(Photo: Getty)

On Inside City Hall last night, former Governor Eliot Spitzer, who left office under the cloud of his own sex scandal, was called to weigh in on former C.I.A. Director David Petraeus' affair and whether President Barack Obama should have accepted his resignation as a result.

"As I understand the facts as we've seen in the papers so far, there was no criminal violation here," Mr. Spitzer argued. "There was no violation, I've been told, of even C.I.A. rules or regulations although there may be some questions there. It does strike me that perhaps the president could have looked him in the eye and said, ‘You have violated a bevy of ethical and moral rules that you understand. You will have to deal with that. You and your family will deal with that. But you will go back and continue to serve your nation. You will be straightforward with the public with what you've done. But I'm telling you as the commander and chief, serve the nation. That's what we expect of you; deal with the personal issues in your own way.'"

For what it's worth, Mr. Spitzer's fellow "Wise Guy," former Mayor Ed Koch, concurred.

"I was surprised that the president accepted the resignation if it is, as it apparently currently is, one mistress," Mr. Koch explained. "Two, I'd have a problem."

David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell. (Photo: PaulaBroadwell.com)

Writers who craft the infamous "ripped from the headlines" plots on Law & Order: SVU are apparently having trouble keeping up with the ongoing scandal over former CIA Director and retired general David Petraeus' affair with his biographer. Now that the story has grown to include another general and an FBI agent accused of sending shirtless pictures of himself to a woman the man in charge of the sex crimes-focused cop show sent a tweet begging for mercy. He also threw in Sesame Street muppet Elmo, who had a sex scandal of his own break this week.

"Memo to:FBI/CIA/NATO/SesameStreet From:SVU Writers' Room--Please slow it down, we're having a hard time getting this all down," wrote SVU showrunner Warren Leight this morning.

Mr. Leight's request came a few hours after a nearly identical tweet sent last night that was just directed at the FBI and the CIA. Sounds like we can look forward to an SVU episode chock full of muppets, spies and soldiers as long as the show's writers manage to make it through this experience without crippling carpal tunnel.

They might not be within SVU's budget, but Politicker would like to humbly suggest Mad Men's John Slattery might make a good Petraeus and French actress Marion Cotillard is a pretty solid lookalike for the ex-spy's lover, Paula Broadwell. There is clearly only one choice to play Elmo.

The logo of one of Tampa's many adult establishments. (Photo: PinkPonyTampa.com)

With Republicans and sex workers flocking to next week's Republican National Convention, police officers in Tampa conducted a two day undercover sting to bust strippers selling sexual favors at the city's many adult entertainment venues. According to a press release issued by the Tampa police department, the strip club sting was launched "as a result of information that prostitutes may be coming into Tampa to work in adult establishments during the RNC."

The sting resulted in the arrest of 16 women at six different nude nightclubs in Tampa. All of the women arrested were charged with "Offer to Commit Prostitution," one was also hit with a marijuana possession charge.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel took note of the fact there was a wide age range among the aspiring RNC strippers. The youngest woman arrested was 18, the oldest was 61. Thus far, Lisa Ann, star of the grizzly mom porno movie Who's Nailin' Paylin?, who will be performing at The Dollhouse strip club during the RNC seems to have escaped arrest.

Todd Akin, obstetrics expert. (Photo: YouTube)

Missouri Congressman, costume enthusiast and (for now) Republican Senate candidate Todd Akin became notorious for his rather interesting theories on the female reproductive system this weekend, but his disastrous television interview isn't the first time he's shared his unique hypotheses on how babies are made. At a Tea Party event in Branson last year, Mr. Akin and his wife, Lulli, gave a detailed explanation of how they came together and made their six babies.

Mr. Akin began by explaining how he met Lulli, whom he repeatedly described as "not the sort of girl I would date" while playing tennis.

"She was not the sort of girl that I would ever date because I knew that I would find one of those in a bar and dancing and drinking and stuff like that

Eventually, the pair overcame their differences and, after a few months, he began thinking "she'd make a good mom." The rest is history.

"Lulli has blessed me with six children. Lulli keeps telling me it was God that did it, but Lulli was--there's an agency that's involved here," he said.

Lulli responded to her husband's discussion of her "agency" and heavenly intervention when their children came into this world with a more graphic description of her birthing experience.

"Just through my womb and you're home," she said.

The candidate assured her the audience needed no further explanation.

"They understand how that part works," Mr. Akin said.

Watch Mr. Akin explaining how he and his wife made their babies below. If that's not enough Akin action for you, the full version of his speech at the Branson Tea Party event is here.

The logo of one of Tampa's many adult establishments. (Photo: PinkPonyTampa.com)

Politicians aren't the only ones making preparations with the Democratic and Republican national conventions fast approaching. Swingers and strip club owners are making plans of their own that will ensure things stay decidedly steamy at the quadrennial political confabs in Charlotte and Tampa. The Politicker perused through local ads on Craigslist and found several sexual convention listings including a casting call for "HOT Beer Tub Girls," a couple looking for a third playmate and an allegedly married member of the RNC host committee in Tampa trying to arrange a rendezvous with another man. 

Tampa, which will host the Republican National Convention, has an established reputation as a "strip club capital" and the owners of the area's adult establishments expect the RNC will be an especially busy week. With that in mind, several area strip joints are scouting for talent ahead of the convention.

An ad featuring contact information for the Penthouse Club of Tampa seeking "RNC Entertainers" promises applicants who "look the part" can "make $1000's of dollars during the RNC." It also advises job seekers they can also contact "our sister club The Pink Pony that will be open 24 hours a day during the convention." An ad identified as coming from the Oasis Adult Tavern in nearby Clearwater, which is billed as "PINELLAS COUNTY'S HOTTEST GENTLEMEN'S CLUB" uses dollar signs to illustrate the effect RNC delegates will have on prospective dancers:

"LADIES GET PAID TO PARTY -The RNC Cnvention [sic] is later this month and most of the delegates are staying in Pinellas. $$$$$."

The Oasis ad only contains one requirement, applicants "must be physically attractive," but it promises there's "no experience necessary" because they "have dance classes." Another Craigslist ad seeking "entertainers" for Emperor's Full Nude Gentlemen's Club in Tampa boasts that they have "RNC parties already booked." It also warns dancers who want to capitalize on the RNC boom that they should arrange time slots with the club now as the convention is making things competitive.

"OUT OF TOWN GIRLS WHO WANT TO WORK THE RNC MUST START TO APPLY NOW," the ad says. "LOCAL GIRLS AND OUT OF TOWN GIRLS THAT APPLY EARLY WILL BE GIVIN [sic] THE FIRST OPTION FOR WORK SCHEDULE."

RNC attendees who would like to see some skin, but don't want to go the X-Rated route aren't out of luck. An advertisement pegged to the address of The Luxury Box, a Tampa sports bar, seeks "pretty, energetic, flirty, hard worker[s]" to help fill positions for "3-6 beer tub girls for the week of the RNC."

Charlotte, which will play host of the Democratic National Convention, doesn't have a reputation as a lap dance mecca like Tampa, but that doesn't mean the DNC will be devoid of nude dancing. A Craigslist ad looking for "females between the age of 18-30" with "girl next door looks" to fill "hostess positions" for the DNC asks applicants to "advise as to whether you are open to posing nude as one of our events has go go dancers and strippers."

"Pay can range from $50 to $100 per hour and it depends on what the event is and what you are interested in and comfortable with, which will be discussed," the ad says.

There are also plenty of options for convention attendees who are looking for something a little more private than a club for their intimate encounters. In both Tampa and Charlotte, we found ads from people eager to arrange sexual encounters during the conventions.

In Charlotte, we found an ad from a 27-year-old man "looking for an older guy that might be coming to charlotte for the dem convention and needing to rent a room."

"I am would love [sic] to keep my guest as satisfied as I can during their stay. I am white about 5'8 and in good shape," says the ad.

We also spotted a posting from a man heading to the DNC and "wanting to meet up with some hot dude for a couple days super sex" during the proceedings.

"If you can put me up for a day or two we'll have a great time in bed," says the ad.

Another posting purportedly coming from a married couple who live "a 95-minute drive" from the Charlotte airport seeks "another male to join us for sexual pleasure."

"Just got to thinking that maybe someone attending or working at the DNC Convention might also be willing to make the quick drive so hit us up !" the ad says.

In Tampa, an ad targeting "gentleman attending the RNC" promises a "classy female to show you the Tampa / St Pete area" and notes the poster has "hazel" eyes and an "athletic" body. We also spotted a posting identified as coming from a 56-year-old "bi-married man" who's "part of the Tampa Bay Host Committee" and is looking for other men to "welcome you to our town."

"While you are enjoying our town I want to offer you my mouth and/or ass to enjoy also," says the ad. "Best if we can hookup during the daytime for your enjoyment at your hotel."

Sounds like there's at least one member of the RNC Host Committee who's really willing to go the extra mile.

"The demand to shut down this section on Backpage.com will simply drive such content to other Internet portals who will move their advertising websites into offshore entities and out of reach of US law enforcement -- and the ability to trace the traffickers and the children that they are trafficking for rescue and prosecution will be lost," Ms. McDougall said.

Ms. McDougall said Village Voice Media engages in "industry-leading site moderation" and "unparalleled cooperation with law enforcement" and argued the ads could move somewhere that doesn't take such stringent measures if Backpage's adult business is shut down.

"Adult services advertising existed on the Internet before Backpage.com and will continue on the Internet regardless of Backpage.com," she said.

Village Voice Media, which owns the Village Voice in New York along with several other alt-weeklies around the country, has faced increasing calls to shut Backpage in recent months. The online classified site Craigslist closed a similar section of their site in September 2010 in response to a substantial push from the public and law enforcement officials leading to large growth of the business on Backpage. Councilwoman Mark-Viverito and Councilman Lander's statement announcing the resolution calling for the adult section of Backpage to be closed cited a petition created by Groundswell, "a multi-faith social action network housed at Auburn Seminary," that received over 91,000 signatures from people eager to see the site closed.

Read Ms. McDougall's full statement below:

The Auburn Seminary's initiative may be well-intentioned, but it is misguided. Shutting down the Backpage.com adult service section would be ineffective and a step backwards in the fight against child sex trafficking. Backpage.com operates industry-leading site moderation to assist in the prevention and rescue of victims of trafficking and in the identification and prosecution of traffickers, and provides unparalleled cooperation with law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), including creation of an "expedited" line to NCMEC to report potential child victims. And Backpage.com has remained committed to working with NCMEC, government and other willing interest groups to continue to develop and implement tools and strategies to combat child sex trafficking. Adult services advertising existed on the Internet before Backpage.com and will continue on the Internet regardless of Backpage.com. The demand to shut down this section on Backpage.com will simply drive such content to other Internet portals who will move their advertising websites into offshore entities and out of reach of US law enforcement -- and the ability to trace the traffickers and the children that they are trafficking for rescue and prosecution will be lost. All forms of human trafficking are heinous. Child sex trafficking is especially abhorrent. Online and offline communities must collaborate to combat these social atrocities. But a campaign against one website, Backpage.com, is not the answer.

"Whereas, Backpage.com’s adult section is facilitating sex trafficking and should alter its current practice; now, therefore, be it resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on Village Voice Media to shut down the adult section of its online classified site, Backpage.com, because it serves as a platform to traffic minors for sex."

According to a statement announcing the resolution, a "vast majority" of the sex trafficking cases prosecuted by the Brooklyn District Attorney's office involved Backpage. Both Councilman Lander and Councilwoman Mark-Viverito said that, by continuing to operate the "adult" section of the site VVM, which owns the Village Voice in New York and several other alt-weekly papers around the country, is profiting off the exploitation of children.

"I’m outraged that Village Voice Media is willing to make money off the exploitation of trafficking victims through Backpage.com’s adult services advertising," Mr. Lander said in the statement

"Village Voice Media must ensure that children and teenagers are not being abused in the commercial sex industry with help from their website," Ms. Mark Viverito said. "This resolution sends the message that we will not stand silent while this company profits from exploitation."

Anti-sex trafficking advocates claim Backpage is the mainonline site for prostitution and trafficking.

"Backpage is now the leading online facilitator of sex trafficking, operating in that least 10 other countries, generating an estimated $2 million per month-- all earned through a reckless disregard for human rights," Norma Ramos, Executive Director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women said in the statement.

The online classified site Craigslist closed its similar Adult Services section in September 2010 after substantial pressure from law enforcement officials and the public. In the absence of Craigslist, Backpage's market share for "adult" services has expanded.

In the fact of criticism over Backpage, Village Voice Media published an extensive series in their papers claiming anti-sex trafficking advocates exaggerate the extent of the sex trade in this country. As of this writing, Village Voice Media hasn't responded to a request for comment on this story.

My new profile photo. (via Photoshop master Richard Blakeley and Tom Selleck)

Earlier today, D.C. gossip rag FishbowlDC published a post declaring "an unusual trend" developing among female "campaign and White House reporters" using "provocative, sometimes sexy photographs of themselves for their Twitter accounts." As examples of this "trend," writer Betsy Rothstein cited The New York Times' Ashley Parker, Maeve Reston of the Los Angeles Times and The Hill’s Amie Parnes, all three of whom have, in this reporter's opinion, absolutely normal, appropriate avatars.

Since Ms. Rothstein's post only accused women of spurring this "sexy" avatar trend, I found her post to be a clear example of the objectification and double standards that have existed far too long surrounding women in the workforce.

In order to express solidarity with my female colleagues who were falsely accused of having oversexed Twitter profiles, I decided to show Ms. Rothstein and FishbowlDC what a "provocative" avatar would actually look like. This afternoon, I changed my Twitter avatar from a fairly standard shot to an incredibly sexy mashup of myself and shirtless Tom Selleck. I also encouraged other male reporters to join me. So far, Village Voice editor Tony Ortega, City & State managing editor Andy Hawkins and media man about town Nick Rizzo have all answered the call. I sincerely hope others will join this movement.

Full Disclosure: From 2008 until 2009 this reporter worked as a contributing editor at FishbowlDC's sister site, FishbowlNY.

(Updated for maximum hilarity 3:13 pm)