Ensign Breaks With Reid On Call To End Legal Prostitution

Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that it was time to have an "adult conversation about Nevada's legal sex trade," which led me to wonder, "Hmmm, Harry. Just how 'adult' a conversation do you want to have, and should I wear something made of rubber during that conversation?"

But then I read more about it, and it turned out that Reid was actually advocating an end to the legalized sex-for-hire industry that Nevada is known for, as a move that would enhance the state's reputation. "If we want to attract business to Nevada that puts people back to work, the time has come for us to outlaw prostitution," Reid said.

Would any of Reid's Senate colleagues disagree? But of course! Per KTNV News in Las Vegas: "Senator John Ensign is breaking with Nevada's senior senator over the issue of legalized prostitution, saying leave it alone."

"You know, that's a county by county issue and I think and it should be left to the counties," said Ensign after a town hall meeting in Henderson Wednesday.

There are obviously a lot of very good reasons why Ensign should have probably left this issue alone, even if he was only echoing the sentiments of Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, who would also leave this issue up to the counties. But then, who better to advocate for local control over the issue than a senator who fully understands how complicated an extramarital sexual activity can be once it leaves the confines of a wholesale arrangement and begins to include a whole bunch of third parties?

Meanwhile, we'll remind you that when it comes to Nevada's traditional vices, there are some that Harry Reid thinks are good for business.

[Would you like to follow me on Twitter? Because why not? Also, please send tips to [e-mail] -- learn more about our media monitoring project here.]

Comments

[xyz99]

07:03 PM on 02/26/2011

Reid seriously needs to drop this ban prostitution kick he's on. There are much bigger issues to worry about and voters aren't going to look kindly on him wasting his time on this.

[KayDGee]

10:16 AM on 02/26/2011

You need a libretto to follow this opera. So, Reid and Ensign are fighting at the federal level to modify a law that exists at the state level that is being argued should reside at the county level...which is being practiced one on one (generally). Only reason Boehner hasn't weighed in is that he's afraid of how the headline will be framed. This is the modern interpretatino of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

[bearchao]

05:34 PM on 02/25/2011

Oh come on, cut this guy some slack. Now that all of his male staffers are keeping their wives as far from him as possible, he needs to be sure he has someplace to get his groove on.

[Imzadi]

07:35 AM on 02/25/2011

Thank you for writing my post for me. That's what I get for sleeping in... Faved.

;-)

[Brain User]

07:18 AM on 02/25/2011

Who ever think he can win a war on, prostitution, drug use, abortion is delusional.
You can outlaw it but it will never stop it can only increase.

[toocoolfoschool1234]

07:13 AM on 02/25/2011

Let people do what they want. Passing laws is not gonna solve the problems of the world. People at an individual level can make the world better and that's it.

[eddiefi]

07:10 AM on 02/25/2011

Our leaders have no common sense at all. We have fought a losing battle in the drug war for years and now they seem to think they can somehow stop prostitution? Let's spend billions more fighting a battle that will never be won instead of regulating and taxing the industries. Prohibition does not work on anything and that has been proven. Prostitution has always been around and why some people think they can stop it is just amazing.

[vonPinto]

07:05 AM on 02/25/2011

Ofcourse, defending prostitution in Nevada will be John Ensign's greatest achievement before he is dumped by Arizona voters. lol.

Now that he won't have his staffer's wife to mess around with when he is done, he will be needing the paid services of those Arizona brothels. Way to go John.

[Kate Zeiss]

06:44 AM on 02/25/2011

Just his little way of creating jobs . . .

[KathyC]

04:49 AM on 02/25/2011

Ensign supports prostitution, big surprise. I guess he finally realizes it would have been cheaper than paying off the husband of his mistress to just see a hooker. Knowledge for the future John.

[budanatr]

01:41 AM on 02/25/2011

That is so funny. I am sure Jon Stewart will have something to say about this one.

[Ronnie Avatar Dixon]

12:48 AM on 02/25/2011

So when liberals advocate for legislation on a national level, conservatives want it state...when liberals want state, conservatives want districts. XD. But seriously, do companies really say, "Well, because this state has prostitution, I will not do business here,"? Come on, Senator Reed!

[Wombaticus]

12:02 AM on 02/25/2011

It takes a Sharon Angle to make Reid look good, can someone trot her back out so we feel better about this lump of a man?

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

11:50 PM on 02/24/2011

Of course he won't support . Is there anyone who's really surprised? I am sure he is trolling the streets like his friend Vitter.