Ensign humble in talks with factory workers

Sen. John Ensign stood before about 35 factory workers in North Las Vegas on Thursday morning and professed humility.

The GOP's former rising star is trying to claw his way back to political viability after he admitted in 2009 to an extramarital affair, which led to allegations of lobbying law violations.

His conversation with Spacecraft Components Corp. workers indicates he wants to win back voters' confidence by appearing contrite about his affair with former staff member Cynthia Hampton and shifting the focus to conservative issues he thinks will resonate with voters in 2012.

"If you don't humble yourself and humility is forced on you, it is painful but it is healthy," Ensign said while taking questions.

None of the workers asked Ensign directly about the affair or its fallout, which included allegations that he broke the law by helping Hampton's husband, former Ensign friend and staff member Doug Hampton, line up lobbying work after the scandal undermined the Hamptons' jobs with the senator.

In December, Ensign's attorneys announced the Justice Department is no longer targeting Ensign in a criminal investigation arising from the affair.

One worker did ask how the two-term incumbent will win the next election, and another asked if Ensign planned to put potential primary challenger Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., "in his place."

"I have to work my rear end off," Ensign said. "I made a big mistake a few years ago."

During the chat with workers, Ensign stuck with humility, contrition and inclusiveness as themes.

He complimented President Barack Obama several times for a speech the Democrat gave Wednesday in Tucson, Ariz., after the mass shooting that gravely wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and killed six others.

On the issue of health care, Ensign said he would seek common ground with political opponents but remains opposed to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act championed by Obama, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other Democrats.

"I believe Democrats want to improve our health care system. I believe the bill was wrong in the way they did it," Ensign said. "But it doesn't mean I don't think that they want to do the right thing."

Ensign, who before his affair came to light was chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, frequently bashed Democrats during appearances on cable news shows. He conceded he "used to be kind of a firebrand," but said he has changed.

"One of the things that I've learned, though, if you really want to get things done, disagree and fight hard about the issues but don't question people's motives," Ensign said. "I think that is where the political rhetoric needs to go in the United States. Instead of just worrying about getting on cable television because you are trashing the other side, try to find some common ground."

Whether the humble approach will be enough to win back the confidence of political donors who abandoned him and stave off a primary challenge from Heller remains to be seen.

Ensign and others considering a run don't have to start making hard decisions until summer, when they will need to have election teams in place and fundraising under way.

Jennifer Duffy, senior editor of the Cook Political Report, said Ensign is a long shot to win another term.

A recent poll by Public Policy Polling showed Ensign's job approval rating at 35 percent, with 50 percent of Nevada voters disapproving. Fifty-nine percent want him to step aside, while 26 percent want him to run again.

Former Nevada Gov. Robert List, now a Republican National Committeeman, said Ensign's refusal to bow out could mean a difficult Senate campaign for Republicans.

"In the ideal world, we would have a strong candidate who did not have a primary and could save his campaign funds to expend against the Democrats," List said.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.