Ensign Apologizes To GOP For Affair

(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

Senator John Ensign apologized to Republican senators today for his nine-month affair with a campaign staffer.

In a closed-door meeting, Ensign delivered what Tennessee Senator Bob Caucus said was "a heartfelt apology" to his colleagues, the Washington Post reports.

"He spoke at our conference, apologized and indicated that he was going to do his job," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told reporters, according to the Associated Press.

The Nevada senator's apology was accepted by his GOP colleagues.

"He apologized and we welcomed him back," Sen. Robert Bennett told reporters.

Ensign admitted to having an affair with Cynthia Hampton last week and soon after resigned from his leadership role on the Republican Policy Committee.

Although his colleagues have accepted his apology, Fox News' Sean Hannity is calling on Ensign to resign from the Senate.

In response to a claim that he is defending Ensign, Hannity said, "My answer is, if you're going to be a family-values candidate and a family-values politician, and you don't live up to that, I think you should resign," Think Progress reports.

Ensign, a social conservative who harshly criticized Bill Clinton and Larry Craig for their personal scandals, dodged the media and declined to comment publicly today.

[endurorob]

So he apoligized behind closed doors to other politicians. When is he going to apoligize to the people? When is he going to resign?

[kansas1946]

In a closed-door meeting, Ensign delivered what Tennessee Senator Bob Caucus said was "a heartfelt apology" to his colleagues, the Washington Post reports.

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Yeah, whatever. He is just sorry he got caught, not about the affair. I really don't care, but I never want to hear anything from this guy again about the "sancity of marriage", familty values, etc., etc.

[BBDenver]

You're fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bradkt1]

I can understand an apology after making a mistake or stupid comment....everyone makes a mistake or makesa stupid comment at one time or another...but this is not in that category. Ensign knew what he was doing and that it contradicted what he publicly claimed to stand for...hence the hypocrisy component. This was a calculated act on his part that was ongoing for an extended period of time and while it was continuing, he was doing his best to keep it a secret. In other words, he was living a double life...just like John Edwards and others in both parties who do something like committing adultury. Now while I understand that adultry bothers others more than it bothers me, the part that bothers me the most is that he did this because he thought that he could get away with it. He knew he was wrong...and did it anyway.

[tonyatq]

He need to apologize for being a hypocrite. When you live in a glass house don't throw stone ask Newt.

[45ford]

if Ensign was an honorable man, he would have stepped forward and spoke the truth long before he was forced to do so as a last resort. there's nothing about Ensign sets him apart from others that have done this sort of behavior. it's just the same ole status quo -- you know like smearing more lipstick on a pig.

[riob678]

If Sean Hannity is calling for Ensign's resignation, the Family Values senator from the Silver State is in real trouble. As far as Mitch McConnell is concerned, he would accept an apology from Satan himself as long as he was a member of the GOP.

[stn_sage]

You gotta love this scene! Three-quarters of the Republican Senators that Ensign "apologized" to, were probably thinking to themselves, 'they just haven't caught me yet...I hope they don't'!

SO, he was welcomed back into this den of lying snakes, huh?! Where's the outrage?! Where's the condemnation for what he did?! These GOP Senators
certainly become outraged when it's a Democrat that gets caught being immoral!

But, that's because they are practitioners of the 'do as we say, NOT as WE do' school!

Now, that Ensign has been welcomed back into 'the fold', they'll probably have a celebration! But, I suggest they do it without little boys, male prostitutes, and other men's wives---in attendance!