Politics Daily
Inside Politics Daily
Scott Brown and the Palin Path: Will He Choose Brassy or Boring?
Democrats Leave Health Care Behind for Jobs, Toyota, Gays in Military
Murtha Turned Against War, but Not Grab-While-You-Can Politics
Rep. John Murtha, Advocate for Pa. District, Pentagon, Dies at 77
Liz Christman, Enemy of the Passive Voice, Who Rocked Some Jaunty Hats
Is Obama's Search for 'Common Ground' Real?- Tim Tebow's Brilliant Fake Leads to Pro-Life Score
'Snowmageddon' in D.C. -- The Politics, Talk Shows and Snowball Fights Go On
Sarah Palin Serves Tea Party Delegates Red Meat and Certainty
My Left Breast Put Fancy TSA Scanner to the Test
From a Grass Roots Tea Party, a PAC Blooms
At Nashville Tea Party: Saving the Country, Waiting for Palin
The John Edwards Saga's New All-Time Record Low
The ickiest detail in The New York Times story on John Edwards? Well, according to the paper, a book proposal by former Edwards aide Andrew Young says the onetime senator, onetime Democratic vice presidential candidate once promised Rielle Hunter they would marry on a New York City rooftop with the Dave Matthews Band making a special guest appearance. (While bands love publicity, I can imagine the DMB cringing at this particular association.)If I knew my husband was making plans with a girlfriend for wedding No. 2 – after my death – he could cancel any festivities because he would surely be the first one to die; I would kill him!
I've criticized Elizabeth Edwards in the past for writing and touring and telling almost all in a book and on "Oprah." But hey, whatever it takes to get you through another day married to John Edwards. You want to open a furniture store in Chapel Hill? Why not? You're a wife, a mother and you're battling cancer with the albatross named John hanging around your neck.
I talked with John Edwards at a Charlotte, N.C., appearance shortly after the Kerry-Edwards ticket came up short in the 2004 presidential election. Elizabeth was undergoing treatment for cancer and he was worried and concerned. Yet even when a recurrence of her illness gave him an out – and who knew how much he really needed it? – in his quest to win the 2008 presidential nomination, he still didn't take it.
A successful politician has to believe he or she is the best person for the job. But John Edwards actually thought he could – with the help of complicit friends -- hide a truckload of secrets while pursuing the most public job in the world.
(Was he really trying to rig a paternity test?) Maybe now that everyone knows what pure ambition looks like, a minor-league hypocrite like South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will stop insisting that God wants him to remain in office.
When adults act like idiots, it's the children who suffer. So, to Edwards' three surviving children with Elizabeth, add a 19-month-old girl who doesn't yet realize what the story is. Right now, she's the lucky one.
PD toolbar!
and download the new Politics Daily toolbar!
-
PRINT
-
IM
-
E-mail
39 comments
+ add your own
Mary C. Curtis
Mary C. Curtis, an NPR contributor based in Charlotte, N.C., was previously a writer and editor for The New York Times and the Charlotte Observer... moreRelated Articles
Related Articles
- Melinda Henneberger on 'Hardball': John Edwards Sex Tape Controversy
Politics Daily Editor in Chief Melinda Henneberger appeared on "Hardball With Chris Matthews" on Thursday to discuss the claim by John Edwards' ex-aide Andrew Young that Edwards and Rielle Hunter made...
- Elizabeth Edwards and John Edwards Separate, Can Divorce In One Year
Elizabeth Edwards and former two-time Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards are legally separated, according to her spokesperson. The Edwards reside in North Carolina which allows for divorce...
- 'Game Change' Fallout: Elizabeth Edwards' Popularity Drops
The popularity of John and Elizabeth Edwards (or, in his case, the unpopularity) in their native North Carolina appears to have taken a hit due to the unflattering portrayals of them in "Game Change,"...
Comments (39)
greatqb44
7:12PM Sep 20th 2009
John Edwards actually thought he could – with the help of complicit friends -- hide a truckload of secrets while pursuing the most public job in the world.
Well when you are a democrat and 90% of the news media kisses your butt..its kinda easy....see Clinton,Bill...Obama,Barack...even your scandals aint scandals...if this had come out during 08...you really think the press would have gone after him...ya they really went after Acorn...Hell your own site ignored Acorn for over a week and most of the coverage has been making excuses..well they went too far but meant well...ya
Well when you are a democrat and 90% of the news media kisses your butt..its kinda easy....see Clinton,Bill...Obama,Barack...even your scandals aint scandals...if this had come out during 08...you really think the press would have gone after him...ya they really went after Acorn...Hell your own site ignored Acorn for over a week and most of the coverage has been making excuses..well they went too far but meant well...ya
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(3)
(3) 
danilova
5:15AM Sep 21st 2009
greatqb44
Let's not forget the Republican who played footsey in the airport men's room, Republican Mark Sanford who took off for S. Amer. when he was supposed to be hiking; Newt Gingerich, Republican, who was cheating on his wife at the same time he was calling Clinton down for the same; the Republican Senator from Nevada who was also involved in adultery; dito for Republican Chip Pickering; the nice Republican, Michael Duvall, who used language too explicit to be used on TV while on an open mike talking about his extramatiral affairs, too many others to list here & these from the party that claims to be 'family oriented & religious!' When you live in glass houses, don't throw stones.
Let's not forget the Republican who played footsey in the airport men's room, Republican Mark Sanford who took off for S. Amer. when he was supposed to be hiking; Newt Gingerich, Republican, who was cheating on his wife at the same time he was calling Clinton down for the same; the Republican Senator from Nevada who was also involved in adultery; dito for Republican Chip Pickering; the nice Republican, Michael Duvall, who used language too explicit to be used on TV while on an open mike talking about his extramatiral affairs, too many others to list here & these from the party that claims to be 'family oriented & religious!' When you live in glass houses, don't throw stones.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (3)
(3) garry402
7:13PM Sep 20th 2009
Now really, did anyone really believe a single word this guy said while he was running for president? His presentation was way too slick to be credible.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(24)
(24) htc6600
7:14PM Sep 20th 2009
Ha! I don't think we've seen the low point with Edwards yet. There's still money to be tracked down.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (23)
(23) jrotced02
11:26AM Sep 22nd 2009
htc6600: I agree. I think he's diverting our attention from income tax evasion.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(1)
(1) greatqb44
7:15PM Sep 20th 2009
The National Enqurier had all the facts laid and the MSM still ignored him...And you wonder why he was thinking he could get away with it?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (20)
(20) bonbon
9:06PM Sep 20th 2009
and exactly why the big ZERO has boycotted FOX news,
they both are afraid of the truth.
they both think they have the people bamboozzled, and that they have actually lied and gotten away with it.
well there are those of us, who think not.
they both are afraid of the truth.
they both think they have the people bamboozzled, and that they have actually lied and gotten away with it.
well there are those of us, who think not.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (8)
(8) sandsnnydz
10:25PM Sep 20th 2009
greatqb44 & bonbon
isn't that the truth! MSM is a pathetic joke I guess thats why O'Reilly/FOX has been top rated for what?
8 years now?
FOX/FNC rocks I'm glad Obama snubbed the FOX shows it only means they are getting to him and better yet that means they are getting at the truth! Love it!
I did get a little tickled today when I noticed little Chrissy Matthews got left out of the Obama media blitz 24/7 love fest ... he must have been CRUSHED he wasn't included ... he so wanted to feel that old tingle!!
How could Obama leave out his number one cheerleader Chris Matthews?
isn't that the truth! MSM is a pathetic joke I guess thats why O'Reilly/FOX has been top rated for what?
8 years now?
FOX/FNC rocks I'm glad Obama snubbed the FOX shows it only means they are getting to him and better yet that means they are getting at the truth! Love it!
I did get a little tickled today when I noticed little Chrissy Matthews got left out of the Obama media blitz 24/7 love fest ... he must have been CRUSHED he wasn't included ... he so wanted to feel that old tingle!!
How could Obama leave out his number one cheerleader Chris Matthews?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) tbr3guys
3:06AM Sep 21st 2009
bonbon...with you on this. trying to figure why the administration, in its circuit-riding efforts to promote its health care 'truth' would snub tv's most popular news source. if you were wanting to get your message out, wouldn't you go where the most people watch? unless.... also, it strikes as interesting that the network news source the administration avoids is also the most watched. correlation??
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-5)
(-5) FOXYLYNX
7:31PM Sep 20th 2009
TIME FOR HIS WIFE TO PACK HIS BAGS AND THROW HIM OUT - LET HIM MARRY THAT DUMB TWIT AND SEE HOW HAPPY HE WILL BE - SHE IS A GOLD DIGGER!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (25)
(25) teeball
7:44PM Sep 20th 2009
The man that could have been the democrats king,,,,
RATE THIS COMMENT: (7)
(7) el burpo
9:09PM Sep 20th 2009
This guy is about as low as you can get without actually having bodies buried somewhere.
There were enough red flags that he was a complete phony early on. Preaching about "Two Americas" - one of haves, the other of have-nots - and claiming to be champion of the later while getting haircuts that cost more than most those he supposedly championed make in a week or two. And yet Democrats flocked to him.
Just more evidence that some people are willing to overlook just about anything if someone promises them a freebee.
There were enough red flags that he was a complete phony early on. Preaching about "Two Americas" - one of haves, the other of have-nots - and claiming to be champion of the later while getting haircuts that cost more than most those he supposedly championed make in a week or two. And yet Democrats flocked to him.
Just more evidence that some people are willing to overlook just about anything if someone promises them a freebee.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (16)
(16) Truth
3:18AM Sep 21st 2009
el burpo,
All good points, but I think Pundip has been working on some manufactured facts that will exonerate Edwards, based on current commodity prices for soy beans, and the old Nielsen ratings of Gilligans Island.
Once he has processed the data through his lawnmower, vacuumed it all up, and sorted it out from the hairballs and goat feces that line the floor his hut, he will present it in his usual cogent format.
During sorting, Buster helps purge raw data by taste testing anything that looks unusual.
All good points, but I think Pundip has been working on some manufactured facts that will exonerate Edwards, based on current commodity prices for soy beans, and the old Nielsen ratings of Gilligans Island.
Once he has processed the data through his lawnmower, vacuumed it all up, and sorted it out from the hairballs and goat feces that line the floor his hut, he will present it in his usual cogent format.
During sorting, Buster helps purge raw data by taste testing anything that looks unusual.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (4)
(4) MARK
9:31PM Sep 20th 2009
Edwards reminds me of another corrupt, lying dem piece of garbage...obama...
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) kikkikat3
9:32PM Sep 20th 2009
Firsr I am so sorry that Elizabeth is soo sick with cancer my son-in-law also with stage 4 will be 60. He has made 2 yrs and 5 mos. The fact is tho she knew all this was happening and she kept drumming John forward while he was deceivng his wife she should have not supported him b/c she was a deceiver too. I am sorry she is ill but Madoff is sick too,
RATE THIS COMMENT: (4)
(4) gobucsmom
10:50AM Sep 21st 2009
Elizabeth knew SOME but not ALL the truth. While confessing the affair to her, John yet again lied. He told her it was a one-time thing and that it was over - words that a loyal and loving wife will believe and accept. Based on that, she told him she would support his run for the presidency. They even renewed their wedding vows during that time for their 30th anniversary. I think if she knew the real truth - that it was a long-time affair and it wasn't OVER, she would have kicked him to the curb and outed him to the MSM herself! And now he is caught in yet ANOTHER lie - he said he would be willing to take a paternity test and one of his aides claimed the baby was his, while all along Edwards knew he was the baby's father! He is an insecure man with self-esteem issues who fell prey to this gold-digger and has done nothing but lie about it ever since. That woman should think twice before she hitches her wagon to his star.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (4)
(4) joedenver60
9:34PM Sep 20th 2009
I'm sure there will be a movie made on his exploits and affairs, 'and all will forget', because he is such a good looking guy who has nice hair
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
(-1) moderate
9:40AM Sep 21st 2009
That's pretty funny. I spit my coffee out reading your sentence.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
(-1) johnetienne818
9:50PM Sep 20th 2009
Elizabeth Edwards is a first-class act and doesn't deserve being criticized by Ms. Curtis, or anyone else. She's the injured party here and others shouldn't presume to know the "right" way to handle HER situation. File this one under "mind your own business."
RATE THIS COMMENT: (11)
(11) raejeanowl
9:57PM Sep 20th 2009
I agree with johnetienne818 that Elizabeth Edwards is entitled to deal with this any way she sees fit and does not need our approval.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (15)
(15) Add your comments
Woman Up on Facebook
Now Commenting
- lgwynn7213 on:
Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder Calls for White House Staff Shake-Up - oxbow99 on:
Americans Say There's Enough Blame to Go Around for Partisanship - tec166 on:
Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder Calls for White House Staff Shake-Up - stratpuck on:
Former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder Calls for White House Staff Shake-Up - PAT OR PATTI on:
Robert Gibbs Gets Hands-On About Mocking Sarah Palin - Sieben on:
GOP Chairman Steele Riles Republicans on Capitol Hill
Submit Your Favorite Links
No.
Props
Props
- 25
- 27
- 24
- 25
- 25
- 26
Follow Politics Daily
Other News
- The race is on for Murtha's seat
- The real political realities
- Senate blocks NLRB appointee
- Did a soldier waterboard his daughter?
- Surprise guest at White House briefing: Obama
- Schumer's Wall Street Donors Look for Revenge
- Michael Steele Suggests Racism Fuels His Critics
- Robert Gibbs Pokes Fun at Sarah Palin
- World Likes Obama Much More Than Bush
- Obama Makes New Plea for Bipartisanship
- The Hidden Eviction Victims
- When Church Groups Go Too Far
- London's Dark Underworld
- This Week's Hot Reads
- A Greek Economic Tragedy
- Few New Ideas in Jobs Bill
- Boehner: Why Discuss Dead Bill?
- Senate Rejects Obama Nominee
- Clinton Hostage-Taker Now a Fugitive
- Lead Scare Over Target's Valentine's Day Bears in Calif.
Politics Daily More Links