The Chronicle's Nov. 16 Associated Press story headlined, "Edwards attempts to regain standing," was a real eye-opener that testified to erstwhile presidential candidate John Edwards' lack of character.

The former North Carolina U.S. senator was exposed for being involved in an extramarital affair and possibly fathering a child outside of his marriage to Elizabeth Edwards.

His continuing quest for publicity shows a complete disregard for his wife's feelings, as he must realize that the strong applause he received from Indiana college students must have rubbed salt in her wounds, as she knows only too well what a phony he is.

Just as he used Elizabeth as a political prop during his presidential primary run, he used his alleged concern for poor people as a hoped-for comeback prop in his speech to the students. The Indiana students' immaturity was displayed by allowing themselves to be used by such an obvious phony.

John Edwards' concerns are not about his family, his wife, his country or the poor. His concerns are all about him.

Phyllis Lariscey, Evans