Signals and signs on Hastert?

First we had the missed interview last night because of a "conference call with leadership." Now, we have a press conference (probably statement/no questions) scheduled in the home district.

For one, we're hearing that House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), who's been heaped with scorn and blame over the scandal, is planning a press conference in Chicago tomorrow morning. No word on what he'll say, although speculation abounds that he may announce he's quitting his leadership post -- either now or after the elections.

Although it has to be said that in an interview last night he said he would "fight on," of course blaming Democratic operatives and George Soros,

He went on to suggest that operatives aligned with former President Bill Clinton knew about the allegations and were perhaps behind the disclosures in the closing weeks before the Nov. 7 midterm elections, but he offered no hard proof.

Alot of the smart money seems to be falling on the "will keep his job for a maximum of one and one-half months," said a top party aide, adding that in the meantime Hastert may fire some staffers." (Or is this just a trial balloon?)

Related: Rasmussen, "Sixty-one percent (61%) of American adults believe that Republican leaders have been “protecting [Mark] Foley for several years.”

(It should also be added that as Boehner and Blunt have come out against Hastert from their leadership positions, they now have a high incentive to see him resign. (Blunt has been mentioned as a possible replacement.))

UPDATE: CNN just reported that Hastert will not resign.

Also, Boehner has signed onto an email this morning with Hastert about the whole thing. Blunt's name is noticably absent.