Sen. Ensign Resigns GOP Leadership Post After Admitting Affair

FOX News ^ | June 17, 2009 | Trish Turner and Carl Cameron

[MaestroLC]

The Republican senator who went public a day earlier about an extramarital affair has resigned his GOP leadership post on Wednesday.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., stepped down as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-ranking GOP position in the Senate, after holding a brief news conference Tuesday to come clean about his affair with a former aide. He is not expected to resign from the Senate.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., confirmed the move Wednesday afternoon.

"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," the Kentucky senator said.

Several reasons contributed to Ensign's decision to step down from his post, according to a Senate GOP leadership aide. They included the likelihood of a persistent media firestorm stemming from his admission Tuesday; growing irritation within the conference regarding other distractions; and the possibility that more damaging information could emerge regarding the affair.

Sources told FOX News the admission was prompted by a blackmail threat. Two Senate Republican sources close to Ensign said a former employee had asked Ensign for money in what both sources described as a case of "extortion."

The employee, Doug Hampton, worked in Ensign's Senate office, and his wife, Cindy Hampton, worked for Ensign's re-election campaign. Both ceased working for the senator shortly after the affair ended, the sources said, with Cindy Hampton receiving a severance package. The circumstances of Doug Hampton's departure remain unclear.

Ensign expressed regret Tuesday for his actions.

[ABQHispConservative]

Whereas when a rat does something wrong, they just sweep it under the rug.

[SpaceBar]

A disgrace to an R is a career enhancer for a D.

[gathersnomoss]

We are living in parallel universes. A Republican resigns while, Hussein and Company can drag this country through the mud and they are praised.

[Drango]

He needs to resign from the Senate. In 2007 he urged Larry Craig (”a disgrace”) to resign.

[hoosierham]

I smell a liberal-inspired set-up.

If you're going to have an affair,at least have the minimal sense to pick an unmarried lover.

[Abathar]

Wow, look at how many times they used the word Republican in that excerpt compared to Jefferson who’s trial started today for the cash in the freezer case, there it was used one time in the whole article.

[CA Conservative]

Sad, but it was the right thing to do. I am not in the camp that believes he needs to resign - his constituents can decide if he should be re-elected.

[kalee]

How about just keeping the sacred promise you made to your spouse?

[businessprofessor]

I do not think that he should resign unless there is something beyond the affair. If there is illegality, he should resign.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Ensign made it clear he did not plan to resign.

Maybe he can share a restroom with Larry Craig.

[andy58-in-nh]

Only the honorable can be made to suffer shame.

[Tax-chick]

I am not in the camp that believes he needs to resign - his constituents can decide if he should be re-elected.

I agree.

[Cheetahcat]

Hell if he was a Rat they would give him the Kennedy Award.

[SMM48]

Why do Pubs resign while Rats just keep going merrily along as if nothing happened?

[eureka!]

"The Republican senator who went public a day earlier about an extramarital affair has resigned his GOP leadership post on Wednesday. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., stepped down as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the fourth-ranking GOP position in the Senate, after holding a brief news conference Tuesday to come clean about his affair with a former aide."

What's his party? *spit*

[hoosierham]

You do realize that according to contemporary writing,several of our nation's founders had affairs,were themselves born illegitimate,smoked tobacco,drank alcohol,were known to curse on occasion,owned slaves,and no doubt missed Sunday School at times.

WE ought to be merciless when elected officials betray the public trust and the Constitutional limits on government,but we just might want to stop trying to insist on perfect people as officeholders.I'm afraid there is a shortage and we will have to make do with not-quite-perfect humans.

[coconut47]

I don’t agree with what he did, but no way sould he resign from the Senate.
Why the the Dems more power.
They sure wouldn’t do it. Plus it’s between him and his wife. If she wants to stick with the idiot because he decided to have an affair that’s their business. I’m sure there is a reason we didn’t see her standing next to him at the news conference.

[meandog]

Promise keeper too?

[Reagan69]

OK, all stupid “R”s who have “stuff” to confess... just PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, do it now. We can NOT afford this kind of crap any later than this month.

I don’t give a rat’s a$$ what he, or any other politician, does, nor whom he does it with. But this is really, really really hurting our country. If you can’t “come clean” for your own honorable reasons, would please consider the fate of this nation?

We have to oust the socialist in 2010. We simply must.

Thank you,
A disgusted tax-paying citizen.