Just the Facts

The R-J has published an embarrassing story, both to itself and to its "principled" Senator from Nevada, John Ensign. The story concludes with the quotes/facts below. Suffice to say that the facts aren't pretty. What bugs me, though, is the lede:

Calling it "absolutely the worst thing that I've ever done in my life," U.S. Sen. John Ensign admitted Tuesday that he had an affair with a campaign staffer last year.

It sounds like a mea culpa, but in fact, Ensign has provided just enough information to pin the blame on other people. Read the facts below, and see who you think is to blame. Ensign would have you believe it's the aggrieved husband of the woman with whom he had an affair, who allegedly, according to unnamed sources, tried to get money from Mr. Ensign.

Wearing a grim expression, standing alone at an unadorned podium, Ensign spoke for just over two minutes at Tuesday's news conference at the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas, where his local Senate office is housed.

He had flown home from Washington, D.C., earlier in the day to make the announcement, as word began to trickle out about the affair, missing a vote on a bill important to the travel industry.

"I came back home to Nevada to come forward and explain to the citizens of our state something that I was involved in about a year ago," said Ensign, tieless and wearing a blue dress shirt. "Last year I had an affair. I violated the vows of my marriage."

Ensign said he takes full responsibility for his actions and apologized to those he had hurt and disappointed: "my wife, Darlene, my children, my family, my friends, my staff and all of those who believed in me."

He and his wife went to counseling last year, he said, and have "rebuilt our marriage to where now it is even stronger than ever."

The senator offered a partial explanation of how the affair happened: Two couples, all very close friends, with one there to lend an ear when the other was having a tough time at home.

John and Darlene Ensign were separated from April to July 2008, the senator's spokesman, Tory Mazzola, confirmed Tuesday evening.

That would indicate the affair began five months before the couple separated and ended a month after they got back together.

"Our families were very close," Ensign said. "That closeness put me into situations during a very difficult time in my marriage which led to my inappropriate behavior. We've caused deep pain to both families, and for that I am truly sorry."

After reading his statement, Ensign said, "I will not be taking any questions," and exited through a side door.

Darlene Ensign, who did not attend the news conference, also put out a statement Tuesday, which was released by Ensign's staff.

"Since we found out last year we have worked through the situation and we have come to a reconciliation," her statement said. "This has been difficult on both families. With the help of our family and close friends our marriage has become stronger. I love my husband."

Married in November 1987, the Ensigns have three children.

The staging and all the subdued details lead me to believe that Mr. Ensign is trying his best to subdue the press coverage. The R-J is definitely helping in this. But what about the husband? Will he come out looking like the bad guy in all this? I feel bad for him.

Here's a quote from CQ Politics from an "image consultant" that just about puts the icing on the cake: "It’s helpful if you’re attractive, poised, classy-looking, and he is," Dumont said. "If he looks classy, we’re more likely to say, Let’s see what happens."