John Ensign, the John Edwards of the GOP, almost

The scandal around Senator John Ensign is getting some pretty good coverage and deservedly so. John Ensign had an affair with a film producer on his staff and had love child with her. Then, he convinced another staffer to say the child was his and not John Ensign's. Some reporters caught Ensign visiting his mistress and love child in a hotel, but Senator Ensign fled into a bathroom and his from the questions. Security came and rescued Ensign who is still paying for his mistress and love child's living expenses. The wife of Senator Ensign has hit the talk circuit and is even writing a book about the whole scandal, which most of the press has ignored until opening night of the Olympics... wait a sec... Oops! I'm sorry that was Senator and VP hopeful John Edwards. Silly me. Let me find the stuff on John Ensign...

Senator John Ensign was caught by an FBI sting targeting prostitution rings that exploit desperate and drug addicted young women. The tip that identified Ensign came from Republican shadow operative Roger Stone. Stone explained to the FBI that Ensign always "leaves his socks on" and he also likes unprotected sex. When Ensign was nailed with $5,000 an hour hookers, he shamefully tried to hold on to his job by declaring it a "private matter" while his wife stood by him playing the human shield. Nevertheless, it became pretty clear he had to go. Ensign resigned and talk in blogosphere began to gin up a "he was set up by a right-wing conspiracy" defense. This comes on... oh goodness. I am sorry. This isn't Ensign's story either, this was Governor Eliot Spitzer. Let's try to find that Ensign business...

Senator John Ensign is in deep trouble as the tawdry of the Senator hiring a prostitute as a staffer has come to light. Not only did the Senator hire this "escort" whom he maintained a sexual relationship with, he also used the powers of his office to "take care" of 33 parking tickets for his pay for play squeeze. Now there are allegations that the escort has been turning tricks under the Senator's own roof but the Senator claims that is a total surprise. The credibility of this claim is... Uh-oh. That wasn't John Ensign either, that was Barney Frank.

Here it is, the Ensign story finally. Senator John Ensign was using staffers as his personal servants according to the findings of a three year probe. He required them to babysit and tutor his kids, drive him to personal events, aid his wife with her law-school classes, and pay restaurant and motel bills. A staffer was actually ordered to move into Ensign's home and serve as a live-in nanny to his kids for six weeks. Also, his wife is facing federal indictment in a bribery scandal involving a company named Synagro and a pay-for-play contract upwards of $50 million. Right now... I am pretty red-faced, because that was actually about John and Monica Conyers.

Now I could continue with Bill Clinton's many sexcapades and Dollar Bill Jefferson's refrigerator filled with cash, but I think it's time to actually talk about John Ensign. Now before the comments roll in about Larry Craig, Jack Ryan or Mark Foley, let's just stick to the sex scandals that actually involve sex and money scandals that were as unreported as Dollar Bill's.

Here's the real Ensign story so far, too bad these other scandals couldn't get this kind of press.

Senator John Ensign is a lowly creature. A sheep in wolf's clothing. This man has destroyed his charmed life and it is a shame for everyone involved. John Ensign had an affair with Cindy Hampton, the wife of his chief aide, Doug Hampton. The story goes that the Hampton's were having marital problems and the the affair just "happened."

The reality is that John Ensign was the employer of both Hamptons, knew Cindy was vulnerable, smelled the blood in the water and savaged her like a shark. After taking advantage of his position and Cindy Hampton, he had his parents cut the Hamptons some hefty checks. If that isn't bad enough, Doug Hampton has taken his story to the press and most likely a book deal is not far off. When you take advantage of your staff for sexual gratification, harm two families and have your parents cover for you, you are not a leader. This is why Senator John Ensign must go. He can write a book too.