Does the ensign affair effect his performance as Senator?
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), who had been considering a 2012 presidential campaign, has now admitted to an extra-marital affair, and will hold a press conference later today in Nevada to explain it further. Chris Cillizza reports that the affair took place between December 2007 and August 2008, with a woman who worked for Ensign’s re-election campaign and his Battle Born leadership PAC. The Associated Press reports that the woman was married to one of Ensign’s Senate staffers. Ensign had recently travelled to Iowa, to address an audience of conservative activists. Late Update: Ensign’s wife Darlene has also released a statement: “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.” Sources: http://tpmdc.talki
Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), a day after admitting an extramarital affair with a campaign staffer, has resigned his position within the GOP leadership. “He’s accepted responsibility for his actions and apologized to his family and constituents. He offered, and I accepted, his resignation as chairman of the Policy Committee,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement just issued. That position, No. 4 among the leadership ranks, provided Ensign a staff of about two dozen aides and a platform to promote both conservative causes and his own political ambition. Ensign remains in Las Vegas today, as colleagues streaming into a meeting of GOP senators generally have declined all comment about Ensign. “It’s a no-comment day,” Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) told reporters. Sources: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/06/
