GOP leaders silent on prospects for Ensign comeback

With all eyes on the Nevada Senate race between Sen. Harry Reid and Sharron Angle, Politico this morning takes note of Sen. John Ensign's efforts to dig himself out of the deep hole from his extramarital affair.

But it noted that Senate Republican leaders were notably unenthusiastic when asked about the prospect of the Nevadan running for a third term in 2012 as scandal hangs over his head.

"GOP leaders are still avoiding questions about the senator and appear unlikely to offer any sort of support, barring a full exoneration from the Justice Department and Senate Select Committee on Ethics, which are conducting separate investigations into whether the senator broke federal law in allegedly attempting to cover up the nine-month affair that he revealed in June 2009," Politico reported.

Many Republicans are already looking at Rep. Dean Heller as a potential replacement, Politico said.   And it noted that Danny Tarkanian, who lost in the Republican Senate primary this year, has suggested he might consider a run if Heller does not.

Ensign's office said it would have no comment on the article.