Ensign Apologizes For Affair, Gets Round Of Applause From GOP Lawmakers

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) apologized to his Republican colleagues at Tuesday's weekly conference lunch, his first meeting with them since the sex scandal that cost him his leadership position. The short speech earned Ensign a round of applause, according to Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who was at the meeting.

"I think he plans to be a very good senator from Nevada," Corker said. "All I can say for sure is that it was very, very sincere, very heartfelt and very well received in our caucus. I just appreciate the way he was today, and I think everybody in our caucus does."

There were no tears from Ensign, Corker said, but "he was obviously somber and serious. And this was not a flippant thing that he did." Though Ensign didn't take any questions from GOP colleagues, Corker said, "He answered the questions I had. Today he did what he needed to do with us."

"We all recognized what a painful experience this has been for not just his family, but for all those involved," Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said. "We appreciated him saying how sorry he was."

Ensign did not go into much detail regarding reaction in his home state, Corker said, adding that he had little interest in those particulars.

"I don't follow it blow by blow, obviously," Corker said. "I'm not from Nevada."

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Comments

[Peets101]

What, exactly, were they applauding? Did anyone say.

What a bizarre bunch of people with an even more bizarre and difficult to understand set of values.

[clearthinker2008]

He repented and they applaud.

Whatever.

[solanus]

are you sure they are from this planet, they all look a little odd

[GeoLee]

GOP Senators expect just to be forgiving while expecting governors of NY and Presidents to resign when they have a one or two time deal while they carry on with staffers for 9 months and expect an apology to do.

[Tulka2]

Ensign is a perfect example of the Republican ideal and .... who cares what Hannity thinks about this or Corn Flakes?

[LemonMeringue]

Who cares!

The GOP is doing so many and much, much, much worse things to America.

Thank goodness we neutered them.

[clearthinker2008]

If you post, you care. lol

[hilary916]

Only in the GOP

[Cinnamonape]

The poll was crap. The survey was taken just a few days after Ensign vaguely revealed the affair, and about the same time that the husband released his letter. There was little time for the information to sink in...and still Ensign had lost 19% of his previous support. In two or three days!

Next, the questions regarding Ensigns favorability were "front-loaded" and the questions about the affair at the end. Throughout the poll one can see the numbers grow as issues (payoffs, continued affair, with a married aide) are presented. Clearly many of those polled were initially still unaware of the adultery-scandal. As the survey ran they began to realize the scope of it.

More interesting would have been a survey that cross-tabbed those that had heard of Ensigns adultery with those that hadn't. THAT would have indicated just how far Ensign's "bottom" will be as the affair is exposed to more people.

An early poll will fail to show the actual level of disgust/support when the situation "stabilizes". That's why it's important for Conservative papers like the Las Vegas Review want a "quick" poll for issues like these. It suggests that things aren't "too bad".

[Cedman]

Please email the text of your apology to Gov Sanford just in case.

[Tommygun264]

Just looking at this guy makes me want to take a shower.

[Jimtoday]

"Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) apologized to his Republican colleagues at Tuesday's weekly conference lunch, his first meeting with them since the sex scandal that cost him his leadership position. The short speech earned Ensign a round of applause, according to Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who was at the meeting."

They freaking APPLAUDED? Remarkable the difference in tone when a Republican does "it". Remember all the christian fundies screaming for Bill Clinton's head? Still, keep in mind Ensign is only speaking out now, BECAUSE HE WAS ABOUT TO BE RATTED OUT! He is the worst of the worst. Another adulterer protecting us all from the desecration of traditional marriage by the gays! "Traditional marriage" seems to have a new meaning to Republicans who call themselves christians.

[LinkSync]

What he really did is show them pictures of the other woman so they could congratulate him on his good luck.

[RevBookburn]

'A round of applause.' Let's give a big hand to our hero who followed the footsteps of Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Larry Craig, Pastor Haggard and so many more. The 'Promise Keeper' family-values fraud who is a grander hypocrite than a nun in an orgy video. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

[kasinca]

The hypocrites only care about family values for Democrats just like they only care about fiscal responsiblity when democrats are in the majority. Sanctimonious hypocrites, the defining characteristic of the GOP. You can't even trust your wife to work for one of these bastards.

[Prakosh]

What did he apologize for; having an affair with the woman or putting her family on the GOP payroll. Is there anything that the GOP can't forgive as long as it is done by someone in the GOP? Did they forgive Clinton for his actions?

[OneTop]

I think he apologized for getting caught.

Not for the marital indiscretion, lying about the reason for taking it public, using public funds to pay off family members of his mistress / working girl, using public funds for sexual procurements or that he failed his constituents.

Then again, I could be wrong.

[FilthyHarry]

[Ensign has previously positioned himself as a protector of "the institution of marriage."­]

Maybe he just saw that his mistress' marriage was in trouble and was trying to give the husband some tips on how to please his wife? Its the christian thing to do.

[RedDogBear]

I would love to see how he would react if someone in the "liberal media" would throw his words about Clinton's private life back in his face. I won't hold my breath waiting for it to happen.