The Repubs in NY state are issuing a stern ultimatum to Gov. Spitzer, although they are considerably outnumbered in the state legislature: Resign within 48 hours, or we will impeach. Dumb. If there is any rational dimension to this move, given that Spitzer's situation is already dire, IF there is, it's that they want to strip him of any last chip so he can't be maneuvered into cooperating in a further investigation.

I still wonder whether Spitzer was the only man who moved funds into and out of these shell companies. He's wealthy enough, of course.

4:00 p.m.-Back to CNN, Wolf Blitzer's Situation Room--and the DOW, sure enough, closes up 416 for the day. Big whoopee on Wall St, since the man who prosecuted corporate fraud, etc, is brought low. By his own actions, of course.

In other news, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, Admiral Fallon, is resigning--Blitzer ascribes it to an Esquire magazine article.

4:38 p.m.-John King on, with a map of Mississippi, outlining where Obama's main strength is, in Mississippi. Basically, wherever there are people. King then outlines a protracted hypothetical, racking process whereby Hillary Clinton could theoretically almost catch up with Obama (by summer).

In other news, John McCain is traveling abroad at taxpayer expense. Question whether the taxpayers shd foot the bill, since the political purpose is for McCain to present a good face on the world stage. He's taking Lieberman along. The only way to look good on the world stage is to oppose the war.

5:00 p.m. Back to MSNBC, and Hardball. Earlier hunch about checking other states seems valid. News reports come thick and fast, expanding the extent of Spitzer's transactions with the prostitution company. WNBC says he has paid over $15K. NYPost, Murdoch's pub, says the relations go back at least six years, and maybe more--in other words, to when he was doing other public jobs than being governor. Newsday reports at least 7 or 8 girls involved.

Not too surprising, given the language of the legal filing. It is still curious that nobody else seemed to know. You'd think some bragging would have been involved, some locker-room talk at least.