Reply #91: Rumors vs. caught in the woman's hotel at 2 am, after the Enquirer has

[No Elephants]

asked you about this affair are a little different. Edwards' arrogance and narcissim and apparent break with realistic thinking is highly relevant here, for me, anyway.

JFK and LBJ and their predecessors also enjoyed a "gentleman's agreement" with the media that has not existed since Gary Hart. They knew they had that agreement; Edwards knew he did not have the benefit of it and he also knew that the Enquirer was on to him. Yet, he continued the affair, the attempt at secrecy AND the campaign.

Again, for me, it is not primarily about simply sex, or even about primarily simply extra marital sex.

There was a specific set of circumstances in Edwards case that told a lot about his character and the kind of President he might make, well beyond garden variety extra marital slap and tickle.


I have also distinguished between a President doing something in office and a candidate while running. I would not have advocated impeaching Edwards if the affair came to light after he was President. Would I weigh the information in deciding whether to vote for Edwards in a primary, though? You betcha! (sorry, couldn't resist)