Ensign’s ‘Silent Sinner’ Strategy Working … For Now

It appears what I call the “silent sinner” strategy of U.S. Sen.
John Ensign is working in the short run – if you compare the press
he’s not receiving to the devastating articles now filling South
Carolina Luv Gov. Mark Sanford’s political scrapbook.

While no one in the mainstream media is yet calling for Ensign’s
resignation – and the stories of a secret meeting of Republican big
shots confidentially seeking Ensign’s ouster remain unconfirmed –
Sanford is being cut to ribbons in the press. Of course, it doesn’t
help that he’s emerging as a serial adulterer.

So, then, Ensign will survive and Sanford won’t, right?

I won’t go that far. Sanford is definitely toast, and Ensign may yet
muddle through this mess of his own creation.

But I wouldn’t bet on it.

Two weeks ago Ensign described his affair with Cynthia Hampton, his
wife’s best girlfriend and his former campaign staffer who also was
the husband of his close friend and administrative assistant Doug
Hampton, “the worst thing I have ever done in my life.”

But what if the “second worst” thing he’s ever done is nail another
staffer a few years ago. Say, for the sake of argument, this “second
worst” thing is what precipitated his mysterious exit and absence from
the Senate. And then say this “second worst” thing finally surfaces.

Then I’d say Silent John would have some more explaining to do. And
he’s already used up his Sudden Act of Contrition ticket in the media.