ELECTION 2008:

Ensign makes funding pitch to avert Senate supermajority

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Washington — Republican Sen. John Ensign has sent a fundraising plea to help the party win Senate elections that remain undecided, including for the seat held by Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

Ensign called for Stevens to resign after his conviction last month on charges he failed to report gifts he had received.

Ensign’s letter to donors suggests liberals are trying to “steal” that seat and one for which a recount will be held in Minnesota. The letter also seeks money to aid in a third race, in Georgia, that will go to a runoff election next month.

Ensign says Democratic victories in three states would push the Senate to a 60-seat majority and enable President-elect Barack Obama to more easily pass his agenda.

“Liberals are mobilizing an army of lawyers in Minnesota and Alaska to try to steal these seats they could not win outright on Election Day,” Ensign wrote. “We need your help to save Republican Senate seats in Minnesota, Alaska and to pay for a costly runoff election in Georgia.”

The appeal to save Stevens’ seat comes despite Ensign’s call for the Alaska senator to resign. Stevens is leading in the race, but absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted.

If he loses the seat, it will go to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. If Stevens wins and later resigns or is expelled by Senate colleagues as has been suggested, Gov. Sarah Palin could call a special election — preserving at least a chance the seat will remain in Republican hands.

The 84-year-old Stevens has refused to step aside while he pursues an appeal.

The Minnesota race is headed toward a recount and the runoff in Georgia is scheduled for next month.

Ensign’s spokeswoman at the campaign committee, Rebecca Fisher, declined to comment.

The Washington newspaper Roll Call first reported the story Friday.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By Fccfirstclass

11/8/08 at 4:01 a.m.

Suggest removal

Ensign will be the next wingnut to lose his seat. He still is drinking the koolaid that Bush OD on.
By johnevegas

11/8/08 at 5:04 a.m.

Suggest removal

"Ensign says Democratic victories in three states would push the Senate to a 60-seat majority and enable President-elect Barack Obama to more easily pass his agenda."

Or, he could be like Bush and pretend that congress, the supreme court, and the constitution don't matter and do whatever the hell he wants. Then he could get at&t to tap Ensign's net access and make sure he doesn't have some terrorist "agenda".

It's clear from the posturing that we can expect little cooperation that that side of the aisle. They're already using the word "agenda". Here's the codebreaker, ideas we like are "plans". Ideas we hate are an "agenda". Plans are noble, considered, intelligent, and for the good of all. An agenda is subversive, secret, and benefits a special few.

For Barack Obama and congress, the only agenda is to save our country from the horrible mess we are in.
By nkls3713

11/8/08 at 7:56 a.m.

Suggest removal

Stevens should resign, he's a crook.

While I am rooting for our new President elect, it is good to have some balance so that he must get a consensus to pass any meaningful legislation.

I do also support Ensign.
By Teaser

11/8/08 at 7:58 a.m.

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We don't know yet if Franken will win Minnesota. Their LAW requires a recount, period. And if the LAW says that Franken wins, then how is it "stealing?" Many people thought that George W. Bush "stole" the election from Gore, but the Supreme Court said that the LAW made that election legal. And if Republicans can hire a bunch of lawyers to use LAW to win those seats they're currently coveting, how is that this is not "stealing" according to their definitions? I have an idea for Mr. Ensign. What you guys really need right now is one of those community organizers you were so fond of blasting at every opportunity. And I know just the person to help. His current title is "President-Elect." Grow up.
By homer

11/8/08 at 12:39 p.m.

Suggest removal

Typical Ensign lies. I guess it was alright when James Baker and teams of lawyers went to Florida and stole the election for Bush. Ensign spends most of his time playing golf and not tending to his legislative duties anyway. He ia a joke.
By CronlyVoddy

11/8/08 at 3:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

VOTE HIM OUT.

John Ensign is part of the problem. He obviously thinks McCain lost because he didnt tell big enough lies - so John will just keep using the Rove playbook. These are petty, provincial crooks.

All we have to do is replace him, and if the next one doesn't do a better job, keep changing until someone gets the message.
"Something happening and you don't know what it is, do you Mr. Jones", Bob Dylan