Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Ensign: ‘I’m not running for president’

WASHINGTON -- Republican Sen. John Ensign had one message for those paying attention to his campaign-like swing today in Iowa:

“I’m not running for president,” Ensign told the Sun. “Let me say that in very clear terms.”

Ensign’s trip to Iowa has fueled much speculation of his 2012 presidential intentions, and he has neither swatted back nor encouraged such chatter.

His trip took him to the Republican-friendly Sioux City area, to a bio-engineering firm in Sioux City and at the Wells Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars. One man asked when Republicans are “going to quit forming a circle shooting at each other,” and another wanted to know how to bring more young people to the Republican Party.

“When we realize we want to get back into the majority, and stick to our principles, then I think we will get back in the majority,” Ensign said.

“We need to use technology in a better way – President Obama did an incredible job on that. We can’t afford to be behind the tech curve.”

As if on point, Ensign Twittered part of his trip.

Ensign said touring the area reminded him of visiting parts of “rural Nevada. It’s fun being out there and talking to folks, listening to their concerns, eating ice cream.”

And yes, Ensign did what politicians (even those on a diet) are supposed to do when they go to the “Ice Cream Capital of the World”: He ate the ice cream.

“It’s a killer flavor," he said, explaining "Bunny Track," as having little chocolate bunnies, caramel, peanut butter. In a cup, no cone -- because the day was still young, and he still had an evening speech still to deliver. “I didn’t have a change of shirt. I didn’t want it going down the front of me.”

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