It says a lot about American standards that John Edwards thought he was a viable candidate for president while having a torrid affair and perhaps fathering a baby out of wedlock.
He and his wife Elizabeth both brought a lot of contributors along on that fantasy ride.
Now, federal investigators are probing whether Edwards or his people funneled campaign cash to keep the paramour (1) quiet, (2) comfortable or (3) both.
Even post-Bill Clinton -- who was actually having an affair in the Oval Office -- John Edwards has set the bar lower for candidates, and raised the bar for arrogance.
The feds are looking at whether Edwards diverted either campaign cash or money from a fund he had for the poor to his girlfriend, Rielle Hunter.
Even after being caught visiting Hunter at a hotel, Edwards denied the affair until coming clean in an ABC News interview last summer. He still claims the child is not his, though even Mrs. Edwards won't say she believes him.
This is not just tawdry gossip-column drivel. This is a couple who both hid Mr. Edwards' messy indiscretions while he sought the nation's highest office -- and eagerly took private and public money for the venture.
Hunter was paid handsomely -- $114,000 -- for minimal campaign consulting, and was later put up in several comfortable locations, apparently by Edwards supporters.
What John Edwards did to his terminally ill wife is their business. What they did to the American electorate by hiding his affair -- and possibly using campaign contributors to do it -- is absolutely our business.
Yet, what any of us think of John Edwards is irrelevant.
It's what he apparently thought of us that really smells.
Comments
ACES, your reference to the Clinton peccadillo was uncalled for since the article, WHICH FOR ONCE I AGREE WITH, was supposedly meant to express your opinion of John and Elizabeth Edwards. They are a disgrace to the Democrat Party and they deserve your conclusion. GGpap
The Clintons were a disgrace to the integrity of this nation!
A little on the side and a lot to hide -- many women are enamoured with powerful men, and many powerful men have moments of weakness. I'm glad none of his campaign money came from me. Also, if I recall correctly, our economy was in pretty good shape when Clinton left the oval office.
And Kerry paid his mistress to marry someone else and move from the country. Politicians are all about money and power. Social considerations are always perspective. I'm certain the list that resembles Edwards attitude would include MANY politicians of both major parties. The shock implied by this article is naive.
When was John Edwards ever relevant? The AC seems to have a creative void.
Why in this letter and responses no mention of Newt, or Foley or McCain?
Stupidity and immorality are no respecters of race, religion or political party.
I was offended by Clinton's actions, but was absolutely furious when I saw how many Republicans voted to acquit him during his impeachment trial. Obviously the publicity did no harm to him. I personally find these kinds of actions an indictment not only of our politicians, but society as a whole. Is there any wonder that many from the radical religions are hating us and our way of life? Now, I'm not saying in any way that they are justified, but I AM saying that there is horrible corruption and impropriety in our government and society. Our young workers believe they deserve a paycheck just for showing up, our economy has nearly collapsed because of greed and avarice. We have practicing homosexual Bishops in our churches while priests are molesting children. We kill many thousands of infants each month..... And this country is supposed to be a shining light to the world?
You make many excellent points Copperhead........................
PT: The alledged affair you speak of has been disproven. The rumor was started by Wesley Clark's campaign in the 2004 primary (although they claimed it was an intern). Brian Flynn of the SUN in the UK (owned by Faux News owner Rupert Murdoch, surprise, surprise) wrote the story and FALSELY claimed to have interviewed her family. It was picked up by Drudge with no verification, who said, "In retrospect, I should have had a sentence saying, 'There is no evidence to tie Alex to John Kerry.' I should have put that,"
TechLover, yeah. Your version is good, too.
It says a lot about American standards when Oliver North thought he was a viable candidate for the Senate after having sold weapons to Iran and funneling the money to drug running, murdering, raping thugs in Central America, and come within 3 points of winning.
Your buddy Newt thinks he is a viable candidate after three marriages, carrying on an affair while encouraging impeachment for Clinton for the same, and gave one his wives the brush off while she was recovering from cancer. People in glass houses.....
So what is new about this story?This is old news!!
PT: Sorry you don't like the facts on the story. A little research isn't that hard. Granted, it takes more time and effort than just repeating the crap you hear on right wing radio, but then you might remove the distinction of you being the biggest laughingstock on these posts.
All of the democratic party thinks it is OK to have affairs. The most confusing day for a DEMO is fathers day. This is where the phrase "WHO"S YO DADDY" comes from.
gdad: Just watch out for Republicans tapping their foot in the next stall. This is where the phrase "TAPPED OUT" comes from.
dims are so happy to say someone else is wrong while they defend and excuse the behavior of their own. The life of prezbho and his connections should be interesting reading when ALL the truth comes out.
Gacopperhead-posted7:39most of what you said was good.And to qdaddy if anything else thanks for the laugh.Now watch all the hateing stuff is going to start flying on here.
1941 you would think that this rag has other worldwide news that we may need to know, but no just keep kicking liberals,because mcsenile lost.many many men and women have had affairs in this country. i have myself. i don't condone what i did or what anyone else does.but atleast we did with women and not boys,cops in airport bathroom stalls, and male prostitutes who visit 200 times with a day pass,and don't even have to sign out while the secret service says nothing! i wonder how many people know that bob "yes, ive read the book" dole lives in the watergate complex that brought nixon down also is or was the home of moinca lewinsky?no wonder bob stopped making anymore commercials! she gets around!
I hope you will be as judgemental when the life and times of prezbho comes out and repeat that daily like your unproven garbage you spew every day.
What was he thinking? Well he was thinking the same thing that all the men from Falwell to Newt to Clinton think when they attain a certain level of power... he was thinking he could get away with it. No worries though, the man that was elected has plenty of family integrity.
But he has such nice hair!
converted southernor, "unproven garbage" appears to be what you have been spewing today. so why don't you shut it, ignorant dolt.
The ACES would never use Newt as a negative example Grouse and GACopperhead, even though he has mentioned he might run for for President in the near future. Many insiders also claim many more presidents have had affairs besides Clinton. I know its hard to talk about "hear say," but come on, to pretend it does not happen is foolish. It is akin to believing in the Easter Bunny. If you are a grown adult and live in reality then you know there have probably been numerous Democrat and Republicans that have gotten away with adulterous things.
hill... please tell us what "unproven garbage" my posts have been spewing today. Thanks but no thanks - I don't intend to shut up, typical dim.
If 'democrat and republicans' have gotten away with adulterous things, does that make it OK? Most gop office holders were put out of office. Most dims were excused and voted back into office.
A buddy asked if I was getting some on the side. I told him it has been so long I didn't even know they moved it
AvidReader, BJ Cliton left office with the economy in a recession.
Damn, Copperhead, I couldn't have said it better! Gasp!
Your buddy Newt thinks he is a viable candidate after three marriages, carrying on an affair while encouraging impeachment for Clinton for the same, and gave one his wives the brush off while she was recovering from cancer. People in glass houses.....
Posted by grouse on Thu May 7, 2009 8:26 AM....Grouse, why don't you and the others like you stop putting out the lie that BJ Cliton was impeached because he had Lewinskys in the oval office. He got impeached because he LIED in court and was disbarred for it as well as impeached.
Look at all of the Dems trying to justify and endorse Edwards actions by with their "well , everybody does it " attitude. It sure makes it clear how we wound up with our current president.
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