Facing a lot of criticism, Governor Eliot Spitzer speaks out on Troopergate, and a plan to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

More than a month after Spitzer got defensive with Action News reporter Justin Moss at Vestal High School, he took time for a one-on-one interview.

The last time I asked Governor Eliot Spitzer about the Troopergate scandal, he wasn't in the mood to talk.

"Get a life, buddy."

More than a month later, Spitzer joked with me about that defensive comment.

"Governor, how are you?"

"Good to see you, when did I see you, don't I remember you from somewhere?"

We met during his stop in Binghamton, and this time, he had a lot to say about the scandal that's been consuming Albany.

A report found Spitzer aides gathered information on the travels of Republican Senate Leader Joseph Bruno.

Spitzer says he and aides have now been cleared, and blamed Republicans for keeping the issue alive.

"They are holding New York hostage for partisan purposes. It's time to end, it's time for them to go back to work, it's time for them to stop fighting a partisan battle and holding up the state of New York," Spitzer said.

Spitzer also defended his plan to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens, as long as they have a foreign passport.

Critics say it's a threat to our security.

Spitzer says it actually makes us safer.

"I want to know who they are, where they are when they're driving. I want them to have an accurate driver's license rather than getting a fake driver's license or fraudulent driver's license based upon fake social security numbers," he said.

Some county clerks have said they'll ignore the policy.

State Assembly Republican Leader Jim Tedisco even threatened Spitzer with a lawsuit.

"Is there any compromise?"

"No, no compromise. We're right. The governor sets this policy, this isn't a subject of debate from people, who are, Jim Tedisco who's out there saying silly things quite frankly."