Originally Posted By SuperDry <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/nevada-sen-john-ensign-to-resign/2011/04/21/AFdIJsKE_blog.html" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonpost.com/...log.html</a>
Originally Posted By ecdc About time. Notice in his statement how it's because of the unwanted attention his family's receiving - as if it's not his fault at all. It's the "mistakes were made" mentality.
Originally Posted By Mr X Word on the left wing street is that this is actually BAD for the Democrats though, since they can appoint an interim Republican in his place who will then be in a better position to keep the seat R next year. Which, I can say in all honesty, I no longer give a flying crap about (though I still enjoy some interesting conversation about politics and events now and then here on WE).
Originally Posted By skinnerbox This is precisely why he's resigning, X. He's being pressured from the party to get out of there, so the GOP has a better chance of retaining his seat next year. If this was about doing the right thing, Ensign would have resigned long ago.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 Really, it isn't BAD for the dems, it just isn't good. That seat is Republican now, so it remaining a Republican seat isn't really that damaging.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<That seat is Republican now, so it remaining a Republican seat isn't really that damaging.>> Actually, it is. The Senate is being held by a slim majority of Dems now. And 21 Dem Senators are up for re-election next year. Many are vulnerable to losing their seats. Gaining Ensign's seat was a strong possibility before he announced his resignation. Now, having a Republican take his place for 18 months before the election makes that less likely.
