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twitterNEVADA’S REPUBLICANS:
Ensign fallout could weaken GOP efforts to rebuild party at state, national levels
Analysis: Republican emphasis on faith could backfire when conduct fails to meet ideals
Sam Morris
Sen. John Ensign speaks to the media Tuesday at the Lloyd George Federal Building in Las Vegas about an affair he had with a former staffer.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | 2 a.m.
In Today's Sun
Ensign Admits Affair
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.
Audio Clip
- 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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Reader poll
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.
Other Coverage
- The Washington Post: Sen. Ensign Acknowledges an Extramarital Affair
- The New York Times: Senator Says He Had Affair With an Aide
- Politico: Admission clouds Nevada Sen. John Ensign's future
- Reno Gazette-Journal: Sen. John Ensign admits affair, won't resign
Beyond the Sun
The Republican Party didn’t make a deal with the devil.
It made a deal with God, or at least people who said they were God’s representatives — a certain class of very political and ideological preachers.
The deal, engineered by Republican operatives such as Lee Atwater and Karl Rove, went like this: Be against gays and abortion and for prayer in the schools, and in return, those preachers would proclaim the GOP the party of God and deliver millions of suburban and rural voters — enough to win elections for three decades.
But the deal carried a risk: Any behavior by Republican officeholders or public figures that seemed at odds with a certain kind of Old Testament morality — a tryst in an airport bathroom, a painkiller addiction, a sexual harassment lawsuit — and voters might feel betrayed and manipulated.
And the deal would collapse.
The risk is surely now outweighing the reward, if the past few years are any indication. As Nevada’s rising star Republican Sen. John Ensign acknowledged an affair with the wife of a top aide who was also a friend, Republican Party fortunes in Nevada and nationwide — already at their lowest ebb in 45 years — fell still further.
Ensign has never been like other Nevada Republicans, who have tended to come from the libertarian wing of the party. Ensign is a proud social conservative.
“The problem is, he’s another one of these Bible-thumping Republicans,” said a Republican operative who asked to remain anonymous to speak candidly about the situation.
“When you take the social conservative banner, there’s a higher level of scrutiny on these kinds of things,” he said. “The public comes down a lot harder on people who carry that banner,” he added.
American social mores have become more tolerant in recent decades, and in the process, voters have become more accepting of different sexual orientations (see Rep. Barney Frank); drug use (see Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama); and extramarital affairs (see President Bill Clinton.)
But there’s still one unforgivable sin: Hypocrisy.
“People have survived extramarital affairs, but he’s got a hypocrisy problem to deal with,” said another Nevada Republican operative who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about a fellow Republican. “He’s got a serious hypocrisy problem.”
During his first Senate campaign in 1998 against Sen. Harry Reid, Ensign called for Clinton’s resignation in light of his acknowledged affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, saying Clinton “has no credibility left.”
Now we know that Ensign had an affair with a member of his staff. He also betrayed the woman’s husband, a close friend who also worked for him — not unlike San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Recall that Republicans like to use “San Francisco values” as an epithet.
Ensign also must now account for his prior defense of “traditional” marriage. In calling for a constitutional amendment to ban gays from marrying, he said, “Marriage is an extremely important institution in this country and protecting it is, in my mind, worth the extraordinary step of amending our constitution.”
Ensign was head of Senate Republican election efforts last year, an effort that failed badly. He tried to get Sen. Larry Craig to resign his seat after the Idaho Republican pleaded guilty in 2007 to soliciting sex from a man in an airport bathroom.
Ensign called Craig “a disgrace.”
A few months later, Ensign’s own affair began.
His news conference Tuesday was like so many others, now almost routine political theater, involving fallen public officials. The head-down contrition. Pledges of solidarity and forgiveness from the wife, though in this case, he had the good sense to leave her at home.
Though, as usual, Ensign was tanned and without a hair out of place, he looked shaken and sullen.
“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,” he said.
The numbers do not lie. Fewer than one-quarter of Americans identify themselves as Republicans, according to recent polls. The Republican Party needs to consider a new deal because this one with the religious right is failing.
Discussion: 29 comments so far…
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What a Hypocrit!
I am so tired of the Republican Party, ie; John Ensign (protector of traditional marriage), Larry Craig (bathroom ball playing anti-gay crusader), George Bush (drug snorting conservative social values protector), Rush Limbaugh (Oxicotin addicted protector of America's Moral code) and Dick Cheney (war mongering/water boarding safety inspector of America's terrorism preparedness) that you would think that all Americans would see through this empty rhetoric and self serving pay-checking protecting hypocrisy. The GOP is so irrelevant that it is time to put it out to pasture and support the fine work being done by the Obama team to bring common sense democracy back to all Americans!
Hey all. Today (June 17) on Face to Face with Jon Ralston, we are talking about the political ramifications of Ensign's admitted affair. That's on Las Vegas ONE, Cox Cable Channel 19 at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 8pm.
Funny thing, it never slowed down Clinton and his cuckold wife. Putting democracy and Obamination in the same sentence is an oxymoron.
Sad to hear this. I agree with cignettis about Clinton.
Ensign could have taken pointers from Bill. Bill would never have allowed a small item such as infidelity in office to threaten his political office or political will. Today, Bill stands taller than most Democrats, and Ensign could have too, in his own party, if he had just lied about it till everyone believed it to be the truth.
So, "afveteran" are you supporting lying? Gee, as I remember the military code of conduct, "We do NOT lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate anyone that does!"
I'm a big supporter of personal privacy - but, when a politician takes a strong stance on "family values" and becomes a proven hypocrite - it's the hypocrisy that's the issue!
Ensign should have stayed out of other people's bedrooms and kept his neo-con, psuedo-christian zealotry to himself!
FAITH is a SCAM. The "Faith" Industry cons people out of their money.
Ensign's "staff" problem wouldn't be such a big deal were it not for his repeated lectures to us from the floor of the Senate and elsewhere regarding the "sanctity of marriage." Good riddance.
I agree "BobbyG" - I just wish Clinton had simply refused to address any "personal, family issues" when the Lewinsky questions came up!
Remember, back in the day, when not only were the children of politicians off-limits, but so were their wives and anything sexual? That's the way it should be again - we don't have time, our most valuable, non-renewable asset, to waste on people's personal life issues, or their view of religion - I'm all for seperation of Church and State TOTALLY (and I'm a person of faith)!
All of these "family values" psuedo-christian religious zealots scare me more than any other terrorists! They should be thrown on the pile heap of history!
"GOOD RIDDANCE" IS CORRECT!
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
This is hilarious, it is only because the Republicans have been the "God" party for so long. If they just would have actually been fiscally conservative, and not taken this moral high road that clearly lots of them don't really believe, we would have less of a problem with them. These people are getting what they deserve by getting elected under false pretenses. Mr. Ensign, have a fun life living like Ted Haggard..go rent Friends With God and see where you will be in a couple years. I only feel bad for his family that didn't make these choices.
Politicians from all parties cheat on their spouses, cheat the people they serve, cheat the system, cheat on taxes, etc. Why is anybody surprised anymore when this stuff gets revealed? Why is Ensign any worse than Clinton, Edwards, Spitzer, etc? Yes, I know that Republicans champion family values, but a politician is a politician. They rarely practice what they preach. They just say whatever to get votes.
When I read posts from liberals and democrats here, I get the impression that you all purposely reject religion, reject faith, reject family values just so you all can feel good about yourselves when you cheat, lie, steal, live promiscuously, etc. Why else would you imply that Ensign is worse than other politicians who have committed adultery? That's like saying one crack head is worse than the other! That's ridiculous!
I gotta a feeling that John Ensign is gonna be sleeping in his garage for the next few months. Mr. Family values couldn't keep his pants zipped. Another politician bites the dust.
I...did not...have sex...with that...gopher.
NIBBLE, NIBBLE, NIBBLE!!!
MORE BUDDHISTS IN OFFICE! After all, they want nothing...
Can someone remind us all what Senator Ensign said about Bill Clinton and What he later said about Senator Craig. He was calling for both of them to resign as soon as possible.
firedawg2000 said: "When I read posts from liberals and democrats here, I get the impression that you all purposely reject religion, reject faith, reject family values just so you all can feel good about yourselves when you cheat, lie, steal, live promiscuously, etc. Why else would you imply that Ensign is worse than other politicians who have committed adultery?"
Some of us reject religion because we see what religion has wrought in this world, all of the despicable treatment against others in the name of religion. That being said, the lack of religion in my life does not mean that I lack morals and values. I don't lie, cheat, steal, and have been happily married for 15 years. I am perfectly capable of holding myself and my family to high standards without a god telling me what to do. It's called personal responsibility.
My issue with Ensign is his hypocrisy regarding the "sanctity of marriage."
Maybe castration is the answer for the Republicans.
I guess someone didn't like my comment... It was removed. There was no dirty language. But, I suspect the powers that be didn't like what I had to say about Nevadans always re electing people that do the state bad, like 'good ol boy' Ensign.
He'll tell you that Marijuana isn't medicine, all the while knowing that the US Government has a patent (#6630507) on a marijuana constituent THC, for uses as neuroprotectants, for example: limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and HIV dementia. Another for it's antioxydant properties for treating problems such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
But on the DEAs page it says that there is Medical Marijuana and it's called Marinol. It's 100% THC, But he'll tell you something like 'today's marijuana is twice as powerful as the marijuana of the 70s'. Todays is averaging 6 - 12% THC. But that little Marinol pill of the DEA is 100% THC. Am I missing something?
How about the kids? Juvenile diabetes might be a thing of the past with stem cell research, but he doesn't want thast... But the KIDS! Juvenile Diabetes, that's kids right?
He'll also tell you that it is a good thing to take away the Constitutional Rights of Americans, only because they want to have the advantages that come with marriage and to be able to share their lives with and love someone of their own sex. Get that? Take someone's GOD Given inalienable Constitutional Rights away because he is the Morality Police.
But he will use his power of office to have sex with a subordinate staffer, who is married to another subordinate staffer, oh yea they are not the same sex so it must be OK. Isn't there a federal law against that? But as I see in this comment area, republicans would vote him in again. They give him excuses. He's a real creep and Nevada deserves what they got. Vote him in again, maybe next time he'll use his power to seduce a Gay staffer, almost 10 percent of Americans are Gay so they say. I guess Nevada deserves him. But the country would be better if he just hid his face and quit the Senate all together. Oh yea, I have been a republican for thirty 38 years.
Tell us about this woman.
WE need to know. Employee harassment charges can be filed.
Tax payers may have to pay out in a lawsuit.
Thanks Ensign
Firedawg, the problem with right wing, neocon, evangelical nutjobs is that they lack the ability to comprehend the fact that - just because someone rejects organized religion - does not mean that person lacks faith, morals, family values, etc.
Religion and morality and all the other things you mentioned are not mutually exclusive. Newsflash - someone does not have to be Christian or Catholic or Jewish, et al. to be a good person, live life the right way, and do the right thing.
So who is trying to make themselves feel better about themselves again?
"Holier-Than-Thou" - Exhibit A.
Why do the brain dead always drag up Clinton to make a useless point? Its sooooo 10 years ago. What year is this again?
Hey baby, I'm a Senator who just might be the next President. I'm a Promise Keeper who likes to feed his staffers. Come up to my room so we can talk about family values and 'morals.' Don't worry, your hubby is cleaning my garage. Let me show you some conservative Christian love. I'll pay you and your family loads of money. Come to daddy. Let me show you my Republican boxers. Later tonight you can look over my proposed legislation against the rights of all adults. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta
Hey "Firedawg2000" I'm with "ShannonK" and "JahReb" - you can be an aetheists, non-theist, agnostic, or even a person of faith and live a life of integrity!
I was raised as a Protestant Christian, but have evolved into an ecumenical, non-denominational person of faith - and I'm still "agnostic" on many theological questions, and a total aetheist when it comes to all these hateful gods I've heard about - so, let's open our hearts and minds and keep things rational shall we?
There are some big differences between "faith" ad "organized religion" with all it's corrupted "dogma" and "doctrine" - we all have the freedom to choose to believe as wish - and none of us have the answers!
That's what is killing the "holier-than-thou" radical, right-wing, neo-con, evangelical, nut-case Republicans - they just don't get it that most of us know BULL and NUTS when we hear it or see it! They just don't understand "freedom" and "privacy" like the Democrats and Independents do - it's really that simple!
People are free - freedom is not limited - and what goes on in someone else's mind, heart, soul, or bedroom IS NO ONE ELSE'S BUSINESS!
EN-SIGN SHOULD RE-SIGN.
Rush Limbaugh sends his houekeeper to the parking lot of his local Denny's to score dope for him. Larry Craig taps his foot in a restroom stall, Bill O'reilly has to settle a sexual harassment suit for millions, and now "Mr. Perfect," John Ensign gets caught in an affair and buying off his lover and her husband with tax payer money.
WHen are you righties going to realize that your party is filled with HYPOCRITES?
Ensign's defenders sound like six year old's. "But mommy, they did it too."
Damn, as an Obama supporter i kind of wanted to run against Ensign. Obama would have beat this guy worse than he beat McCain.
The local mourning talk radio guy and a caller said that it was: "Doug Hampton's fault because he wasn't man enough, and Ensign had to help him out." Then he endorsed Sherman Fredrick for Harry Reid's seat in the Senate and called the Las Vegas Sun, the "Las Vegas Crumb" (how creative)