[MadIvan]

I don't think that Martha is necessarily a substitute for Hillary, but I DO think that excessive investigation of her life will be used by the Rats as "proof" that the Republicans are mean-spirited, sex-obsessed, misogynists.

I don't see how they can do that. This is an investigation into one phone call, and whether or not she was tipped off. Sex doesn't enter into it, unless she got hot and heavy with the commodities trader in that 11 minute call. And if she did, Martha Stewart being in the throes of passion is, as I say, not something civilised people want to know about.

Did she or did she get a tip she shouldn't have. If the Republicans stick to that, I don't see how the Democrats can spin it as being somehow mean-spirited. Meanwhile those of us who think Martha is just another Hillary, can watch the fun of her Gotterdammerung. ;)

Best Regards, Ivan

[Miss Marple]

That's the whole point. First there was the story from Drudge accusing the Republicans of investigating her sex life. The the Enquirer (arm of the Clintons) runs a story about a boyfriend who has more infor on insider trading.

The Republicans need to be very careful about this, in my opinion. If they stick to phone calls and documents, they will be ok.