Birth certificate of child linked to Edwards lists no father

[Newsjock]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — The birth certificate of a child whom a tabloid newspaper claims was fathered by former Democratic senator John Edwards of North Carolina doesn't identify the child's father.

The document, obtained through a routine records request, shows that Frances Quinn Hunter was born last Feb. 27 to Rielle Hunter, a videographer who worked on Edwards' presidential campaign last year.

But the space for the name of the father is blank, although the child was born more than two months after Hunter identified Andrew Young, Edwards' campaign finance director, as the father of her then unborn child. Young claimed paternity in a statement from his lawyer that was posted on the political blog mydd.com.

... Asked Thursday why no father was listed on the birth certificate, Hunter's attorney, Robert Gordon of New York, said, "A lot of women do that."

Reminded that he and Hunter had publicly identified her child's father two months earlier to the National Enquirer, Gordon said, "That's a personal matter between them."

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/46108.html

[saracat]

1. Some need to get a life. At the time the child was born, Young had not climed paternity

Not an unusual act for a married man.

[beachmom]

10. This is McClatchy. This is not the National Enquirer. Which means the story

has now moved up the food chain.

This is not good.

[saracat]

22. But still not necessarily true.It angers me that this story has no more credibility

than previous and current stories on Clinton and Obama and yet some give it legs! it is all garbage.

[karynnj]

38. Though not proven, it has far more credibility than

either the Clinton or Obama stories. The Clinton stories could be written of any of the men who ran for President and their personal assistants. The Obama story involved someone of no credibility who failed a lie detector test and their was no proof.

Here, there is still nOT proof - as the article says, but JRE's recent "denials" are not like the October one where he strongly denied it. The only thing new here - other than the birth certificate having no name, is that the baby was born in February. This would mean the baby was conceived about 2 months after EE's diagnosis, which makes me inclined to want it not to be true.

[dflprincess]

60. Great, the media that didn't pay any attention to what Edwards had to say about the issues during

his campaign, think this is worth covering.

The MSM and their corporate masters must be making sure Edwards is not considered for the VP slot.

[olddad56]

72. regardless of this story, I think National Enquirer has as much intergity as McClatchy

[struggle4progress]

25. "... California State law permits the father's name to be reported on the birth certificate only if

the couple is legally married ..."

Frequently Asked Questions
Office of Vital Records ...
My child’s Birth Certificate does not have the father’s name on it. What is needed to add his name to the Certificate? ...
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/publichealth/vitalstatistics/faq.html

Every child, born to any unwed mother in California in the last decade, has no father listed on the birth certificate unless the father completed and signed, before appropriate witness, a Declaration of Paternity form

[struggle4progress]

27. Thus up to 211,340 California birth certificates, issued in 2006, might have listed no father

<pdf file:>
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/statistics/Documents/VSC-2006-0205.pdf
<excel file:> http://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/statistics/Documents/VSC-2006-0205.xls
<page containing links to the 2-9 Number and Percent of Live Births by Number of Prenatal Visits and Race/Ethnic Group of Mother, California, 2006 data above:>
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/statistics/Pages/StatewideBirthStatisticalDataTables.aspx

[rox63]

29. My 70-year old Mom's birth certificate say her father is "unknown"

Not an unusual situation. She's never found out who her father was.

[karynnj]

40. Not true as the paper said and your quote says,

Every child, born to any unwed mother in California in the last decade, has no father listed on the birth certificate unless the father completed and signed, before appropriate witness, a Declaration of Paternity form

[karynnj]

37. Per the article he claimed paternity 2 months before the birth

Note the article does say it can be added later. If he is in NC and she in CA, maybe he simply did not do the paperwork yet or maybe he is trying to avoid her having a legal claim..

[SharonAnn]

81. Naming a father means the father has certain rights about the child.

I know women who have listed "father unknown" just to avoid the father making claims. The women were in position to raise the child without additional financial assistance and preferred to retain all parental rights.

[jobycom]

2. Big deal. My birth certificate doesn't show either parent.

Because I was adopted.

My grand-niece's BC doesn't show a father, because the parents weren't married and no one wanted the father listed.

If the media went after every allegation raised against Bush and Cheney on actual newsworthy topics with the same reckless fervor they are pursuing this, and used the same standard of evidence they are using here, then Bush Jr would have never been governor and Dick Cheney would be in jail for reckless discharge of a firearm while intoxicated.

[cobalt1999]

5. Media and "actual newsworthy topics" used in the same sentence?

:rofl:

What is this? The 1960's when journalists were actually professionals? Come on. They are all Jerry Springer wanna-be's here in 2008.

[jobycom]

12. I stand corrected.

:( Sadly, you are right.

[Mojambo]

3. Doesn't seem to change anything. n/t

[Ian David]

4. Well, that was a nice try, National Enquirer. Thanks for playing! n/t

[Alcibiades]

6. I know a single, professional woman who's about 4 months

pregnant as the result of an affair with a married man. She decided to keep the baby not too long ago, after finding out she was a bit farther along than she had thought.

Anyway, she's not putting the baby's father down on the birth certificate. She knows he's not leaving his wife, knows she wanted a baby eventually anyway, thought about it, and decided that she wanted the "father" not to have any parental rights, because it's not as if he's going to be a real father to her child anyway.

There are reasons for not putting anyone's name down. Reasons that are really nobody's business.

[madeline_con]

9. He can claim parental rights if he chooses.

An appeal, a simple DNA test, et viola! Visitation!

[Alcibiades]

13. He's made it clear he's not going to

That would require more explaining to his wife than he cares to do. On some level, I think my wife's friend wanted to be a single mother all along, and went looking for a guy who was not only not interested in a relationship, but who could be counted on to basically be nothing more than a sperm donor to any kids that might result--anyway, that's the only reason I can think why a healthy woman with a PhD in her early 30's would have lots of sex with a married man she works with without any attempt at birth control whatsoever.

That, and the fact that she's said things to my wife in the past such as "I always envisioned myself becoming a single mother."

[madeline_con]

14. Probably. It saves a lot of trouble. n/t

[JeanGrey]

36. Your friend needs to see a lawyer. She cannot "decide"

that she doesn't want him to have "parental rights" even if he isn't on the birth certificate. He HAS rights.

[1monster]

7. My step-daughter's birth certificate doesn't show a father either, because the mother refused to

allow her to have her father's name...

Petty revenge because after the mother refused to marry him, he chose not to ask her again when she changed her mind.

[madeline_con]

8. That proves she's Edward's child!

:sarcasm:

Is this sme concocted shit in response to a rumor Edwards might get the VP nod from Obama? :shrug:

I just don't get the motivation.

[DaLittle Kitty]

16. This IS PURELY Because Edwards IS RIGHT WINGERS Biggest Nightmare for VP!

Barack picks Edwards and the South is in the bag as well as all those union folks in Ohio and Pa. etc! COMPLETE LOWOUT WIN FOR DEMS w/ Edwards on the ticket and that is precisely the worst case scenario for the Corporatists! Go Obama/Edwards 2008! :kick:

[DaLittle Kitty]

17. That is... BLOWOUT WIN W/ EDWARDS AS VP!

:kick:

[The Croquist]

44. I don't care who the VP is as long as they are competent and without scandal.

Edwards is now tainted goods and will not receive the VP nomination.

With or without Edwards on the ticket Obama wins or loses on himself. Do you really think that John Edwards, as VP, will swing enough voters? As VP in 2004 he couldn't carry his own state.

[mac56]

56. "Edwards is now tainted goods and will not receive the VP nomination."

Errr.... how does that Kool-Aid taste?

:eyes:

Edwards isn't tainted goods. And this crap sure isn't true, just because the National Perspirer and now McScratchy Newspapers ran with this sensationalist tripe.

This whole story is a symptom of the desperation being felt by the Repugs. Don't buy it, and don't dignify it.

[fascisthunter]

62. no, but some HOPE he becomes tainted

this is pretty sleazy work

[tuckessee]

68. He's also Hillary's worst nightmare.

An Obama-Edwards ticket relegates the Clinton Political Machine to the sidelines for years to come. n/t

[question everything]

83. And you really, really, like to do this to the Clintons, right?

Never mind that Bill came to a huge deficit, by then, the largest that all previous deficits combined, and left with a surplus;

Never mind that the economy expanded across all income levels during his administration;

Never mind that the reason why we even consider a chance to tilt the Supreme Court is that Clinton nominated two - OK, you don't consider them liberals - non RWer justices;

Never mind that Clinton is the first Democrat to be re-elected since FDR;

Never mind that Hillary galvanized many voters the way Obama has. Never mind that had it not for Obama's race - where Super Delegates were afraid of riots in the streets - she may have been our nominee by now.

No, you don't care. You hate the Clintons and want them out of our public life.

And like a typical RWer, you foam at the mouth that they have been successful and, yes rich.

Tough. Live with it.

[MissDeeds]

11. I don't know why this tripe

keeps popping up on DU.

[orleans]

15. because it is a "scandal" story related to dems and we have to

know about it and deal with it when talking to republikas. two days ago i had this fucking story thrown up in my face by an "R" who shouted it out with evil hysteria and glee.

this "R" went on to say what a piece of shit the "liberal media" was because they were burying the story and not reporting it. "because there were reporters at the hotel that saw edwards!!!!!11!!111"

i had to point out that those reporters worked for the national enquirer and usually the msm doesn't do national enquirer stories.

i think it's a very relevant topic for us to discuss--especially if Rs think they can get all that "family values" shit flying around again.

now...mcclatchy--far more respected than the enquirer--is reporting about the birth certificate.

my thought on this is that the father could very well be edward's campaign manager and the reason there is no father named on the b.c. is because he is married. (or for other reasons also)

[Diane R]

18. I agree with this. I don't think this story is going away; imagine if he'd been our nominee.

This will (if true, or more info come out), be a story because the entire affair (if true), happened while Edwards was a top candidate for the presidency. As he was participating in Democratic debates, as he was soliticing money, as he was endorsing Obama...he was cheating on his wife and jeopardizing our party.

I know most people on this forum do not believe it is true. I've decided that there's a chance it is. If so, I shudder to think how easily he put our party, and our country, at risk. If he were our nominee right now, President McCain would be a shoo-in.

[MissDeeds]

19. There are tabloid stories on Obama, too

claiming that he has a "love child" and that his wife is upset by his "cheating". Same caliber of tabloids, but they claim to have pictures of Obama. I guess we should discuss how to handle this too, just in case.

:sarcasm:

[patrice]

20. cheating? It is possible for a child to be the result of a single experience.

Not saying that's what happened, just noting a some what eager negativity here.

[AlGore-08.com]

30. Just F.Y.I. - - if a person is married, a "single experience" is still cheating on their spouse

I'm not sayin' this story is true.

I'm just sayin' that "Maybe he only committed adultery once" is an argument that won't win over anybody who is offended by the a pol cheating on his wife.

[patrice]

31. I'll yeild the point.

Though, ultimately, I think this is Elizabeth's call.

Others can describe whatever from an individual or, in special cases of valid empirical research, a collective perspective, but the REAL determination comes from those involved in the situation, based upon their OWN relationship.

All we can do about that is say what we think or feel about it. What a thing is, true or false, e.g. a relationship in this case, is up to those involved in/with it.

[kestrel91316]

50. What does Elizabeth have to do with this???

Has the mother claimed that Edwards is the father??

Has Edwards claimed he is the father???

If not, this whole thing is just made-up BS. Leave Elizabeth out of it.

[karynnj]

41. Sorry - but that is still cheating

Is there a new definition of cheating? I hope that it did not happen and that JRE will take steps to clear nis name. If not disproved this is the end of any political future. It is still less bad than Newt Gingrich, but given the love for EE, cheating on her 2 months after she got the awful news destroys much of why anyone preferred Edwards.

[kestrel91316]

51. There is NO need for him to "clear his name" if he didn't do anything.

The duty to refrain from lying and come clean lies with the people who make this shit up.

As someone who knows exactly how it feels to have someone falsely claim that I committed a violent crime, I take offense at your comment. I owed no one an apology or explanation, because I HAD NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG.

Liars have the obligation to prove their claims or STFU.

[karynnj]

55. You misunderstand and I'm sorry I stated it poorly- I am saying that if he did not have an affair

which I think is likely the case, he needs a firm complete denial. This is what others said to Kerry, to Clinton and to Obama on various things. Not because it is fair, but because it will be used against him if left ambiguous.

This is a ghastly rumour - but it is very easily disproved - if it doesn't just lose steam. It might be a good idea for the baby who may be affected by the rumours as well.

I agree with you it is totally unfair, if untrue - as are all smears and lies. All I was saying is that even now, this has crept into MSM. Now, if Obama intended to nominate Edwards for a cabinet position, that likely shouldn't matter. There is nothing in any cabinet position that this would have impact on unless laws were broken - and I can't even think of a possible law that was. If he considers running for Governor - and I don't know when the current governor's term is up or if he intends to run again, then he may need firm proof to squelch it.

[INDIA]

47. Without using protection no less. Despicable. n/t

[JeanGrey]

76. Excuse me, I wasn't aware a "single experience" isn't

listed as 'cheating'. ROTFLMAO Should this be added to the "non cheating" column along with oral sex? :eyes:

[saracat]

24. Oh please. The Globe has a story about the "Obama love child'

None of this crap needs encouragement! And this could be said about any Democrat!And don't forget the garbage NE had on the "Obama gay love triangle"! It is all junk!

[Mojorabbit]

28. I am keeping my mind open

Something is not right with the story and the gods know this happens all the time both to powerful people and regular joes. Both men in the story are only human. I will wait to see how it plays out.

[marshall]

33. If he was the nominee he presumably would not be trysting with other women

He's a private citizen and I guess he assumed he could do as he pleased.

I do think he will have to address this issue if he has any hope of going on in public office, or alternatively have somebody else address it in a definitive and conclusive way.

[defendandprotect]

34. I pretty much agree --- and it could also be that FEAR of Edwards as a VP . . .

is heating this up?

Who knows?

I'm surprised that Elizabeth hasn't gotten on this ---

If it's not true, she should ---

and if it were true -- Elizabeth would probably be dealing with it---

Whichever way, it's their personal business ---

but, needless to say would cloud Edwards for VP pick ---

[question everything]

21. Because if this were Romney, not Edwards, we would not have stopped

talking about it, as would Olbermann, Stewart, Bill Maher and others.

[flvegan]

23. Working for the Freepers.

Is the pay good?

[DeepModem Mom]

26. This is Newsjock. I don't think he works for Freepers. nt

[flvegan]

39. The story does. nt

[Marie26]

32. Sigh

This is tabloid trash, etc. etc. but I'm pretty much convinced that it's true. If it is, it was SO, SO irresponsible for Edwards to run for President. He had to have known that the Repukes would dig this up & if it broke after he was the nominee, that would almost give McCain the Presidency.

[CTyankee]

42. What convinces you about this story? I've only scanned posts briefly that deal with it,

but I haven't seen anything that would convince me. All I remember is that someone says they saw Edwards hiding in the men's room at a motel. Are these people named or just anonymous? Are there photos (that aren't photoshopped)? ANY proof at all?

Not flaming, just curious, cuz if I don't see more I'm gonna dismiss this story...

[Marie26]

43. Sure

And it's totally appropriate to dismiss this story, because it is trash & there's no photographic proof. Basically what convinced me was the corraborating evidence from a hotel security guard who escorted Edwards out of the bathroom, and Edwards' own response to the story. The security guard basically confirmed that Edwards was cornered by a gaggle of Enquirer reporters at the hotel - so that's some proof that he was actually there at 2 a.m. Why? And Edwards never denied the allegations, but instead released a carefully scripted response that said that he doesn't respond to tabloid stories. That's a non-denial, a good way to avoid being caught in an out & out lie. IMO if the story wasn't true he would be denying it in a much stronger & clearer way. So, I'm left concluding there is at least a kernel of truth to this story.

[CTyankee]

46. Is the "evidence from the security guard" that you reference just the Enquirer story?

You don't provide a link so I assume there is no "evidence" other than the Enquirer's. Have other reporters stepped forward to give an account, separate from the Enquirer? Wouldn't it be logical that they would want to have some glory in their part in the event?

I can see how you reached your conclusion with regard to Edwards' response to the story. But perhaps he just doesn't want to have it go any further.

It will still take more for me to even focus on the story. It just seems odd to me that every bit of this story has just evaporated. Usually juicy stories are squeezed for every drop of sensationalism...

[Marie26]

57. Could be

I hope that's the reason. Really it's just Edwards' reaction when he was asked about this. It wasn't the fighter Edwards or an outraged Edwards, but almost an ashamed & anxious man. Just IMO. And I supported Edwards, so really do hope this isn't true.

[CTyankee]

65. I just pulled up a story about this in Slate. In the Enquirer article, Edwards DID deny the story.

Here is the link so you can see for yourself: http://www.slate.com/id/2196482/

It was a firm, uncategorical denial. Couldn't be clearer.

After you've read it, let me know if that has changed your feeling a bit.

I was an Edwards supporter also, but he pulled out of the race before I could vote for him on Super Tuesday and our CT primary. So I voted for Hillary instead, primarily because her health plan was so close to his (or his was close to hers, whatever).

We'll have to see how or if this thing plays out. I'm with you in hoping it isn't true...

:hi:

[OilemFirchen]

48. That would be

the unidentified "security guard" who stated the claim exlusively to Faux News.

Sure does elevate the credibility factor, eh?

[Marie26]

58. Just a bit. nt

[Critters2]

52. You've got pretty low standards for credibility. National Enquirer reporters

and an unidentified security guard. Oh, yeah. It's gotta be true. :eyes:

[Marie26]

59. The thing is,

National Enquirer knows their stuff. And they actually do the gumshoe reporting - like, say, cornering Edwards at a motel. The MSM just sits there & reads talking points and wire reports. That's why the MSM is picking this up now. Your typical "love child" story is easy to wave away, but the way National Enquirer followed up on this really does suggest that they thought it was a legit story.

[Critters2]

63. They also claimed Obama has a love child.

Or didn't your freeper friends tell you that?

[Marie26]

64. Thus the distinction

between your run-of-the mill "love child" story & one they actually follow up on & use a ton of reporters to catch someone

[JeanGrey]

77. The fact that he is hiding is enough. If it weren't true,

why is he hiding in the bathroom?

[hopewell1985]

35. amazing

witch hunt. remember when they said Clinton raped a woman then he fathered a child all were proved false.

[EFerrari]

45. This whole flap just demonstrates that we've not moved at all

from the days when adulterers had to sit in the stocks.

Hello?!

Why does DU hate babies? :)

[kestrel91316]

49. Why is the child of two people who worked for Edwards the

subject of news speculation? Must not be anything more pressing to write about, I guess........

This is JUST as nonsensical as the Obama birth certificate flap. Lots of TOTAL BS.

[marshall]

53. We're in a tabloid society now

And that includes politics. That's just the way it is. People want to know about Brad and Angelina's new twins, Jamie Lynn Spears's new baby (another one with dubious paternity), and they are waiting to see what crazy ass thing Britney and Lindsay and all the others will do next.

[nam78_two]

54. Sheesh-another irrelevant distraction.nt

[fascisthunter]

61. boy the right wing is afraid of Edwards becoming VP me thinks

why is this even being posted here?

[sendero]

66. I've said it before and I'll say it again..

..lumping the National Enquirer in with the rest of the tabloids at your peril.

They lost a lawsuit many moons ago and decided they would not print anything that they could not reasonably back up in court.

My guess is that this story is substantially or totally true.

[struggle4progress]

71. NE lost a number of libel suits in the UK, where the bar to a public figure plaintiff is lower:

in the US, a public figure must prove neither mere inaccuracy nor negligence but actual malice or prior knowledge that the story is untrue -- both of which are harder to prove

But I bet you've been told that before

With regard to the dangers of "lumping the National Enquirer in with the rest of the tabloids", one should note that NE is published by American Media Inc, which also publishes such supermarket check-out line gems such as The Star, The Globe, and The National Examiner; AMI also used to publish the now-defunct Weekly World News (which once brought stories like "Hillary Clinton Adopts Alien Baby" to eager shoppers everywhere)

But I bet you knew that too

[robcon]

67. I expect John would deny the hotel story more forcefully if it were untrue.

His non-denial (except months ago, when his aide 'fessed up' to the paternity) in the face of the latest accusations is telling to me. To discredit this story he's got to go beyond just attacking the Enquirer as unworthy of a response. He needs to state on the record that the story is false - that he wasn't there to meet the woman, and he didn't hide in a hotel bathroom.

He'd have quite a lawsuit if the Enquirer made up the story.

[Critters2]

70. It's none of your damn business. He's a private citizen.

Besides, if it's so credible, why aren't the REAL media covering it?

[robcon]

74. You look to the media to find out whether it's newsworthy?

He is/was an active candidate for VP or a cabinet position in the new administration. I admired him during the campaign (my second choice.) Definitely newsworthy for me.

[JeanGrey]

79. They will

[JeanGrey]

78. Yup. The fact he didn't is telling.

[JVS]

69. Call Maury Povich RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

[humbled_opinion]

85. LOL

YOU ARE NOT THE FATHER !!!

[JVS]

87. See! I knew I wasn't the Father! *does endzone dance*

[olddad56]

73. We know the child can't be McCain's. He has outlived his dick.

[ima_sinnic]

75. if it were me w the possibility of VP nomination & innocent, I'd insist on a paternity test

like yesterday.

It does not reassure me that he does not do such a simple thing.

But it is also indicative of the a-hole mentality of the American public that this would be the deciding factor in anything. They ignored his stand on the issues and the great contribution he could make to making the U.S. a better place but will spend 24/7 on this.

[karynnj]

80. I wouldn't make that inference - there is a real possibility that he knows

he is not the vp nominee - remember the "finalists" know who they are as the Obama team is likely continuing to ask for info and speaking to them. If he's not, he may feel this will end and that it is insulting to be asked to do a paternity test. So far, most of the credible media has stayed away from this - which is a sign that there is some limit to where they will go.

[robcon]

82. He's not going to be the VP. But he wants, IMO, a position in the Obama adminstration.

He doesn't have a job since he quit the Senate, and I think he wants to make a difference in the world.

His non-response is very telling, IMO, and I suspect he's the father.

[humbled_opinion]

84. Who cares anyway...

We are back to attacking people's personal business. I mean I know that King George removed all aspects of Privacy from the life of American Citizens but come on.... This is nobody's business but the Edward's family..... enough said.

[robcon]

86. The Edwards persona was partially built on loyalty and caring for Elizabeth.

This issue is very, very important to Edwards' eligibility for a cabinet post.

[JerseygirlCT]

88. Not exactly an earthshattering piece of news.

The birth cert. on my first didn't list my HUSBAND at first, b/c I keep my name, and the idiot filling out the papers decided that meant we weren't married - the papers WE'D filled out be damned. They also sent social workers in to talk to me about my rights.

We had to go fight in the city hall in that city to get things straight - and his middle names are still hyphenated on the BC, even though that's not how we wrote it.

I would never use a BC to jump to any of these conclusions!