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Ensign, Get Your Sorry Ass Out of the Senate
Susan Walsh / AP Photo
In the fourth of a series on the 2012 landscape, former Bush and McCain strategist Mark McKinnon says Sen. John Ensign’s hypocrisy makes his misdemeanor of adultery a felony—and he should resign.
Ensign. It’s almost an anagram for resign. How appropriate.
John Ensign just crashed off our top 10 list for 2012 GOP presidential aspirants. Hell, in our view, he ought to crash his sorry ass out of the Senate.
Having an affair is bad. Having an affair with a campaign aide is really bad. Having an affair with an aide who is married to Senate staffer is crazy stupid.
Sanctity of the institution of marriage? Well John, you just soiled the sanctity of your own institution so what does that say about your deeply held convictions?
OK, so we know John Ensign has really poor judgment.
But, as usual in these kind of “affairs,” it’s the hypocrisy that really stinks up the joint that makes the misdemeanor a felony.
Here’s what Ensign said about his Republican colleague Sen. Larry Craig after he got tangled in sexual scandal on the issue of whether or not he should resign: "I wouldn't put myself hopefully in that kind of position, but if I was in a position like that, that's what I would do. He's going to have to answer that for himself."
OK, well despite his “hopefully,” Ensign did put himself in that kind of position. And since he was “in a position like that”, shouldn’t he resign?
Or, how about his comments about the Federal Marriage Amendment: “Marriage is the cornerstone on which our society was founded. For those who say that the Constitution is so sacred that we cannot or should not adopt the Federal Marriage Amendment, I would simply point out that marriage, and the sanctity of that institution, predates the American Constitution and the founding of our nation.”
Sanctity of the institution? Well John, you just soiled the sanctity of your own institution so what does that say about your deeply held convictions?
Ensign is also a born-again Christian and member of Promise Keepers, a male evangelical group that promotes fidelity. But, looks like he broke his promise to his own wife.
And during Bill Clinton’s impeachment hearings, Ensign called for his resignation.
So, isn’t there some moral equivalence here? And if so, shouldn’t John Ensign resign?
Of course, the dutiful wife is standing by her dog, um, man. And, you know, maybe the Ensigns' marriage is stronger as she claims. Then again, there’s nothing like seeing your political career going down the tubes to fire up your pheromones.
John you lasted exactly one week on our Top 10 list. We hardly knew you.
See ya.
Xtra Insight: The Daily Beast’s Max Blumenthal: The GOP's Sex Scandal Hypocrite
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, causes, and individuals, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today’s rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Myra Adams is a media producer, writer and political observer. Her media clients have included national associations, political interest groups and corporations. She was on the creative team with Mark McKinnon that created the now infamous John Kerry "Windsurfing" ad for the Bush 2004 presidential campaign and served on the McCain Ad Council during the 2008 McCain campaign. Myra's web site www.TheJesusStore.com contributes all profits to Christian charity.
Grill Him Again!
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Not a Game-Changer
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Bulldoglover100
He won't leave so it will be up to the people to vote him out.
There's an old saying my Grandmother taught me:
" WHEN SOMEONE SHOWS YOU WHO THEY ARE? BELIEVE THEM".
i believe him to be the dog he chose to become.
sandypants
dogs are MUCH more loyal than Ensign.
Farleftandproud
Ensign is a total jackass. I am not saying this because he is a Republican, but he has never had much of a conscience in my opinion. He has been anti gay rights, he told Clinton he should resign back in 1998, and most of all I don't understand why he is as well liked as he is in Nevada. Ensign is a churchgoer, and promisekeeper, and having the affair isn't as bad as his hypocrisy. Ensign had the ability to come across as a moderate, but his policies were ranked as more conservative on some levels as Sarah Palin and George W. Bush. I don't see how Ensign could be elected in a state that has legalized escort services and many casino's. In my state of VT which is considered liberal in many respects will never allow casino's. Harry Reid on the other hand is an honest man, even though I will get some who will differ eith me. Reid gets labeled as a liberal and he is actually quite a moderate. I like him as a senator, but think the Democrats need someone more progressive as it's majority leader. John Kerry or Dick Durbin would be better. Reid can focus on his re-election and working more in his home state.
AiriqS
Resignation is appropriate here.
I believe Nevada has a Republican governor, so there would be no shift in the senate.
How can such a fine place as Nevada give us both Ensign and Harry Reid?
Josh-Narins
You believe it, sure. You probably believe lots of Republicans should resign if they have affairs. You definitely believe Democrats should resign if they have affairs.
I believe in Numbers 5 in the Bible. Until America respects its Christian roots, we are nothing.
The woman must be brought before a priest and forced to drink "bitter water" (likely an abortifacient) and the priest must say "may the LORD make you an example of malediction and imprecation among your people by causing your thighs to waste away and your belly to swell!" and if she is innocent, she will be unharmed.
When will America get back to its Christian roots!
http://www.GodHatesShrimp.com
Hawnzz
Seperation of Church and State.
JeffreyinLA
"Christian roots" brought the mass murder, torture and war crimes of the Bush administration. The world has had enough, thank you very much. What consenting adults do in the privacy of the bedroom is no one's business. There is nothing more fundamentally indecent than peeping in someone's bedroom window and passing judgment on their behavior. But that's what you're doing. Whatever happened to 'judge not lest ye be judged', or is that page missing from your bible? When people like Ensign choose to wrap themselves in biblical nonsense in public and then behave hypocritically in private, they deserve what happens. And you ought to stop being a judgmental fanatic.
Bunx05
Exactly Josh-Narins. The adultery isn't the problem. The lying isn't the problem. The SHRIMP are the problem, and until this country respects that fact, we will never be morally sound.
TheWildestofThings
I like to think of them as "America's Deist Roots". :3
TREESKE
The Republican Governor has his own devils to deal with, it's alleged that he had an affair with a pregnant woman and also is accused of sexual harassment.
southernyankee
Maybe its something in the water. I hate shrimp.
estcruzer
We don't have Christian roots, at least not the "Christian" that you seem to think we were. And we certainly aren't Christian now. We are Americans of all persuasians and religions. we hark from all over the world not out of a bible.
I believe that Republicans should resign if they are hypocrites, same as Democrats - and not just if they are caught at it. We should not have hypocrites making laws.
What you believe in seems to be important to you. What about what I believe in? Is that important to you? Think on it, this is a democracy not a theocracy, what you believe may be unimportant to me - and that is just fine, isn't it?
Finally, if you intend to spout Christian dogma at least spout something that isn't Jewish.
jelee63
That's casinos - no apostrophe.
That's its, not it's.
rjc0825
Niiiice. First McKinnon piece I've enjoyed thoroughly in quite some time.
southernyankee
Yeah me too. Mr. McKinnon seems a pretty fair guy.
ElLamer
I like him too. I don't like most of the people he supports, but I like his style of writing and if the GOP does get its act together then it will be because of people like him.
Progressive2
Ensigns GTFO!
spotted
. . ."almost an anagram" . . ???
Is that the best you can do?
muddog
What makes this so typical of Republicans is they are always preaching to others about morality, frankly I dont give damm about his affair, leave it to him and his family. BUT as is usual with the G.O.P. they dont practice what they preach.
Larry Craig. ( wide stance )
Ensign. ( affair )
Limbaugh. ( 3 times married )
Newt. ( cheated on his wife while she was in the hospital )
Bill Bennett ( Gambler )
Ted Haggart ( closeted gay while condeming gays )
I could go on but.....
Ruckus
Tru Dat ! PS - don't you think Muddog and Ruckus would make a great detective show name?
muddog
I have a contract written up, I'm sure Fox News would hire us....
Muddog and Ruckus "Get n er Done"!
1st assignment, is 1st Dude dad of Plains newest baby or is it Levi?.
Bunx05
I would call up sponsors for you, but I only have ties to the Liberal Elite and the regular Liberal media. Sorry.
Denjudge
You forgot a couple of other things about Newt...
1)Had an extramarital affair with a staffer.
2)Twice divorced....on his third marriage.
I don't really care about their personal lives....except when they preach against what they do themselves. That irks me so badly....hypocrites!
HuskyNan
You've forgotten that tireless Obama critic, Rudy Giuliani, he of the two mistresses and three wives.
central807
Please go on but in the meantime, what's good for the goose is good for the gander:
Sen. Daniel Inouye. The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.
Former Rep. Gus Savage. The Illinois Democrat was accused of fondling a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989 while on a trip to Africa. The House Ethics Committee decided against disciplinary action in 1990.
Rep. Barney Frank. The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank's residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.
Former Sen. Brock Adams. The late Washington Democrat was forced to stop campaigning after numerous accusations of drugging, assault and rape, the first surfacing in 1988.
Former Rep. Fred Richmond. This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election-before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.
Former Rep. John Young. The late Texas Democrat increased the salary of a staffer after she gave in to his sexual advances. The congressman won re-election in 1976 but lost two years later.
Former Rep. Wayne Hays. The late Ohio Democrat hired an unqualified secretary reportedly for sexual acts. Although he resigned from Congress, the Democratic House leadership stalled in removing him from the Administration Committee in 1976.
Former Rep. Gerry Studds. He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.
Former Rep. Mel Reynolds. The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office.
Sen. Teddy Kennedy. The liberal Massachusetts senator testified in defense of nephew accused of rape, invoking his family history to win over the jury in 1991.
Rep. William Jefferson, Democrat, June, 2009, Accused of accepting bribes to the tune of $90K in a freezer.
Former Federal Judge now Congressman Alcee Hastings, Democrat, impeached for bribery and perjury by a vote of 413-3. He was then convicted in 1989 by the United States Senate, becoming the sixth federal judge in the history of the United States to be removed from office by the Senate.
estcruzer
The question is, are they the same kind of slimy hypocrit that Ensign's is, or do they just exercise their right to be different?
southernyankee
The difference between these democrat losers and the republican losers are that these republicans go around talking about the moral high ground yet they are just as bad as the loser democrats who don't talk about the moral high ground because they know they are cheaters. The republicans are hyporites.
central807
I suspect both of you are right. Providing hypocrisy makes you more of a target. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. However, I don't think the list provided by muddog accurately makes all of the candidates on that list hypocrites. I don't recall Limbaugh or Newt to be claim to uphold the principles of marraige before they were caught in scandal. I suspect because they are hated, they tend to be placed on a higher standard than your run-of-the-mill crook democrat politician.
central807
One more thing: its a sad day if we consider a hypocrite more of a crook than a "non-hyprocrite" crook. Unfortunately, Ensign did make himself a target when he had that affair.
itzmetb829
i concur with muddog....you could go on and on and on and on....it's never ending with those self righteous god fearing christians conservative schmucks that are consumed with word vomit!
rip ensign -- go quietly
Rick007
You forgot to mention the Dem's in your space??????
central807
True. I forgot to add those. Also, Eliot Spitzer, Dem. Governor Patterson, NY, Dem, folks of recent note.
Hawnzz
It is appropriate based on the fact that he himself called for others to resign in the same situation. And it is even more so based on his stance on the issue.
Why is it always people like this? It is always these self-righteous theocratic Bible beating biggotted buffoons that find out the human condition isn't black and white. And that we all struggle with the same weakness and condition.
Maybe it is because God has a sense of humor... God have I told you I love you today? :)
Josh-Narins
No, in this case it is because bad people often use the tactic of decrying similar behavior in others, the "redirection."
Hawnzz
Could be... but I personally think that is worse. It's penalizing others while secretly doing it yourself. But maybe that is just how I feel.
whipmawhopma
Very much so...
Ottoheinz
What I've found in life is that (a) people present themselves as they'd like to be not how they are and (b) people most despise in others that which they despise in themselves.
southernyankee
That is so very true.
blinky
Born again Christian, a member of Promise Keepers and f-ing his staff members wife, this guy is Eliot Spitzer in that special republican style...All smiles from Romney, Huckaby etc. today.
Cforchange
Resignation is necessary especially since the GOP is now dealing with the reality of the born again voter who has the distinct sense that Republican pol's are not forthright but hypocritical. Fuel for the fire here.
akcita
I don't have a problem if he resigns. If he does it's one more stark difference between the 'Pubs and Dems. Pub voters punish such Pols, and Dems rationalize their behavior. I guess Clinton decorating his twentysomething interns dress was not of equal gravity? THen starting up the "She's a Stalker" machine before he found out about the dress. Please, spare me the rationalizations. Your memories are way short here.
lyndainfrance
Why should he resign? All his likeminded friends will rally around him,certain media will defend him and of course seeing as he is soooo sorry his loving little wife will stand beside him . After all their marriage is so much "stonger" now. When will any of these guys be held accountable?
Mhussein
hahaha!!!! it never fails...those stupid republicans with holier than thou attitude always come up short.....
wait,trust me there will be more Iam sure...lol
larry278
Mr McKinnon has written a tactful request to Sen Ensign & the GOP to cease & desist from moralizing, for Sen Ensign & his ilk to leave politics for the good of the USA, OUR COUNTRY. We now know of Sen Ensign's conduct in great detail. Sen Ensign is as phony & useless as a $7.00 bill.
I choose to emulate Mr McKinnon by making a temperate, tactful request of Sen Ensign: Fothermucker, GTF out now. They need to fumigate the senate's chambers & your offices to get rid of the putrid scent you leave as you pass or occupy any site.
Bunx05
Fothermucker is my new favorite term. I'm going to go spread it around my office.
spinozareader
Agreed. Must borrow this. Will handle with care and use wisely (and often!) ;-)
EdinNJ
I'm already seeing the Republican spin on this- Ensign was supposedly separated from his wife, he was blackmailed into confessing, etc., etc...
This is the problem with Republicans. They are hypocrites who cannot police themselves. They scream bloody murder over John Edwards while protecting guys like Vitter, Craig, Ensign, etc. It's just another example of putting personal power ahead of ethics and morality.
jackee
This is the problem with Republicans? That they rally around each other? Why did Nixon resign? Because Republicans denounced him. Why did Clinton stay in office? Because Dems covered for him, rallying around him. Just look at the other Dem examples listed above by central1807. Studds, Richmond, Frank. These folks are welcomed back into the party fold. Repubs didnt cover for Craig like that. Ensign himself condemned Craig. And that's not hypocrisy because Ensign condemned Craig for committing a CRIME!
thekingofcheap
I just don't understand why government officials should have to leave their jobs over their sexual choices. Except in clear cases of a conflict of interest, why should the public care? Men and women should be elected on the merits of their ideas and previous actions in an official capacity. Cheating on a spouse or porking a staffer have little/nothing to do with capability to legislate in the public's interest. The press should be focusing on things like who his campaign beneficiaries are and how he's voted in cases where those beneficiaries' interests are at stake. Oh yeah, that would require work and it might make the rest of us too smart for their own good ...
Chuckv
Thekingofcheap is right except for one thing. A large chunk of the Republican base is made up of people who are conservative on social issues. Hence any Republican candidate must mouth the right platitudes on these issues. Most of the candidates probably don't give a damn, but they must pretend they do to get people to vote against their economic self interest.
When a hypocrite gets caught it is fair to make him pay a penalty for his hypocrisy. And who wants hypocrites making our laws?
Hawnzz
That is the heart of the matter... he actions and his voting record don't match.
piktor
theking -- Is it not clear to you, sir, that Mr. Ensign's inchoate efforts for a presidential bid hinged on the value of his moral clarity, his upstanding march to a better, nobler America, his defense of marriage sanctity. Just what is needed of ambitious, intelligent, blessed prescient judgement in our leaders.
Sorta wishful, inflated words all for nuthin', right? He aint' any better that any of us, right? So why the long face, the speechifying, the contrite hushed words. You call this a leader? An inchoate moron wants to be a future president?
HuskyNan
"I just don't understand why government officials should have to leave their jobs over their sexual choices. Except in clear cases of a conflict of interest, why should the public care?"
Generally there are political reasons a politician resigns after getting caught with his pants down, so to speak. The scandal might severely damage the politician's image to the point that other politicians distance themselves from him, rendering him ineffective in office. In Ensign's case he might get pressure from fellow Republicans to resign if the party wants to reinforce its image as the party of family values or if the party simply feels its suffered too many black eyes recently.
Bunx05
I think the real issue is the fact that he was being a hypocrite about marriage, while proclaiming to protect it. We call them politicians, but they are supposed to be our leaders. When you interchange the terms things seem different.
Examples:
1A) Man, I hate the way that politican is spending all that money.
1B) Man, I hate the way my leader is spending all that money.
2A) How can a politician preach to me about fidelity when he's porking that staffer's wife?
2B) How can a leader preach to me about fidelity when he's porking that staffer's wife?
I think it changes some of the perspective. If he hadn't said anything about marriage, I wouldn't think he should quit (as long as his record is solid).
FNYGY1
I have no defense of this senator except to say that most of us are hypocrites. It is the rare individual who actually lives up to his values. On the macro scale, the same can be said of nations.
EdinNJ
Everyone has moral and ethical failures. But it is the province of Republican politicians to lecture us from their position of power how to live our lives. Only Republican run campaigns aimed at social conservatives and religious zealots. So the hypocrisy is magnified. Someone like John Edwards has been rightly shamed and is currently banished from public life. But Ensign will be protected by his party members, because Republicans do not practice what they preach. Thankfully, the electorate is smart enough to understand this and has relegated them to minority, irrelevant status.
Thank you.
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