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Ensign Admits He Helped Girlfriend's Husband Get Jobs
The sex is looking like the least interesting aspect of the John Ensign story.
Ensign's camp has confirmed to the Associated Press that the Nevada senator helped Doug Hampton, his old friend and the husband of his girlfriend, to get a job after the affair ended and Hampton left Ensign's office.
"Just as he has done for many other staff members, Senator Ensign made recommendation calls for Mr. Hampton," a spokesman told the AP in a statement.
Hampton works as a vice president for government affairs for Allegiant Air, a company whose CEO is a major Ensign backer, as we've reported. Hampton's son Bandon also now works for Allegiant, as we reported as well.
Hampton has also worked since leaving Ensign's office for November Inc., a Nevada political consulting firm with close ties to the senator. Mike Slanker, the firm's founder -- who, as we reported, ran Ensign's Senate campaigns in 1998 and 2000 -- told the AP that Ensign "was supportive, but there was no pressure" on the decision to hire Hampton. Slanker said Hampton worked for the company from May 2008 -- the month he left Ensign's office -- to August 2008.
The AP puts the significance of all this nicely:
Doug Hampton's easy transition from the political to corporate worlds isn't unusual. It does, however, raise questions about to what extent Ensign used his influence to assist two former employees who could have done damage to his career.
Josh
Zachary
Whoa front page picture - is that a halo?
June 19, 2009 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I'm sure most Senators feel they have one...
June 19, 2009 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's a good deal.
Cindy used her own mammaries to inviegle her husband qand worthless kid onto the federal teat by letting Ensign get onto her titties (and other nasty bits).
I wanna see a picture of the this woman. Topless, please.
They owe us that much, at least...
June 19, 2009 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Its interesting how Cindy is innocent in all of this. Apparently when the boss say 'spread 'em', she does.
June 19, 2009 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a liberal dem, I'd love to take advantage of any opportunity to slam a rethug but not this one. Pols usually help friends and past employees get jobs and there's a whole lot of screwing around in this country. My only problem and it's a big one, is the hypocrisy. There's nothing worse than a sanctimonious, family values, high morals person who condemns others for what he's doing.
June 19, 2009 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you've got this exactly right. The conduct is shameful, but it speaks for itself. Hypocrisy and self-righteousness, on the other hand, are a scourge to which we are subjected, all too often, by politicians who should know themselves and their foibles well enough to keep their damned mouths shut...
June 19, 2009 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Just as he has done for many other staff members, Senator Ensign made recommendation calls for Mr. Hampton," a spokesman told the AP in a statement.
WHAT FOX NEWS WOULD HAVE REPORTED IF THIS GUY WAS A DEMOCRAT...
"He has done many other staff members, Senator Ensign made recommendation calls for Mr. Hampton," a spokesman told the AP in a statement.
June 19, 2009 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nepotism in politics?! Say it ain't so!!
Come on TPM, we get it - the guy's a scumbag.
I think we're all in agreement, can we move along now?
There are world-changing events underway everywhere you look. I for one would appreciate your insight on those stories much more than this Drudge fodder.
June 19, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink