I am FURIOUS at these reports Edwards had an affair.

[Brazenly Liberal]

Not angry that he had the affair - that's between him and Elizabeth and Rielle(?) and none of my damned business. No, I'm royally pissed that it's being reported all over the airwaves.

Why is this news? Why is this breaking news supplanting other stories on every goddamned network? Why is his former campaign manager being quoted as saying he is "saddened and angry"? How the hell is it any of HIS business either? Is this how low we've sunk? I can see that the facts about someone whose private life is in direct conflict with his policies would be pertinent. I can see that the facts about someone whose personal life involves victimizing those younger or weaker would be pertinent. But an adult having an affair with another consenting adult is, I repeat, nobody's goddamned business.

[high density]

1. Breaking news: John Edwards is a liar

That seems to be the core problem here, not his affair. I know there are lots of liars in DC, but many of us did give Edwards the benefit of the doubt.

[Brazenly Liberal]

17. the benefit of the doubt on what?

answering questions he should never have been asked? Or, when the inappropriate question was put to him, being unwilling to publicly embarrass his wife? Geez what an asshole :sarcasm:

[high density]

39. He IS an asshole in my book.

Plus it shows he's even more full of himself than I thought previously for running for President while having this lingering in his recent past.

[medeak]

2. am heartbroken

but believe it's due to his lying while running for prez

[nels25]

3. Tell me if had been the same story but the name was Huckabee

or Romney would you react the same way??

All I ask is for consistency.

[dems_rightnow]

8. Very true

A repuglican would get eviscerated over this.

[Brazenly Liberal]

27. No problem

In the same situation, I would react the same way - regardless of party affiliation.

Why is Larry Craig anyone's business? Because he went looking for sex? No. Because he went looking for sex in a public bathroom? Eeuuww, but still no. Because he wanted sex with a man? No. It's only our business because of the hypocrisy in Craig's stand on policy issues. IOW, if Craig hadn't been so rabidly homophobic in his approach to public policy, his dalliances with other men would be none of our business.

[nels25]

30. Okay I can and do accept your explanation

and thank you for being someone who indicates their willingness to be consistent.

It is refreshing.

And it is all I am really asking for.

[Hugabear]

51. This is always the huge difference

The rethugs are the ones who run around on this whole "family values" platform, and constantly push anti-homosexual legislation.

Sure, it's sad that Edwards did what he did, and people have every right to think that he's a scumbag over it. But afaik, he never made 'family values' part of his central platform. He might be an adulterer, but he's not a hypocrite because of it.

[dsc]

56. just what do you call saying you have faith based objections to gays getting married

and then doing what Edwards did? I would call that total hypocrisy.

[Brazenly Liberal]

57. I think one has nothing to do with the other

I don't see the connection you seem draw between being gay(or supporting gay rights) and cheating or not cheating on your spouse. One neither necessitates nor precludes the other.

For the record, I think objections of any kind to gay marriage are ignorant and/or bigoted. Unfortunately, it looks as though it will still be some time before a major party nominee has the decency to be on the right side of that issue and the courage to say so. I think faith based objections to anything have no place in government. Morality and religion are not interdependent - in fact, they have on many occasions throughout history been mutually exclusive.

[dsc]

59. that is ludricrious

It isn't just that he opposes marriage equality but he does so on explicitly moral grounds. If you say, as he did, that I am too immoral to be married your marriage is surely my business.

[ChazII]

62. Excellent point. n/t

[zanne]

4. It was a stupid, stupid thing for him to do.

Do they ever learn?

[Brazenly Liberal]

31. Yes, it was,

And no, they don't.

[zorahopkins]

5. Angelina Jolie Sells Her Pics for $11 Million!

News about celebrities sell.

John Edwards is a celebrity.

News about him sells.

Is this really so difficult to understand?

[Medusa]

9. $14 mill actually

7 mil per kid.

[Brazenly Liberal]

40. Ah, I see. If it sells, it's right. That's your take on things?

Yes, in fact, that IS difficult to understand.

[NC_Nurse]

6. He's a smarmy liar. People are interested. End of story.

[Mojorabbit]

7. I am furious at him

for having an affair while he was running for president of the democratic ticket, that he took campaign funds that were donated and used them to pay his mistress, that he could have lost the election for us if he had been nominated, and lastly that he hurt his lovely wife not once but twice, when after telling her of the affair he went back to see the woman again behind her back. Scum in my book.

[pengillian101]

38. "Scum in my book." Ditto n/t

[Virginia Dare]

10. In other news, the U.S. is on the brink of war with Russia...n/t

[JDPriestly]

16. And why are we on the brink of war with Russia?

Because we are led by liars. Can't we just find one honest person who loves our country and our people? Bush certainly is not that person, nor are any of the other candidates. I will vote for Obama, but he is a compromiser with no clear stance on anything -- not the kind of guy I really trust either. He just wants everyone to get along and has not sense of justice or right and wrong. Now, mind you, I will vote for him as the lesser of two evils at this point.

The problem is not that Edwards had an affair. That can happen. The problem is that Edwards lied because it was politically useful to lie. Just one honest person, please. And don't tell me that Obama is honest. Because if you think that, I have a FISA Amendment for you. Obama is also not a man of his word -- although he is the best candidate running.

[Virginia Dare]

19. Good luck finding a human being who doesn't lie...

it's just that politicians tell more public lies.

[LisaM]

36. The first thread I saw said breaking at MSNBC

who really knows?

I might point out that the Democrats who have affairs (Clinton, the NY governor, now Edwards, JFK if you want to go back that far) seem to stay with their wives, which shows me that there's at least a better foundation to their marriages.

[babylonsister]

11. Because this is sensational and landed in lazy journos' laps. They

didn't have to lift a finger to go to the salacious. Nevermind there are actual important stories out there, like multiple wars being waged, the lying that's going on over the antrax case, Suskind's allegations, etc. That takes hard werk, and no one is willing to do it.

[Brazenly Liberal]

46. AARRGGHHHH!!!!!!!!

You are absolutely right and that's another thing that's been bugging me. I think I'll scream the next time someone refers to the pressure politicians are under from 24 hour news stations. 24 hour news? HAH! More like 20 minutes of the same lightweight reportage of a handful of news stories repeated 50 or so times plus commercials and the rare KO-type content.

[LisaM]

12. I had a hunch this would happen. I have a friend who works at MSNBC

I think they have been working really, really hard to push this. She was making squeaks about it last week to my sister and me. I didn't respond and my sister said she didn't care - but I had a feeling they were trying to find a way to break it. She said, "this story isn't going away". Clearly, it was to someone's benefit to push it.

Add to this that the media - including MSNBC and in particular Ed Schultz - is suddenly insisting that Hillary is trying to break up the convention, it's clear that there is a concerted effort to sow seeds of discord within the Democratic party. Who knows where it's originating, but I think GENBC and Rove are two places to start. I don't think Ed Schultz is the source. Occasionally he seems to promote stories based on little knowledge and a visceral reaction that he later backs away from. I've seen this pattern frequently over the past number of months. Someone's playing him like a fiddle. NBC - no clue what's going on there.

[Virginia Dare]

21. So NBC didn't want to piss of f the Democrats..

because there's a good chance that Obama will get elected, so they peddled it to FAUX?

[jobycom]

13. I agree completely, but it is news, and Edwards and all of us know it is.

No, it's not right, it's none of our business, and this nation should be ashamed of itself for its voyeuristic mentality that confuses tabloid trash for news and real news for bubonic plague. But everyone knows. Unless we ever grow up as a nation, it will continue to be.

[jonnyblitz]

14. I agree! It only should be news if it's a republican or somebody

we DUers HATE!!!111

[MadHound]

15. Such an affair speaks to a person's character and morals.

I know that's probably viewed as old fashioned and quaint, but nevertheless it is true. And while this affair of Edward's didn't victimize somebody younger and weaker, it did victimize his wife(who is ill) and his family.

My question for you is would you be taking this stance if Edwards was a Republican. Somehow, given the evidence I've seen around here, I doubt that you would.

[krabigirl]

if he were Republican, he'd be with another man :)

[Brazenly Liberal]

45. My answer for you is the same as I posted above

Yes, if the situation was the same and it involved a Republican, I would feel the same. I elaborated on this above when someone else asked. I can't imagine what evidence you could possibly "have seen around here" that would lead you to doubt that. Please point out posts I've made that show me to be a hypocrite who holds Republicans to a higher standard than Democrats.

I must say I am flummoxed by the logic that says Elizabeth was victimized by this affair, so the right thing to do is to further victimize her by putting her private grief all over the airwaves.

[MadHound]

49. Really? You would feel the same? Interesting

Because back in February of this year when McCain's lobbyist affair came to light, you were snarking it up right along with the rest of us. You certainly didn't post a diatribe against the media, nope, you were yukking it up too, something about your dog:shrug:

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3190736>

Sorry, but you're being hypocritical. Good news, you're far from alone around here.

[Brazenly Liberal]

53. So sorry. You lose. Please play again next time.

Read the post in context. Anyone with half a brain can see I was commenting on Pat Buchanan's voice. Period. I wasn't "snarking it up" or "yukking it up" about McCain's affair. In fact, I didn't say a single word about McCain's affair. No, I didn't post a "diatribe." It's a little overwrought of you to call this OP a diatribe, imo, but since you seem to have issues, I won't press it.

I don't mind at all admitting that Buchanan is repugnant to me and his voice gets on my last nerve. I also don't mind admitting I took part in a subthread that was wandering somewhat from the original topic, which some people find rude. So sue me. But if you want to call me a hypocrite, you're going to have to do better than that.

[misanthrope]

48. No, what it "speaks to"...

...is the fact that humanity is always trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Homo sapiens is not monogamous, precious few critters are. To expect as much, especially from male humans, is the same as expecting a dog to breathe underwater or a snail to shed leaves in the autumn.

The only opinions that matter are those of John and Elizabeth Edwards. Everyone else needs to mind their own business.

[MadHound]

52. Oh puhleeze Vulcan, that bullshit excuse has been going around for decades now

And it is no more true, or proven, than other such bullshit. Hate to tell you this, but literally billions of people on this planet have gone through their married life, happily married, without fucking around on their partner.

And "male humans" aren't some alien species that have no control over themselves. Sorry, but that sort of attitude is both false, and rather sexist thinking.

As far as John and Elizabeth, well, they are public figures. One of the disadvantages of being a public figure is that your laundry is aired for everybody to see. That is the nature of fame and publicity. If they didn't want their dirty laundry aired, well, either they should have stayed out of the spotlight, or John should have kept his dick in his pants.

[still_one]

18. This speaks to his character, just as what ginrich did to his sick wife /nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. As a candidate for office, he was asking us to trust him

If his wife cannot trust him, why should we?

[TexasObserver]

22. I am FURIOUS with John!!

And I feel so bad for Elizabeth and her whole family.

[TexasBushwhacker]

35. A tremendous disappointment

just like it was with Bill Clinton. What is it with men and their wieners, and the women that they cheat with? I wouldn't want a man who cheats, even with me, and I would never be the "other woman". I just don't get it.

[TexasObserver]

41. It's a private failing for a private person, but for a public figure, a public failing

I hate these pressers where the busted man apologizes and his shattered wife stands there beside him. I'd prefer that he come out there and let her unload on him nonstop for about ten minutes.

[TexasBushwhacker]

44. Wouldn't that be great!

Frankly I don't give a shit "why" he had the affair. There is no GOOD reason, there's just lame excuses.

[otohara]

23. Because That's What Happens

when a former candidate for POTUS, VP candidate, senator has an affair, lies about it for a year then gets busted.

All hell breaks lose on the media and he should have known that.

[JBoy]

24. The Democrats dodged a bullet by not picking Edwards.

I'm disappointed. I was pulling for him up until he dropped out.

[Generator]

25. Well it suplanted the missing toddler story

As in-yes a tragedy for the family of said toddler, not really relevant to any one else's life-but reported constantly on CNN the last days I've watched.

Well..who your possible president shtupps is always BIG NEWS.

[Evoman]

26. Geez....republicans are caught raping little kids and they get less press.

[Freddie Stubbs]

28. Mark Foley sure got a lot of press two years ago, and he never ran for President

[AngryAmish]

29. What about ripping off his donors to give money for his piece of ass?

Is that news? Or are you comfortable with politicians using tax-free slush funds to advance their sex life?

[Dreamer Tatum]

33. Amen to that nt

[AngryAmish]

37. Testify!

[Dreamer Tatum]

42. I wonder how many DUers donated to him, only to find...

...that their dollars went to her. That is infuriating.

[tabasco]

58. How odd ......

I just searched your posts for your tirades against Senators Vitter or Craig.

Couldn't find any.

:shrug::shrug::shrug::shrug::shrug::shrug::shrug::shrug::shrug:

[AndreaCG]

32. It was dumb

It is only somewhat less bad than McCain and Gingrich and Giuliani because he didn't announce divorce plans on his sick or unsuspecting wife. But we'd be lambasting a R if he did it, so let's be consistent and be ashamed of Edwards.

I need a new avatar.

[Bright Eyes]

34. Edwards having an affair is FAR more important then Russia invading Georgia

:sarcasm:

[tjwash]

54. And a 2 carrier task force nuked up and steaming to the persian gulf.

Not to mention Kuwait getting ready to duck and cover when bombs start falling in their backyard.

[Iggo]

43. Are you just as furious...

...that over half the threads on this board right now are about Edwards, and that yours is one of them?

[Brazenly Liberal]

47. Um, wrongo

My thread is not about Edwards. It's about what is considered breaking news these days. It's about the dimming of the line between journalism and celeb news. Even here, where people are theoretically more plugged in to the process and more aware of the real issues, there are those who say it's legitimate news because he's a celebrity.

[Neshanic]

50. Uh, he's a hypocrit and a serial liar?

[LibDemAlways]

55. His being a Dem makes it breaking news, and the whores

at the corporate media outlets will be working 24/7 to keep it in SCREAMING HEADLINES for days. Anything that tarnishes the Dem party is their bread and butter. If this was about Mittens Romney, it would barely rate a mention. Hell, McCain left his injured wife as damaged goods in favor of a much younger, much hotter, much richer woman - but you'll never hear the media expound on that.

I always assumed Edwards was a very bright guy. It's disappointing to think he didn't understand that only repukes can get away with sexual indiscretions. He was toast from the get-go.

[pengillian101]

60. Are you serious?

She was paid over $100,000 as an Edwards campaign videographer who travelled with him all over the world and apparently did more than just videotape.

Getting paid from donations to Edwards. That doesn't just gall the hell out of you? It does me.

[ileus]

61. It's not ture, he's a trial lawyer, if you can't trust them then who?