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twitterTHE SENATOR’S SCANDAL:
In state GOP, Ensign finds few defenders
Governor, who has issues of his own, offers backing
Sunday, June 21, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Sun Coverage
Sun Archives
- War of words between Ensign and Hampton escalates (6-20-09)
- Ensign's office says Hampton made 'exorbitant demands' (6-19-2009)
- Spouse in Ensign affair sought help in letter to Fox News (6-19-2009)
- Ensign's office: Woman's husband approached media with story (6-18-2009)
- Unanswered: Why he told (6-18-2009)
- Ensign resigns GOP leadership post (6-17-2009)
- Ensign fallout could weaken GOP efforts to rebuild party at state, national levels (6-17-2009)
- Ensign's mea culpa tops bad day for GOP (6-17-2009)
- Ensign acknowledges extramarital affair (6-16-2009)
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.
Reader poll
Sun Coverage
You know you’re at a low point when the only person willing to stand beside you in your time of marital and political strife is Jim Gibbons, the beleaguered Nevada governor who was once accused of assaulting a cocktail waitress, is in the middle of an ugly divorce and has approval ratings below the freezing temperature of water.
But that’s where Sen. John Ensign stood last week, after he disclosed that he had a nine-month affair with a campaign staff member, who happened to be the wife of his top administrative aide. The silence among Nevada Republicans in the wake of the sex scandal has been deafening, making Gibbons’ statements of support, well, unique.
On Friday, Gibbons told the Reno Gazette-Journal he felt “very badly” for Ensign and his wife, Darlene, and that he would do whatever he could to help the couple.
Ensign’s office did not return a call seeking comment.
Republican operatives attribute the silence to the distance Ensign has placed between himself and the state party over the years. A fundraising firebrand as a freshman congressman, Ensign drifted from state party politics as his career in the Senate took off and his national star rose, said Steve Wark, a Republican consultant and former executive director of the state party.
The Nevada junior senator was never known for his grass-roots spadework, he said.
“This isn’t John Ensign’s Party. He doesn’t have the connections,” Wark said. “When a man finds himself in deep waters, it’s those relationships that give people the freedom, the obligation to issue statements and stick their necks out.”
He added: “Republicans have wanted him to step up for 14 years and they’re disappointed. Now they’re waiting on the sidelines to see what happens next.”
Chuck Muth, the conservative activist and onetime head of the Nevada Republican Party, said Ensign’s famous nonaggression pact with Sen. Harry Reid has angered partisan Republicans for years — and that the anger only intensified as Reid ascended to majority leader and now shepherds President Barack Obama’s agenda through Congress.
By contrast, Reid has invested heavily in the Nevada Democratic Party, in part to ensure his own political survival. Dogged by poor approval ratings and haunted by a razor-thin election win over Ensign, he turned the party into an organizing machine, helped cultivate a deep bench of political talent and maneuvered to win an early Nevada presidential caucus.
For Republicans, the effects have been devastating.
Last year, Obama won the state by 12 points and state Democrats won control of the Legislature for the first time in two decades. Democrats retain a 100,000-voter-registration edge.
For his part, Ensign was working to protect Republicans in the U.S. Senate as head of the party’s reelection arm. Republicans lost at least eight seats but Washington leadership applauded Ensign for the effort in a tough year and rewarded him with the Senate Republican policy chairmanship, the No. 4 slot in the party leadership. He became a fixture on the cable news circuit and even visited Iowa this month, stoking speculation that he was testing the political waters for a presidential run.
The plan, before last week’s revelations, seems to have been to turn his cachet into dollars for the Nevada Republican Party. After the 2008 election defeats, Ensign announced something called the Republican Renewal Project, a political action committee dedicated to rebuilding the state party, which has struggled to regain its footing after years of lackluster leadership.
A fundraising barbecue featuring Ensign set for Friday was canceled.
State Chairwoman Sue Lowden told the Associated Press last week the senator’s scandal “has no impact on the party or our plans for 2010.”
But the troubles could have dire consequences for the state party, said Eric Herzik, a University of Nevada, Reno, political scientist and registered Republican. He noted Gibbons’ deep unpopularity and Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki’s indictment over his handling of a state college savings program while state treasurer.
“Ensign was one of the few Republicans who could talk to all sides of the party, raise money, and all the factions in Nevada liked him,” Herzik said. “All the people you would look to for leadership are under a cloud now.
“You don’t have an established leader who opens doors, raises money and introduces new candidates to the public. Nevada doesn’t have a Republican who can do that with any credibility.
“Who’s left to say anything?” Herzik said. “The bench was thin to begin with. Ensign was the one remaining player, and now he’s on the disabled list.”
Discussion: 54 comments so far…
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Gee, according to a poll in the RJ, Edsign is still the savior of the gop in Nevada. What are these editors smoking?
happy fathers day to the real men out there, not these 2 yo-yo's.
Now we know why all the women on Fox News need to look and dress like a Las Vegas hooker, all the sex addicts in the Republican Party. But oh well, they still have their guns and religion.
The Battle Born Pac website shows Ensign, and has Dean Heller and Tom Coburn under a title called "The Candidates." I'm going to call them on Monday and ask him why they want to be associated with Ensign.
The local mourning talk radio host agreed with a caller who said Ensign was a Hero for "servicing" Doug Hampton's wife because Doug Hampton "wasn't man enough." So there's another well of support, the looney world of right wing talk radio.
I haven't heard the torch-bearer of family values and clean living, Rush Limbaugh, attack Enswigne either. Wonder why?
(The net is going crazy trying to find a picture of Cynthia Hampton.)
State Chairwoman Sue Lowden told the Associated Press last week the senator's scandal "has no impact on the party or our plans for 2010."
Now there is a classic bonehead...what is she smoking?
Here are some relevant facts that the Sun Democratic "newspaper" left out.
A poll done this week shows that his ratings are still above Reids (34%).
Another fact that they left out.
Only 29% think he should resign.
In the same poll, 58% thought SgtRock is a clueless troll. Who trusts polls? lol
well sgt. you got a bunch of idiots living in nevada. vegasj had it right. relevant fact is you guys have quite a lineup- ensign, craig, vitter, foley, rush, heidi, liddy, cheney, sarah, coulter, man are you guys in trouble. have fun with those hate folks.
All I know is come 2012 there will be a new person on the ballot for US Senate and her name is Shelley Berkley and I for one will vote for her and even work on her campaign.
Ensign, Gibbons and other GOP jehovacats are the best assets for strengthening Nevada's Democratic party for a r-e-a-l-l-y long time.
Unfortunately for them, the internet provides an open forum of viewpoints that cannot be censored or bought. All candidates who run for public office should keep that in mind. . .
Jack-
Heh. Was it the same poll that showed 61% wanting to try whatever SgtRock/jfnance is smoking? And the one showing 60% saying that he likes to come to The Sun to repeat talking points we've already seen in The R-J? You know, there's a reason why we're here and not at The R-J... ;-)
Paco-
Why not? We have such a good bench of Dem candidates that I'm hopeful we'll find just the right person to let Ensign return to that family he "values" in 2012.
mred-
"I haven't heard the torch-bearer of family values and clean living, Rush Limbaugh, attack Enswigne either. Wonder why?"
Maybe because hypocrisy has become so commonplace in the GOP these days?
Hey SgtRock this is irrelevant because John Ensign will not be running for Senate again in 2012
The real question is, how hard did the R-J and its pollster have to work to find Ensign supporters? They know how to skew the polls against Democrats, so they must have called the usual suspects.
Gub'Nor Gibbons couldn't be Happier! Now the peck-er patrol is following Ensign to Washington instead of his own antics with other married women all over the whole state of Nevada. Jim to John: THANK YOU!!
DAY 6: And still no info on the enchantress...Who is Cindy Hampton? No picture, no history, only a seductress job in Ensign's office....Seems only Doug is complaining....Is it because Ensign did him...wrong? Neighbors, schoolmates, workers, fundraisers--did she never have a picture taken with anyone? ....It took less time to find Eliot Spitzer's hooker....I guess it's true, as long as she stays in Vegas, NO ONE WILL KNOW!
As a card carrying member of the GOP, I say: Sad, Selfish, Pathetic. We'll get we deserve, Obama for the next 7.9 years, as a sentence.
John Ensign should be spending Fathers Day at The Olympic Garden.
The new VA hospital is built with GOVERNMENT MONEY and will be GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE so Sgt Rock will not be using it.
(Glad you post Rock, we need you here.)
VA is an EXCELLENT example on how the government can provide top grade quality healthcare at an effective cost basis.
As one of the foremost Veterans Advocates, Advocates and Columnist of "A Veteran's Voice" I wonder is "SgtRock" is even a veteran? If he is he's a shameful example in the veterans community - and I so wish he'd remember that, while he has a 1st Amendment right to express his opinion, he also has a 5th Amendment right to remain silent (especially when one doesn't know what they're talking about) - keep in mind "SgtRock" you're comments reflect on all of us in the professional military, our families and the veterans community! We don't need some crazy vet spouting ignorance, stupidity, preudice, bigotry and hate dude!
"Sargent Rock" is a comic book super-hero from back in nances formative years. It is comical that he posts under this silly screen name.
"gmag39" most of us know that Sergeant Rock was a comic book character, and the history of G.I. Joe too!
The professional military, military families and the veterans community find it very offensive when some nut-case hides behind their military service - and the only thing worse, is when some civilian that never enve served (like Cheney) tries to pose as a patriot!
Real men post openly using their real names - the rest just make excuses for hiding in the shadows and being anonymous cowards! I have no problem with people posting anonymously with any intelligent commentary (whether I agree or not) as long as it is factually based, logical and rational - but, the nut-cases do a terrible dis-service and need to go elsewhere for their mental health therapy!
I thought Johnathan Abbinett was a furniture company. Oh, sorry, I should have bowed before I spoke.
SgtRock: "VA is an EXCELLENT example on how the government can provide top grade quality healthcare at an effective cost basis."
You do realize that the VA is 100% Pure socialized medicine, right?
http://politicalpragmatist.com/?p=313
Good point "CactusJack" - the VA does usually deliver some of the highest quality healthcare to our nations disabled veterans (I know I'm a combat disabled vet that has been receiving my care through V.A. for years now)! The problem wih the V.A. is the bureacracy built-in by the selfish, mean, rude, nasty, no-taxes, neo-con, nut-cases that don't want to see the V.A. (or any social services program) succeed - that's the big complaint for vets, getting through years and years, sometimes, decades of bullsh*t bureacrats just to get a V.A. card and access to the V.A. Healthcare system!
Hey, now that I think about it, the entire U. S. Armed Forces enjoy some of the highest quality of medicare too through a "socialistic" system!
Kind of like that enjoyed by every President and Commander-In-Chief and their family, and all of the U. S. Congress and all of their family, and all of the political professionals serving in staff positions, and their families!
But, the radical, right-wing, neo-con, nut-cases supporting the billionaires and millionaires in the health, pharmacuetical, legal, and insurance rip-off industries tell us that we can not afford healthcare for all Americans? Gee, could there be a cabal of liars at work here?
You know, people like U. S. Senator John Ensign?
sometimes, without expecting it at all, you get involved with someone and the consequences affect a whole lot of unrelated people.
like the Nevada Senator who starts banging his assistant's wife; it starts with a night at a sleazy motel; next, he's giving her a big raise for continuing the affair; next, she and hubs are looking for an even bigger payoff.
sooner or later, the whole truth will come out; the Senator was dipping into the public or campaign funds to maintain this little game of hide the Senator's salami. this same Senator who was all to quick to badmouth slick willie for playing pres-and-intern with an unmarried spoiled brat from LA. But no, mr righteous Nevada Senator, representing a state which advertises "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" (with the obvious exception of STDs)had to chime in with his display of morality. who in god's earth knows what or whom he was shtupping even back in 1998.
So now, we have this slimey piece of garbage who's bringing down his family, his assistant's family and the whole chance of the GOP holding at least one Nevada seat in the senate - all for a frrebie piece of nook. He should have gone to a pro and saved us all the drama
I'm not buying that story "malachhamovess" - Ensign has tons of money and some of the best poltical staff money can buy!
Your premie is based on the common, garden-variety sort of adultery between two consenting adults - that is NOT the case with Ensign!
Ensign was stupid enough (by his own admission) to commit the crime of sexual harrassment, and
given how long the "innapropriate" (read that criminal) activity went on, it raises questions as to whether Ensign actually STALKED the wife of another man (who was also an employee) and if Ensign is guilty of being a SEXUAL PREDATOR?
That is the most distrubing question of all - "Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Republican-NV) a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
with all the money available to him, a worthless slime like Ensign still is too lazy to actually stalk anyone; to stalk, one has to plan; to plan, one has to think with the brain, not the third leg.
No; this guy is no real stalker; he's just a worthless piece of turd who happened to get his shorts in an upheaval state because some staffer's wife bent over and he fancied the curve of her buttocks.
this isn't an evil or harmful man; just a garden variety slimeball.
Well, "malachhamovess" we disagree, because I'm reading the facts as we know them so far...
1.) Ensign openly admits he had an affair when he was the employer with and employee - that fact means Ensign committed SEXUAL HARRASSMENT!
2.) The time-line Ensign laid out supports the fact that this was a 9 month scenario, and Ensign continued to pursue the woman even after Ensign told his wife it was "over" and, even after the woman fled Ensign's employment - that sounds like STALKING to me!
Which brings up the next logical question:
"Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Republican-NV) a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
I voted in the GOP primary but dislike both parties.
I wouldn't have cared about Ensign cheating if he hadn't
1. Asked Clinton and Craig to resign for the same thing.
2. Used a staffer on taxpayer's funds.
3. I'm not happy about claiming his DC residence as a conservative christian church to save money.
On the other hand its nice that he doesn't cowtow to the state party as I like independent politicians, unfortunately despite early polls, the damage has been done and he should resign.
Its ok for Las Vegas to be "Sin City" but it looks bad for the state to have someone like Ensign representing them. I don't love Reid either but that's because I have mixed feelings about many of his stands. He's a decent guy however.
Johnathan Abbinett:
I can appreciate your concern for military impersonators, but who said Sgt. was germane to the military. I thought he was a policeman, but if he is a fellow service member or veteran so be it. Who among us has the right to abridge anyone's constitutional rights because of debating topic dissention? Far be it for you to think you can post such foul libretto and make us think your username (handle, call-sign, e.g.) reflects bravado, and that the otherwise use of a nick-name is cowardice. I dear Sir think the lack of using a moniker shows someone to be deficient of imagination.
Your train of thought is very misplaced, if you were to approach a crew member in the fighter community with this anemic argument that users of call-signs are for cowards, err, lol, they would laugh you off the military base.
I will say, nice try to deflect from the subject of the thread, but no bippy. Could it be you have ulterior motives for wanting to know who is writing what on the site? Your position has the looks of chromaticity; with a stale quell slanting into abusive control issues. I take it rather absurd when someone unknowingly calls a Veteran or military member a coward; then again he might just be a policeman.
Your turn.
"The time-line Ensign laid out supports the fact that this was a 9 month scenario, and Ensign continued to pursue the woman even after Ensign told his wife it was "over" and, even after the woman fled Ensign's employment - that sounds like STALKING to me!"
That sounds like he might have been lying to his wife which he all people who cheat do.
Cynthia Hampton has not made any claims that she was stalked. Her hubsand has not any statements about stalking either.
ENSIGN MUST RESIGN.
His behavior is reprehensible, his actions immoral and unethical.
The RJ sites a Mason/ Dixon poll of 625 regular voters. 62% didn't think he should resign, that means 382 people who might or might not have been following this story. It also depends on how the question was asked. In this poll "The question about his potential resignation was framed in the context of former Sen. Larry Craig.". So I guess as long as he wasn't trolling for gay sex in a mens room Sen. Semen comes out smelling a little less fishy. The poll states he is still more popular than Gov. Perve and Sen. Reid. WHO ISN'T? The Governor is a joke. The Republicans hate Reid and Sen. Marvin Milktoast won't stand up to the Repubs. so the Dems hate him too. The poll also states " If Vitter could bounce back in a much more socially conservative state than Nevada, Ensign has at least a 50-50 shot at it." What does that say about us? If we let a total slime like Ensign off the hook then we deserve every thing we get. This is not about an "affair", it's about being hoodwinked by a do as I say not as I do hypocrite. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, he's just boinkin your wife.
Besides Gibbons, Ensign has Sherm Frederick of the RJ is his corner!
What a week for Sherman.
First, he blamed liberals for John Ensign's foibles in a silly editorial earlier this week, in which he gave Ensign a fairly ringing endorsement, despite his current state of "affairs".
Today, he claims that he has been a DEMOCRAT all his life until JUST THIS WEEK! Now he's an anti-Obama, tried and true REPUBLICAN who gloms on to all the usual conservative talking points. Like he just had an EPIPHANY! Hmmmmmmmm.....
Is this how a true Veteran Newspaperman should behave?
Dear "GunslingerA10" well, we disagree, so I'll pass on takng turns with you - thanks anyway!
This is not about me, "SgtRock" or you - it is a story that raises the disturbing question, "Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Repbulican-NV), a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
This is not a stand up guy. He only came forward to admit the affair after he knew he was busted. He used tax payer money to try and buy the silence of his victims.
Clinton is not a stand up guy. Clinton not only lied to millions of Americans, he only came forward to admit the affair after he found about the stained dress. He promoted his cigar girlfriend from intern to White House staffer and then tried to arrange to get her a high paying job at Revlon.
According to Abbinett legal skills, Clinton is guilty of sexaul harrassment, too.
Yes, "SgtRock" Clinton was also guilty of sexual harrassment - are you aware that this is 2009?
So, the big question remains, and I'm going to keep on asking it until I get a sound, honest legal answer!
Is U. S. Senator, JOHN ENSIGN, who is guilty by his own admission of SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, also guilty of STALKING and being a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
Johnathan Abbinett:
I am troubled by your posting; you say that Sen. Ensign is guilty of sexual harassment by his on admission. I have read many of his statements and have yet to run across one that says what you assert. - Is U. S. Senator, JOHN ENSIGN, who is guilty by his own admission of SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, also guilty of STALKING and being a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
I have read the definition of sexual harassment and for you or anybody to throw that accusation around lightly about this issue is shameful. You would be better served to read up on how it is perpitrated, or under what circumstances it is applicable. We on this thread would be better served to know where you get your factual statement as well. If your information is coming from a protected source, we understand the reasons for anyonimatity, otherwise your prior post makes clear the issuse for cravens on line.
Maybe this will be helpful, a quote from a lawyer "If the person who's having the affair with the head of the company is dismissed because she doesn't want to continue that affair, that is clearly classic quid-pro-quo sexual harassment," England said. We all know visa-vie the time line that the affair continued past her termination of employment, which nullifies sexual harassment. It must be unwanted attention by the second party.
The lawyer also said they would have to overcome a legal theory known as "comparative fault," meaning a jury also would be asked to determine how much of the affair is Cynthia Hampton's fault. Again the honest is on the Hampton's to prove their assertion, while the opposite may be taken by the Sen.'s spouse that Cynthia took advantage of Sen. Ensign when he was going through some difficult times in his marriage.
I still say he should have kept his commensurate ground on morality, but we need not run to judgment for judgment sake. It will all be played out on a day by day basis.
and here's something to fan the flames of why you need multiple media 'voices' to get the truth...
...dont look for this one in the Rear View Journal
'Las Vegas Review-Journal' Rejects Ad Capitalizing on Senator's Affair
The owner of a Canada-based dating Web site says he was jilted when he tried to place an advertisement in Nevada's largest
newspaper to capitalize on U.S. Sen. John Ensign's extramarital affair.
AshleyMadison.com founder Noel Biderman in Toronto blamed Las Vegas Review-Journal Publisher Sherman Frederick for
refusing to allow the full-page ad that appeals to adults "looking to have a discreet affair."
"They told me, 'How quickly can you pay us?'" Biderman said Thursday of the $20,000 ad. "I sent the money. I expected to see
the ad."
Frederick rejected Biderman's claim that the newspaper with a weekday circulation of about 200,000 lacked the courage to run
the ad, and he dismissed the notion that the Review-Journal was protecting Ensign.
"I simply didn't think the Web site was appropriate for our daily newspaper," Frederick said in an e-mail. "The Ensign story was
our lead Page 1 news story for the last two days. Any suggestion we are protecting the senator is simply a PR stunt on behalf
of an adultery Web site."
The ad was scheduled to run two days after Ensign acknowledged having had an extramarital affair last year with Cynthia
Hampton, a Las Vegas woman who had worked on his campaign. Hampton and her husband, Doug, who also formerly
worked for the senator, had been close friends with Ensign and his family, according to Ensign.
Biderman said the ad was an "open e-mail" addressed to "US Senator from Nevada." It does not name Ensign.
"Having an office affair is just too big of a gamble. The odds of getting caught are just too high," said the ad, signed by
fictitious company chief executive Ashley Madison.
It suggests the senator should have used the "secure, completely anonymous" Web site. "No headlines, no scandals," the ad
said.
Biderman said the ad was similar to one he placed in a New York newspaper after that state's governor, Eliot Spitzer, was
identified as Client-9 in a pricey, multi-city prostitution ring. Spitzer resigned in disgrace.
Three years from now, the same Ensign detractors will be voting for him for US senator.
Short memories and volatile politics dictate this American phenomenom.
Hey, "GunslingerA10" you obviously don't get it! And I'm wondering if you're out of your league in even attempting this debate?
Ensign admitted that the woman was his employee!
That makes it sexual harrassment no matter how you might try to spin it - the boss is not allowed, by law, federal law, to go looking for love (or sex) with his employees!
The facts that Ensign continued his sexual harrassment for several months, and continued to pursue the woman even after she left his employ raises the question of STALKING, which, in turn, raises the question "Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Republican-NV) a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
We agree, no one should rush to any judgement - I'm just asking a logical sequence of questions based on what Ensign has already admitted guilt to and the facts we have so far!
Demanding exhorbitant sums of money is attorneys do - that's not extortion! Asking tough, pointed, specific question is what journalist do - that's why I write independently (I'm under no political or career pressure from some editor or business bullies or corporate clowns far more concerned about ad revenues than the truth)!
FACT: U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Repbulican-NV), by his own admission, is guilty of SEXUAL HARRASSMENT!
FACT: Ensign's sexual harrassment of the woman continued over several months until she finally left his employ - this raise the question: "Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Repbulcian-NV) also guilty of being a STALKER and/or SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
I point out your short comings on facts and you get offended, Hey, don't take it personal, and you calling it a debate is up to you, I call it a blog. The point is, when you post unsupported facts expect people to question the veracity and or except their difference of opinion if you don't want to deal with facts.
Here is a feather for you, join the Hampton' legal team, you already won the case, in your mind.
By-the-way, it is not stalking when Cynthia, as a free citizen no longer employed by the Sen. was making rendezvous.
She was chasing him, telling him she could not wait to see him or have him hold her again. (my opinion, not a fact just me following your lead posting as you do)
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations, as well as to the federal government.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
O.K. "GunslingerA10" you want to play some childish game of diversion - I'm too busy and way too professional to buy into your little game - so, adios amigo!
I'm not holding anyone out to be harmless in this until I know all of the facts! But, until I see factual reasons to consider guilt on the part of the other woman (or her husband) - I'm going to consider them potentially victims and innocent until proven guilty of something!
I'm just using the facts, as we know them so far, and others (like you, shilling for Ensign and the Republican Party) are trying to ignore:
FACT: Ensign publicly admitted to an "affair" with an employee! Now, that FACT makes this a case of classic SEXUAL HARRASSMENT in the work place (no matter how much you may want to try and deny or deflect)!
FACT: Ensign publicly admitted that the "affair" went on for several months, and even after he had allegedly been forgiven by his wife, and the other woman left his employment! That raises the very logical question:
"Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Republican-NV) also guilty of STALKING and is Ensign a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
47 See Greene v. Dalton, 164 F.3d 671, 674 (D.C. Cir. 1999) (in order for defendant to avoid all liability for sexual harassment leading to rape of plaintiff "it must show not merely that [the plaintiff] inexcusably delayed reporting the alleged rape . . . but that, as a matter of law, a reasonable person in [her] place would have come forward early enough to prevent [the] harassment from becoming 'severe or pervasive'").
Hey, "GunslingerA10" back off on your trigger finger dude! We can have an intelligent debate AFTER we get the FACTS first!
But, there is no denying the FACTS we already know by Ensign's own public admission on the record for all the world to see forever!
Ensign was the superior and employer, Hampton was the subordinate and employee - that makes it a big "no, No, NO!" right there now doesn't it? Don't even try to deny that FACT - why, YES IT DOES!
Is Hampton partially at fault? Well, the truth is we do not know yet! Is Ensign primarily at fault? Why, yes - YES ENSIGN IS PRIMARILY GUILTY!
Was this a one-time event? No, we know that Ensign pursued the woman for months, even after Ensign had fessed up to his wife, and even longer after Hampton left his employment! So, that additional, undisputed, publicly admitted FACT by Ensign raises the question:
"Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Republican-NV) also guilty of the crimes of STALKING and being a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
BTW: I'll put my TOW Missile skills up against yours anytime - and you can keep on blowing your ammo and wasting as much of your time shilling for the Republican Party as you wish!
Hey Johnathan Babinett, I'd wish you'd use your real name instead of a ficticious slant. You know, people who use ficticious names have problems within themselves.
Senator Ensign should resign. Then the governor can put himself in as senator. That way he will be able to stay in politics until 2012, instead of being voted out in 2010. If it is legal to do so. Give Nevada even more national attention. Ha.
NOTE TO: Senator Ensign, and his Staff - the worst thing you can do is try to cover this up - the questions asked must be answered - honestly!
"Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Republican-NV) who has publicly admitted to SEXUAL HARRASSMENT of an employ, and continuing his SEXUAL HARRASSMENT FOR SEVERAL MONTS, also guilty of the crimes of STALKING and being a SEXUAL PREDATOR?"
OK Mr. Big Tow.
How well are you going to do up agaist my A-10.
Kahhhhhh....Fox-1.......
You are funny, I think you are funny.
You say ok lets wait after the facts, truce, but you just keep at it with your same, ummm, drible.
Strike that....
It is nice to put something out there, then stike it after the jury already hears it, hard to have them forget that planted seed isn't it.
I'm all for a "truce" since we're really on the same side "GunslingerA10" - wish we'd had you in Vietnam during the Spring Offensive of '72!
I'm NOT making unfounded allegations or accusation - I'm doing what investigative reporters, writiers and columnist do - just asking pertinent questions based the facts that we do know!
I know, I know, this is tawdry, terrible stuff - and I have no interest in the personal lives of consenting adults - REALLY, I REPECT PRIVACY GREATLY!
But, this is NOT just another everyday, garden-variety, adulterous affair people - Ensign committed the crime of sexual harrassment as an employer with one of his employees (the other woman's husband also worked for Ensign) - this issue is about women being free from being preyed upon in the workplace by predatory employers!
Of course, Ensign (and his staff and supporters) want to spin it like it's just another "affair" and much ado about nothing - so the story dies and people forget what happened - and Ensign gets away with his crime and gets re-elected?
That's how people in power commit crimes and get away with and stay in power!
This issue is about women being treated with full equal opportunity, due dignity and respect and upholding the laws that protect all people!
I personally do not care what consenting adults do after working hours in the privacy of their lives - just as long as no laws are being broken, no one ends up beaten, bruised or bleeding - consenting adults may do as they please...but, there are laws to protect employees from employers who are predators!
Ensign, by his own admission that he was the superior/employer and the other woman was the subordinate/employee, committed the crime of SEXUAL HARRASSMENT - that's an established and undisputed fact!
Ensign, again by his own admission, states that the "affair" went on for several months, even after Ensign confessed to his wife, Ensign continued to pursue the other woman...
...and even after the other woman (and her husband who was also employed by Ensign) left the employ of Ensign, the time-line clearly indicates that Ensign continued to pursue the other woman - these FACTS raise the specific question:
"Is U. S. Senator, John Ensign, (Republican-NV) who's obviously GUILTY of SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, also GUILTY of STALKING and being A SEXUAL PREDATOR!"
Johnathan:
First off, I didn't agree with your method of stating facts which were still unfounded, but you can do as you like, I will say I am not the only one which feels that way as noted by other comments. I am not biased along a party line that was never my focus; it was all about your style of writing that just is not my cup of tea. That you have a difference of opinion is fine, that you have another perspective great, the point is you make half-truth statements that an Olympic long-jumper could not reach, and you put those out there knowing full well you're wrong in doing so.
I have notice you have changed-up your pen or it may be just you're slipping, but I like that you are now using the form "IS" instead of "FACT" that said there is hope for an "Old Dawg" to learn new tricks.
One last observation, ease up on the cut-an-paste will you, take the time to write unsullied comments, I see you have time to post, so, take the time to generate new deliberation not regurgitated, old, stale, pasted comments. I as a Vet. will not ask you to show-em if you got-em, just it would be nice for you to win people over on your future ideas not your past circumstances.
We Vet.'s Need to show some tolerance, isn't that why we fought, to give people that freedom. Keep making your point just slow down on the personal attacks, I bet others will follow suit. Your following, as you say, will not abandon you if you are to the point without pit-bull penmanship. We need not be hateful on the playground, enjoy the interactions, and use sarcasms, with a pinch of salt.
Ready to play.