Senator John Ensign gets hoodwinked by Rick Sanchez, CNN on his infidelity scandal (Video)

A MUST SEE. Senator Ensign can all of a sudden be FOCUSED on the other issues, but he made news on his own personal issues. He must answer up.



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Tiger Woods, when you get caught put it all out there, don't wait for the media to do so (Audio)

Tiger, busted....



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Senator John Ensign (R-NV) in HUGE trouble

From Rachel Maddow:



The worse part of this is Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) was the middle man attempting to pay off Ensign's mistress and knew the implications. The full article is here. The problem with Ensign is that he KNEW that paying his mistress' husband and family off was ILLEGAL. Right now the issue is can he survive and will he be re-elected. And Republican Leadership in D.C. have distanced themselves from Ensign.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell passed on several opportunities to defend two embattled GOP senators Friday as a new report raised questions about Sen. John Ensign's efforts to cover up his affair with a campaign aide.

McConnell refused to answer several questions about the report, which provided new details of the aftermath of the nine-month affair that Ensign had with campaign aide Cynthia Hampton, the wife of the senator's chief of staff at the time. Ensign eventually dismissed them both.

The Republican leader also refused to comment on new details that Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., tried to broker a payment of restitution from Ensign to the Hamptons.

McConnell, R-Ky., had been asked about a report in The New York Times that said Ensign tried to get Doug Hampton, his lover's husband, a lobbying job to try to contain the damage. The Hamptons later went through Coburn to seek an $8.5 million settlement from the Nevada Republican before the affair became public, the paper said.

Other Senate Republicans took McConnell's lead: none immediately came to the defense of their embattled colleagues.

It was not immediately clear what Ensign's political future held. The Senate Ethics Committee automatically opened a preliminary investigation into his conduct after receiving a complaint from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in June. The panel, which conducts business in strict confidentiality, can launch investigations on lawmakers on its own without receiving a complaint from an outside party.

The Times report raised questions about whether Doug Hampton lobbied Ensign and whether the senator facilitated the arrangement. Federal criminal law imposes a one-year ban on former congressional aides lobbying their ex-bosses or office colleagues. read more here...

And this is what will nail Ensign to the wall:

Now, Ensign is making himself scarce again, after The New York Times reported that he helped Hampton find work as a lobbyist and that Hampton lobbied Ensign on behalf of his clients. Hampton told the newspaper that he and Ensign were aware of a ban on Hampton's lobbying his former boss or Ensign's staff, but chose to ignore it.

Neither Hampton nor his attorney, Daniel J. Albregts, returned telephone calls to The Associated Press for comment. Ensign's office responded to the Times story with an e-mail noting that it had previously been publicized that the senator helped Hampton get two jobs. Ensign's office did not reply to further questions.

From Hardball:

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All prostitution questions? Call Sen. David Vitter, 202-224-4623 (Video)

LOL!! This Louisiana Senate race can get ugly. But in all honesty, did David Vitter think this would NOT be an issue?



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Sleazebag John Edwards close to admitting he is the father of Rielle Hunter's child

Yes, he is the baby's daddy, while his wife is struggling with terminal cancer.

Let's not forget this:

Mr. Young, who has since renounced that statement, has told publishers in a book proposal that Mr. Edwards knew all along that he was the child’s father. He said Mr. Edwards pleaded with him to accept responsibility falsely, saying that would reduce the story to one of a political aide’s infidelity.

In the proposal, which The New York Times examined, Mr. Young asserts that he assisted the affair by setting up private meetings between Mr. Edwards and Ms. Hunter. He wrote that Mr. Edwards once calmed an anxious Ms. Hunter by promising her that after his wife died, he would marry her in a rooftop ceremony in New York with an appearance by the Dave Matthews Band.

Damn, had to drag Dave and his band through his DRAMA.

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Talk about low down, John Edwards

I guess that Edwards is about to announce that he is Rielle Hunter's baby daddy. Big Whoop, we already knew this when the affair story started flourishing about. But this from the NY Times is just straight up wrong.

The notion that Mr. Edwards is the father has been reinforced by the account of Andrew Young, once a close aide to Mr. Edwards, who had signed an affidavit asserting that he was the father of Ms. Hunter’s child.

Mr. Young, who has since renounced that statement, has told publishers in a book proposal that Mr. Edwards knew all along that he was the child’s father. He said Mr. Edwards pleaded with him to accept responsibility falsely, saying that would reduce the story to one of a political aide’s infidelity.

In the proposal, which The New York Times examined, Mr. Young asserts that he assisted the affair by setting up private meetings between Mr. Edwards and Ms. Hunter. He wrote that Mr. Edwards once calmed an anxious Ms. Hunter by promising her that after his wife died, he would marry her in a rooftop ceremony in New York with an appearance by the Dave Matthews Band.

Is that low down or what? Again, glad the Democrats dodged this bullet.

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Governor Mark Sanford, "It's been one." You should either resign or be impeached, take your pick.

And this is a REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE. They must be tired of being a brunt of jokes and having a stanch HYPOCRITE in its mist.

The Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives has joined a growing chorus of Republicans calling for Gov. Mark Sanford’s resignation.

In a much anticipated letter delivered to Sanford Tuesday, Harrell formally called on the governor to resign.

“What has become clear is that Sanford’s issues will continue to dominate our state as long as he remains in office,” Harrell said. “Whether he should be removed from office is a question that will need to be answered from the State Ethics Commission investigation, but our state’s future is too important to have the governor’s issues overshadow everything we do for the next fifteen months. For the good of our state, Sanford should step aside.”

The results of the Ethics Commission investigation into allegations that Sanford used state aircraft for personal travel, violated state law by using high-priced airfare, and didn’t report the use of private aircraft will be released soon.

“The issues we have facing our state and the work that needs to be accomplished is too important for us to spend this next year bogged down with the distractions Sanford’s actions have created,” said Harrell. “South Carolina needs strong and effective leadership to address the pressing issues facing our state.

“This is a disappointing situation, but a necessary step for the public restoration of trust to our state’s highest elected office and the only way to allow our state to move forward.”

Harrell joins Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and numerous state legislators in asking Sanford to step down.

Sanford will be a guest on News Radio 560 WVOC AM with Kevin Cohen Tuesday at 5 p.m. and the Harrell letter will no doubt come up.

Source

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South Carolina Lt. Governor Andre Bauer asks for Mark Sanford to resign, but he refuses

Lt. Governor Andre Bauer is piling on the pressure from other Republicans for Governor Mark Sanford to resign.

South Carolina's lieutenant governor called on Gov. Mark Sanford to resign Wednesday, promising to put aside his own political ambitions if that convinces fellow Republicans wary of elevating him to urge Sanford to step down.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is now the most prominent state Republican pressing for Sanford's resignation two months after the governor came under fire for sneaking away to a secret rendezvous with his Argentine mistress.

"It is my opinion the best interest of the people of South Carolina can no longer be served by the current administration," Bauer said. "The serious misconduct that has been revealed along with lingering questions and continuing distractions make it virtually impossible for our state to solve the critical problems we're facing without a change in leadership."

But Governor Sanford is stubborn and he is digging his heels in.

"Dear Andre,

Thank you for your letter.

I very much appreciate your offer to step in and serve out the 16 months remaining in my term of office, because at a personal level that would come as a relief. To escape the glare of television cameras and reporters in the midst of a media frenzy would not be far from some form of heaven on earth, but my Dad taught me a long time ago that two wrongs don't make a right.

Let me explain what I mean by that. The original moral failing that I disclosed on June 24th was mine. That human frailty has been more than well reported on, analyzed, and discussed by a chorus of media outlets. In an attempt to be transparent, I have said more on that relationship than I think even the public want to know - but again that moral failing was mine and I own its consequences past, present and future.

What's going on now though is pure politics, and I'm not going to be railroaded out of office by political opponents. This administration has a compelling story to tell about how we have watched out for the taxpayer and saved very large sums of money for taxpayers. We have acted consistently in accord with what we believed to be both the letter and spirit of the law. When measured up against past administrations, the facts show that we have done a better job on this. It is equally true when measured against practices employed by some members of the General Assembly. To allow political opponents to rewrite that reality would be wrong.

So let me be unequivocally clear: while it would be easier to simply move on with life, and not contest the sensational charges against our administration's handling of public funds, it would be wrong. I also believe that give the constitutionally weak state of the governorship in South Carolina, it would be wrong to simply go back to the farm and take refuge given the implications for future governors.

While some political opponents might wish to take advantage of the accusations against our administration, I believe the responsible thing to do is lay out all the facts in response to the very incomplete picture presented in media claims. Once the full set of facts is before the General Assembly, its members can make a judgment, and the public can make its own judgment about my actions and those of others in the political process. Until then, I will aggressively make our case that we have done, and continue to do the right thing by way of the taxpayers of our state. And I will continue to focus on the needs of our state's taxpayers going forward.

My faith is all about the larger notion that none of us are perfect, but that God can still use us - imperfections and all. I am committed to finishing this term that the people of South Carolina charged me with, and it is my hope that working with you and others in the General Assembly we can make it one of our most fruitful.

As a consequence, I will most humbly decline your offer, but thank you for it nonetheless.

Sincerely,

Mark Sanford"

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Pressure mounts for Sanford to resign

Look after you have lied telling your state and staff that you were "hiking in the Appalachian Mountains"; then got cold busted getting off an international flight from Argentina; then have a press conference that will go down in history as the most "political theatrics" ever; then state you are in love with your mistress; then to have those damaging emails disclosed for all to read, including your wife; then have your wife, Jenny Sanford actually BOUNCE from the residence; then find out you have been spent thousands of tax player dollars inappropriately WHILE acting like Mr. Scrooge towards your own constituents of your state, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

Impeachment rumors are hot and heavy....

Rep. Nathan Ballentine — a Sanford ally in the legislature — and Rep. Gerry Simrill met with Sanford in the South Carolina state House for about 40 minutes and warned him that unless he steps down, House Republicans are likely to impeach him.

“Barring some swing of momentum in his favor, I told him the writing is on the wall,” Ballentine told CNN. “I thought there could be a change in scenery and he could put an end to it all, but if he doesn’t, members of the House will take things into their hands.”

House Republicans are meeting this weekend in Myrtle Beach for their annual caucus retreat, and the impeachment matter is likely to dominate the agenda, according to those planning to attend.

Sanford has come under a new round of scrutiny after investigations into his travel expenses revealed that he spent thousands of dollars on business and first class airline tickets for overseas flights, and used state aircraft for personal and political travel. Those probes were prompted by Sanford’s disclosure in June that he had an affair with an Argentine woman.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee told CNN there are enough votes on the committee to send an impeachment motion to the floor of the House when the legislative session begins in January.

The man needs to let it go and get his life back....

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South Carolina should be sick of his shyte!!

Governor Mark Sanford is a totally flawed man, not only has his wife bounced but his scandal of using tax payers monies continues to grow on a daily basis. For whatever it is worth, he should resign, at this point he is not doing the state any good and is a continual joke. But that thing called "power" will get you every time.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford took dozens of undisclosed flights on private planes since taking office in 2003 despite a state law requiring him to report who paid for the travel, an Associated Press investigation has found.

The AP discovered 35 flights Sanford took on private planes that he did not list on state ethics forms or campaign reports. The flights are noted on Sanford's official calendars, obtained by the AP through a Freedom of Information request.

State law requires elected officials to disclose gifts received in a day worth $25 or more and "anything of value" over the course of a year worth at least $200 "if there is reason to believe the donor would not give the thing of value" but for the public official's position.

Sanford, under scrutiny since announcing an affair with an Argentine mistress, didn't report the flights because the trips were paid for by longtime friends or political groups, spokesman Ben Fox said. "That was our standard operating procedure," he said.

However, state ethics officials said Sanford should report all use of private planes, even if friends pick up the tab, just as any other public official is required to do under the law.

Cathy L. Hazelwood, the state Ethics Commission's general counsel, said such flights "need to be disclosed somewhere."

"To the extent friendship is a reason not to report something is fascinating to me," she said. "There is no private Mark Sanford at this point." read more here...

The Governor of South Carolina is just fascinating....

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Senator John Ensign compares his EXTRA MARITAL AFFAIR to President Clinton

How utterly ridiculous is that?

Chasing tail is chasing tail!! Getting your piece on the side, is getting your piece on the side!! When did that change? Because Clinton did it, and he was totally WRONG, it is not ok because your ass got caught and you compare your cheating on your wife to President Clinton's infidelity?

John Ensign was wrong on every level imaginable. He was a hypocrite to his constituency, to Promise Keepers, and to his wife and family. Comparing one's self to another person who was equally wrong, does not make you come out smelling like a bouquet of roses.

Please, Nevada when 2012 rolls around, do get rid of this gas bag of a mockery.

Sen. John Ensign told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his affair with a friend's wife was different from former President Bill Clinton's relationship with a White House intern because he didn't lie about it under oath.

"I haven't done anything legally wrong," the Nevada Republican said.

"President Clinton stood right before the American people and he lied to the American people," Ensign said. "You remember that famous day he lied to the American people, plus the fact I thought he suborned perjury. That's why I voted for the articles of impeachment." read more here....

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"The emptiest of the empty suits...."

Touche, Lawrence O'Donnell on John Edwards.

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Looks like John Edwards is that baby's daddy

What a sleeze ball, low life...looks like he is fessin' up before that book comes out...

Sources have told WRAL News that they expect former U.S. Sen. John Edwards to admit that he is the father of his former mistress' 18-month-old daughter.

Edwards, a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, confessed last August to having an affair with Rielle Hunter, who served as a videographer on Edwards' 2008 campaign. He has denied fathering her daughter, saying his relationship with Hunter ended before the child was conceived.

The name of the girl's father isn't disclosed on her birth certificate.

Andrew Young, a long-time Edwards aide, initially claimed to be the father of Hunter's child, but he is reportedly writing a book in which he will claim Edwards is the father.

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The frugal, conservative Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford don't practice what he preaches (Video)

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John Edwards saga continues, mistress talking to the grand jury

Yes, sigh of relief at dodging a bullet with Edwards.

The former mistress of John Edwards has arrived at a federal courthouse in Raleigh where a grand jury is meeting - an appearance that comes as federal investigators examine the two-time presidential candidate's finances.

Rielle Hunter walked into the building Thursday morning. Edwards said last year that he and Hunter had an affair in 2006 while he plotted his second bid for the White House. The former North Carolina senator's political action committee paid Hunter's video production firm $100,000 for work that year.

Edwards has acknowledged a federal investigation into how he handled campaign funds. Grand jury proceedings are secret, and the U.S. attorney's office in Raleigh has declined to confirm or deny an investigation.

ALSO: AP notes in a later write-thru that she entered the building carrying a young child.

When will Edwards fess up that he is that baby's daddy? Pathetic.

Source

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Governor Mark Sanford's Op-Ed

You decide. Personally, the man needs to leave GOD out of it. For purely, hypocritical sentiments...

I have struggled with how best to convey my regret in letting so many down, and in that regard I realize this op-ed does not do justice to the process of saying “I am sorry.” A handwritten note or phone call would ultimately be more appropriate, but given the number of people I need to apologize to I write this to begin the journey of trying to get things more right with you and others.

It is true that I did wrong and failed at the largest of levels, but equally true is the fact that God can make good of our respective wrongs in life. In this vein, while none of us has the chance to attend our own funeral, in many ways I feel like I was at my own in the past weeks, and surprisingly I am thankful for the perspective it has afforded.

If you ever have the misfortune of being at this point, whether self-induced as in my case or not, it will give you an indeed amazing perspective on life and on what really matters. I read notes from someone who worked in a sandwich shop I ate at ten years ago, from 7th grade classmates, from state employees and more. While there have been lifetimes of lessons learned over the past weeks, three things most immediately come to mind.

One, forgiveness and grace really do matter. I used to believe that at an intellectual level, now it is at the level of heart. Over my life I have not given enough of either, and yet given all the ways in which my failings have come to light, I write to apologize for, in the most profound of ways, letting you and so many others down. In life it’s always the people closest to us that we hurt the most, and given my standing of public trust, I know I’ve hurt many across our state. I apologize for this, and more than anything would ask for your forgiveness going forward. read more here....

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Yes, Politicians who cheat

ABC has composed photos, but more importantly all video of these politicians and their teary eyed, apologies.

Yes, cheaters on both sides of the aisle. I agree with the right, both sides cheat, but unlike their Democratic couterparts, Republicans are quick to throw family values, bible verses and point that finger at you if you even attempt to slip.

Don't believe it? Two words: Bill Clinton.

Former President Bill Clinton slipped badly. In fact, he is probably the main reason why all these conservative, bible quoting, Republicans won't resign. Hell, he was in the highest office of the land, if he did not step down, why should we? But the thing is, they must stand up and answer to their constiuents and that is another story.

My eye is on Senator David Vitter (R-LA), who paid prostitutes, was on the DC madam's rolodex and admitted to paying for his piece on the side. If he wins in 2010, then there is hope for the others, but if he goes down, the others should worry.

Senator John Ensign (R-NV) sex scandal is so outrageous that an investigation into his activities is warranted, not demanded by his peers, but out of the hands of congress and into the hands of the IRS. His parents paid his piece on the side up to $100,000.000, for her silence. There is no other way around it. And Ensign has the gaul to run in 2012.

Then of course, Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC) and his traveling to Argentina for his piece on the side. Though, I give him credit for stating out loud that he found his soul mate, not his wife and is in love with his soul mate, not his wife. At least, he is keeping it honest though this is one of the most bizarre sex scandals out there.

The Democrats are not saints, but then the Democrats never ran on Family Values, never ran on quoting Bible scriptures as guiding their judgment, did not run on point any fingers. This makes the Republican scandals just out right hypocritical.

View, Politicians who cheat, here.

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Rachel Maddow on the "C-Street Cult", linked to Sanford, Ensign and their hypocrisy (Video)

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Wow, Governor Sanford is taking his WIFE on a personal trip!!!

While still pining for his Maria, no doubt....Sorry, but the man is the biggest hypocrite running around here, but I give him credit, he is an honest one....

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has cleared his schedule this week to take a personal trip with his wife, three weeks after announcing his extramarital affair with an Argentine woman, his office announced Wednesday.

Sanford is taking off the rest of the week for a trip out of state with first lady Jenny Sanford, spokesman Joel Sawyer said.

"This trip is personal in nature, and we're not going to offer any further comment," said Sawyer, who said the couple will be gone through this coming weekend. "The governor remains committed to repairing the damage he's done to his marriage, and so it shouldn't be any surprise that spending personal time with his wife is a part of that process."

The couple's four sons will not be with them on the trip, Sawyer said. read more here.....

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Holy Roller, Senator John Ensign paid his mistress family 100K to keep quiet

Damn, I thought we were done with this story, but it just keeps getting seedier....

Sen. John Ensign's attorney acknowledged Thursday that the Nevada Republican's parents paid nearly $100,000 to the family of his mistress around the time she and her husband left his staff in April 2008.

Paul Coggins, Ensign's attorney, said in a statement that the senator gave Doug Hampton, Cindy Hampton and their two children gifts worth $96,000 and that "each gift was limited to $12,000."

"The payments were made as gifts, accepted as gifts and complied with tax rules governing gifts," Coggins said.

Coggins said that after Ensign told his parents about his affair with Cindy Hampton — who was an then a campaign aide — the senator's parents "decided to make the gifts out of concern for the well-being of longtime family friends during a difficult time.

"The gifts are consistent with a pattern of generosity by the Ensign family to the Hamptons and others."

Wow, 100K given to his mistress' family, since he "used her for his own pleasure". What a hypocritical nut job. Can we get rid of this man, too? He is as bad as Senator David "I love prostitutes" Vitter.

From Hardball....

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