U.S. Sen. John Ensign slinked into the weekly lunch of his fellow Republican senators today, made a two-minute heartfelt speech and apology, got some applause and some hugs, and slinked back out again, according to reports. (We’re paraphrasing the “slinked” part, but he did come and leave through a back door. Perhaps it’s habit?)

But Nevada conservatives are wondering when they will get their apology.

Conservative activist Chuck Muth had one such account on his blog today. Another came from Clark County Republican Party Chairman Bernie Zadrowski in a story on NPR’s website. Are Ensign’s Senate colleagues better than his home-state Republican base? What are Nevadans, chopped liver?

In a word, yes. Remember, Ensign needs support in his caucus today; he doesn’t need the voters for three years, and by then, they’ll have forgotten how he betrayed a friend by sleeping with the friend’s wife, although both worked for him. (Then again, standing in his caucus may not matter. Ensign can’t seem to persuade fellow Republicans to do anything.)

But how much will Ensign have to apologize for in the long run? Last week, an Associated Press story referred to the period in 2002 when Ensign vanished from Washington D.C. to attend to “a personal matter.” That story carried this quote: “A person familiar with that episode, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Tuesday the senator told a close associate the absence followed an earlier affair.” (Hat tip to the Las Vegas Gleaner for the link.)

Moreover, our friend and colleague Erin Neff’s blog contained this intriguing line: “Back when I was a reporter in 2002 at the Las Vegas Sun, I worked hard to get this story to light after talking with his gal pal. The only reason I thought it was worth a story at the time was because Ensign was an avowed “Promise Keeper” and had railed against Bill Clinton’s affair.”

Interesting, no? At the very least, we wanted to at least ask Ensign if he disputed the AP and Neff reports. So we asked Ensign’s press secretary, Tory Mazzola, via e-mail about it. Twice. When we got no reply, we tried calling. Twice. Again, no reply.

Back in 2002, Ensign said “I have no plans to ever explain” his absence, adding, “I was dealing with some personal things.” But in light of the AP account, and Neff’s blog, it would seem Ensign owes Nevada conservatives — and all his constituents — more than just an apology. He owes them a full explanation.

We’ll let you know if we hear anything.