Balta1701 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign said Tuesday evening he is “truly sorry” about an affair he had last year with a campaign staffer, going public with an embarrassing admission about his marital infidelity. The news certainly damages any hope Ensign has of running for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012 – he had fueled speculation about a presidential run with a recent visit to Iowa — and it may also hinder what has been a steady rise in Senate GOP leadership. Political insiders in the Senate and in Nevada told POLITICO that Ensign began an affair with a staffer several months after he separated from his wife. When Ensign reconciled with his wife, the sources said, he gave the aide a severance package and parted ways. Sometime later, a Nevada source said, Ensign met with the husband of the woman involved and had what this source described as a positive encounter. Sources said that the man subsequently asked Ensign for a substantial sum of money – at which point Ensign decided to make the affair public. In his Las Vegas press conference, Ensign declined to give specifics about the woman involved but did say she and “her husband were close friends and both of them worked for me.” At the Tuesday press conference, a contrite Ensign admitted his affair, said his wife sought counseling after the episode, but added that he and his wife have reconciled. Ensign took no questions. Link. Right now the Politico is the only one running with the blackmail angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonxctf Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 sucks for him. even though i'm a solid D, I can readily admit that it does not effect his job as Senator. But its going to be a bit of hell for him. Just ask... - Bill Clinton - John Edwards - Henry Hyde - David Vitter - Ted Kennedy who else am i forgetting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 When is he due for re-election? He might be able to live it down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 07:55 PM) sucks for him. even though i'm a solid D, I can readily admit that it does not effect his job as Senator. But its going to be a bit of hell for him. Just ask... - Bill Clinton - John Edwards - Henry Hyde - David Vitter - Ted Kennedy who else am i forgetting? Spitzer... I heard both JFK and RFK were both big time womanizers (well JFK obviously, Marylin Monroe). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 If you really want to go back in time you're going to get a ton. FDR, for example. Another recent one is Gingrich. And then there's the fun boys...Mark Foley and Larry Craig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 FDR? Before or after polio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Gary Hart Jesse Jackson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I want to see the investigation into the woman's husband that supposedly asked for money. Political ties, recent meetings, anythign if it exists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 11:54 PM) I want to see the investigation into the woman's husband that supposedly asked for money. Political ties, recent meetings, anythign if it exists. The woman's husband was also a "top aide" to Senator Ensign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 10:17 AM) The woman's husband was also a "top aide" to Senator Ensign. Yeah, I don't know much about this guy, but sleeping with your top aide's wife doesn't make me think "quality gentleman". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 10:29 AM) Yeah, I don't know much about this guy, but sleeping with your top aide's wife doesn't make me think "quality gentleman". If Im reading this article right, this top aide seems slimy too. He finds out that his wife was cheating on him with this Senator, has a "positive encounter" with the senator, and then demands money? Quite a way to get through the grief of the news. Now, its more likely that "positive" means that no fists were thrown and this guy was actually quite upset, but the quick demand for money is quite odd to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 11:34 AM) If Im reading this article right, this top aide seems slimy too. He finds out that his wife was cheating on him with this Senator, has a "positive encounter" with the senator, and then demands money? Quite a way to get through the grief of the news. Now, its more likely that "positive" means that no fists were thrown and this guy was actually quite upset, but the quick demand for money is quite odd to me. Well, the guy was making 140K a year as an aide to the Senator. The affair happens, he's no longer working for the Senator - has a million dollar mortgage and less than 30K to his name according to Congressional disclosure.... His public figure boss just slept with his wife.... it's not hard to put two and two together there.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 12:18 PM) Well, the guy was making 140K a year as an aide to the Senator. The affair happens, he's no longer working for the Senator - has a million dollar mortgage and less than 30K to his name according to Congressional disclosure.... His public figure boss just slept with his wife.... it's not hard to put two and two together there.... I thought liberal posters here only made excuses for Dems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 QUOTE (lostfan @ Jun 17, 2009 -> 12:21 PM) I thought liberal posters here only made excuses for Dems? Oh, I was just playing detective. My own personal game of Clue. It's Colonel Mustard in the Conservatory with a candlestick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_genius Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 bigger headline would be "Senator decides not to cheat on wife!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Ensign apparently is backing away from his claim of blackmail. Since it turns out, it wasn't blackmail - but the fact that the offended husband contacted Fox News a week before Ensign admitted to the affair. Apparently, now the office is claiming that Ensign knew of the contact with Fox News before the admission.... FWIW, Fox News was the last network to cover the affair, despite having had knowledge of it for a week before anyone else. Turns out, it wasn't blackmail, it was about trying to control the embarrassment. http://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jun/18/en...ched-media-sto/ Doug Hampton's letter: http://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jun/19/te...usbands-letter/ Thursday, June 11, 2009 Fox News- Corporate Office 1211 Avenue of the America’s (sic) New York, New York 10036 Megyn Kelly, More than any time in my life I understand why people take matters into their own hands. I am disheartened! I have sought wise counsel, tried to do the right thing and continue to run into road blocks (sic) in dealing with a very terrible circumstance and injustice that lives in my life. I am hoping you and Fox News can help. My name is Doug Hampton. I am a former employee of US (sic) Senator John Ensign. I worked for Senator Ensign in his official government office on Capitol Hill from November 2006 to April 2008. My responsibilities were the oversight of his personnel in Washington as well as the state of Nevada. Duties included budgets, policy and public speaking on behalf of the Senator and his initiatives. Here is my story. In December of 2007 in the midst of some very difficult personal issues that deeply impacted my family and marriage, Senator Ensign pursued and engaged in a relationship with my wife. Our families were lifelong friends, our children attend school together to this day, and our homes are in neighborhoods across from each other. My wife was the Senator’s campaign treasurer. There is a tremendous amount (sic) of details and critical facts associated with this story and their relationship that will not be addressed in this letter but are very important and need to be further explored if you choose to meet with me. The purpose of this letter is to establish the framework for discussion and provide enough information to warrant a meeting with you and Fox News. This is the only letter of its kind and no other news stations have been contacted with this information. I have great respect and affection for Fox News and many of your collages (sic). I’m sending this to you because you have a legal back ground (sic) and this story has several legal elements. The unethical behavior and immoral choice of Senator Ensign has been confronted by me and others on a number of occasions over this past year. In fact one of the confrontations took place in February 2008 at his home in Washington DC (sic) with a group of his peers. One of the attendee’s (sic) was Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma as well as several other men who are close to the Senator. Senator Ensign’s conduct and relentless pursuit of my wife led to our dismissal in April of 2008. I would like to say he stopped his heinous conduct and pursuit upon our leaving, but that was not the case and his actions did not subside until August of 2008. The actions of Senator Ensign have ruined our lives and careers and left my family in shambles. We have lost significant income, suffered indescribable pain and emotional suffering. We find ourselves today with an overwhelming loss of relationships, career opportunities and hope for recovery. Our pursuit of justice continues to place me and my family in harm’s way as we fear for our well being (sic). Today, Senator Ensign’s responsibility and stature have increased within the US (sic) Senate. His is currently the head of “Policy” for the Republican Party, the number four position within the Parties (sic) leadership team. We on the other hand are completely ruined and left to deal with the aftermath of very evil and completely unjustifiable acts by one of our countries (sic) top leaders. It appears there may be nothing the law can do to correct and bring justice and restitution to (sic) this terrible wrong that has been done to us. I have sought a number of lawyers who are having difficulty finding charges that may hold up in court. There are either technicalities that exist due to the time period in which I have sought help, or other nuances that quite frankly make no sense to me given the egregious acts and blatant abuse of power by Senator Ensign. From my perspective this whole nightmare is terribly wrong and completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I clearly understand this story is difficult to believe for anyone reading (sic) for the first time. I too would have difficulty believing it, if someone brought me this story. However I assure you it is true and there are facts, a paper trail, phone records and personal witnesses to testify to its truth. It is my belief we are dealing with a very powerful person and an institution in the US (sic) Senate that only the media can pierce to expose the wrong and bring light and focus to what needs to be done? (sic) Please help me! This should not be how the leadership of our country should be allowed to behave. I need justice, help and restitution for what Senator Ensign has done to me and my family. Regardless of technicalities, regardless of position, regardless of power this cannot and should not be tolerated in our country from our trusted leaders. Will you help? Will you consider a meeting with me to further discuss this story and what can be done to bring justice and correction to this situation? I love this country and considered it a great privilege to work in the US (sic) Senate. I am bringing this to you and Fox News to address this professionally and correctly. I could have sought the most liberal, Republican hating media to expose this story, but there are people’s lives at stake and justice is about proper process as well as outcome. Senator Ensign has no business serving in the US (sic) Senate anymore! I will send you and (sic) email as well as leave you and your staff messages in an attempt to meet you and your team as soon as possible. I live and work in Nevada but can be in New York within hours, I look forward to your help. Sincerely, Doug Hampton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nixon Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 No wonder his wife cheated on him, he sounds like a giant p****. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 At this point, who cares? There's MUCH bigger issues the media needs to be covering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 19, 2009 -> 08:16 PM) At this point, who cares? There's MUCH bigger issues the media needs to be covering. Because GOP people are hypocritical douchebags. Haven't you understood this for years now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 19, 2009 -> 09:16 PM) At this point, who cares? There's MUCH bigger issues the media needs to be covering. You mean like the pretty petty thing about some obscure official nobody probably even heard of that you posted in the Republican thread about an hour after this? Cmon, be consistent. Either all of the "who cares" stuff or none of the "who cares" stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (lostfan @ Jun 20, 2009 -> 10:42 PM) You mean like the pretty petty thing about some obscure official nobody probably even heard of that you posted in the Republican thread about an hour after this? Cmon, be consistent. Either all of the "who cares" stuff or none of the "who cares" stuff. I'm not starting a thread and consistently posting more and more stuff about it. I just pointed it out in the republican thread where the sole purpose is to bash democrats and talk about how much the GOP sucks right now. Edited June 21, 2009 by BearSox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 He ended the affair, people were hurt all around, emotionally and it seems financially. It some ways I hope this would not end his political career. Maybe not have him run for President, but to continue to lead his state. If everyone who ever had an affair was fired from their jobs, well, I'm just guessing a whole lot of people would be changing jobs on a regular basis. I know it is wrong, but I am a practical guy, and realize some good people have made this mistake. I believe I've read upwards of 33% of men. Alpha, now that you know he is a Rep "top aide", care to write the same scathing post you were saving for if he was a Dem? How would your response be different if the motivation was personal revenge or personal and political revenge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 QUOTE (Texsox @ Jun 21, 2009 -> 05:42 AM) He ended the affair, people were hurt all around, emotionally and it seems financially. It some ways I hope this would not end his political career. Maybe not have him run for President, but to continue to lead his state. If everyone who ever had an affair was fired from their jobs, well, I'm just guessing a whole lot of people would be changing jobs on a regular basis. I know it is wrong, but I am a practical guy, and realize some good people have made this mistake. I believe I've read upwards of 33% of men. So what happens if you're doing a job where you're simultaneously using your marital fidelity as a positive aspect of your character? For example, Ensign was one of the most outspoken anti-Clintonites, lecturing on morality then. He's had stories/interviews run about him where he's talked about how he would never be in a room alone with a female member of his staff. He was a "Promise Keeper". He's staunchly opposed Gay Marriage as a threat to marriage (Maybe it was the gays getting married that caused him to...oh nevermind). Who is he to stand up and lecture someone else about sexual morality? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostfan Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 21, 2009 -> 04:34 PM) So what happens if you're doing a job where you're simultaneously using your marital fidelity as a positive aspect of your character? For example, Ensign was one of the most outspoken anti-Clintonites, lecturing on morality then. He's had stories/interviews run about him where he's talked about how he would never be in a room alone with a female member of his staff. He was a "Promise Keeper". He's staunchly opposed Gay Marriage as a threat to marriage (Maybe it was the gays getting married that caused him to...oh nevermind). Who is he to stand up and lecture someone else about sexual morality? This is one of the reasons I don't think the government should be legislating morality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 QUOTE (lostfan @ Jun 21, 2009 -> 03:40 PM) This is one of the reasons I don't think the government should be legislating morality. Government has to legislate morality, the question is how much. At this point, I say give gay marriage policies and such to the states, let them choose what they want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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