. Spitzer has been accustomed.

And from his Democratic rival, Tom Suozzi's, press office for tomorrow:

PUBLIC SCHEDULE FOR THOMAS R. SUOZZI Tuesday, April 4, 2006 10:00 AM:

Suozzi Announces Major Probe Documenting Medicaid WasteOne West Street, Room 340
Mineola, New York

The Wall Street headlines were great for Spitzer post-dot.com collapse, but his opponents are making the attorney general's medicaid record the issue now. The only question is: Will Spitzer wait as long to fight back now as John Kerry waited when his fellow veterans accused him of Vietnam War malfeasance during the 2004 race?