Much anticipated Elizabeth Edwards interview with Oprah on now! (4p est)

[ecstatic]

:popcorn: :hide:

[Adelante]

1. Report, please - I don't get the channel

Thanks

[ecstatic]

7. She looks good, but just got kind of defensive

Oprah said she doesn't know of very many men who'd go to a hotel and hold a baby that wasn't theirs. EE said politicians hold babies, that's what they do. She says she doesn't care if the baby is his or not and isn't going to let it affect her life.

[Adelante]

11. Gawd

Politicians don't hold babies in hotel rooms for six hours or so in the middle of the night.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. Oh, man .............

Her reason for not using the other woman's name - "I won't let anyone in that spotlight" - is nonsense.

She didn't use her name because she's afraid of getting sued. I'm a smart lawyer, just like Elizabeth Edwards, and that's exactly what I would do.

She's embarrassing herself. Her continued, albeit weak, defense of her husband is heartbreaking.

This poor woman ...................

[ecstatic]

19. I thought EE was further along in her acceptance of

what happened, but it's obvious that's not the case. She seems to be reversing at times into the denial phase.

[VolcanoJen]

24. I agree.

And I absolutely cringed when she told Oprah that "all politicians hold babies, it's what we do!" while laughing.

[Adelante]

33. Yeah, that's what I thought, too

I'm not a lawyer, but nothing else made sense given the name is so entirely known. Although it does serve to diminish Rielle, so I guess that could play in, too. EE has always had a bitchy streak when it comes to women.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

40. That bitchy streak

is what always made me think that John was dipping his wick in a lot of other places...........

[alsame]

35. Could you please explain why she could be sued? The woman's

name has already been made public, so what would be the grounds for suing EE?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

44. Simple......

If Elizabeth made any allegations about the "other woman" that were not true, that's a good case for a libel or defamation action. The woman did nothing to make herself a "public figure," hasn't given any interviews, has shunned the spotlight, and her position as a "public figure" is debatable. I seriously doubt that she would be found to be a public figure in a court of law.

Just because your name is made public doesn't make you a public figure. Her behavior exemplifies that of anything but a public figure.

[alsame]

50. Thank you. I suspected it could be libel, but wasn't sure. I learn

something new every day on DU :)

[Lancer]

2. I'm in EE's corner,

but WHY is she still living with him?

[NYCGirl]

3. If it's "for the children," this book isn't helping matters. NT

[Tangerine LaBamba]

8. Why is she doing this interview?

She's blaming the other women, referring to that baby as "it," and her anger is barely controlled.

She keeps talking about "her life," which, it seems to me, is in shambles, and she's doing everything but blame John for what he did. She's really hot to trash the "other person," as she calls her.

I'm not in anyone's corner, but I don't understand why she did this interview........................

[Adelante]

27. I can't blame her for that

Any betrayed spouse has to make that decision and I don't judge it, because it's entirely personal. Keeping a family together is a compelling reason, imo. Her deciding to stand with him in the great deception in their public lives, that I blame her for the same way I blame him.

[medeak]

36. LOVED interview!

Was in a funk and was inspired by her outlook on life and acceptance...truly motivating. All the tabloid stuff and comments here are irrevalent imo.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. I don't usually watch "Oprah,"

but Oprah looks AWFUL, and Elizabeth Edwards needs to stop doing her own hair coloring.

Otherwise, she's embarrassing herself, going over all this stuff in such personal detail. It adds nothing to the story, but she is surely sticking it to him big-time.

As usual with these sordid events, I feel sorry for the kids.

WHY is she doing this? Revenge? Her moment in the sun? It's not money, because they've got lots of that. I just fail to see why she's putting herself - and her family - through this.

I'm ashamed of myself for watching. But I can't not watch.................................

[Adelante]

5. What are they saying?

Thanks.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

6. Right now,

Elizabeth is all over the place about whether or not that baby is John's. She's sounding horribly angry and coming across as rather-meanspirited.

She refers to the baby as "it." That's kind of rotten.

First, she tells how John lied to her, but now that he tells her the baby's not his, she believes him.

She's digging a terrible hole for herself, and I pity her. It's embarrassing..........................

[Cha]

15. Wonder how he knows the

baby isn't his?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

17. He's lied to everyone about everything,

and, for a long time, one of his close friends who worked on his campaign made sure that the "other woman" got some very fat financial payments.

Then the friend died.

Now, she's no longer living in Santa Barbara, and is in South Orange, NJ. A vast difference in the living situation, I think ................

[ecstatic]

31. JE is still coming across as very phony

I was starting to feel sorry for him, but something wasn't right about the little interview with him just now. I'm beginning to wonder if this is just another plot between JE and EE to pay off some bills.

[quiller4]

60. I think he knows who else she bedded and when. n/t

[rvablue]

46. It is sad...

that pic of the 1-year-old leaves little to speculation as to whether it is his child.

She just finished explaining why she didn't Reille Hunter's name said. Because she wasn't going to give her any of the attention she wanted, etc. etc.

While I agree with that in a way, part of me was wincing. I think that baby is going to turn out to be his. That means it is Cate and Jack and Emma's half-SIBLING.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

54. And he should be contributing to

that baby's support. That kid's not to blame for his/her parentage, and John Edwards is a wealthy man who, if he's the father, should take good care of that child, regardless of its maternity.

[JeanGrey]

63. The only person who needs to be embarassed is John and

his mistress.

[ecstatic]

9. She says she's never come across someone like RH

and that they are opposites. She wouldn't hang around someone like that (think she's hinting that RH is trash). She says women need to have more respect for other women.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

13. Blaming the other woman .........

Yeah, the other woman's trash, that's a given.

BUT, John was the one who did it.

Maybe he might have some respect for his cancer-stricken wife? And his children?

[Cha]

16. And our

country.

[JeanGrey]

64. Good for her she is trash!

[orion007]

10. This is sick, are they both in such need

of attention?
It really bothers me that the interview took place in their home with the children there.
Guess John's x-girlfriend is watching this too, being said that she wants paternity test done now.
Pathetic, and f***ed up.here comes John.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. Who wants a paternity test?

This is news?

[orion007]

29. Girlfriend supposedly wants test done now, on morning

news.

[margotb822]

62. Wouldn't be surprised if paternity test happens after

EE's terminal illness. What time she has now is limited, so why ruin it with something that can be handled later?

[bigwillq]

18. Wouldn't watch if you paid me.

For one, I can't stand Oprah. And two, I don't know why people go on these shows to air their dirty laundry. Cause E.E. needs the money.

[ecstatic]

20. I would be shocked if they needed money...

Where did the 50mil go? :shrug:

[bigwillq]

26. Not sure. It's not my business

as to where it went. She is sure pimping the hell out of this book.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

30. And it's good

you're not involved in this interview discussion ..................

[bigwillq]

34. Why?

:shrug:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

45. You can't see why you're so funny here?

Oh, come on.

[Adelante]

51. Hey, was there no discussion of their deception of the voters?

I've been reading some articles and it's never mentioned.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

52. Nope..........

None at all. It's purely a personal thing, between John and Elizabeth - and, of course, "that person."

[Adelante]

59. Too bad, that was the important thing to me

I don't feel bad about missing the interview now. Thanks very much to you, Tangerine, and the others in the thread who kept me advised. :grouphug:

[ecstatic]

56. I think Oprah might have gone there had EE been

more in tune with reality. She did slightly push the topic of how the cancer was a great excuse to leave the race, and EE made the comment about how people would question the timing of him leaving the race 2 days after declaring.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

58. That remark said it all for me -

Elizabeth's ambition is, perhaps, larger than her husband's.

If she'd been honest, who would care what anyone thought of his dropping out two days after the announcement? Her concern was his place in the campaign, and that gave it all away, as far as I was concerned.

The whole thing stinks. All of it .....................

[Pisces]

70. I think she was in severe denial, as well as anger that Reille could take away everything

they had built. I think she wanted to prove this other woman could not affect them. Seems perfectly reasonable. I think it was a terrible thing to do, but this woman is not in her right mind. She was told her husband had an affair and that she had terminal cancer.

IF anyone deserves a break from reality it is Elizabeth Edwards.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

71. True ...........

But, as someone who's written books, I know how much time and energy it takes, and that means Elizabeth Edwards, with all her talk today about "keeping her life," spent a hell of a lot of time writing this past year. It's hard, hard work, and I hope it helped her, in a cathartic way, but, really, she burned up a lot to write that book.

It might have been very good for her, health-wise, to be that outraged and focused and energetic.

I hope so ........................

[Adelante]

61. Well, there was an evasion, for sure

Two days after his declaring was in December, before her cancer had recurred, and the cancer press conference was in March. If she was honest, she would have said that John wanted to drop out and she insisted he stay in. Instead, she deflected to the earlier situation, when she'd told him not to run, so she didn't have to answer the question asked.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

21. And yet,

you take the time to let those of us who are watching that you're not watching.

How wonderful of you.

I'm very happy for you.

[bigwillq]

23. I'm free to my opinion.

And the right to post it here on DU! :)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

25. You are, and I applaud it .......

I think it's wonderful that everyone gets to say what they want - within certain guidelines - no matter how sappy .......................

[VolcanoJen]

22. There was a part just on about Elizabeth's cancer that was just heartbreaking.

Oprah said there was a part in the book where Elizabeth writes, "Death looks different to a person who has put a child into the ground." Elizabeth tried to explain that it somehow makes death less frightening, and that she imagines she will view her own death as a relief when it comes.

It really brought tears to my eyes. It surprised me, because I've been going a little back-and-forth over this book, and this publicity. But it really is a beautiful interview, very well-done by Oprah.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

28. It's awful, having terminal cancer,

and then having to learn that your husband is a cheat.

But, really, anyone can talk to anyone who is in Elizabeth Edwards' position and it would be moving. The subject matter is just that heartbreaking.

Watching this, though, is like watching some kind of emotional horror movie. I don't understand why they did this ..................

[VolcanoJen]

32. I don't understand it either.

I have a feeling she's writing it because she loves John, and she wants to protect him somehow, and she wants people to see that if she is working toward a better relationship with him, others can too.

I'm not buying it, of course, but watching this interview, and her cautiousness, and defensiveness, that's my read right now.

Aas far as the comment about burying her son Wade, I do think her perspective on death is probably different from people who haven't gone through that experience; it was compelling to me.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

73. When you reach a certain age -

and I have - you suddenly realize that you know more dead people than living ones.

This happens. Last week, in the course of a few days, I got news of the deaths of three old friends - illness, drowning, suicide. Gives the term "hat trick" a whole new meaning.

But it doesn't rattle me. Not anymore. Something about life and death seems to make sense as you age - as I age, maybe - and the prospect of dying doesn't faze you. Like Bob Seger said, "Turn the page."

Maybe it's numbness, maybe it's a kind of surrender, maybe it's just an acceptance. I've seen sick people die, people of varying ages, and it always struck me how peaceful they were as the end approached. Something happens, something kicks in. And it's hugely comforting for me to know this, to have witnessed it. As if a certain grace is bestowed on those who are departing, easing their way.

I got the sense from Elizabeth Edwards that she was viewing death from a religious perspective, although she did not speak to that directly. If she's a believing Christian, she would anticipate seeing her son in Heaven. I can see how that would be a great comfort to her.

Whatever works for her, I'm all for it. The woman has had some great highs in her life, but it seems to me that the lows have been far more overwhelming.....................

[ScreamingMeemie]

41. I understand it. They are a public couple. So many people

scoffed and judged Hillary Clinton for standing by her husband. Elizabeth is doing something she really shouldn't have to, but we the public demand of her. Giving us a reason.Elizabeth is dying. Perhaps she feels a need to do this. She is a very strong woman. I wish I were so strong.

[medeak]

37. ditto!

It WAS a beautiful interview... the snippets here totally misrepresent what I took out of it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

39. The death of a loved one makes the extremes of pain go away, the fear of

death...all of it. There isn't any fear once the thing you feared most has already happened.

[VolcanoJen]

66. Thank you

That helps me understand what she was saying better... and it makes more sense. Thanks.

[elizfeelinggreat]

68. +1

[Vinca]

38. I have to admit I watched this for one reason and one reason alone -

to ogle the inside of their house. What a gorgeous place. The interview was about what I expected, but I was surprised that Elizabeth looks healthier than Oprah. I haven't watched Oprah in years. Has she just aged or is she ill?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

47. That house is amazing -

I wanted to see it, too, but I did NOT expect a full basketball court!

That "dog run" was clever, too, but Wade's Room took me by surprise. Very touching. Very hard for other kids to grow up in the shadow of a dead big brother - I know that one from personal experience.

But, OPRAH! I don't watch her show except when it's going to be a really big freak show - like this one - and I was shocked at how bad she looked. The bags under her eyes were really bad - allergies, sinus trouble?

She didn't look good, at all. But, you can't do the careful kind of lighting that you have in a studio when you're in someone's house. That could be it ..................

[cali]

55. they built a room for their dead son? Sorry that's just, well, ugh.

and honestly, from the pictures I've seen, I think that house is tacky. And building a 28,000 sq ft energy hog while preaching about the environment is simply hypocritical.

[medeak]

49. Oprah weight loss?

maybe that is what is aging her...agree..lines under eyes..perhaps it will take awhile for elasticity to return

[ecstatic]

53. EE did look very good

I remember a year or so ago when I saw her I was taken aback at how pale and gaunt she looked. Looks like she has recovered well and I don't think she is going anywhere anytime soon.

[Jane Eyre]

42. I felt uncomfortable watching this

Something about seeing the couple with their young kids waiting in front of their home to greet Oprah's big limos for this particular interview really didn't feel right. I felt bad for the kids, who looked like they didn't want to be there. How do you explain something like this to them? And are we to believe that John Edwards is all happy to be waiting for Oprah to grill his wife about his affair?

I think that EE is trying to make sure that RH never has the opportunity to become step-mother to her children. I can't blame her for that, but it is very uncomfortable to watch this play out in such a public format.

[ScreamingMeemie]

43. The children looked like my child does when someone he doesn't know

well tries to hug him. I think we read too much into things.

[JeanGrey]

65. Why would be care if Edwards were happy? He should be

ASHAMED not happy!

[noel711]

48. Building a life is like building a house...

What you end up with often is different than the plans you started with...
But do you burn your house down because it doesn't fit the dream?
Or do you adjust your view of reality... and accept what you have?

Elizabeth Edwards is not stupid; I won't question her motives for
writing a book (she's done books before), or talking to Oprah (done that too).
Much time has passed since her bitter diagnosis, and John's problem.
Diagnoses and husband's problems are not easily brushed away.

I suppose that re-starting her life without John would be impossible for her.
It would be admitting defeat in their relationship,
and probably be the end of her.
She's no kid, she's terminally ill: to have to start over would be questionable.
Do you live in a life/house that is imperfect? Or walk away, and survive in ashes?

I won't judge how she's coping; I'm not living with cancer,
but as a woman who's dealt with husband problems... I understand, just a little,
how massive a mountain this is to climb.
Young women maybe see it differently,but if you've lived on the other side of 50,
if you've buried loved ones, you see how quickly life goes by,
you know how forgiveness, and imperfection is part of reality.

Be strong Elizabeth! Keep going....

[Justitia]

57. I think I understand her a bit better, what a horrible position she is in.

And for that alone, JE deserves heaps of scorn.

She did seem defensive toward J's involvement, but after being married to the man for three decades, especially a man in the public eye, I think that is somewhat reflexive.
She said she did, first & foremost, blame him.
I think she is letting the other woman be the focus of her anger (at least publicly), because that is easier than focusing 100% on HIM.
She has chosen to stay with him, so that is a coping mechanism to make life with him possible.
It's a bit of self-delusion, but it's probably giving her room to accept him.

I think I understand her better when she says she can't let this take over her life, or become her life, she has to preserve the life she has left.
She said this is why she can't go down those paths about the baby. She says that will be (if it is his), John's life, not hers.
I thought she was strongest on these points. She wants to define the rest of her life and she's not going to let those things inside her life.

She also said something to the effect that you don't reduce 30 yrs of life together, including surviving the death of a child & terminal cancer, down to an affair.
She's right about that.

I think she is still very angry (understandably), she is having a hard time reconciling the rest of her life with this incredible betrayal - it's written all over her.

What a shit he is. And he looked like he just wanted to die when Oprah put him on camera.

[Generator]

67. Good synopsis

I think we have the paradox of humanity there. As Elizabeth said John was the one who took care of her, who was there and pulled her through a child dying-dying and love trump the stupidity and commonness of lust and frail ego that is also John Edwards. People are not all devils and not all angels.

I think the hell he has living with knowing the pain he caused his dying wife will be his punishment.


And I was a big Edwards supporter. So it's all fascinating. I can relate to EE there. WHO is this guy? And the house WAS too much. A WHOLE basketball court? Reading about the spread is different than seeing it. And I wanted to gag when he tried to deflect Oprah with "I played with Barack in there."

BARACK? Are you shitting me? That's Mr. President to you. The first name basis you killed with your stupid dick-ego-excuse me-"indiscretion".

[elizfeelinggreat]

69. "not all devils and not all angels"

Yes. I didn't see the show but I know this is true of all of us.

The judging going on here takes my breath away.

:(

I wish them both some peace in the time they have left with each other, they may struggle to find it but I cannot judge them for that.

[bdamomma]

72. I didn't watch Oprah, but the situation of this story and the people

the Edwards is just very sad, I like John Edwards and Elizabeth, I hope they can overcome these the problems that they both have encountered.