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Why This Affair Won't Be the End of Ensign

Resignation would endanger GOP seat

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2009 10:01 AM CDT

(Newser) – News of his affair with a campaign staffer won't force Nevada's GOP Sen. John Ensign out of office, predicts Nate Silver in FiveThirtyEight.com, even though he has frequently preached about the ethical lapses of others. A resignation by Ensign would prompt a special election in 2010, and Ensign's party is still struggling to find a good Republican candidate to take on Harry Reid that year, even though the Senate majority leader is considered vulnerable.

A special vote could make it tough for the GOP to keep the seat, or result in “a free pass” for Reid, Silver writes. Further, unpopularity isn't nearly as crippling to senators, as opposed to, say, governors, because senators “don't have to govern, or to preside over any legislature.” That's why Eliot Spitzer resigned in a heartbeat but David Vitter didn't, and why Roland Burris is still in the Senate. But resignation or no, the scandal offers Dems a chance “to play offense” for a key seat.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., talks with 4-year old Hailey Netley, of Akron Iowa, during a stop at a local ice cream parlor, Monday, June 1, 2009, in Le Mars, Iowa.
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., talks with 4-year old Hailey Netley, of Akron Iowa, during a stop at a local ice cream parlor, Monday, June 1, 2009, in Le Mars, Iowa.   (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., speaks about an extramarital affair at a news conference at the Lloyd D. George Federal building, Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., speaks about an extramarital affair at a news conference at the Lloyd D. George Federal building, Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. speaks at a news conference at the Lloyd D. George Federal building, Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in Las Vegas.
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. speaks at a news conference at the Lloyd D. George Federal building, Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in Las Vegas.   (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
drlarrymitchell
Jun 18, 2009 1:11 AM CDT
He's still a loud-mouthed hypocritical piece of shit- and the GOP loves them some of those.
John
Jun 17, 2009 6:08 AM CDT
I agree with Toon. Don't tell us what is moral when you (politician) aren't moral yourself. Remember Sen. Vitter preaching about abstinance? He's married and he couldn't abstain from a hooker!!
LiberalJesus
Jun 17, 2009 4:04 AM CDT
Hey 'chilblain'...where do you get the stats that claim most cheat at one time or anothert? That is such an absurd statement to make with zero stats to make that claim. Just because you've cheated on your spouse and she/he cheated on you hardly makes a strong enough case that 'mosty people cheat'.... Very broad brush there chibain

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