Las Vegas- Although rumors have been circulating around Gov. Jim Gibbons’ marriage for days, it took an aide commenting on the record to the Reno Gazette-Journal for any of the “legitimate” news sources to begin covering it. The following is an overview of the varied and sometimes vicious coverage of the prospective matrimonial imbroglio so far:

What was the quote that got this all going? Dianne Cornwall, the governor’s chief operating officer, told the Reno Gazette-Journal yesterday that "It is a personal issue with the governor until a decision is made. And I'm not certain that a decision has been made.”

"I don't know that those conversations are going on. I believe there is a family meeting this weekend to make a determination as to what is going to happen."

Neither the governor nor the first lady have commented on their marital situation, but the Associated Press spoke with Jim Denton, a top aide to Gibbons “dating to before his congressional campaigns.”

“Many families go through difficult times and the Gibbons family is no exception,” said Denton."I've known Jim and Dawn Gibbons for over two decades, have immense respect for both of them and I know this is a painful time for them. However, this is a personal and private matter and we would ask the press to treat it as such."

Denton wasn’t the only Nevada GOPer to make a plea for privacy.

Sharron Angle, who ran against Dawn Gibbons and Congressman Dean Heller in the 2006 Republican CD2 primary told KKOH Radio in Reno yesterday that “It's a personal thing and something that never should have gone to the news. Pure gossip, that's what it is."

The rumors have largely been fueled by the internet with Wonkette.com reporting that the governor was served with divorce papers last Wednesday and, in a twist, the Las Vegas Gleaner reporting that it was the governor who filed. Of course, these are just rumors and would have remained so without Cornwall going on the record.

“Can anyone out there remember anything more lunkheaded than a top staffer to an elected official going on the record with a newspaper about an elected official’s marital problems?” Jon Ralston asked readers of the Las Vegas Sun this morning.

Ralston listed three possibilities for why Cornwall would do so, positing the third as the most likely.

“Possibility No. 3,” Ralston wrote. “She is completely unfit for any position of authority, especially one requiring some perspicacity and grace.”

Of course, even “legitimate” news sources don’t like covering something as personal and “none of our business” as a possibly pending divorce. The Las Vegas Sun, therefore, took the high road, reporting instead on how the governor’s troubles may affect his tenure as governor:

“An ally of the governor’s — who was granted anonymity to speak more freely about the governor’s marriage — fears any divorce filing could be public and nasty.

“If that’s the case, the source said, Gibbons could face pressure to resign,” the Sun’s Coolican and McGrath Schwartz report today.

Resign? That’s a tough word to use and maybe? just a little premature to write about, but they followed it up quickly with a less harsh and equally speculative possibility.

“Even if the Gibbonses can quietly move on, any divorce or official separation could lead to pressure on Gibbons not to run for reelection, three Republican lobbyists said Thursday."

No love for the gov., huh?

While Cornwall may have gone off the reservation by saying anything, she did try to mitigate the damage by saying the governor’s personal life won’t impact his duties as governor.

"He's is a very hard working, hands-on governor," Cornwall also told the RGJ. "And as far as I know (the first lady) is working every day as well on all of her issues."

Well, that’s a relief.

Amidst this circus, perhaps the best quote of the day was by former Gibbons rival, now-Gibbons ally state Sen. Bob Beers to the Las Vegas Sun:

“There’s a certain prurient interest in the private life of public officials,” Beers said. “Outside of that interest, I don’t think there’s a public policy, government impact to this.”