For politicians, Republicans have been very clear that they feel that if Democrats succeed in bringing universal health care, it will make them - this is in the words of Newt Gingrich way back before Clinton took office and we heard it from Rush Limbaugh before Obama took office, they will be unbeatable.

NPR: Health Care Debate: Why So Much Yelling?

The rush for office space has also stimulated interest in unfinished developments going up around the city.

BBC: New York's new real estate boom

All three commuter rail systems were planning to add extra train service in the afternoon to help carry an anticipated early rush hour of Manhattan office workers departing ahead of the storm.

WSJ: Officials Urge Caution as Snow Starts Falling