Via CNN: Edwards could face political free fall from affair.
Added to his inability to win any elections of late (his ‘06 Senate bid, the VP in ‘06 and the Democratic nomination this year), yes I would say that the affair (and more specifically, the repeated lying about said affair) creates quite a problem for his future political career, such as it was. Really, his only hope was a high profile appointment in an Obama administration, and that clearly ain’t gonna happen now.
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August 9th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I’m very disappointed in him. I feel absolutely horrible for his wife. He’s lost a good deal of respect in my eyes and it will take a long time to earn it back.
But… I still think it’s pretty damn miniscule compared to what has been happening over the last 8 years by the current administration. Edwards’ lie (singular) has horribly effected his wife, his children, himself, his supporters and (maybe) his mistress.
Bush’s, Cheney’s and the rest of their minions’ lies (plural) have affected this whole world for years to come.
A politician had an affair, as sad as it is, it happens all the time.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
What is this?
A moral contest or politics?
He cheated on his wife and lied about it. Everybody lies about sex! So what.
If he were the pastor of a church - yes fire him. But he is in politics, not his personal morals are important. What is important is what he could/would do for the country.
What a bigotry! Get over it, get on with life!
August 9th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
His mistress has refused to provide her daughter’s DNA, so that’s the end of it. It’s a certainty that he is the father and that this affair is not completely over. As long as he keeps writing those big, monthly cheques he can buy her compliance. As soon as they stop, she will sing like a canary, because she wants and needs the money. The only people who really lose here are Edwards’ wife and children. I don’t give a hoot about him - his political career is over. Dishonest men like John Edwards do not deserve the women who stand by them. They deserve to be left alone with their mistresses and their lies. I always knew he wasn’t honest, but I didn’t think he could stoop so low, especially with a wife who is battling for her life.
If Elizabeth, heaven forbid, leaves this earth, I will bet this guy will end up with Rielle Hunter. They deserve each other.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:19 am
To those that say “He cheated on his wife, big deal” well did you forget something?
SHE’S DYING OF CANCER!
He has proven himself to be a baldfaced liar. He lied hoping he could get away with it and when he couldn’t he opened up to the media.
Well it’s a bit too late Mr. John Scumbag!
Yes, there’s a special place in hell for Edwards.
I’m so sorry if you think that someone like that is okay for our country. He’s a disgusting human being and nothing can change that.
August 10th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Why is it everyone is down on Edwards? I may not personaaly like John Edwards but let’s be fair. Jessie Jackson gets caught with a white woman in Chicago and has a baby by her but yet he wants to be known as Reverand Jackson. Where is Al sharpton on this? He forgave Jackson but hasn’t spoken out on Edwards. I don’t agree with what Edwards did but let’s be fair about the whole thing. Edwards is a man (human) we all make mistakes, he asked for forgiveness from his wife and God but Americans can’t forgive him.
You talk about a race card, better play it on the forgiveness side and forgive Edwards. Americans have to realize that there are more important things going on in the world than who went to bed with who and who is having who’s baby. Yea for Bill Clinton and his cigar, America left him in office and re-elected him. Get off of Edward’s back America and be the Christians God expects. We have to frogive before we can be forgiven. Who out there hasn’t done something stupid? If you want to go to heaven, you all better forgive Edwards. Ain’t that right Reverand Jackson?
August 10th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Yes, Edwards’ career is over, and perhaps justly so. What he did was terribly selfish, to be sure. Like anything else he does, it reflects upon his character.
Therefore I pledge to support only those candidates who’ve never sinned sexually in their lives–from naughty thoughts (adultry in their hearts), to lingering looks, to, ahem, “solitary activities,” to flirting (no matter how “innocuous”)while married, to engaging in sexually arousing pre-marital activities such as passionate kissing or “exploring,” to looking at inappropriate pictures, to divorce, to any sort of sexual stimulus that could possibly lead to climax besides married missionary sex. (sodomy, both kinds, can be performed by married couples, after all.) Oh, and they better not use birth control. Bodies aren’t amusement parks, after all, meant for our entertainment. It’s about procreation baby, or nothing at all. That’s always been my motto.
So is John Edwards a jerk? Yes. And are there distinctions between levels of jerkiness? Of course. But is sexual purity the way to judge our politicians? I can’t see how it can be.
August 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
@mbailey - Man, aren’t you the killjoy?