You really have to ask yourself, has there been a bigger sleaze personally on the political scene than John Edwards? After a zillion denials and evasions he finally has admitted that the baby his former mistress had was indeed his:
Former senator John Edwards on Thursday admitted paternity of a daughter with former mistress Rielle Hunter, despite his previous denials, in a statement given to the “Today” show.
Harrison Hickman, a trusted Edwards adviser, went on the show to discuss the statement from the former presidential candidate, who also served as the vice presidential nominee for the Democratic Party in 2004.
“I am Quinn’s father,” Edwards said in the statement. “I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves…. It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter.”
He also apologized to his daughter, now nearly two, saying he hoped she could forgive him one day, and to the public. “To all those I have have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough. But I am truly sorry,” he said.
“I know it’s not possible,” Edwards previously said over the question of whether Frances Quinn Hunter was his child.
Hickman said that Elizabeth Edwards, who is battling cancer, and John have separated and that she is supportive of him coming forward about the child. “Elizabeth thinks he should acknowledge this,” Hickman said.
Just think about the millions of people who were touched or wept at the devotion of Edwards during his campaign — how he so loved his wife and how she was bravely battling cancer. Now it has come out via the National Enquirer and other published accounts that the lovey doved Edwards’ weren’t because John Edwards felt he could have an affair and lie to the media and those who trusted him politically.
America has had its share of politicians, celebrities who had affairs. But seldom on the same level of Edwards who was a)two timing his sick wife b)addressing her illness and his devotion to her in appearances.
The sleaze quotent is so high he could sell the sleaze on Amazon.com and still have enough to sell on www.overstock.com
Here’s the AP’s video report:
CBS’s blog Political Hotsheet wonders what would have happened if Edwards had been President?
FOOTNOTE: Edwards’ story is an incredible story. Here was a dynamic politician who moved a segment of America with his stated compassion for the poor, argued his case well, had a (seemingly) wonderful family life, plus supporters who trusted and idolized him.
He had it all.
Even great hair.
Now at least he has his hair.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.