Cindy wrote on August 01, 2008 10:15 AM: Ensign might want to consider sending that same amount of "already spent" money to a favorite charity. Smells bad, to say the least!

They are all in it together wrote on August 01, 2008 09:31 AM: Our politicians cover for each other no matter what the party affiliation.



Bottom line they all get rich WHILE in office. Vote out Ensign and Reid.

They are all in it together wrote on August 01, 2008 09:31 AM: Our politicians cover for each other no matter what the party affiliation.

Bottom line they all get rich WHILE in office. Vote out Ensign and Reid.

joe wrote on August 01, 2008 09:15 AM: My first post, reposted:

So let me get this straight. Ensign considers this money he received from a crook already spent, so it's just water under the bridge? Seeing how the past contributions were used to help Ensign get elected, the money is still benefitting Ensign today as he travels to his job in Washington D.C. to tell us it's ok for him to do nothing about it?

How arrogant and brazen can Ensign get? How hypocritical is it for Ensign to run his campaigns on his supposed moral and family values (as he always does) and then turn around and keep this dirty money? It's not like Ensign is hurting for cash, he's a millionaire. Ensign's true moral values are coming to light with this story.

Ensign needs to realize that sometimes you have to do the right thing, whether it costs you a little money or not. Ensign should try and shake this scandal that's starting to build around him and reach into his own pocket and pay back the money. It appears the lust for money has finally taken hold of our Senator. I actually voted for Ensign during the year he first got elected to the Senate, but haven't voted for him since because I've watched his decline into greed.

And yes, I realize Ensign is LDS, but I'm not going to go off on the church about this (I'm sure to the relief of many) as this is a personal choice by Ensign and not the behind-the-scenes involvement by the church as in Reid's bill on polygamy. If Ensign chooses to keep this money, his claimed faith proves him an even bigger hypocrite however.

joe wrote on August 01, 2008 08:51 AM: MY "declining moral values" theory, not BY "declining moral values" theory. I regret my spelling error.

By the way, the R-J didn't post my first comments.

joe wrote on August 01, 2008 08:42 AM: Hey "Restof Story":

So say I steal $100 bucks from my neighbor 2 years ago. I then realize I'm going to get caught if I don't return it, so I do. Then, last month I steal $100 bucks from my other neighbor. Due to the fact I gave the first neighbor back his money 2 years ago means I get to keep the money from my other neighbor I just stole from last month?

Wow, what kind of stupid logic is that? Your attempted defense of Ensign just confirmed by "declining moral values" theory from my last post.

Dane, I think your "So, why the sliding moral scale now?" question has just been answered by "Restof Story"....Ensign's greed now overpowers his common sense and moral values.

Restof Story wrote on August 01, 2008 08:09 AM: From the history vault, R-J; Molly Ball; July 3, 2006.

Note, he gave back money already spent!

""ENSIGN GIVES BACK

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., says he made a charitable contribution last year equaling the amount he received from a former Bush administration official recently convicted of lying about his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

David Safavian, who was convicted June 20 on four of five counts of deceiving federal officials and obstructing justice, contributed $4,372 to Ensign from May 1997 to November 1999, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Safavian's wife, Jennifer, also gave $300 to Ensign in March 1998.

Ensign spokesman Jack Finn said the senator made a contribution of $8,648.50 to the Nevada Patriot Fund last Oct. 1.

Ensign's contribution equaled donations he received from the Safavians and some from Abramoff, Finn said.

The Nevada Patriot Fund provides financial assistance to families of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ensign's contribution came less than a month after he said he did not intend to return the Safavian donations because the money already had been spent.

"I never would have taken the money if I had known what I know now," Ensign said. "We take money from a lot of different people, and I don't know the background of all of them. You just try to keep your own integrity intact."

On Feb. 9, Ensign's political action committee, Battle Born, also contributed $6,000 to the Nevada Patriot Fund.

That contribution equaled donations of $1,000 from Abramoff and $5,000 from Indian gambling tribes represented by Abramoff, Finn said.""

Dane wrote on August 01, 2008 08:05 AM: Odd, when the Abramoff scandal broke in 2006, Ensign returned thousands of dollars he recieved in 2003!

..and
"Sen. John Ensign (R-NV): donated $10K -- $5K directly from Abramoff -- to Nevada Patriot Fund, which gives money to families of soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq (Abrahms, Reno Gazette-Journal, 1/5)."

and...
" CONTRIBUTIONS — ENSIGN RECEIVED $16,293 FROM ABRAMOFF AND HIS CLIENTS: Ensign received $16,293 in Abramoff-related donations between 2001 and 2004. [AP, 11/17/05]"

ensigndumpsmoney

So, why the sliding moral scale now?

Russ wrote on August 01, 2008 07:56 AM: Stevens is a typical Republican. They all profess to be christians and therefore are above the law. Time to get religion out of politics altogther. We need clear thinking people in Washington that are not listening to voices in their heads saying God told me to do this. God doesn't exist. It is a crutch used to explain why you can't explain why you did something.

Religion kills people!! Look at the reasons almost all wars are faught....Our god is right yours is wrong. Oh Yeah, I'll kill you. Great analogy you morons.

Nancy wrote on August 01, 2008 06:48 AM: Well isn't he special? What a nimrod.

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