November 23, 2009 ABC NIGHTLINE

Part 1

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Part 2

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In the "Nightline" interview, Hampton provides astonishing new details about the affair and its many repercussions, including the end of a close 20-year friendship between the two families and the loss of the Hamptons' jobs.

"Lost my job. Lost my best friend. Nearly lost my wife," he said on the ripple effect of Ensign's affair.

Hampton makes allegations of hypocrisy, hubris -- cover-ups and maybe even crimes -- that have destroyed lives and could destroy Ensign's political career.

"It's hard to comprehend what's still taking place, what's going on this moment, with regards to the unraveling of the choices and the decisions that John's made," Hampton said.

Hampton said he's finally speaking out because he wants Ensign held accountable.

"I think there are missing pieces to what's been reported," he said. "Important for people to understand what the senator has done. ... The truth needs to come out."

Ensign Once the Rising GOP Star

Ensign was a rising star in the Republican Party. During his second term, there were already rumblings that the junior senator from Nevada might be the party's next best hope for president.

Ensign was an attractive candidate: good-looking, from a wealthy Las Vegas family, with impeccable conservative credentials. "Born again" in college, Ensign was a loud and leading voice for lawmakers adhering to strict Christian family values. He argued passionately for the Federal Marriage Amendment and publicly condemned President Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, when he was accused of propositioning another man in a public restroom.

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Rachel Maddow notes what the script is for a disgraced GOP Senator returning to the Senate. Apologize, no further comment, and get a round of applause from your fellow Senators.

John Ensign follows the likes of Larry Craig, David Vitter and Ted Stevens with a show of support from his fellow family values Republicans. It's so nice to see the Republicans are at least being consistent with their hypocrisy when it comes to protecting their own.

  Presented without comment.

Download | play   Download | play   (h/t Bill W)

 My apologies to James Coburn for the title of the post...

ABC News:

Craig's list of accusers is getting longer.  Two men, including a former male escort, have confirmed to ABC News the allegations that they've had sexual encounters with Idaho's embattled Sen. Larry Craig. The men were two of eight new people who claimed encounters with Craig in an article published Sunday by the Idaho Statesman newspaper.

Craig released a statement today calling the accusations "completely false." He also renewed his intention to serve out the rest of his term. "I will not let this paper's attempt to malign my name stop me from continuing my work to serve the people of Idaho."

Both men who talked to ABC News said they were frustrated with what they saw as the senator's continuing "hypocrisy'' about his sexuality. Craig has a history as a Republican legislator of opposing gay marriage and gay rights.

  Poor Larry, I just feel so terrible for the guy. I guess the judge figured he knew what he was doing when he pleaded guilty.

“Because the defendant’s plea was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and because the conviction is supported by the evidence ... the Defendant’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea is denied,” Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter wrote .

For those C&Lers that missed this, here's audio of Larry Craig's bust:   

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Sergeant: “You are sitting here lying to a police officer.” Do you pick up stray pieces of toilet paper from the floors of public restrooms? Was your palm down or up? I could tell it was your left hand…

Craig: “I sit down, um, to go to the bathroom and ah, you said our feet bumped. I believe they did, ah, because I reached down and scooted over and um, the next thing I knew, under the bathroom divider comes a card that says Police. Now, um, (sigh) that’s about as far as I can take it, I don’t know of anything else. Ah, your foot came toward mine, mine came towards yours, was that natural? I don’t know. Did we bump? Yes. I think we did. You said so. I don’t disagree with that.”

Sergeant: “Okay. I don’t want to get into a pissing match here.”