Perhaps a poll released Tuesday was the final impetus for Gov. Eliot Spitzer to back off on his plan to allow illegal immigrants to obtain New York driver's licenses.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday night that Spitzer plans to tell members of the New York congressional delegation today of his plan reverse course.

Since being elected on a reform platform - and receiving nearly 70 percent of the vote - Spitzer's popularity fell to a new low this week; 46 percent of people recently polled said they had an unfavorable opinion of the governor, and 49 percent said they wish someone else had the job.

Analysts say Spitzer's drop in popularity is directly associated with the controversial driver's license plan.

Spitzer has argued that giving licenses to illegal immigrants would make traffic safer, reduce auto insurance rates by having more drivers insured, and increase security by having records of more immigrants.

A growing number of people critical of the plan say that a driver's license is a privilege illegal immigrants shouldn't be entitled to, and that lowering the requirements for the documentation needed to acquire one would increase the likelihood of terrorists gaining IDs sanctioned by the state.

Despite the fact that about 70 percent of New Yorkers - Republicans and Democrats alike - are opposed to his plan, Spitzer only recently gave any indication he might back off. He acknowledged last week that sometimes a lawmaker's ideas don't get enough support and therefore “don't work out.” And on Tuesday, he said the issue had clearly “touched a nerve.”

Although he's arguably already waited too long, the time for Spitzer to completely back away from his plan is now.

This isn't just another partisan argument in Albany, a great majority of the people of the state are against it.

With a difficult budget season looming, Spitzer is correct to take this opportunity to take a step in the right direction. He needs to free himself and his office of this distraction so that matters of more immediate importance to New Yorkers can be worked out in the coming months.