What Happens in Vegas: Ensign Getting Probed

Poor Captain Hairdo.  For all the digs the right is getting in on Harry Reid, Nevada's other Senator seems to leave them curiously silent.  Harry might do well to drop the "Chicken Lady" stuff, and spell out why he's better than the other party's Senator.

Image from source, 8NewsNow

[Excerpt]

I-Team: Committee Interviewing Las Vegas Witnesses in Ensign Probe

Embattled U.S. Senator John Ensign awaits word on whether the Senate Ethics Committee will move forward with public hearings into scandals swirling around the Nevada Republican.

Officially, no decision has been made regarding a formal hearing. But something unfolded in Las Vegas this week that could be a blueprint for the senator's future, and it's not pretty. . .

Read more at: 8NewsNow

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Las Vegas Sun Deconstructs Sen. John Ensign's Scandal

Image from source, Las Vegas Sun

Yeah, back-to-back John Ensign stories. Well, he is one of my Senators, and I guess I'll stop posting about him as soon as people stop writing interesting stuff about him. But that may not be any time soon. . .

[Excerpt]

Deconstructing the facade of John Ensign

Last summer, Sen. John Ensign was with his wife, Darlene, at Palace Station for a meeting of Nevada Republican women.

It was a somewhat awkward venue, coming soon after he had confessed to an affair with his best friend’s wife, Cynthia Hampton, who had been Ensign’s campaign treasurer and whose husband, Doug Hampton, had been his Senate co-chief of staff. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas Sun

More Doo-Doo for Sen. John Ensign

Image from source, Las Vegas Now

I have to wonder how the John Ensign story is staying so quiet on the national scene. All sorts of things are bubbling to the surface, and it ain't looking good for Captain Hairdo. Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

[Excerpt]

Gift Card Deal Raises More Questions for Senator John Ensign

As Senator John Ensign's affair was ripping apart his staff and damaging two marriages, Doug Hampton began a plan.

Later called "this gift card deal," in late April of 2008, Hampton shared his plan for prepaid gift card donations for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. This was at the same time Hampton was leaving Ensign's office months after the senator admitted privately to an affair with Hampton's wife, Cindy. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas Now

Sen. John Ensign's Ethics Woes Continue

Image from source, TPM Muckraker

Nevada's own Captain Hairdo, John Ensign seems to be stuck in the denial phase, after his public shaming over his affair, and the coverup that it lead to. Or, like the professional politician he is, he might just be denying, denying, denying right up until he resigns or is forced from office, not because he believes it. He just wants to make us believe it. We're not that gullible, John.

[Excerpt]

Ensign: I Followed Ethics Laws When I Helped Clients Of Mistress's Husband

The John Ensign story is back on the front-burner, thanks to last week's New York Times report that the philandering Nevada senator actively helped Doug Hampton, the husband of his former mistress, get set up as a lobbyist, then acted to benefit Hampton's new clients. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

News From Vegas: Ensign Staff Jumping Ship

Picture from Politico

I'm going to try to start posting a few items per week from Las Vegas and/or Nevada, being a Las Vegas blogger and all. Why not? And what better way to start than with a Las Vegan who has been going through an embarrassing and very public scandal?

After Senator John Ensign's affair came to light, he did what he usually does, which is disappear into the background. He was helped by the even more interesting Gov. Mark Sanford story, and then by the death of Michael Jackson. But after that hoopla was mostly over, more things trickled out, piling up in such a way as to start speculation about a resignation. Ensign jumped out in front of that one, and announced his intention to run for re-election. . .in 2012.

So, why is his staff abandoning him? Enquiring minds. . .

[Excerpt]

Report: Ensign chief of staff to leave

Sen. John Ensign's (Nev.) top aide will depart the embattled Republican's office in the wake of an affair that likely ended Ensign's presidential hopes.

John Lopez, the highly regarded chief of staff, is leaving Ensign's office, according to Nevada political columnist Jon Ralston. . .

Read more at: The Hill

More of Rachel Maddow on Creepy GOP "C Street" Cult

"The Family" is a religious cult made up of powerful DC Senators and other power players, so the story goes. Holed up in their "church," they seem to find themselves exempt from the laws of man--apparently no matter what they do. No wonder Family member Sen. John Ensign (R.-NV) thinks its a great idea to announce his reelection bid for Senate in 2012.

Anyway, I'm glad that Rachel Maddow is keeping a spotlight on this group, who would really rather stick to the shadows.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

C Street: Congressional Cult?

I've heard rumblings about "C Street" before. It's an large townhouse in DC, populated by religious right-minded Republicans, and actually designated as a church. It's creepy, and one of my Senators lives there. The entanglement of religion and politics has always disturbed me, so when I found out that John Ensign was involved with C Street, my already low opinion of him dropped even further.

Now, it seems that C Street is connected to not only Ensign's affair, but with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's affair as well. And thanks to Rachel Maddow, all of the ooginess of C Street is hitting the mainstream. It's about time.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

More on Nevada's John Ensign, Senator With a Sex Scandal

Photo from source, The Daily Beast

I've never paid much attention to Senator John Ensign, until recently. He's a pleasantly attractive, but politically unnoteworthy guy. I can't name a single initiative he's proposed, or count even one noteworthy thing he's said. He has spoken on a few of the news items of the day, and I was aware he was sort of a holy-roller--an odd thing coming from Nevada. So, even though I didn't support him because of his party, he seemed rather benign and harmless.

The past several days have shone a light on the man who didn't seem to rear his pretty head unless an election was afoot. And it has been kind of fascinating to watch. I don't think this one is anywhere near over.

[Excerpt]

Sin City Senator

The old adage that Democratic scandals are about sex and Republican scandals are about money is proving true as Republican Senator John Ensign’s extramarital affair and coverup unfolds. . .

Read more at: The Daily Beast

Maddow: Sen. John Ensign Scandal Widens

I know that Rachel Maddow has become my "go to" gal for blog posts about Senator John Ensign. But it's because she is so succinct--and snarky--in her explanations. Also, the freeze frame of Senator Hairdo is great.