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Republican Sen. John Ensign, shown attending a luncheon hosted by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce Friday in Las Vegas, says his immediate goal is to be one of many spokesmen for his party. But he plans to go to Iowa, which holds the nation’s first presidential nominating caucuses, this week.
Sunday, May 31, 2009 | 2 a.m.
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If Sen. John Ensign and his staff seem a little grumpy this week, be kind. They’re dieting.
The office is entering Week Three of a self-imposed health regimen, part of a practice-what-you-preach school of policymaking as Congress turns its attention to overhauling the nation’s health care system.
They’re taking stairs instead of elevators, imposing fines for raiding the office candy bowl and measuring body fat.
That said, Ensign will need to make room for ice cream while in Iowa this week, because sometimes a scoop of politics trumps health.
Ensign’s trip to Iowa on Monday continues to stoke speculation that the rising conservative leader is testing for a presidential run in 2012.
Ensign will speak before a conservative organization in Republican-friendly Sioux City, and make a few other stops. He admits he has thought about being president — what politician hasn’t? — he recently suggested to an interviewer.
Republicans are desperately in search of new leaders as they work to rebuild the party. Ensign offers conservative credentials and a TV-ready fresh face. He has been a regular presence this year on the political news shows.
Still, even Ensign is a little taken aback by the political buzz the trip has generated.
“When I agreed to this, I did not expect this,” said Ensign, heading back to his office after a Senate vote this month. “I did not expect national attention.”
No one goes to Iowa by accident, conventional wisdom says. Because the state historically holds the first presidential caucuses, it sets an electoral tone. Barack Obama won Iowa, as have many modern presidents before him.
The group that invited him, the American Future Fund, arranged the itinerary for Ensign’s one-day stay. He is scheduled to visit a bioengineering firm, then stop off at an ice cream shop in Le Mars (“Ice Cream Capital of the World”) for a meet-and-greet with local residents.
This is starting to feel like a pre-campaign swing. You can imagine the news footage of Ensign shaking hands with folks at the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor.
Ensign has not swatted back the presidential chatter, nor has he promoted it. His surprise over the buzz would seem unbelievable if it didn’t come with such apparent sincerity.
So what does the two-term senator, the chairman of the Republican Policy Committee in the Senate and the fourth ranking in his party’s Senate leadership, want to do with his career in Washington?
“Right now it’s just being one of many spokesmen,” Ensign said. “That really is the focus.”
What about moving up the party ranks in the Senate, as his fellow Nevadan, Sen. Harry Reid, has done, to leader?
“I have zero ambition to be majority leader,” Ensign said.
It makes sense that Ensign would shun the party leader role. In many ways, majority (or minority) leader is a thankless job that requires the patience to corral politically diverse senators and the tactical skill to keep the floor schedule moving.
“You’ve got to please the moderates in your conference. You’ve got to please the very conservative people,” Ensign said. “It’s a very, very difficult job.”
Republicans are at a crossroads as they consider attracting a wider diversity of voters or catering to their conservative base. The emergent party may determine whether a senator from a state that allows gambling and some legalized prostitution could ever make it to the White House.
Iowans may offer a clue.
Then there is the ice cream issue. Presidential contenders have eaten fried Twinkies, downed whiskey shots. Can Ensign really go to the ice cream capital of the world and tell potential voters he’s avoiding desserts?
“You get one serving a week,” Ensign said. “It’s going to be my one serving.”
You got to be kidding me.
Let me explain something to the Las Vegas Sun and Nevada. If Governor Rick Perry in Texas has no chance of becoming President in four years, then Senator John Ensign of Nevada has no chance of becoming President in four years. It's very simple math.
hope he was there for corn on the cob. majority leader-lol
give him a one way ticket - he should have lots of Veternarian work up there in the land of pigs and cows
I'm looking at the potential field of candidates who could run on the GOP side in 2012. It's not a deep bench - mostly has-beens and never-weres.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich has so may ethical skeletons it isn't even funny. Former Governor Mitt Romney finished a distant 3rd in '08 and is still taking fire from the right for his faith. Governor Bobby Jindal blew it with his uninspiring response to the President's address to Congress. Governor Sarah Palin has to worry about holding on to that office before even considering a 2012 run.
Senator Ensign? He's not even on the radar screen. And he hasn't done anything to stand out from the crowd of Republican Congressmen.
Obama was barely on the radar screen either in 2004. So, why shouldn't Ensign give it a try?
Um, I don't know tannsummers...maybe the fact that Ensign didn't do anything to stand out from the crowd last year.
Obama's national spotlight moment was his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. It put him on the map. Ensign did not have a moment like that - and really hasn't had much of anything that would make him noticeable outside of the state.
Oh honey never gonna happen, never never gonna happen...
Oh,please President Obama is the most unvetted President in American history. While we watch him buy takeout and take his wife to a show the American economy is unraveling at a breathtaking rate. As a Republican and the LOYAL opposition I will give the President his due at least he's trying to salvage what's left of the American economy. I have great respect for this man and you will notice I'm not using ad homin or personal attacks,unlike President Bush who was subjected to the most vicious personal attcks since Lincoln. I am willng to give Mr. Obama the benefit of the doubt and don't expect miracles just sound judgement. I just wish the media were not so in the tank for this President its a little embarrassing and I think even the President would agree. Nevertheless, unless the wheels fall off completely I think we can look forward to a 2 term presidency. Mr. Obama has the opportunity to change the U.S. in a way that hasn't been seen since LBJ'sGreat Society. I admire his determination, I however I continue to have doubt's about the ultimate outcome and success of this change.
That's a fair enough criticism, skbarrow - even as a Democratic supporter I have many questions about the current Administration.
But the problem for the GOP is that there is a war going on over what exactly the Republican identity is going to be. And it reminds me of the accounts in the history books over the schism between Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft back in the 1910's - a schism that essentially handed the Presidency to Woodrow Wilson.
You don't have to want to be President to want to attend the gathering. Every major politician will go. They also meet with the Jindal's and the Sanford's who are running. Sen. Ensign will have a lot of influence for the next 3 years and his support will be highly sought. I hope he gets to know all these men very well before he makes his judgement on whom to support.
Iowa, brings in possible Presidential candidate potentials so their future bosses can look them over, presidential meat market.
John doesn't even rate as having any track record as to the GOOD he has done for the State of Nevada. Who in the U.S.of A. knows of John Ensign? Who cares?
Ensign has hurt Nevada. A Bush republican completely out of touch!
Again, get him to Iowa and cancel his return flight. I do believe in miracles!!!!
Democratic Obama supporters get a real job, you guys are losers. You don't make enough money to be punished by his tax policies. Go pick your loser welfare check up.
John Ensign as a possible presidential nominee?
Hmmmmm......won't that up-set Newt or Sarah? How about Huckabee or Romney? Not to mention Bobby Jindal.....
My odds are on either Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse. Both are better known and both appear to have more going for themselves than any of the currect crop of GOP hopefuls.....
Given the current slate of republican "leadership," Ensign fits right in with the Sarah Palins, the Michael Steeles, and the Piyush Jindals.
The republican party needs to reevaluate its leadership, and Ensign is a step in the wrong direction.