For Senator John Ensign, his announcement of an extramarital affair was about managing headlines and coming out in front of the story.
It's a timeworn tactic in the political world -- when you know something bad is coming, beat it to the punch and you own it. That's exactly what the senator did.
A source close to Ensign says Douglas Hampton, the husband of Ensign's mistress Cynthia Hampton, was going to tell a television network about the affair. Ensign wanted to take control of the story and decided to hold a hastily put together news conference Tuesday.
Read the full statement from Sen. Ensign
That has led to allegations that the affair was used as an extortion or blackmail attempt against Ensign.
Political columnist Steve Sebelius says if this blows over, Ensign can get reelected in three years. He says it today's political world, affairs don't hurt as much as they used to. "His crime was not one of financial corruption. He didn't do what they did in G-Sting. He wasn't taking money from people. He wasn't trying to enrich himself like we've seen with other people do," he said.
Friday's Republican Renewal Barbeque fundraiser for Ensign has also been postponed. The $75 to $1,000 luncheon is being held off because of what is listed as a scheduling conflict. It's still unclear if Ensign will appear for Sunday's scheduled Korean-American event in Las Vegas.
The Republican and Democratic parties in Nevada have been speaking out. State Republican Chairwoman Sue Lowden said "This is a personal matter and the Nevada Republican Party's thoughts are with Senator Ensign, his wife Darlene, and his wonderful children as they go through this difficult time."
There are similar thoughts from the Democrats. They said in part "This is a private, family matter and our hearts go out to the senator and his family."
There still has been no word from the Hamptons and their attorney. Yesterday Doug Hampton said they plan to make full statements and address some of these issues.
Senator John Ensign
Douglas Hampton
