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Sen. John Ensign holds a press conference announcing his affair with a staff member at the Lloyd George Federal Building in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 2:43 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 8:27 p.m.
Ensign Admits Affair
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U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., acknowledged an extramarital affair with a campaign staff member Tuesday afternoon at the Lloyd George Federal Building in Las Vegas.
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- Sen. John Ensign read a statement about his extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff at a press conference on Tuesday, June 16, 2009.
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Sen. John Ensign, with his wife, Darlene, and their children, speaks to supporters during a Republican party at the Red Rock Resort on Nov. 7, 2006.
Beyond the Sun
Sen. John Ensign today acknowledged an extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff.
The affair took place between December 2007 and August 2008 with a campaign staffer who was married to an employee in Ensign's Senate office. Neither have worked for the senator since May 2008.
The former employees are Douglas and Cynthia Hampton. A timeline provided by Ensign's office matches up with Federal Election Commission records reviewed by the Las Vegas Sun, and several Republican sources say the Hamptons are indeed the couple who worked in Ensign's office.
Ensign read a brief prepared statement Tuesday afternoon at the Lloyd George Federal Building in downtown Las Vegas in which he expressed regret and took no questions.
"I came back home to Nevada to come forward to explain to the citizens of our state something I was involved in about a year ago. Last year I had an affair. I violated the vows of our marriage. It is absolutely the worst thing I have ever done in my life," Ensign said.
Ensign said he sought and received forgiveness from his wife and the couple had gone to counseling. He said he still committed to serving the people of Nevada.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," he said in Las Vegas this afternoon. "I know I have deeply hurt and disappointed my wife, Darlene, my children, my family, my friends, my staff and all of those who believed in me."
Ensign didn't name the woman. After saying the affair was with a staff member, he called the two "close friends" and said the affair caused deep pain to both families.
Ensign did not participate earlier Tuesday in a vote concerning the ailing travel industry, an unusual absence considering the topic's relevance in his home state.
Ensign's wife, Darlene, released a statement about the affair to the Associated Press.
"Since we found out last year we have worked through the situation and we have come to a reconciliation. This has been difficult on both families. With the help of our family and close friends our marriage has become stronger," Mrs. Ensign said.
Ensign, elected to the Senate in 2000, is a rising star in Republican politics, having made a trip to Iowa earlier this month to test presidential waters.
Ensign was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and has been an influential conservative voice within that chamber. Last year, his GOP colleagues picked him to serve as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, moving him to the No. 4 position in leadership. The committee coordinates the GOP's legislative efforts in the Senate.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
++++++++++++
The following statement was released Tuesday by Sen. John Ensign:
“I came home to Nevada to come forward and explain to the citizens of our state something that I was involved in about a year ago. Last year I had an affair. I violated the vows of my marriage. It is the worst thing I have ever done in my life. If there was ever anything in my life that I could take back, this would be it.
“I take full responsibility for my actions.
“I know that I have deeply hurt and disappointed my wife Darlene, my children, my family, my friends, my staff and others who believed in me. To all of them, especially my wife, I am deeply sorry. I am truly blessed to have a wife who has forgiven me. We sought counseling last year and have built a stronger marriage -- stronger than ever.
“I will not mention any names but the woman who I was involved with and her husband were close friends and both of them worked for me. Our families were close. That closeness put me into situations which led to my inappropriate behavior. We caused deep pain to both families and for that I am sorry.
“I am committed to my service in the United States Senate and my work on behalf of the people of NV.
“Thank you.”
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Another fallen politician.
Move over, Governor Jim, Rudy, Spitzer, etc., and make room for Ensign.
Maybe the rapprochement he has had with some has come unfurled.
lets not forget clinton
another piece of garbage that the holly-rollers support. i wish i gambled, drank, and cheated on my wife, but, oops.... i'm a democrat. A WILD MAN!
The party of family values must once again be proud.
When I visited his Washington office in Spring 2008, I asked his aide what he thought was the biggest problem facing the state and nation. The reply? "Gay marriage." What a hypocrite.
Just glad he wasn't trying to crossbreed with a Democrat...
Never trust a politician who looks like he spends way too much time getting his hair to look good.
Remember John Edwards.
"Since we found out last year we have worked through the situation and we have come to a reconciliation."
What a pile!
Who's WE? Oh I get it, Ensign was forced into this. Makes the whole thing sound like a disease..."we found out".
What a loser.
NNurse said:
"When I visited his Washington office in Spring 2008, I asked his aide what he thought was the biggest problem facing the state and nation. The reply? "Gay marriage." What a hypocrite."
Great post....thank you! You are 100% corect! The party of family values strikes again....
This is a big blow to the Nevada Republican Party. John was a rising star and his climb is over.
It is difficult to say whether this will hurt the Man and the Party in the long run. It sure is titilating in the short run. I had hoped that he would just get lost visiting the Field of Dreams in Iowa and not remember where he was from. Well, maybe that is what happened?
Vitter's whore mongering, Craig's mensroom sexploits, and now Ensign's third affair! You gotta love these family values Republicans!
I love the posts about family values. I am switching to the Democratic party where it can all hang loose. Move over Bill, make room in the immoral party.
Thanks El Lobo. Now I know why Ensign was "too busy" to meet with me in April 2008. Too bad I'm not better looking; I might have been able to get a "private appointment," if you know what I mean.
Not a surprise.
This is great, Nevada has two hypocrites, Ensign and Gibbons! It's alright to sleep with another man's wives but don't be gay. I'd rather try to kiss a Cobra than to let my wive or daughter be around either one of them.
No shocker at all here. The Do-Nothing Partycvan now be called "Do-Other-Married-People" Party. Family values are out the door. Gibbons, Ensign, both losers.
Give me Dina Titus to lead our great state and bring us some R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!
Let's not pass judgement on this man, until we see pics of the damsel in distress.
Any thought that this was a shot across the bow before he was going to announce his pres bid?
And yet Republicans still say Gay and Lesbian couples shouldn't be allowed to be married because they believe in protecting the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. Hmph... Well, another fine Republican proved, once again, how they respect their marriages...or NOT. Makes ya think, doesn't it????
It doesn't seem to matter party or religion, men who are in power seem to think "standard" rules of behavior are not for them. Sad day.
Was not impressed with his record anyway since he voted for the Stimulus Bill, but this doesn't change the fact that he is a RINO and needs to be voted out in 2012!
Ensign for president.
Was it with a man or woman? His family values might still be intact.
What a hypocritical scumbag.
Do some googling and you can easily figure out who the people in question might be. Check Senate salary records to see who stopped working for Ensign in May 2008. Google that name to find out who his wife is (see TPM Muckraker) and what one of her former jobs used to be (a treasurer for senate republicans). Of course, all those things could just be coincidences.
"Ensign didn't name the woman." So, are we sure it was a woman?
"..let him who is without sin cast the first stone..."
Hey LPN4LIFE:
I don't pretend to have great family values and then cheat on my spouse. I'm good with casting the first stone, but thanks for preachin'.
Ensign has entered into a queer marriage, or is it an uncivil union? Taxpayers paid for that Viagra, no less.
Unbelieveable! Born again Bigot Ensign. He was preaching the santicty of marriage. Another Sarah Palin moron. Palins daughter is the town whore and Ensign is sleeping around and they tell us how to live.
Hypocrites!
No more Ensign you Lying hypocrite loser
Ensign said, in 2007, in demanding Senator Larry Craig's resignation, that, "We need people who are in office who hold themselves to a little higher standard."
I couldn't agree more, Senator. I look forward to your resignation.
You can bring up Clinton all you want. Yes, absolutely, he cheated. So did Edwards. And there's no doubt so have many other Democrats. But the point people are making is that the Democrats have not spent the last several decades trying to shove morality down people's throats and trying to get them to live by only one group's particular standards. That is where the hypocrisy comes into play. Too bad this has to be explained to some of you, unless you, too, are children that got left behind.
right on teaser.
"If a man is willing to cheat on his wife then that man can't be trusted. If he can look his wife in the eyes and know he's lying to her - then he's willing to lie to his supervisor or bosses" - John Ensign, General Manager of Nevada Landing cerca '91 '92
"..let him who is without sin cast the first stone..."
That could be me, since I've been married since 1991 and have not once cheated on my wife . . . but then again . . . I never publicly espoused the sanctity of marriage or bashed civil unions for gays as being harmful to a married man and woman. The question for Sen. Ensign is, was there a homosexual in the picture or did he simply violate the trust he vowed when he married his wife?
I'll be sad to see this man - who was in charge of last fall's horrific republican party's Senatorial campaigns - join all those he helped usher out of their political positions.
I hear Sen. Ensign was a part of "Promise Keepers", some fundie wingnut outpost. So really, I must ask this question: What promises did he make to his mistress? Is he keeping them now?
Oh gawd, I'm ROTFLMAO! There goes another "(no) family values" Republican! :-D
too funny!!!
Ensign: "Marriage recognizes the ideal of a father and mother living together to raise their children. Marriage is the ideal that is the cornerstone on which our society was founded."
http://marriagelaw.cua.edu/Policy/Testim...
Although I think it's highly unlikely... what happens if ol' Johnny falls on his sword here and resigns? Who decides who fills the open Senate seat -- Gibbons?
rejco-
It just goes to show that it's the character that makes the marriage sacred, not the sexual orientation.
Teaser-
True. The GOP claims to be the "traditional values" party. For some reason, they think hate is a "traditional value". But when it comes to things like cheating, they have no problem tossing their "values" out the window.
TAG-
Yep, it would be up to that other "family values" stalwart. I wouldn't even want to think what Gibbons would do, so I'm just hoping whichever GOPer fills this seat, that they'll be guaranteed to lose it in 2012. ;-)
Didn't Senator Ensign tout Promise Keepers? Wow, he has really fallen. No wonder he said earlier this month that he wasn't running for President. I have to say that this news about him really surprised me.
"Let's not pass judgement on this man, until we see pics of the damsel in distress."
Does that really make a difference?
"Any thought that this was a shot across the bow before he was going to announce his pres bid?"
Doubtful - if this was percolating on the back burner with some media outlet, it was a watertight operation.
And if this was his idea of damage control, he bobbled that too. Stories like this are usually dumped on Fridays so that they're eaten up by the weekend.
I am shocked, shocked to learn that gambling is going on in Las Vegas...and even more shocked that the 'family values' party has yet another prominent leader who has 'strayed' from the Right and righteous path.
One can only assume that Newt (3 wives) Rush (3 wives..that he can remember) and other such paragons will find it in their hearts (hearts?) to forgive Johnny.
Hey, at least it wasnt in a bathroom at McCarran airport!
To paraphrase a famous anchorman, "Stay classy, Las Vegas."
"Promise Keepers": I PROMISE to KEEP quiet about any and all extramarital affairs I might enjoy, at least until someone else is going to go public with the information. Then I PROMISE to KEEP a straight face while I admit my mistake--even though I've enjoyed a nine-month affair with my paid employee. And I PROMISE that she wasn't the first. I will continue to KEEP hope that I will rise to become President one day. P.S. Don't be mad at me, Daddy. And to all my constituents--please PROMISE to KEEP me in your prayers. Sincerely, "John"
Q: How many disgraced Republican senators caught having an affair (while praising Jesus) does it take to change a light bulb
A: Who knows? They are too busy having sex with their mistresses to notice that it's burned out.
Might be time for Johnny to go back to putting taking the rectal temperatures of puppies...alas, could have been a contender.
this guy is the complete and ultimate hippocrite. Morally superior, born-again promise-keeper liar. Resign NOW and go join your soul-mate ex-Sen. Craig !!!!
The lib goose stepping kool-aid crowd must worship Republicans because they apply higher standards against them.
That is OK with me.
Republicans are a cut above Democrats.
At least Ensign did get drunk and drive his car into a body of water and let a poor girl die and then sneak off into the night trying to pretend nothing happen and then get his rich family to buy off the cops and DA.
Thank God that did not happen for then Ensign would be the spiritual king of the Democratic party.
Actually, Nance, we're holding him to his own standard. See, he's a giant hypocrite, something you are absolutely familiar with.
You're giving his hypocrisy a free pass... exactly the behavior I'd expect from you.
Ensign you are a disgrace to Nevada and worse your family.
RESIGN!
I think it's about time that someone stood up and said something in defense of this hypocritical creep...
so...
umm...
well...
OH! How about this?
The Senator has long been a strong opponent of 'same sex' marriage.
Well, there ya go! In keeping with that position (so to speak) he had an affair with his intern....thereby avoiding having the same sex over and over again in his marriage!
Ensign in '12!!! Real Change We Can Believe In...
As a Republican, I will continue to support Senator Ensign.
Just like I thought it was a complete waste of time to bring impeachment proceedings against former President Clinton, I think this is a private matter.
No need to distract the Nation from far more important matters, like terrorism, the economy, etc.
Too bad the Congressional Republicans back then, just didn't get it.
Keep your eye on the ball.
How can you ask him to resign when Barney Frank and others have done worse? The voters will decide whether or not to keep him. That is our job. After all, Clinton didn't resign, and neither has many others. I don't condone what he did but I don't yell for all sinners to be condemned for I would be among them. By the way, I am a JFK Democrat, and look at all the affairs he had. At least he was man enough to tell us before we heard from anyone else about it.
Prvaye matter? Ensign the lkyiong adulter said himself if you cheat you shpould step down.
John Ensign jas no MORALS! John Ensign is a dirty aduklter and the trepublicans are showing who they are. HYPOCRITES.
Born again? The Ensigns should leave Nevada. They are sick family
So, who is the chippy?
Hmm...I think I'll sleep better tonight knowing all this....zzzzzzz
I'm shocked, Shocked, SHOCKED! How did Ensign ever work enough time into his golf schedule to have an affair? Surely, it must have been just a few "quickies" you know, "to relieve the stress" of being a do nothing, obstructionist, hypocrit with good hair!
Since the Ensign-nificant One had an affair with a subordinate employee - doesn't that constitute sexual harrassement TOO?
Why, yes - YES IT DOES!
Well, at least, it's not like he threw some poor girl up against a parking lot garage and tried to rape her?
Whew! I'll sleep better tonight knowing that the Nevada Republican Party is self destructing before our very eyes and making things much, much easier for the Democrats to maintain our majorities in the State Assembly and Senate - and to take back the Governor's Mansion!
Thanks John Ensign - Jim Gibbons and Bernie Z!
I FINALLY understand why the right hates gay marriage... after all they keep multiple women... how can a non-republican have pleasure without resorting to the same sex if you hypocrites keep hording all the LADIES ???
It would be too easy to ask him to resign.
Senator Ensign could step up to the plate and do the right thing.
He should extend his apologies to the Nevada Gay community for putting on us the hurt and humiliation he is now feeling himself. He is a human being, no better and no worst than couples like Robert and myself.
Robert and I have been partnered for 16 years, married in Canada 6 years ago and thanks to powerful men like Senator Ensign, Robert and I live here in Nevada as second class citizens.
We fought hard for Domestic Partnerships and are proud of that accomplishment. We are working towards marriage equality in America by telling our stories and to try and change hearts and minds even one at a time.
The Senator can join the growing voice of true conservatives who feel strongly that folks like Robert and myself are Americans who should be treated equally under the law.
Senator, you have a great staff at your offices. They are good listeners when I call them. And they always treated me with respect when I would call them regarding Gay issues. They even made us feel that you had an open mind to our issues.
Maybe now you can.
Stuart & Robert Wyman-Cahall
Las Vegas, NV 89142
John Ensign and the Republican Party are pure and ABSOLUTE hypocrites... Unbelievable... And they have the audacity to tell me who I can marry!
This is a pure embarrassment for the state...
Oh calm down people.
After all...is it really such a big deal?
So he happens to have been exposed as an incredible hypocrite what with that 'Family Values' based "Just Got Off The Phone With Jesus" opposition to gay marriage 'thing', well, remember that the Good Senator always said he was in favor of 'relations between a man & a woman.."
...he just forgot to add the words "at a time"
You people are so picky!
Ensign For President in '12...Get Ready To Double Down America!
Republicans and their holier than thou attitudes really look stupid. The congressmen and their boy aides, O'Reilly and his affair, Limbaugh and his drug abuse and fat-pig look and appetite, one after another they all have spouted off about the sins of others and then come sliding in on their own mud.
They ought to give up on the Bible thumping and start reading it!
Senator Ensign is a prime candidate for US President. You can only look to one of our former President(Bill(I didn't have any sex) Clinton.
What is it with these 50 something and 60 something year old men? Don't they understand it is NOT greener on the other side? His wife should kick his butt right out of the house; screw that reconciliation stuff. He's lying about staying together and working things out. They only say those things to keep the cheated on wife/significant other in line with the hope that the lying cheating b****** is telling the truth. He is NOT! It's a control issue on the man's part. Once a cheater, always a cheater. And yes - what goes around, comes around. So Sen. Ensign - kiss that Pennsylvania Avenue address good bye!!!
Why hasn't anyone wondered why he announced this now? Does she have a book coming out? A lawsuit? There has to be some reason he suddenly came to Jeebus.
Hey, "CactusJack" don't make the mistake of even thinking that Ensign wanted this to come out - if he had his way we would have never, ever heard about it! Once a corrupt politician learns something negative is going to come out, they try to pre-empt it with their own announcement and purposely keep it vague and as brief as possible!
It's the same old game plan, by the same old, tired, lying, cheating thieves - Ensign only cares about himself!
Any affair is a betrayal of trust - but, to cheat on your wife, with the wife of a friend? That's beyond dispicable!
I wonder who had the dirt and threatened to expose this hypocrit? Do you honestly believe John Ensign came clean on his own?
SgtRock, nance, & geriatric-
It's about the hypocrisy! By and large, Democrats don't sniff around other people's bedrooms and tell them how to live their personal lives. Republicans, for all their talk about "personal freedom", do. Try to distract all you want with 20+ year-old scandals and witch hunts on President Clinton, but this is about the hypocrisy of Ensign telling people like me that we're "immoral" and undeserving of our Constitutional rights while he fools around with another woman.
And btw, I won't be calling for Ensign's impeachment over a stupid affair. I just won't take any more of his lectures on "moral values". But if there's any serious legal wrongdoing that emerges out of this (like Hampton's already public history of embezzlement), that may change.
and his affair really has any bearing to him doing his job how? outside of morality and what he could have stood for? he has an affair, and all of a sudden he can't perform his duties the same?
If Ensign lies about his affair while under oath and commits felony perjury in a court of law then I will be the first to ask him to resign.
So if you need to start compares apples to apples and not apples to steak.
Like I said before, I am Ok with libs putting Republicans to higher standard...Republicans are a cut above Democrats.
he must have destroyed his own marriage because gay couples can marry in Iowa.
I wonder if the guy who tried to blackmail him over this will be charged?
The GOP just loves to preach family values and turn around and have an affair or tap their shoes in the next stall.
Hypocrites, plain to see.
If Ensign had any dignity he'd resign immediately. In other countries that is exactly what happens when leaders are exposed as frauds.
But in other countries, the health care system is better.
Ensign ought to team up with Larry Craig, Newt Gingrich, Jim Gibbons, Ted Haggard and David Vitter for a new reality show, "I'm a Self-Righteous Serial Adulterer, Get Me Out Of Here!"
Which is more regretful, the love we had a chance to share and didn't or that which humiliates us while seeking our answer?
To the moron that says he will still support him. What a low life Ensign guy is. Screwing his own employees wife, who also is a employee!! Thats the outrage. Hey screw around all you want, but man I cant wait to see the sexuel harassment suit on this one. He is toast, and to think he wanted to be President Give me a break !
Wow, the news reports of anti gay hypocrits just will not stop. Here is just another low life homobigot who rants about the 'sanctity of marriage' but yet is nothing but a liar and a moral scum bag. Too bad he was more worried about denying me my rights to marry while he trashed his own marriage. Obviously he cares nothing about marriage and knows nothing about marriage. Typical of the person who forever rants against same sex marriage. How pathetic.
Here is the speach he gave on July 13, 2004 and laughingly is still up on his government website for the whole world to see:
http://ensign.senate.gov/public/
Press Releases
Media
July 13, 2004
ENSIGN DEFENDS SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE ON SENATE FLOOR
Washington, D.C. -- Senator John Ensign took to the floor of the United States Senate today to defend the sanctity of marriage and urge passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment Act.
"Marriage recognizes the ideal of a father and mother living together to raise their children," Ensign said. "Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates the American Constitution and the founding of our nation. Marriage, as a social institution, predates every other institution on which ordered society in America has relied."
Ensign, in his comments, noted that Nevadans had amended the state constitution to guarantee the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. Ensign emphasized the need to preserve the will of Nevadans who voted overwhelmingly to preserve marriage as well as the need to preserve the will of the majority of Americans.
"I am deeply concerned that a few unelected judges and some locally elected government officials have taken steps to redefine marriage to fit their own agenda," said Ensign. "It is not right to mold marriage to fit the desires of a few, against the wishes of so many, and to ignore the important role of marriage."
"It is absolutely the worst thing i've ever done in my life-but she was so hot baby."
Sen. Ensign called upon President Clinton to resign after his affair and argued that Sen. Larry Craig should do the same even though he was only accused of soliciting for an affair. Ensign carried on an affair with a member of his staff, which cannot be overlooked. Ensign is the supreme hypocrite if he does not follow what he asked of Clinton and Craig. Sen. Ensign, please show the people of Nevada who put you into office the respect they deserve by resigning immediately.
I hope Ensign survives. He's going to be hurting
after what happened because he did not live up to his values. That does not mean he doesn't respect his values. Only that he did not live up to them. Liberals can throw the first stone.
Ensign -- Esign -- Resign
Those people defending him are robots. Born again christian Ensign is a complete phony. He needs to fall on his sword.
You have to have some empathy for the people involved. A lot of pain, especially for the kids.
For the Party of Family Values it is another HUGE
sock in the eye.
If you are gonna talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk.
Gibbons, Mazzeo, Ensign and ?....oh no, was there a foursome? lol Vegas swings AGAIN!!!!!!
John Ensign is a veterinarian. Is "Neuter and Spay the Only Way"?
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009...
"Liberals can throw the first stone."
We don't have to. Ensign's own words in calling for Bill Clinton's resignation and Larry Craig's resignation for their infidelities are quite enough ammunition.
Senator Ensign said that we have to hold politicians to a higher standard of conduct. So that's what we're doing - his words don't match his deeds, and his myopic view that it's different because now it's his feet to the fire doesn't work for me.
GOD WHO CARES LOOK AT ALL THESE COMMENTS...THEY ARE MEN IN POWER WAKE UP YOU FAMILY VALUES CRAP IS JUST A PLOY YOU THINK THEY FOLLOW IT ALL OF THOSE GUYS NO MATTER THE PARTY DO IT HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO A REALLY NICE HOTEL IN D.C. AT LIKE 1:00 AM IN THE LOBBY? REALLY OLD GUYS IN SUITES WITH 20 SOMTHING GIRLS FILE IN LIKE A ROCK CONCERT... YOU STILLL THINK THESES GUYS ARE TRUE TO THERE WIFES WHAT WHAT DOES dr, DRE SAY "XXXXXX PLEASE"
John Ensign is a mere piker compared to the master, Slick Bill.
Ensign has been throwing stones at sinners for his whole political career. He is worthless now. He should go back to sticking thermometers in the rear ends of dogs. I hope a dump Endsign movemnent starts. I will be the first to join.
Cant these political ASS`s spit on each other for enjoyment,as thats all REID?ENSIGN/heller
are good for !!!!!!!!as they leave "SKIRTS"
to run everthing else
VIETNAM VETERAN
afveteran said:
"John Ensign is a mere piker compared to the master, Slick Bill."
Hmmmmmm....is that a type of free pass for Ensign? Apparently from your vantage point....
Your statement reminds me of a story involving two little boys (Jimmy & Billy) who were out playing and Jimmy started throwing rocks at a dog belonging to the next door neighbors. The dog wasn't bothering any one, just walking around in his own area. The mother came out and told Jimmy to stop throwing rocks at the dog. Jimmy immediately said to his mother, "I'm not the only one throwing rocks....Billy is too..."
Last year, when faced with the choice between Carter and Ensign, I chose Ensign as the "lesser of two evils".
Despite Ensign's carrying Bush's water at every opportunity and even if I'd have known for certain how hypocritical he is (he's a GOP Senator after all), I'd still have had to vote against the fruit of the seed of Jimmy Carter. But his equally hypocritical constituency would have jumped ship for sure, so I am relieved an affair didn't make headlines before his last election or Carter might very well have won.
HOW is it limited government to use government jobs to keep a mistress on the payroll?
mred said:
"HOW is it limited government to use government jobs to keep a mistress on the payroll?"
Only in the eyes of a myopic right-winger.....
That_Anonymous_Guy said:
"... what happens if ol' Johnny falls on his sword here and resigns? Who decides who fills the open Senate seat -- Gibbons?
That's a scary thought....Maybe "governor blockhead" would appoint himself. His chance of getting reelected as governor is slim & none & slim left town last week headed for parts unknown.....
what another Christian dirtbag...this guy was a sleazebag before so this should be no surprise. As a lifelong, registered, voting Republican I have been disgusted by creeps like John Ensign. He should resign as well as the pervert from Lousiana and any of the sleaze-oids from So. Carolina...bet they been bangin away while thumping something besides the bible.
Yea...I am outrage that he had his girl on the government payroll and gave her a promotion above the other people in her job classification and then got her a cushy job in the private world and all just because she smoked his cigars.
That dam Clinton.......I am so glad that the Democrats have finally send the light!!!!
Sheesh! jfNance32 is comparing Ensign to Clinton!
Ensign demanded Clinton step down, jfNance32, err, SgtRock, err, James F Nance Jr.
How are you gonna rationalize that one? Either he was telling the truth, and thus he should force himself to step down, or he's a liar and was scoring political points by attacking Clinton, which makes him a lying opportunist.
No wonder he's your hero!
Typical failure being pumped out of Nevada. Mayors. Governors. Senators.
No wonder we're the laughing stock of the United States.
I just pointing out the proper outrage by those on the left.
They should be mad at those like Clinton.
Give those like Clinton hell....keep up the good work lefties.
Once Ensign lies under oath and commits felony perjury then we all should demand that he step down.
That is just going to far.
Oh, so you totally excuse the fact that Ensign's a giant hypocrite? All that blabbering about being a Promise Keeper and the sanctity of marriage and how he was so righteous... the fact that he's a complete and total hypocrite doesn't affect your deep devotion to Ensign?
In fact, you love to throw that word at other people, so it has to really bother you, right? "Do as I say, not as I do," is now totally ok with you? Huh... the values of the conservative movement are more like an easily shattered veneer over moralizing hypocrites.
But I'm more interested in getting your answer to my question, since you apparently think what Ensign has done so far is totally ok...
Do you think he was sincere in asking for Clinton and Larry Craig's resignations due to extramarital affairs, or was he more interested in scoring political points by attacking Clinton and Craig, which makes him a lying opportunist?
Ensign did not call for Clinton's resignation because of an affair.
He called for Clinton's resignation because Clinton committed felony perjury by lying an a Federal court of law.
That is the same reason why he asked for Craig to resign. Craig admitted to being guilty of a crime in a court of law.
Oh, so it's the legal thing?
See, I think that's a convenient cover. Why? Because I haven't seen you clamor for the removal of Senator David Vitter, who admitted he had paid for prostitutes as a Senator. That's illegal, yet you seemingly have no problem with him...
Yup, hypocrisy reins supreme in the moralizing republican party, with all their grandstanding and double standards... how disgusting.
I agree.
We should hold Republicans to a high standard and hold Democrats to a low low low standard.
I get it.
It is a quality thing.
I am OK with holding the better party to a higher standard.
If you guys what a drunk who left a girl to die in a car, who sneaked away at night and then got his daddy to pay off the cops and DA...if you want to put that person as the hero of your party then go right ahead...I get it...you got low standards.
If you guys want high ranking party leader who's boyfriend ran a prostitution ring in his own house ...I get it...you got low standards.
If you guys are OK with a guy who promoted his girlfriend at a taxpayer job and then arrange for her to get a cushy private job and lied about in court of law and committed felony perjury then ...I get it...you got low standards.
Ensign should be beaten up. He is not living up the high standards that we expect Republicans to live up to be.
Heck, if was a Democrat, then this would be a stepping stone to be President.
So you're okay with Ensign being a supreme hypocrite, and people who break the law should resign, except for David Vitter?
What, exactly, are your moral and ethical standards here? I'm not following them.
People who cheat on their spouse should resign, but only if they lie to a federal grand jury.
People who cheat on their spouse should resign, but only if they lie to a federal grand jury OR admit their guilt?
People who cheat on their spouse should resign, but only if they lie to a federal grand jury OR admit their guilt, BUT NOT if they are David Vitter?
Yup, Vitter sticks out like a sore thumb. Guess it's true, your double standard is alive and thriving!
Clinton brought shame to the office by committing felony perjury in a court of law. On top of that, he look me and about 60 million people in the eye and told a big fat lie while pointing and wagging that finger of his. Will....he is a lying politican...I will not hold that lie against him.
I did not think that Clinton should be resign or impeached. I wanted to keep the big boy around and smack him in the face with his cigar smoking girlfriend story. He was a gift sent from God to the GOP. We won so many US House, US Senate, Governors slots, state legislature seats during his reign it was UNBELIEVEABLE.
Poor Al Gore....Clinton's cigar smoking girlfriend kept him out of the White House.
Did Ensign do something wrong?
Yes
Should we beat him up about it?
Yes
Should he resign? I do not think so. He did not commit a crime...as far as we know.
Exactly what is the standard of asking a Democrat to step down?
Even that dude with his freezer stuffed full of cash, you guys were OK with him.
Hey stay tuned, this one is going to get a lot worse before it gets better !
At least he's a Republican who had an affair with a woman.
That's a first.
It's time to resign ensign.
SgtRock, your concience here. You may want to consider the fact that typically, where there is smoke, there is fire. There is a lot of smoke coming from a pile of money right now. Your commentary may get you burned.
Yours,
SgtRoll.
Three years from now, Ensign will be running a campaign based on his courage to say no to extortion and come clean with his wife and family. Oops, that's a page straight out of Slick Bill's political playbook.
To All on this Board: You are neither credible nor humorous...get a life...turn off your new computer and go back to watching NASCAR...geez...what drivel and gossipmongering by a bunch of uninformed, uneducated maroons...