(My) last comments on John Edwards

[question everything]

I supported Edwards in 2004 and in 2008. Contributed to both his campaigns and met and shook his hands on both occasions. In 2004 he won both my caucus and the one next door... only to hear the news, while driving home, that he withdrew.

In 2008 he came to town, new excited volunteers were recruited, he talked to many supporters and... flew to New Orleans that evening to announce his withdrawal, again.

I have never read the National Enquirer but I take others' words that, like the ubiquitous stopped (analog) clock, it occasionally publishes stories that end up to be true.

It is still curious that any news reporters and photographers would go to catch their target and will not publish any photographs. (Yes, the editor "claims" to have some, but keep them for "special occasion).

But Edwards' silence is deafening. Why not even "this does not merit a response?"

And, yes, Edwards is a private citizen and his fidelity to his wife is his and Elizabeth's business.

But, if there is "love child" this means that no safe sex was exercised. And if so, how could you expose Elizabeth, with a weak immune response, to the threat of STD?

Sigh.


:banghead:

[Lex]

1. OMG.

Are you for real?

[aspergris]

2. bogus conclusion

"if there is "love child" this means that no safe sex was exercised"

not true. even assuming this thing is true (i have no idea, nor do i care).

safe sex CAN result in pregnancy, or have you devised a foolproof condom, etc?

different methods have different failure rates, but pregnancy does not prove safe sex was not practiced.

logic.

[alarimer]

3. Why on earth would anyone believe the National Enquirer?

There is a serious lack of critical thinking skills in this country, that they can even start this whisper campaign and have people (who should know better) believe it.

[question everything]

17. Not the National Enquirer, but what about Huffington Post?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/say-it-aint-so-john-why-p_b_115165.html

Say It Ain't So, John -- Why Progressives Need To Get Out In Front Of The John Edwards Affair Rumors

Despite what some people are going to say, this is news. A former Senator and Vice Presidential candidate who was running for President less than six months ago and is now on the short list for Vice President has a long affair during the campaign and fathers a child, covers it up, and then is caught at a hotel with the mother of the child. News! Oh -- and his wife made regular appearances on the campaign trail and has been diagnosed with cancer. If it were Mitt Romney, you'd be hearing peels of laughter and the satisfying smacking sound of Merlot and Starbucks fueled high fives coming from the nearest blue state. Would it have made the progressive blogs? C'mon, of course it would...with funny pictures and as many self-satisfied comments as you can shake a Macbook Air at.

(snip)

John Edwards Matters This isn't a Mike Gravel affair. (Sorry to put that image in your head.) John Edwards been the conscience of the Democratic Party this primary season and a compelling presence speaking out on the growing gap between rich and poor. If he wasn't going to be Vice President, most Democrats wanted him somewhere in an Obama cabinet.

(snip)

Primary Revisionism Will the affair change the way we look back on the primary? Why did Edwards drop out of the race so quickly? Why did Edwards not endorse anyone until his endorsement was a moot point? Endless debates will ensue.

DNA! The press loves any story with DNA. Drama! DNA test refusals. Acceptance. Test goes out. What will happen? It's like Montel Williams but it takes weeks!

Democratic Convention in Denver happening soon. Will Edwards speak? Will he appear at all? What about Elizabeth?

[lame54]

21. Still doesn't pass the smell test...

This should be all over the news drowning out Obama's trip
How they love a Dem sex scandal

[johnaries]

23. HuffPo's only source is the Enquirer, so the queston is valid.

And I agree, why trust the National Enquirer?

Some other organizations are reportedly investigating it, so I'll wait until they release something.

[Gold Metal Flake]

4. Concern noted.

[PresidentObama]

5. You're suggesting a magazine that posts lies and has no evidence is telling the truth.

Great.

So do you believe their story that suggested Obama is an Iranian plant?

[question everything]

7. Never read it, don't believe their lies

but why is Edwards silent?

[uppityperson]

18. Maybe he is refusing to acknowledge their existence, sort of like how we're not supposed to poke tro

trolls. Don't even bother denying something a sensationalistic lying rag would say. That's my take. I wonder why mrbush has never been seen golfing with that big eyed alien like the last 6 or so presidents have been?

[EV_Ares]

6. I would leave it alone, leave them alone and let them address it in their own time. Look

at the sources of this, The National Enquirer and Fox News. My respect for him has not changed. I have always been an Obama supporter and Edwards was right up there as well.

Leave it alone.

[mmonk]

8. I'm wondering why you are so concerned about what the National Enquirer

prints.

[question everything]

10. About a week ago, all of a sudden Edwards was in the VP "pool"

You no longer hear about this possibility now, do you?

[MannyGoldstein]

9. I'd Put 50 Bucks On It Being Correct

I agree with your take on it.

[DFLforever]

11. This could be true or false. I hardly care nor do I give any

credence to the NE.

However, if it is, I do disagree with you on the point of the child.

I would expect an ambitious politician who was running for president to INSIST upon an abortion. The fact that he did not makes me think a bit more of him and even feel a little sympathetic.

I also believe we have no way of knowing what kind of relationship the Edwards' might have.

[Lyric]

12. Insist?

It's not his choice. He very well might have asked her to abort, but in the end, that wasn't his choice to make. We'll never know either way, because it's none of our business. But still--men do not have the right or even the expectation of a right to "insist" upon abortion in ANY circumstance. Not even wealthy, powerful men.

[earth mom]

13. John Edwards does not owe YOU or anyone an explanation, a defense, or a denial

about this.

It's NONE of anyone's business whether it's true or NOT.

Which it most likely is NOT!

Why in the FUCK do you even post such crap here?

If this was about Obama, you can bet your sweet bippy that YOU and the rest of the nuts around here would be going insane at the mere suggestion!

Concern troll much? :eyes:

[question everything]

14. No, he does not. But he was our party's VP nominee in 2004

and, until recently, was being mentioned as one this year.

And, let's be honest. It is a bit of hypocrisy on our parts.

Yes, we go after the right wingers who talk about "family values" and behave in an unfamily value way. So when one of our own does - we hush the story?

Yes, even with Clinton I thought it was between the two of them yet even on DU pages, the Monica affair is being hurled against both of them.

And his family was a part of his campaign. The loss of a son (which makes the notion of his demanding abortion hard to swallow), the rejuvenation with two adorable young kids, a courageous and beautiful wife.. this was part of the package. And if true - still IF - it is hard to reconcile these two images. And then the issue of his big mansion, his and Al Gore's are resurrected and if the Republicans call us hypocrites - they may have a leg to stand on.

Last, not everyone who says something that your holiness finds offensive makes one a troll, or a candidate for a pizza..

[lame54]

15. Edwards is not in hiding - Here he is on PBS talking about what's important...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3695655&mesg_id=3695655

[question everything]

16. I suspect that this program was taped before the recent reports

And this will be the real tragedy: if he is forced from the public eyes, if he is forced from being a force in fighting poverty.

Many have criticized his mansion, seeing it as being incongruent with the fight for poverty. The recent allegations, if found true, will just enforce the opinions of those who blame him for being a hypocrite.

You cannot escape it. In politics, and in public life, image is as important, sometimes more so, than substance.

[lame54]

19. But this story broke the other day and then nothing...

If it played the way the story says it would be all the MSM would be talking about
and the hotel was allegedly full of tabloid reporters - where are the photos?
and the hotel i'm sure had cameras everywhere - and a registry
Why hasn't this blown up?

By the way, I love your screen name
:shrug:

[question everything]

20. I find the Huffington Post comments of interest

See my point 17, above.

There clearly are holes in the story, especially the lack of photographs. What newspaper would go to "catch" someone and not publish the photographs? Or, worse, say that they have them but are not going to publish them, yet?

One reason, I suspect, is that even while being cornered, Edwards still looks great, not like those notorious photos of other celebrities.

But we really cannot ignore these rumors - as detailed by the Huffington Post blogger.

[King Coal]

24. I'm glad those are your last comments.

[Beaverhausen]

22. Why on earth should Edwards comment? Another man has already said he is the father.

We all know you dislike him, but this is beyond the pale.