Another Day, Another Republican Has an Affair

There’s something fishy about Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign’s admission yesterday that he had an affair [1]. He and his wife were separated during that time, and what someone does during a legal separation isn’t usually called an affair. Plus, he is too quick to point out that his lovely wife Darlene “has found it in her heart to forgive me,” and then use the usual passive language politicians revert to: A hectic life “put me in situations” which “led to” inappropriate behavior.

Of course, Ensign, who’s talked about running for president, was quick during the Monica Lewinsky affair to say Bill Clinton “has no credibility left” [2] and call former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig [3], of bathroom fame, a “disgrace.” So maybe he’s just built up a store of enemies over the years. But still, why bother? And why now?