The Washington Post, citing two sources, reports that Sen. John Ensign, a rising star in his party and a potential 2012 presidential candidate...uh, until now.... plans to publicly acknowledge an extramarital affair with a woman of unknown (to us) identity, very shortly.

Ensign, a member of the Senate GOP leadership, flew back to his native Las Vegas today in anticipation of the public announcement, sources said, missing a vote considered key to the Nevada tourist industry.

Two senior GOP political strategists, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, said the announcement was imminent. They declined to say with whom Ensign had the affair.

Not much more to say on this subject, other than the usual public sphere / private sphere, JFK-Fifi-patriarchal-Clarence-Thomas-hearings-erase-distinction-Clinton-Lewinsky-Republican-moralizing-Larry-Craig-gay-people-David-Vitter talking points, which are kind of tiring.