Senator John Ensign, 2004:

The effort to pass a constitutional amendment reaffirming marriage as being between a man and a woman only is being undertaken strictly as a defense of marriage against the attempt to redefine it and, in the process, weaken it. Marriage is an extremely important institution in this country and protecting it is, in my mind, worth the extraordinary step of amending our constitution.

Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada has admitted he had an extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff.

Ensign said the affair began over a year ago with a close member of his staff. She and her husband were both connected to Ensign's office and very close with the senator and his family.

"I know I have deeply hurt and disappointed my wife Darlene, my children, my family, my friends, my staff and all those who believed in me," he said.