Jun 23 2009
Ensign Resigns from GOP Leadership
Nevada Sen. John Ensign quit as chair of the Republican Policy Committee last week after news broke about an extramartial affair Ensign had with a married campaign staffer. Ensign gave up the fourth-highest GOP post in the Senate and remains in the upper chamber. His second term expires in 2013.
Ensign was forced to admit the two-year affair with Cynthia Hampton after Hampton’s husband, Doug, exposed it to Fox News. Doug Hampton was once an administrative aide in the senator’s Washington office.
Ensign, a married father of three, apologized for the damage and embarrassment he caused. There seems to be added vitriol since the news was reported since Ensign is one of the most socially conservative senators.
Al Gore was castigated for using private jets and lots of energy at his home while earning a Nobel Peace Prize for his environmental work. For the same reason, Ensign is on the same end of angry barbs from those who say he is not practicing what he preaches.
