As pressure from his party mounts, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer seems to be backing off his plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

The proposal has been the source of a much heated debate that has extended to the presidential race. Front runner Hillary Clinton has thus far dodged the issue stating only that she supports the efforts of governors like Spitzer, without addressing his proposal.

In Spitzer's defense, a good idea can't evolve without support.

In a crucial campaign year for the Democrats, picking a fight with the tried and true red states seems an unnecessary risk.

But Spitzer's lean toward repeal speaks volumes about his influence within the Democratic Party.

Going against the grain can be political suicide. To gain support for individual causes, members of the same party enter into coalitions, cooperating to protect self interests.

Between “trooper-gate” and the on-going Senate investigation of a rather suspicious multi-million dollar loan, it seems Spitzer needs all of the endorsements he can get.

The fact that the governor has not been able to garner any favor suggests that his controversies may be numbered.

Therefore, it's not surprising that Spitzer would find himself slinking back to the dugout.

But what I find confusing is the Republican resistance, affecting Democratic support.

Surveys show that 75 percent of registered Republicans support building a fence along the southwestern border, and 73 percent support terminating federal funds to sanctuary cities such as Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and New York City.

But 81 percent of Republican voters also support a national identification card; exactly what Spitzer is attempting to promote.

The 2004 election brought the word “flip-flopper” into the American lexicon, and Spitzer seems in line to inherit the label.

It is ironic that a man who refers to himself as a steamroller would be rendered ineffective by his own party.

But what I find most unfortunate is that the general public can't objectively look at any proposal without referencing the politician or the party.

Bottom line: Americans need to start thinking outside the platform.

Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com