WASHINGTON -- Conservative talk radio host Bill Manders wants to make it clear: He was the first to call for Republican Sen. John Ensign’s resignation.
Manders, at KOH-AM 780 in Reno, joins a few activists in Washington and Nevada who suggest the senator should step down after admitting an affair with a former campaign treasurer whose husband was one of the senator’s top aides at the time.
Manders can’t remember exactly which day last week he made his on-air comments. But he knows it was well before Fox News’ Sean Hannity and probably before Nevada’s Chuck Muth. He's likely right.
“Character matters,” Manders said by phone earlier this week. Manders points to Ensign’s long record of promoting Christian values, and voting accordingly.
Ensign called for the resignation of former President Bill Clinton after the Lewisnsky affair and former Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho after his arrest in a men’s restroom.
“There’s no other choice but to resign,” Manders said. “For the benefit of the party, the benefit of Nevada.”
While Ensign stepped down from his party leadership position, he has said he plans to remain in office and will “work very, very hard” to restore his standing.
Ensign is not up for re-election until 2012, and opinions are mixed on his electoral chances, though many believe three years is a political lifetime and he will have a chance to recover.
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OOOOOOOOh, I am first, pick me, pick me.
Idiot
I'm more interested in the money trail.
Did two people lose their jobs and substantial income because of this?
Were payments made to her for sex or for office work?
Why won't Ensign answer any questions?
The refusal makes it seem like there is much more to this whole tawdry affair.
I wonder if he was first to ask Billy Boy Clinton to resign after disclosure of the cigar play in the Oval Office which is the property of us citizens????????
Ensign should resign. He needs to get away from the Beltway and take care of his family.
Ensign, in the middle of the affair, was super hypocritical when dealing with a question from Manders about his marriage. The audio is on u-tube.
Clinton was disbarred and impeached (though not convicted.)
Edwards lost out on the chance to be President.
Spitzer resigned.
Vidder, Ensign and Sanford have seen little penalty. Looks like Democrats are held to a higher standard.
"Looks like Democrats are held to a higher standard."
Ever hear of the Kennedy's??
"Do as I say, not as I do", I guess, is Ensign's philosophy. No surprise. Ensing handled this well, from a (cynical) PR standpoint. But the story's not going to go away like he wishes.
logic_should_rule You right wingers just never stop. Ever hear of Eisenhower and his affair? Just how far back do you want to go?
homer said.....
"Ever hear of Eisenhower and his affair? Just how far back do you want to go?"
I was thinking more along the lines of Warren Harding..... Don't look for Ensign or Sanford to resign any time soon....Both are hoping that a little time between now and the next election cycle will be all they need to get back in good grace with their constituents.....
American's have very short memories...Keep in mind that Sanford just recently said that "God wants me to continue to be the governor of South Carolina...."
Doesn't that sound familiar? "God wants me to be president...." One guess on who said that....
To logic_should_rule:
Yes, we have all heard of the Kennedy's. But Chappaquiddick was over 40 years ago; Ensign was last week. Why do you right-wing Bushies bring up old history? And why always Ted Kennedy? At least the Kennedys and Clinton never belonged to The Promise Keepers or voted for impeachment while dipping their willies in someone else's pool!