Breaking ABC: Edwards admits affair.

[mckeown1128]

Just heard it... :( Oh well..



http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5441195&page=1



Edit: Oh christ... the details make it worse. He hired her for the campaign paying her 6 figures for a job that she was not qualified for. And the father of the baby is another campaign staffer. :(

Edit again: "Since becoming pregnant, Hunter has lived under assumed names in a series of expensive homes in North Carolina and, more recently, in Santa Barbara, California." wtf

[YOY]

1. Welp...shame it wasn't with a man...

That would make Ann Coulter right.

He's not our man anyway. Shame about that too.

[PM7nj]

2. Bastard.

[maddezmom]

3. just read it

:(

[cbc5g]

4. whelp, no speaking slot for Edwards

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. Crap.

Well, all my heroes are mortal.

But I don't want to see the sort of crap they give him if we nominate him for AG. I don't.

I still respect the man more than anything, and I wouldn't have changed my vote for him in the primary for the world. Much like I'll always respect Bill Clinton despite his failings.

[book_worm]

24. he won't be nominated for AG

[Marrah_G]

29. me too

[pengillian101]

157. "I still respect the man more than anything" ????????

Unbelievable!

[BeyondGeography]

162. Forget AG...dude is history

$114G for sex, then he lies about it. That's how this story plays out.

[WeDidIt]

6. WHEW!!!

Dodged a bullet on that one!

Poor Elizabeth. DAMN JOHN EDWARDS FOR DOING THAT TO HER!!!!

[tekisui]

I just lost a lot of respect.

We picked the right candidate.

[WeDidIt]

17. I just cannot believe he'd be so stupid

Seriously!

And with a beautiful person like Elizabeth as his wife, too!

How could he be so callous?

[Renew Deal]

23. Imagine he won the primary

We'd be fucked.

[WeDidIt]

51. Pretty much

If it came out before the convention we could get a different nominee, but we'd still pretty much be fucked.

And that makes me even madder. First Edwards fucked this other woman, which in essence fucked Elizabeth, but then he continued trying to fuck the Democratic Party adn the American people when he KNEW he had done this.

[greguganus]

What a "fucker"! n/t

[my3boyz]

194. That is what gets me too. He knew this could have harmed us in GE if he was the nominee yet

he still ran for the nomination.

[butterfly77]

132. Everything happens for a reason..

[ErinBerin84]

7. crazy.

[JackORoses]

damn, this sucks to hear

He would have made a great AG.

[jefferson_dem]

8. Fuckin A.

Shame on him.

In my view, this makes him a loser -- total persona non grata.

[Mass]

9. I feel so sorry for his family.

[AndyA]

10. Well shame on him, if true.

I guess we now know why he suspended his campaign so quickly in January. :(

I still think he'd make a good Attorney General, but what the hell is wrong with guys who can't keep their d*ck in their pants? :shrug:

[Mojorabbit]

113. Thank goodness he did

suspend his campaign. I shudder to think where we would be now if he was our nominee.

[Eric J in MN]

155. If John Edwards had stayed in, the vote for someone besides Hillary Clinton...

...would have been split between Edwards and Obama, and Hillary Clinton would be our nominee.

[Mojorabbit]

172. and it may have cost us the election

if the republicans had made good use of it.

[my3boyz]

195. Yeah, I'm grateful that he got out when he did but he shouldn't have been running at all with

all the secrets he had. He had to know that it would get out.

[Metric System]

11. DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT!

[zulchzulu]

12. Link

Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential Candidate
In ABC News Interview, Edwards Says He Cheated, but Did Not Father Child
By RHONDA SCHWARTZ and BRIAN ROSS

August 8, 2008 —

John Edwards repeatedly lied during his Presidential campaign about an extra-marital affair with a novice film-maker, the former Senator admitted to ABC News today.

In an interview for broadcast tonight on Nightline, Edwards told ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff he did have an affair with 42-year old Rielle Hunter, but said that he did not love her.

Edwards also denied he was the father of Hunter's baby girl, Frances Quinn, although the one-time Democratic Presidential candidate said he has not taken a paternity test.

Edwards said he knew he was not the father based on timing of the baby's birth on February 27, 2008. He said his affair ended too soon for him to have been the father.

A former campaign aide, Andrew Young, has said he was the father of the child.

According to friends of Hunter, Edwards met her at a New York city bar in 2006. His political action committee later paid her $114,000 to produce campaign website documentaries despite her lack of experience.

Edwards said the affair began during the campaign after she was hired. Hunter traveled with Edwards around the country and to Africa.

Edwards said his wife, Elizabeth, and others in his family became aware of the affair in 2006.

Edwards made a point of telling Woodruff that his wife's cancer was in remission when he began the affair with Hunter. Elizabeth Edwards has since been diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease.

When the National Enquirer first reported the alleged Edwards-Hunter affair last October 11, Edwards, his campaign staff and Hunter vociferously denounced the report.

"The story is false, it's completely untrue, it's ridiculous," Edwards told reporters then.

He repeated his denials just two weeks ago.

Edwards today admitted the National Enquirer was correct when it reported he had visited Hunter at the Beverly Hills Hilton last month.

The former Senator said his wife had not known about the meeting.

Since becoming pregnant, Hunter has lived under assumed names in a series of expensive homes in North Carolina and, more recently, in Santa Barbara, California.

Edwards denied paying any money to Hunter to keep her from going public but said it was possible some of his friends or supporters may have made payments without telling him.

He said he would ask questions about any possible arrangement.


http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5441195&page=1

[TwilightGardener]

35. 2006, his family knew about it? WHY DID HE RUN FOR PREZ?

[shadowknows69]

42. He must have thought he had the story quieted

[TwilightGardener]

47. That's utterly delusional! The dirt ALWAYS comes out.

[shadowknows69]

49. never underestimate the power of self delusion

People generally think they're infallible until someone proves they're wrong.

[KittyWampus]

205. See: Elliot Spitzer

you are correct

[Blue_Tires]

60. in that case, i wonder

why he rolled the dice by going to that hotel at night? that photo was the only proof hinting to a connection

[TwilightGardener]

68. Exactly--why didn't he completely break it off, if the kid isn't his? Answer--

the kid is his.

[frylock]

137. take it to the bank

[rebel with a cause]

198. I agree.

I read some time ago that Young is a close friend to Edwards and a strong supporter of his, and he was taking credit for the baby to help his friend out. It gave a lot of details of how this all had been carried out, but I just brushed it off as unproven. Now it all makes sense.

[Renew Deal]

106. That's just impossible.

And he should know that. You can't screw around on your wife and possibly get someone pregnant without someone talking. It's just not possible.

[foo_bar]

207. it must be a DLC thing, bartering chits for sex

I think Spitzer had the right idea, just pay for the transaction that it is, preferably not with public funds; messing with people whose paycheck you sign is already an indication of corruption (so is visiting hookers since Spitzer was AG at the time and NY != Nevada, but at least they weren't lobbyist-hookers expecting casino quid pro quos). I suppose if there's a Talmudic hierarchy of public sex scandals Edwards' is in the middle somewhere with Clinton, above gropers like Bob Packwood (heh) or blackmailed Abramoff clients or McCain's reputed affair with that lobbyist, but below people who at least kept their public/private lives separate, like Larry Craig when he wasn't handing out his business card.

[Richardo]

37. Well crap.

[book_worm]

45. ok, so the ? is why was he visiting this woman recently in California?

[zulchzulu]

53. The Enquirer story is just plain embarrassing...

I feel for his family. I hope they can work it out. It's pretty tragic stuff.

[SuperTrouper]

91. I cannot believe how irresponsible Edwards has been...

it goes directly to his character and the lies and presentation of his wholesome image. This is not good for his family, especially Elizabeth Edwards

[JackORoses]

58. to see his child?

[greguganus]

100. That woman sure gets around! n/t

[WinkyDink]

202. Apparently, so does JE.

[greguganus]

111. If this happened in 2006, what in the hell was he meeting her for 2 months ago?? n/t

[beachmom]

127. Oh GOD. So he "ended the affair" but then went to her hotel recently?

Unknown to his wife? Ugh.

[TwilightGardener]

134. Elizabeth apparently forgave him in 2006, and stood by him--

I wonder if she knew about this latest "meeting"...probably not. Poor lady. Lost a 16-year-old son, diagnosed with terminal cancer, husband repeatedly cheating on her...how much more can someone take?

[beachmom]

139. NO, she did not know of this "meeting" according to the article:

Edwards today admitted the National Enquirer was correct when it reported he had visited Hunter at the Beverly Hills Hilton last month.

The former Senator said his wife had not known about the meeting.

[City Lights]

179. Ugh.

:puke:

[Lorien]

209. "but said that he did not love her"..

So, that makes it OK? That actually makes it a bit worse, imho. He was just using her for sex and risking everything for it? I understand it when people have an intense attraction to someone else-often finding themselves in love with two people at the same time- and it's a force that they just can't seem to resist. It's happened to me before. But I can't see risking it all for a bang. That's the kind of crap Republicans do because it's all about having power over someone else (which is why they usually opt for a prostitute; they can use their dirty money to make others please them). What a sad situation for everyone involved.

[TwilightGardener]

13. Whoa. Poor Elizabeth.

[Marrah_G]

14. Oh Goddess this SUCKS.

Well now we know why he dropped out so easily.

Poor Elizabeth. I'm sure she probably knew a long time ago, but having the whole world know......

Dammit, she is a wonderful and warm woman and I hate that she has to have this pain on top of her illness.

This is heartbreaking.

[WilliamPitt]

15. Link

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5441195&page=1

[Blue_Tires]

85. hello, Will

haven't seen you for a bit!:thumbsup:

[tekisui]

16. Here goes the fucking media circus.

They ignore the puke affairs, I bet this will be all over the place.

[Renew Deal]

18. The National Enquirer got it right.

I told you Edwards was a phony.

[tekisui]

28. I believe you now.

I had my doubts when he didn't put a stop to the story earlier.

My wife always said she didn't trust him.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

30. He's denying paternity.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5441195&page=1

"Edwards said he knew he was not the father based on timing of the baby's birth on February 27, 2008. He said his affair ended too soon for him to have been the father."

Enquirer could still be FOS.

[tekisui]

71. Can't trust anything he says now....

[FormerConservative]

88. Absolutely correct

[AllentownJake]

79. If you believe that...

I had an affair with this woman but I'm not the father its one of my aids....he disgusts me. Take some responsibility John.

[jefferson_dem]

93. Yeah right.

I trust that sleazy tabloid more than I trust Edwards right now.

[frylock]

140. oh, i believe him..

yep. :eyes:

[beachmom]

143. We know now that Edwards is FOS, so that makes two non-credible sources.

[City Lights]

180. His words no longer have any credibility. nt

[ChiciB1]

193. And Bill Clinton's Words Are Sacrosanct??? Gary Hart, John Kennedy &

Robert Kennedy... all Democrats, two of them PRESIDENTS!! Say NOTHING of ALL THE REPUKES who have been caught and FORGOTTEN about... some who are STILL in DENIAL!!!

[WinkyDink]

203. Your point?

[WinkyDink]

200. No one is forcing a DNA test, that's why.

[TwilightGardener]

56. I got slammed here for calling him a phony last winter. But there was

just something about the guy that I didn't trust.

[Renew Deal]

73. Same here.

It bothered me that he was apologizing for all his past positions. It was so contrived.

[TwilightGardener]

78. Yeah, the incongruity of his hedge-fund work and his lavish home

and his populist message didn't square with me.

[ecstatic]

95. Same here (smh) ... but this is just over the top nt

[ellisonz]

160. Me three.

[Clark2008]

99. Me, too.

While I hate this for Elizabeth and the kids, we can take heart in our excellent judgmental skills in determining candidates.

For what that's worth. :shrug:

[PatSeg]

158. Me too

I held my "tongue" a lot though as emotions were running amuck at the time. I had talked to some people from NC and the stories confirmed my instinctive impressions.

[marlakay]

221. I always felt the same way but afraid to say so

on any of the blogs because he was so well loved. I have always been for Gore and still am. I think Obama will do fine though.

[Medusa]

105. Guess the Enquirer turned out to be a valid source

after all huh?

[otohara]

159. They Have In The Past

so it was silly for so many DU'ers to think that they couldn't possibly be accurate on something like this. The rumors were flying, the girlfriend was telling her friends she was in love with "John". Women in love have trouble keeping it a secret. The hunt was on to expose him. He should have known better.

[LostinVA]

182. The Enquirer is much more valid and better fact-checked than most sources

And yes, that is a fact. They have a huge layer of fact checkers and legal vetters all news stories go through. They are usually correct, and they've done some crackerjack investigative journalism before (OJ, etc.). Being a tabloid doesn't mean they make up stuff, it just means they are kinda sleazy in their reporting POV.

I am disappointed in Edwards. I lived in NC a long time. I've been cheated on before in a long-term relationship, and I feel for his family.

[shadowknows69]

19. No way

No words, WTF John?

[book_worm]

20. Damn! the one I feel for is Elizabeth who is fighting cancer and now has to deal with this

crap. A husband who couldn't be supportive enough that he had to have an affair while she was sick.

[YvonneCa]

22. I'm with you. n/t

[Renew Deal]

31. And he got his mistress pregnant

What a disaster.

[Mass]

36. He still denies this part.

[Renew Deal]

82. You're right, but he also hasn't taken a paternity test

And there's no father listed. And he visited her a month ago.

[Mass]

94. The article says he did. Honestly, I do not know what to believe on this, but I feel so sorry about

his wife and kids anyway to have to go through this.

[Medusa]

109. He needs to take the DNA and prove it's not his

we already know what his word is worth.

[WinkyDink]

206. He's dumb, but he ain't stupid.

[Mass]

Yes, this is what gets to me too.

[Fleshdancer]

54. and you know what ??

If the role was reversed and it was HIM who was fighting cancer, would we see her having an affair? I highly doubt it.

She's been through so much already. How dare he.

[AspenRose]

214. It's terrible.

:-( After all they've been through.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Whoops.

Looks like a lot of apologies are due.

[Tim4319]

25. Okay!

That is disturbing to hear, but I believe that is between he, his wife and his mistress to work out. I understand he was in the public service, but affairs go on in a walks of life. I am not saying that this is right! But, we as a country are facing far more important issues than whether someone had an affair or not.

Please do not take this as my attacking you for this story. I am just extremely frustrated about whether or not he had an affair should be that big a deal. If having an affair was so bad, how come it does not make the local/national news with the average Joe and Jane have affairs on their significants?

[mckeown1128]

41. I agree that this story is none of our busieness..

but unfortunetly the media is going to do the drooling rabid dog act on it for 2 weeks.

[waiting for hope]

65. An affair over two years ago. n/t

[Big Blue Marble]

151. This story once again is not about sex. It is about betrayal.

He betrayed his wife and family. He betrayed his contributers using campaign funds to
put an unqualified lover on his campaign payroll. For gods sake he has enough money
to pay his mistress himself.

And he betrayed us. He lied about the affair for months during the campaign.
It may not bother you that people cheat and break their vows, but it bothers many.
That is why he could not tell us the truth.

If he were our nominee now we would be fucked. He tried to sell us a load of HS.

[Outlier]

201. betrayal

absolutely, dead spot on analysis. couldn't agree more.

[Berry Cool]

216. When a man holds public office, and especially when he runs for president,

his affairs are no longer a private matter. THAT's why it makes the news when other people's affairs don't.

[AllentownJake]

26. Why did he run for President?

:WTF:

You ran for President with this going and didn't drop out? Someone like Biden, Richardson, or Dodd could have taken your place or Obama could have won New Hampshire outright and ended this entire mess.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

44. Same reason that JFK or Clinton or any politician whose ever been unfaithful ran for president

They want to help the country.

Unfortunately, they can't control their urges.

It doesn't make them horrible people, just flawed.

[AllentownJake]

52. did JFK or Clinton get anyone pregnant (EOM)

[Tommy_Carcetti]

121. As far as we know, no.

But as far as we know right now, neither did Edwards. Unless you want to take the Enquirer at face value.

I'll wait to see about the paternity test before passing judgment in that department, thank you.

[AllentownJake]

142. I'll consider him a liar on the issue

till proven otherwise.

I don't see why you'd keep someone you used to cheat on your wife around if there wasn't still something going on.

[LostinVA]

185. Yeah, I find that strange, too

[redqueen]

80. Bull-fucking-shit... not "can't"... WON'T!

:puke:

[redqueen]

81. dupe - delete

[AllentownJake]

86. Agree

Don't buy that men disciplined enough to get through the toughest schools in the country can't control themselves around a pretty girl.

[Drunken Irishman]

103. However, neither had a dying wife at home.

[dionysus]

actually it makes them cheating sleazebags...

n/t

[pettypace]

212. exactly - 48,000 votes for Edwards in NH.

[JVS]

27. hmmm

I guess that settles it.

[El Supremo]

32. Other than what he did to his wife and family, this also stinks >>

"According to friends of Hunter, Edwards met her at a New York city bar in 2006. His political action committee later paid her $114,000 to produce campaign website documentaries despite her lack of experience."


Sorry, I just don't trust any politician.

[galaxy21]

33. It was irresponsible of him to run if he had that many skeletons in his closet

Imagine if he'd won the nomination? What a disaster.

Oh, yeah. And cheating on your dying wife. Way to go, John.

[Renew Deal]

46. We'd be nominating Hillary right now.

That's what would happen if he won and the timing was the same.

[AllentownJake]

62. How ironic would that have been

[ecstatic]

119. I feel like he used a lot of people

People donated money to him and for his campaign. He is a mega millionaire who knew he would disrupt our process had he received the nomination. WTF?! I mean, I had doubts about him but this is... just...too much!

[Fleshdancer]

34. Fucking asshole!

:grr:

My heart goes out to Elizabeth Edwards.

[truebrit71]

38. Goddammit John! How could you do that to Elizabeth?

...And thanks for waiting for so long to tell us the truth...

How could you POSSIBLY think that this wouldn't come out eventually?

You would have been one hell of an AG...

[AspenRose]

215. What you said.

I'm a horrible judge of character, apparently. :-( I am so very, very disappointed. Elizabeth doesn't deserve this.

[David Zephyr]

39. Well, I never was fooled by Edwards & took a lot of shit here. He is a fucking jerk.

He has hurt our party. He has disgraced himself. He has thrown a wrench to the Democrats right at convention time.

And worse: He has really done evil to Elizabeth.

And to all those who gave me shit here for calling him a phony, well, I hear your silence.

This guy is a fraud. He never was liberal as a Senator, he fucked John Kerry's campaign, he never was a team player, he co-sponsored the Iraqi War Resolution.

[Fleshdancer]

63. mea culpa David

I don't recall if I'm one of the people who gave you shit about him, but it wouldn't surprise me if I did. You were right and I won't be silent about it.

edit: more effective when spelled correctly :D

[David Zephyr]

89. Well, I wish I'd been wrong because he really has hurt us all now with his selfishness.

I felt badly posting politely against him all year here when he was mentioned for VP or Attorney General. But he is just a phony and he hurt Kerry's campaign as David Axelrod has even said.

In any event, this is a horrible day for Elizabeth and I just can't comprehend how wicked John was to have done this to her.

I don't like people who cheat on their mates (gay or straight). It's wrong.

[Fleshdancer]

110. I agree....

another thing that bothers me about this is that this makes two VP choices in a row for Democrats that have turned out to be an embarrassment.

I remember when Elizabeth Edwards posted on DU. Her strength and grace is truly inspiring and she deserves better than John...especially when she's fighting for her life. I'm completely disgusted by this.

[zulchzulu]

83. I was always confounded by his appeal and was pissed when Kerry picked him

At this point though, I shed a tear for Elizabeth and the Edwards family. I especially feel sorry for her.

[David Zephyr]

97. This will be a field day for the GOP now. And God, Elizabeth...

He was always a phony.

[redqueen]

96. Oh fuck off with your I-told-you-so bullshit.

:puke:

[David Zephyr]

I guess you are proud of his actions, his betrayal of his wife, his betrayal of our party?

Don't defend his shit to me. He is a fucking jerk.

[Name removed]

123. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[David Zephyr]

128. That's your take.

And that's too bad. He was always a jerk. This is only apparently "news" to you.

[redqueen]

171. I'm not defending it. I'm even more sickened by your preening in here...

as if you've won some kind of award.

There... I said it all NICE so it won't be deleted.

You should be ashamed, taking this event and twisting it into a moment to strut around like you're hot shit.

:puke:

[David Zephyr]

189. Your personal attacks aside, I won't apologize for having called him a phony.

"hot shit" "jackass" and the rest of what you continue to call me.

It makes little difference. He is a jerk. I'm sorry that this just became "news" to you today. He always was a jerk. Have a good day.

[redqueen]

191. Yeah... and I won't apologize for calling you out on your donkey show.

You're not sorry this just became "news"... stop preening already. Jesus.

You have a good day too. I'm sure you already are. :eyes:

[last_texas_dem]

165. Amen.

Unless the "I-told-you-so"-ers have 100-percent track records at judging the characters of public figures, they need to get off their high horses.

[mckeown1128]

98. Maybe he was trying to get the story out of the way before the convention...

I imagine that if the National In. could get this story that the repukes had it in waiting..

[David Zephyr]

115. That's probably right.

What a blow. And the timing is just the worse.

[ecstatic]

133. I guess there was no other appropriate timing when you think about it

Doing it too soon would have overshadowed Obama's trip... Doing it the week after the trip would have hurt Obama even more.. Doing it right after endorsement would have hurt Obama... but doing it before endorsing would have made his endorsement worthless... And then of course he couldn't do it too close to the convention... :shrug:

[David Zephyr]

138. I wish he'd come clean when the National Enquirer broke the story. He didn't.

Jesus, we are just weeks from the convention.

[redqueen]

181. That would have been the smart thing.

I hope to GOD he wasn't hoping he still could be the VP.

Fucking asshole!

:nuke:

[rebel with a cause]

211. This story was out months ago.

but no one had the proof about it until the National got the pictures of him in the hotel. If he had came out those months ago, it would be old news now, but who knows what the RW would have had going by now.

[DangerousRhythm]

217. To be practical and not emotional about it...

At least it's before the convention, after the trip and during Obama's vacation, this way the focus won't all be on him when he's trying to relax up for the next few months. The media feeding frenzy will instead be focused on Edwards, however unfortunate that may be for his family. Timing really could have been worse, I guess. Of course it would have been better a year ago, but hey... :shrug:

This is disappointing but I'm glad it's finally out as opposed to coming out say, in a couple of months. I avoided posting anything about it prior because nobody who supported him wants this rubbed in their face, because no matter how you post what you believe is the truth when it's still officially rumor, it still hurts. There is no pride or joy in saying one was right in this instance... just sadness all around.

[beachmom]

149. Pressure was being applied on him by Democrats. So yes, I think you're right.

[Clark2008]

146. Right on, David.

I was right there in your corner backing you up all the way.

[David Zephyr]

154. Thanks. We are going to take a lot of shit from the GOP for this as it dominates the news cycle.

I know you were. He is such a phony.

[Peacetrain]

40. Oh nuts!

[high density]

43. wow

Though I didn't like the guy, I was giving him the benefit of the doubt.

[Clark2008]

48. I know Elizabeth is hurting and I hope she continues to be strong...

But... I have to say that I feel so justified in my opinion of this man. I knew he was smarmy. I felt it with every inch of my body.

[David Zephyr]

161. She was always better and bigger than him.

Your radar about Edwards was always right, too.

Elizabeth should have been the candidate, not him. She always was the one to fight for him when he cowered away.

What a tragedy in every possible dimension.

[yardwork]

50. What a dumbass.

Democrats can't get away with this kind of thing. Edwards should have known that.

It's clear that the Enquirer photo is fake and probably their entire story is fake, but they knew that he'd had the affair so they manufactured the story to turn up the heat. Edwards is a threat to the corporations. He should not have given them this ammunition. Now they've taken him down.

And it's very disappointing to see him treat his wife and family this way. Very disappointing.

[JackORoses]

55. can someone please sick the Enquirer on McCain's ass? he's had multiple affairs.

they shouldn't have to work too hard.

[zulchzulu]

67. Here! Here! Johnny Songbird has a lot of crap to have pulled out

We can start with him NOT being a "war hero" and go from there...

[beachmom]

152. Not recently, though. As far as we know. But I am sure that history

will become common knowledge. A lot of wingers already know, as they hated him in the 2000 primary.

[mvd]

166. The MSM has always been after Edwards - I agree

It's just too bad when politicians with good views don't think of the consequences.

[AngryAmish]

178. The Enquirer would never attack a Rethuglikkkan

MSM luuvvvs thems.

[WinkyDink]

204. Check again.

[bluestateguy]

57. And this is relevant be-cause...?

Something for the cable news bobbleheads to yak on for a few days?

[high density]

69. Because he's a big fat liar?

I know that seems to be standard these days when it comes to many politicians....

[Fleshdancer]

75. because we believed in him

and because that makes him the SECOND Democratic VP choice in a row who has turned out to be a total fuckup. That's not good for us.

[Danger Mouse]

219. because his wife has fucking cancer and he just HAD to get it somewhere.

his actions are disgustingly selfish.

[Barack_America]

59. My condolences to DU Edwards fans...

This must be quite a let-down for you all.

[Arkansas Granny]

61. Very disappointing news.

[gal]

64. He says the affair was over...

denies getting her pregnant but admits meeting her in the hotel last month?
That doesn't add up.

[polichick]

66. Well, it explains why he didn't sue the tabloids.

[ErinBerin84]

70. wtf

they are getting Brad Blakeman's "reaction" on MSNBC. Oh, ok, they have the Dem strategist too. I'm turning it off, don't want to hear their "analysis" on this...they are literally frothing at the mouth that they finally get to talk about it.

[PatSeg]

153. Oh God

Would someone please get Brad a job at FOX??? I can't stand listening to him and I'm about to boycott any MSNBC show that has him on.

[Dr Fate]

72. I'm glad he is not the nominee.

When will Democrats learn that this is not the 50's where you could chase the secretary around the desk and get away with it?

DEMS may as well get it through their heads that they CANNOT carry on this way- the media WILL find you and expose you. The "good old days" where the press used to let this stuff lay are looooong over unless you are Republican, and even then...

DEM politicians may as well get it throught heir heads that having "fun" on the side with the ladies is no longer a perk of being in a position of power....

Jesus- not to mention just plain old respect for your family and women in general- nice move, Eddie.

[redqueen]

107. Uh... McCain DID chase Cindy around a buffet table, while he was married with kids.

So yeah, if you're a repuke, you can sure as shit get away with it.

That and MUCH more.

[Outlier]

210. repeat after me

"anyone who cheats on their wife in a health crises is a soulless prick and unfit to be president. Anyone."

we need to use this and shout from the hilltops how immoral a bastard he is and how he is unfit to serve in the white house.


Say it loud say it proud.

McCain, can't be happy about this.

[ecstatic]

74. Very bad f*cking judgment on his part...his wife was out there

every day working to the bone for his campaign, stumping for him to the point of being hoarse... And this is the thanks she gets? Not to mention the lack of judgment --who cheats while running for president?!

[PatSeg]

76. I really don't particularly care about his personal life

though I think it was really, really stupid to have an affair when he was running for president. I never cared much for him anyway, but this really sucks for his wife who never did anything to be humiliated publicly by the man she supported for so long.

Oh well, thank goodness he isn't our nominee.

[Drunken Irishman]

92. Or our VP.

[FormerConservative]

77. As a married man...

...nothing is more repulsive to me than cheating on your spouse.

If you can't keep it in your pants, get a divorce. Problem solved. At least show your spouse AND CHILDREN some respect.

Poor Elizabeth...

[Renew Deal]

90. Welcome to DU!

I wish it was under better circumstances. :hi:

[FormerConservative]

104. Thanks for the welcome. And I concur :(

[PatSeg]

118. "FormerConservative"

I've encountered a lot of those the past few years!

Welcome to DU. It is always refreshing to see a man repulsed by cheating. On top of being sensitive and cruel, it is flat out stupid to risk your marriage, your family, and your career for a casual fling.

[Clark2008]

164. Not to mention risking getting a disease and taking it home to

said wife and children.

It's all-around bad news.

[PatSeg]

190. Oops

That should have been "INsensitive and cruel". Too late to edit.

[David Zephyr]

148. Welcome to the DU.

Thanks. I agree. I'm in a relationship of over 30 years. Cheating is wrong. If that's what someone wants, then get divorced and go at it. It is the height of selfishness.

[SeaLyons]

84. What a jerk...I feel sorry for his family.

He's a selfish bastard.

[Drunken Irishman]

87. As I said in another post, it isn't the affair that really bugs me...

Rather the fact he did it with a sick wife.

How can you cheat on your wife, let alone when she could be dying?

[redqueen]

120. Yup... completely thoughtless and selfish.

Sickening... absolutely sickening.

[Medusa]

101. How can he claim that he's not the father if he's NOT had a

DNA test?

[nsd]

He says the timing's off. The affair ended more than 9 months before the baby arrived.

[redqueen]

124. And if there's ANYONE we can trust to tell the truth about this matter, it's John?

:wtf:

[AllentownJake]

150. who keeps their mistress on the toll and near you after the affair ends.

[Alter Ego]

102. Oh my God.

So it was true.

At least some of it, anyway...not the bit about the love child.

[Baclava]

186. The Inquirer had a sniff on the story....they rooted it out

Makes me wonder about them human-alien hybrid stories now.

[DevonRex]

108. OMG. I feel sorry for the whole family. Except John. How damned

difficult is it to just keep your pants ZIPPED for cryin' out loud?

I don't expect people to be perfect, but when I say that I mean that I expect folks to maybe tell little white lies or eat too much, or lust in their hearts like Jimmy Carter.

I do NOT expect politicians to make THIS mistake in this day and age. It just sucks. How can ANY person in the national spotlight put their families through this? It's just callous.

[Eurobabe]

112. I feel sorry for Elizabeth

This is a fucking slap in the face. :mad:

[PlanetBev]

114. One-eyed Jack wins again

Testosterone is a major career-killer.

[beachmom]

116. I knew it. It showed in Edwards's not responding at all to the latest stories in the NE.

I tried to warn people.

[Bad Thoughts]

117. I still think the photos are fake

Their release put a lot of pressure on Edwards to explain why he wouldn't refute the "newspapers" charges.

I was never a big fan of Edwards, but I felt that his family life was something to be emulated. I was wrong.

[LanternWaste]

122. It's really....

It's really none of my business. And as he's not the nominee, I certainly won't force my morality down anyone's throat by commenting on an affair that happened between adults...


(Mrs. Edwards-- I hope you're doing well)

[mckeown1128]

125. Except that he used campaign funds to give her a job she

wasn't qualified for... 6 figure paycheck at that.

[redqueen]

130. Poppy Bush did that with his mistress.

Not newsworthy though... cause he's a fucking soulless puke.

[LanternWaste]

141. I didn't donate to his campaign, nor do I live in Carolina

I didn't donate to his campaign, nor do I live in Carolina. So it's still a non-issue to me. Anyways, I'm no one to judge another person's sex life or marriage-- that's not for me to do.

[greguganus]

126. So he's no better than McCain!!! Damn him! n/t

[onefreespiritedchick]

129. What he's done to Elizabeth is almost unforgivable.

Not to mention, lying to the Democratic Party, supporters, donors and such. Most importantly, how could he do this to his cancer stricken wire who is fighting the battle of her life?

[City Lights]

131. Hugs to Elizabeth...

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[mvd]

135. I feel let down

I supported Edwards as my #2 behind Kucinich. I didn't think he was quite himself in those last debates, and I was wondering if something was nagging him.

[bigwillq]

136. Humans make mistakes.

I guess all the people who responded in a negative manner are perfect human beings. It was a mistake..and John needs to work hard to gain the trust and respect of his family again, if that's what he chooses to do.

He owes me nothing. It's not about me, or my personal thoughts about him. It's between him and his family. I don't think less of John..he made a mistake. We all have once in our life over one thing or another.

[AllentownJake]

144. Yes however none of us ran for President with a shot at the nomination

and could of cost our party the Presidency over our human mistake. He shouldn't have run. That's my problem with him right now.

[quakerboy]

145. So, this sucks. But the real question

is why the fuck this is leading news when there is a FUCKING WAR starting between Russia and Georgia.

Especially given that it has to do with control of Gas. A genuine motherfucking GAS WAR. Starting. Big Scary Russia. WTF.

[PatSeg]

163. Because Americans don't care about

what happens in the rest of the world, though some might think Russian tanks are headed to Atlanta.

[redqueen]

169. I'm assuming that's a rhetorical question.

This is the M$M we're talking about.

News is the last of their concerns. "Entertainment" and manipulation of public opinion... that's what they do.

[quakerboy]

183. Even so

Don't they enjoy Commie Baiting anymore? I can name an easy dozen older (republican leaning) friends who would care a lot more about the ol Red Mmenace rolling into action once more than some "hairdo"(what one of them calls Edwards) having an affair.

[quakerboy]

184. Even so

Don't they enjoy Commie Baiting anymore? I can name an easy dozen older (republican leaning) friends who would care a lot more about the ol Red Menace rolling into action once more than some "hairdo"(what one of them calls Edwards) having an affair.

[Renew Deal]

192. The FUCKING WAR going on involves Edwards

:evilgrin:

[ebdarcy]

147. Poor Elizabeth. nt

[mvd]

156. If he was having the affair while he knew Elizabeth..

has cancer, this is even worse. x(

[redqueen]

173. From the link posted halfway down the thread...

"Edwards made a point of telling Woodruff that his wife's cancer was in remission when he began the affair with Hunter. Elizabeth Edwards has since been diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease."

[BigDDem]

167. Man, I feel awful for Elizabeth, she's one classy lady.

Edwards was the "electable" one as I recall.....

[Khaotic]

168. Edwards ...

Everytime I thought about standing up for Edwards instead of Obama at our caucus all I had to do was watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g238i7O529o

He rattles on about Sadam and WMDs.

We know that Sadam was in a box, that he didn't have WMDs. That Blix didn't find anything. That Bush wanted a blank check.

Edwards knew ... he sided w/ Bush.

All I had to do was relisten to his speech, which was in sharp contrast to what he said to us on the campaign trail here in Iowa in 2007.

I didn't feel he could be trusted, that he was two-faced.

I have no objections to who he has sex with. If he and his wife are swingers and agree to have sex with all kinds of people ... so be it. But we know what is expected of our candidates, and somehow he has the gull to do what he did and run to represent the Democratic Party. WTF?

How in the hell can an individual who knows what is at stake do such a thing and run to be the representative of the only party that has a snowball's chance in hell of making a change to correct the insanity of the last 8 years?!!!

Fuck Edwards.

My gut check told me some time ago that he wasn't the man to caucus for. I'm glad myself and thousands of other Iowans stood up for Barack Obama despite all the rants of America isn't ready to vote for a black man.

I feel bad for Edwards that he'll be held to task for a sexual indiscretion instead of the real benchmark he should be held for ... being plain two-faced.

GOBAMA!

[eshfemme]

170. First Lieberman and now Edwards. What is with all the ex-VP candidates lately?

I guess Obama needs to pick a VP very carefully now as the VP's character will say something about his personal judgment.

[Shine]

174. OMG, I'm completely bummed all this shit was actually TRUE!!

As a woman, I'm fucking pissed he'd do that to Elizabeth, too. :grr:

:( This really shocks me.

I voted for him in the CA primaries, too....even after he'd withdrawn. :crazy: Sigh.

Fucking politicians. Literally.

[DangerDave921]

175. Thought this would be the case

Man, it is really hard to understand the hubris of some men. To see him talking about his wife and his love just makes you wonder can you trust what anyone ever says?

[RayOfHope]

176. Oh no. Oh no no no. Jesus. I am so disappointed n/t

[my2sense]

177. Just Dayum

:mad:

[Withywindle]

187. Oh sweet Christ on a cracker.

And I was making fun of this story just last night too. :(

What IS it with men who think it's OK to cheat when their wives are ill or injured? (I'm thinking of Newt Gingrich and John McCain, to name the kind of company this puts Edwards in.) Do they think their "entitlement" to sex with a hot babe is more important than their wives' feelings when they're fighting for their lives?

:puke:

[Pisces]

188. It's his baby, end of story.

[WinkyDink]

199. ITA. He's still denying that because, so far, Rielle isn't suing for a paternity test.

But it's his, and that is he in the latest NE photos.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

196. This confirms what I've always thought of him

A self-serving son of a bitch who cares nothing for helping people beyond it helping inflate his ego. I can't imagine the damage that would have been done to this country had he been our nominee. What a prick.

[Outlier]

197. Any Politician

"Any person who cheats on their spouse while they are in a health crises is scum and unfit for office."

Which is what every single democrat should lead off with when doing an interview. Turn this to our advantage. McCain can not be happy about this coming out, because it is going to bring up his past scumminess.

What i can't figure out is Elizabeth knew about this in 06. They launch a pres. bid in 07 knowing it was going to possibly come out. the baby comes in 08. Without the baby there is no proof of an affair. Like the blond lobbyist and McCain, she issues a denial and leaves the country. If there was an affair and no baby, Hunter issues a denial and leaves the country, or has an abortion if there is a preganacy. I don't see how this had to come out, except they caught him with the baby. There is no reason for a man to go see another man's mistress just to see the baby. Especially a politician. So the baby is his.

He's an idiot. If the baby is his he must have started up the affair again, after he had already admitted to it once. Reckless. What a bastard.

[nc4bo]

208. Wow. I guess this is the confirmation I've been looking for......

it's official.

I don't wanna say how I feel about Ewards atm, I'd probably have to wash my mouth out with draino.

[Az_lefty]

213. Wow, she really got paid off...

[thatsrightimirish]

218. i guess ann coulter was wrong

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

220. POST OF THE DAY!