The Las Vegas Sun, today, reported:
Republican Sen. John Ensign said Monday that not only does he have no intention of resigning in light of his affair and his parents’ payout to the woman’s family, he plans to seek reelection when his term is up in 2012.
If Senator Ensign holds to that plan to seek reelection the question for voters is, “Should I vote for him or not?”
What do you think? Should you vote for him?
Maybe it is time to re-examine Senator Ensign. Decisions about whether to vote for someone or not can be subjectively made or objectively made. It depends on how a voter approaches formulating the decision. Almost every voter is inclined to go one way or the other dependent upon their political viewpoint.
Lets try an objective methodology as a preferred way.
One can take a broad look at him and get a fairly well rounded look at the Senator on Wikipedia.
Now let us take a look at Project Vote Smart. Project Vote Smart is a pretty good way of evaluating. You can get a biographical look, a rundown on his voting record, his position on issues (if he provides it), his rating by various interest groups, any issue papers he has put forth, even speeches and public comments he has made, and very importantly information about his campaign financing.
By going to Open Secrets one can drill down into the financing picture of the Senator in significant detail.
By the time you walk through this kind of methodology and read about a person most voters will pretty much be decided about whether he/she’ll vote for Senator Ensign if he in fact runs for re-election. It is certainly a better technique than flipping a coin or throwing a dart as the means of making a decision.
Of course, another important factor to consider is who else do you have to choose from in voting for the Senatorial seat Mr. Ensign currently occupies. By the time the general election arrives there will probably be a Democratic opponent, and perhaps an third political party candidate to consider as well. So, generally you have something of a choice.
At the moment no one knows who the Democrat will be that opposes Senator Ensign. The last election for his seat he was opposed by Jack Carter, son of former President Jimmy Carter.
It is generally more difficult to evaluate candidates who have not held public office before. There is no record on Project Vote Smart on Open Secrets which can be examined.
One helpful approach to learn about candidates and views others may have of a candidate can easily be found on blogs, newspaper editorials, and the like. For example, I read blogs. Desert Beacon has a commentary and analysis of Senator Ensign. The author of Desert Beacon is a frequent source of thoughtful analysis and commentary for me. I learn of different ways to evaluate thorny issues by reading how others assess matters. Helps me grow and be better informed. You might like to try these approaches yourself. It is better than picking a pig in a poke.
Update: Since I wrote the above I came across another blog about Senator Ensign which demonstrates the different perspectives of voters and how they make decisions about voting for someone. It is a blog called The Right Rev Rowland. Reverend Rowland has written a open letter to Senator Ensign. I’ll extract a portion of his letter here which reflects the agony the Reverend seems to be enduring about Senator Ensign’s sinful transgressions:
So it is not unreasonable for those of us who have supported you to ask: “Was it always just about you, John? Or was it truly for the greater cause?” I would like to believe the latter, but without more from you, I fear it is the former. Are you willing to make a painful and difficult decision for the good of Nevada, even if it costs you personally? Would you ever have admitted the affair if you weren’t being blackmailed? And now that it is out and getting more complicated and ugly, are you too prideful to step aside and let another serve in your place?
Search your heart, John, and by God’s grace, do the right thing. The right thing for your family, and the right thing for your friends and supporters. Do the right thing for Nevada. We are praying for you and we hurt for you, your family, and the Hampton family.
You can see the Reverend’s concern and evaluation of how to vote is more spiritual than mine, but that is because I have a different political view than Reverend Rowland. All kinds of factors enter into making decisions.
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