With reports suggesting that small public companies expect they will soon be exempt from the more stringent requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has come out bagging Sarbanes-Oxley for hurting small business.

Otherwise known as the Sherriff of Wall Streer, Spitzer has been seen as pro-regulation. Still, there are few things like an election to help concentrate the mind. Building real connections is key to any election win. And these days, when you're a Democrat running for governor, it can pay to also side with the Republicans who have criticised Sarbanes-Oxley. More votes from business will not hurt his chances.