GOP Meets Ensign Apology With 'Love and Kindness'

Disgraced Sen. John Ensign gave Republican colleagues a well-received apology today for “embarrassing the Senate” by having an affair, the Hill reports. One colleague said the apology was “very contrite, very sincere.” Sen. Orrin Hatch pointed out that “everybody has flaws,” and said “all we can do is show love and kindness. He’s so well-thought-of in the caucus.” Support even came from across the aisle.

Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid said that even a contentious 1998 race didn’t come between him and his fellow Nevadan. “We have become friends since then,” Reidsaid. “I hope he works his way through this.” Ensign’s apology at a GOP lunch garnered applause from his colleagues. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that after the apology Ensign “indicated that he was going to do his job.” (More political scandal stories.)