There is nothing good in the Edwards saga. There are no good guys in the Edwards saga.

[Stinky The Clown]

John Edwards is the ultimate scumbag in this whole sordid tale. Cheating happens. But when you're vying to be the front runner to take the country back from eight years of the crappiest rule ever in history, you owe it to the greater good to back the fuck out when you know your wick is wet. He was also delusional in thinking Obama would be unaware of the whispers and would want his as VP or AG. His behavior was the ultimate in selfish childishness.

Elizabeth Edwards is at once the victim and an accomplice. She knew his wick was wet and she continued to support him. Yes, it is a gawdawful position and she was there because of him. But she knew and she should have known better.

Rielle Hunter was a starstruck but lucid participant who was just as delusional as he was, thinking they could get through it and she would come out the other end as first lady.

Andrew Young just showed poor judgment in the beginning, but has compounded his errors ever since. That continues to this very day.

The biggest victim in all this was very nearly the entire Democratic party.

I've pretty much stayed silent on this whole issue, apart from an occasional swat at him. But now it is starting to hurt.

[Wanet]

1. I have to disagree with you

about Elizabeth Edwards. She tried to hold her family togther. She is not an accomplice. -- Wanet

[Stinky The Clown]

2. Her position was untenable. But she was involved in not a good way by not stopping him from running.

[Wanet]

3. I still disagree

How do you know she didn't try to stop him?

[cali]

4. she has said she didn't.

[karynnj]

12. Because all she had to do was to

respond by saying that she really thought it would be too hard and take what hopefully would not be her last days away from her children when asked it he was still running. May be add in she hated the idea of rarely seeing her husband over the next year.

He would have quit and been so loved by the media. Hunter's story would likely never see print.

[Demoiselle]

5. I'm sorry, Stinky. But

"She knew his wick was wet and she continued to support him" is just not enough to condemn Elizabeth Edward in my opinion.
And, no, I cannot go along with the idea of the entire Democratic party as victim.
A bit overstated, doncha think?

I wish we could all remember what happened to this family years before he ran for president.
They saw their first born child killed in a car accident right in front of them
It is my understanding that that kind of trauma shared can actually destroy a relationship...immediately or in slow motion over a longer period.
It had a profound enough effect to motivate them to have two more children and for him to run for public office.
Elizabeth Edwards has decided to move on. Good for her. John Edwards will have to find his way, somehow.
I never cease to be amazed at the extraordinary exceptionalism that affects some young women when presented with an opportunity to snag an already married and famous man.
This will not end in tremendous happiness for her, either.

God bless and help their children. All of them.
And please, no more tears for the Democratic Party.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. The earlier tragedy that befell them is no less tragic than it ever was.

It has no bearing on the issues discussed in the OP.

[Demoiselle]

18. I too agree with much you post here, Stinky,

..but if I didn't feel the early tragedy might have bearing on their lives, I wouldn't have brought it up.

[mzteris]

6. the biggest victims

are the kids - all of them.

What idiot would not only have an affair while running for President, but make a freaking TAPE of it? What an utterly stupid thing to do. I'm glad he never made it to the WH. He doesn't have the brains - nor the principles - for it.

[uppityperson]

8. Crap, did it again. Hit rec and meant to hit unrec. Can anyone make it up for me?

Edwards behavior was the ultimate in selfishness.

However, how do you know Elizabeth was an accomplice? "she knew and she should have known better" are opposites. Did she know? "Should" she have known but didn't? Seems you are saying she knew, and she didn't. Which is it?

[Stinky The Clown]

13. She knew he was boinking. She continued to actively support his presidential run.

I think she should have actively worked to stop him (which could all have been done very much in private with threats and guile). At the least, she should have simply refused to continue to campaign for him.

[uppityperson]

16. Here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7602014&mesg_id=7602285

[reggie the dog]

9. private life, public life, Nicolas Sarkozy left his second wife

just after the elections, but they had already been sleeping in different houses, and taking seperate vacations. His mystress became his 3rd wife, the opposition candidate was also divorcing her husband at the time of the election because he had cheated on her and she had cheated on him. No one cared for either candidate. Hell Berlusconi has teenage girlfriends, to cheat on his second wife with, and no one cares, because people see a difference between public and private lives.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. The French are far more mature about this than the Americans.

I am personally not bothered by this. It is private. I may not like it, but I am not bothered by it.

I am very much atypical of Americans.

[anneboleyn]

35. What bothers me is that Edwards' "private" behavior could have sunk the dem party.

He also may have used campaign funds to pay his mistress. Hardly just a question of maturity. These are real ethics violations.

Whatever the French think, Edwards could well have caused major damage to the democratic party by acting like a serious asshole. He is an egotistical jerk who doesn't give a shit about his dying wife, his supporters (he knew he could well be fucking them over), or the dem party (what would have happened if this had all come out when he was in office? The fallout would have been terrible, and the entire party would have suffered).

[bemildred]

10. Few divorces are elevating.

I don't really feel that Ms Edwards was an accomplice, it is worth considering both that she wanted to try to save her marriage and that she would have brought down a typhoon of media attention on herself and her family etc. if she had outed her husband. She was not obligated to throw herself and her family into that cesspool because our political system is psychotic.

[pipi_k]

11. I usually agree with a lot of what you post (even if I don't mention it) but

I have to go along with what a couple of the others said about Elizabeth Edwards being an accomplice.

None of us was a fly on the wall in the Edwards home.

None of us can ever know what Elizabeth knew, or when she knew it. And we don't know if she ever tried to stop her husband from running for VP. And even if she did know, and had tried to stop him, she wouldn't have the power to force him to stop unless she wanted to hurt a whole lot of people...the kids first of all...by threatening to go public with his affair.


I have mixed feelings on the sexual misbehaviors of our elected officials. In one respect, it's none of our business. In another, it's important (to me) because I expect more from the people I would support than that they would act like a bunch of perv Republican assholes.

It's just really sad all the way around.

[mdmc]

15. I loved it when Edwards said he opposed gay marriage cause

his religion was against it..

[Lex]

17. +10000

[Dr. Strange]

23. Oh man. Words fail.

[mdmc]

26. do you remember during the debate?

and the black guy asked Edwards, "didn't your religion forbid blacks and whites from marrying each other?"

Edwards was like, "My cats breath smells like cat food."

[JI7]

31. he was also critical of Bill Clinton for cheating

[Maru Kitteh]

39. Yeah, he also said he was "personally" against abortion too.

Hypocritical pig.

[Withywindle]

52. + 20,000

JE had "religious beliefs" he'd "been raised with" about the "Christian doctrine" of marriage between "one man and one woman for life". He SAID SO.

Obama's spewed the same line of bullshit, but at least (as far as we know) there's no reliable evidence about him proving with his dick just how meaningless those beliefs about "traditional marriage" are to him, so at least his hypocrisy isn't quite as visceral.

Meanwhile, there are many, many gay and lesbian couples that that neither of them will defend because of their "faith" who've been faithful for 30, 40, 50 years or more and just want a chance for legal recognition of the meaning of their marriages--that were consummated and confirmed in the spirit long ago.

So no, I have no pity for John fucking Edwards. Or, in the light of it, Elizabeth either - no matter how sick she was, she still campaigned for her hypocrite husband, knowing that she had health care benefits that her husband, should he be elected President (which he never will, Inshallah), would be happy to deny to millions of other people because of the childhood bigotry he never bothered to outgrow.

[Missy Vixen]

19. I don't think that Elizabeth Edwards is a saint by any means

but I am also a wife.

YOU try to stop a spouse from doing something that will create all kinds of problems, even if you're not a household-name famous person. Sometimes, it's unavoidable. In this case, here were her choices: Let him go ahead and do it; do you wonder if she would have been the one to make the "deep cover" phone call if he made it as far as the convention? Or, go public beforehand, embarrass their entire family, and be seen as even more of a villain than she is now?

I do not believe Elizabeth is the villain here. She honored her marriage vows. John Edwards did not.

[elfin]

20. Agree here -

I might not call Elizabeth an "accomplice", BUT she did know that the picture she and he were presenting was false. For her a complicated and emotional mess, but she settled in to further their joint ambitions instead of quietly taking him out of the running via her illness for the betterment of the nation. She HAD to know that the "real" John Edwards was not suitable to the top first or second spot.

I liked him mostly because of her and his choice of her.

Big denial and also aspirations to continue her very favorable personal acceptance by the media as far as I can judge.

My heart aches for her, but of the two, she seemed the most mature - and she kept putting herself out there via books and interviews long after the revelations.

I truly hope she finds a measure of peace and happiness and continued survival.

For him - he is now saddled with a batcrap crazy ex (?) mistress and an unwanted (by him) child for the rest of his days.

That should be enough punishment -- but this suburban matron wants more, much more.

[madokie]

21. John Edwards was a reminder to me that one must not take their hunches too lightly

I thought he was a light weight when he ran with Kerry, a little too slick if you will, moved his mouth all over his face too much to be on the up and up or that's what my gut told me anyway.

[unc70]

22. Elizabeth's father died in the middle of this (March 2008)

There were a lot of other things going on in their lives at that time, too.

I am wary at believing much of anything that is reported anonymously or claimed by Young, Hunter, or certain campaign aides. In general, I assume that most everyone involved with an affair and it aftermath are lying or at least less than total honest in revealing details of the matter. I know I would be! In this case, those things that appear to be true still reflect poorly on most everyone involved.

I remain baffled for an explanation for JE's actions -- sex is not enough -- particularly given the description of his first meeting Hunter in the NY hotel bar; Hunter was nearly stalking him. I have posted before that I would not have allowed Hunter anywhere near a candidate for office. Even without an actual affair, she provides the wrong kind of publicity. Period. Yes I am blaming the woman, too, in this case; read about her in my posts or do a search on her and I think you will have little empathy for her. Edwards should have seen "Fatal Attraction".

Andrew Young obviously portrays himself in a favorable light in this book, but that is counter to most everyone else's view. BTW Hunter has request a court order to force Young to return personal items of hers that Young took from her. Just great.

We do have a 911 report locally from 2008 involving John and Elizabeth that looks bad for everyone involved, too.

Finally, a couple of nights ago when the report of the separation came out, WRAL ran the story with video of John and Elizabeth sharing a popcorn at a UNC game a few weeks ago. Who knows what is really going on.

[saracat]

24. Geez. Edwards was just a politician like them all. Hillary didn't

didn't run to the press about Bill either. She knew about Jennifer Flowers and the others. So freaking what?Endangering the Democratic party?? Gimme a break. Most of them on both sides of the aisle are cheating one way or another. It just hasn't been convenient or necessary to out them yet.If politicians were actually held to these standard no one would be able to run for office. Just saying. Power is an aphrodisiac and most of these guys play around. I grant that eds is more egregious because of Elizabeth's condition and that there is a child but heck, Gingrich served his wife with divorce papers in her hospital room and later married his chippie.And the GOP still till consider Gingrich viable.The RW machine doesn't really care about JRE or Elizabeth. They just want the message they carried to be permanently destroyed. Now it is necessary for them to attack Elizabeth as well because she became too outspoken on health care and could not only have rehabilitated, John but could have become a force on her own. Now, they are both erased and their issues are erased along with them.Funny how that only works on Dems.

[JI7]

30. Elizabeth made comments about how she made better choices than Hillary

during the campaign.

Bill Clinton never claimed to be some great family man and Hillary never did either. and Hillary didn't make comments like Elizabeth about how she made better choices than some other woman.

also Edwards criticized Bill for his cheating

[saracat]

36. True enough. Pols and their spouses say lost of things during campaigns. Michelle

said she would have "clawed Bills eyes out" or words to that effect! Hillary said she wasn't "a stand by your man type of woman" in 1992.She also dissed cookie baking housewives. Big Whup! The fact remains, most pols cheat or otherwise misbehave.None of them can stand a microscopic inspection. We Democrats let all this stuff be used against us.The GOP just roles on and still preaches family values!
I get your point, and agree with it somewhat but I still say at the end of the day it is all a dog and pony show.The only thing that matters is policy.

[Maru Kitteh]

40. Why the ever-loving-fuck should Elizabeth be expected to "rehabilitate" JE?

[saracat]

43. She shouldn't. I didn't say she was, and coincidentally, she isn't.

But she could have, and that is the point!

[Maru Kitteh]

44. No. She couldn't. Women don't "rehabilitate" men. Nor should you imply that they should.

Johnnie is the keeper of his own soul, and the ONLY person responsible for his disgusting actions.

It's a giant steaming pile of anti-female crap to imply a woman could/would/should "rehabilitate" her man. That Tammy Wynette shit died in the 70's for a reason.

[saracat]

45. I do not mean literally. I agree with you. I was referring to PR image rehabilitation.

and I said she should NOT do it. And she isn't and she is right. I just finished reading an article about Press rehab and I was referring to that.

[Brickbat]

25. I agree. The only comfort I can take is that this isn't happening with him in the White House.

I, too, am starting to feel annoyed about the time, money and hope I invested in him.

[cali]

27. so did EE just authorize the release of this?

John Edwards: 'Suspect'
Submitted by bniolet on 2010-01-29 14:54
Tags: Under the Dome | Elizabeth Edwards | John Edwards

The Orange County sheriff's office released today a copy of a report alleging a "domestic between spouses and larceny of wallet" on Oct. 10, 2008, at the home of John and Elizabeth Edwards.

In the report, Elizabeth Edwards describes how John Edwards came to the home to eat dinner with his children after a sports event, Mark Johnson reports. She told him they were dining with the babysitter, and he had no business being there, according to the report.

Moments later, John Edwards challenged his wife’s comment and said the house was his, as well. Then Elizabeth Edwards said she saw her husband take her lime green wallet, which contained $320, credit cards and a Motorola Razr phone. John Edwards went down to "the barn," an adjoining structure that includes a full-size basketball court, for several minutes before beginning to leave, according to the report.

"As Mr. Edwards was leaving, he was asked to give the wallet back,” the report said, “and he advised that he did not have it."

The report ends by giving Edwards – a former U.S. Senator, former presidential candidate and former Democratic vice presidential nominee – a new title: "suspect."

UPDATE FOR THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS: The report had been kept secret since it was filed more than a year ago at the request of Elizabeth Edwards, the sheriff said. He cited a state statute that allows incident reports to be kept confidential temporarily in cases where the documents’ release could endanger the victims physical or mental well-being.


http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/john_edwards_suspect_0

[tonysam]

28. Lisa Jo Druck was NOT "star struck." She was a con woman,

just like her insurance fraud father. Edwards was a fool, but that's it.

You know something--the Edwardses are private citizens. Do us all a favor and quit beating a dead horse.

[cali]

29. he was more than a fool.

and EE has kept this alive as much as anyone.

[Stinky The Clown]

32. "Beating a dead horse"

You missed the end of the OP. I have had very little to say about this matter. But it just won't quit. I felt like posting my feelings about it. That's what internet message boards are for.

[Shell Beau]

37. He was certainly more than a fool. He fucked his family over in a terrible

way. Blame the mistress all you like, but Edwards was the only one who owed his wife (dying with cancer) anything. And by adding your comment, you are just as guilty of beating any dead horse.

[Maru Kitteh]

41. Bush and Cheney are private citezens too. So is Sarah Palin.

I'll bet you just jump right on every thread about them and implore DU to "Do us all a favor and quit beating a dead horse."


LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!

[rvablue]

48. She obviously was a magician, too. And capable of mind and zipper control.

Maybe she should run the country. With such powers, she could've made the GOP vote for the public option.

I guess some people can never admit the horrible mistake they made supporting someone. Lisa Jo Druck might be a con woman, but Edwards was putting the con on the rest of us. Yuck.

And the "Edwardses".. I think you mean the Edwards' were and ARE NOT "private citizens." They put themselves on TV, sold books, publicly opened furniture stores, tipped the press to a visit to Haiti, etc.

Can't say I've seen Reille Hunter do any of those things at this point.

[varelse]

33. The Edwards children (all of them) are innocent bystanders at best

and at worst, they are the only ones who truly could qualify for the description of "biggest victims".

[JI7]

34. it was Elizabeth from the start who wanted him to be President more than he did

[Maru Kitteh]

38. I beg to differ, the biggest victims are the children of Johnnie Hedgefund.

I feel damn sorry for those kids, especially the younger ones.

[Robeson]

42. I always thought the guy was as phony as a three dollar bill...

...Honestly, I've always been surprised at how seriously he was taken. I'm sorry for those who were taken in by him.

[rvablue]

49. +1,000,000!

Never got it.

Didn't like it in 2004. Definitely didn't want it in 2008.

Yuck. Have tons of respect for those who now realize their mistake and laugh at the tiny cadre of apologists still on this board.

[Mimosa]

46. Edwards and Hunter: Consider this possibility

I have been doing a lot of 'figuring out' on this issue. Edwards had no real skeletons in his closet to be used by forces which didn't want him to become president until after his run with Kerry. I think he had an independent streak. He actually could relate to blue collar and middle class folks. His father had been a mill worker. I do see a bit of the "Lonesome Rhodes" character from the movie "A Face in the Crowd" in John Edwards' character. But that isn't the whole of him.

Foreign powers and internal entities are now more sophisticated than to have resort to assassinations to gain their goals. Psychological analysis and employing sleeper agents to be used 'just in case' can take out any threats. Taking out Edwards in such a painful way also serves as an intimidating effect on other politicians who might be inclined to get feisty.

Edwards own ego and stupidity brought him down. But I have a strong intuition Rielle Hunter may have been an agent who was working for a foreign power and/or the war machine. What brought me to the conclusion was the sex tape which she had made. She had that in readiness as a backup.

That is what agents have always done. Also, what was in it for Hunter? Money, notoriety and a kid for an aging woman. No matter if Hunter loved or didn't love Edwards, she would be paid off by whoever is behind her. Edwards is merely taken out.

[sandnsea]

47. I'm watching 20/20 right now

All I have to say is...

:wow:

[merh]

50. The biggest victim is not the entire Democratic party.

The victims would be the children of John Edwards, all of them.

[Raine]

51. No one comes out of this with their reputation in tact

the kids are the only ones with "clean hands".