David Shuster of MSNBC tweeted “intriguing update on Ensign.” So I went to see what he was talking about.
Shuster was referring to a post on TPM which read, “Is Ensign Walking Back Extortion Claim?”
A number of blogs and main stream media have been pondering the question of just why did Senator John Ensign disclose his affair with Cynthia Hampton?
TPM runs down excerpts from Politico, The Las Vegas Review-Journal, FOX News, NBC News, Roll Call, and The New York Times which focus on the question of whether Ensign made the disclosure because he was or was about to be the subject of extortion. Extortion is a felony. The FBI has been reported as not investigating an extortion compliant.
But today, the Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting “According to Ensign’s aides, Doug Hampton had approached a television news network about the affair, prompting Ensign to go public. This could not immediately be confirmed.” TPM notes that is a different “spin” on Ensign’s motive. That spin is coming from Ensign’s aides, says TPM.
So what was Ensign’s motive: Extortion or TV exposure?
Related posts:
The Sen. Ensign story is front page above the fold two days in a row, while the more egregious adultery of Rep. Loretta Sanchez is completely ignored by the congressional media? Could it be that she is a Democrat? Extra, extra, read all about it–
http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2009/06/02/the-making-of-the-%E2%80%9Cloretta-sanchez-scandal%E2%80%9D/
http://orangejuiceblog.com/2009/06/is-congresswoman-loretta-sanchez-having-an-affair-with-a-married-defense-lobbyist/