into question. two senior house democrats fighting back against ethics charges this morning, but the prospect of two public trials just before the midterms elections as many in the democratic party worried. we are live in washington just ahead. did he have help? a recent mit grad is admitting he e-mailed back and forth with a private. he is accused of giving military information to the wikileaks website. and the am fix blog is up and running. go to cnn.com/amfix. when night falls on the gulf of mexico in 12 hours, it could mark the beginning of the end of a very dark chapter. >> final preparations are underway to begin the static kill operation. engineers preparing to choke bp's ruptured oil well by pumping heavy mud directly down its throat. jim acosta is live in new orleans for us this morning. is there any specific timetable for the start of the at theic