Why I Don't BelieveThe N ational Enquirer Story About John Edwards:

[cali]

It's not because it's in the NE and I certainly believe it's possible that anyone can have an affair. It's because I don't believe that John Edwards isx stupid enough to go to a hotel to meet with his supposed mistress. I mean c'mon, if this was true, and what's her face was someone he had an illegitimate kid with, why the hell would he choose to meet her in a high profile hotel? Seems to me that he's choose to meet her at some very private place.

[rox63]

1. Not to mention the fact that Elizabeth would kick his ass

She's a powerful woman.

[struggle4progress]

128. Now, see, I thought she'd have the UFOs kick his ass

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I think it's soooo tacky of the NE to print this knowing Elizabeth is ill. But then tacky is what

the NE does, right?

[mugsiewugsie]

22. I think you need to examine your values and priorities

You're with the Liberal Christians Network and your concern is that the NE printing the Edwards story is "tacky knowing Elizabeth is ill?" Do you have any concern about the vile adultery (with unprotected sex yet!) committed by Elizabeth's narcissistic husband "knowing she is ill"? I feel nothing but sympathy and compassion for Elizabeth and her children. I feel nothing but contempt for John Edwards. I know many Democrats don't want to believe this story, but there's plenty of evidence that it's true (with undoubtedly more evidence to come from the NE). Read all the NE's articles on this subject yourself, then read a few other online sources. If you do so with any semblance of an open mind, I can't imagine you honestly believing this is not true. Political loyalty should never trump basic morality and concern for the real victims.

[alarimer]

29. Are you so stupid that you believe the National Enquirer?

How many times has this "publication" been sued for the lies it prints? They just make stuff up all the time.

[mugsiewugsie]

36. Are insults the norm for contrary opinons on this website?

This is both fascinating and depressing. I have been a voting Democrat for almost 40 years and I just tonight joined the DemocraticUnderground.com. I have posted three opinions about the Edwards scandal which obviously do not "toe the party line" and all have been responded to with insults and name-calling. I have so far been called a "dumbass", "stupid", and my post a "waste." What gives? Can a Democrat not have an opinion that does not match another Democrat's without being called a name?

You may wish to convince yourself that the Enquirer's investigative stories are "lies", but an objective reading of their pieces on O.J., Rush Limbaugh, Elliot Spitzer, Jesse Jackson, and, yes, Edwards,(i.e., not their trash week-to-week celebrity stories) will show you this one is undoubtedly true, too.

[RoyGBiv]

40. Sometimes ...

For people who reference the _National Enquirer_ for their truth.

I don't care if you're a Democrat. Democrats can spout idiotic opinions that deserve nothing but to be met with contempt too.

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JeffR]

72. Only contrary opinions based on flimsy tabloid hearsay.

We're suspicious here, for very good reason.

If, IF, there's anything to this, we'll all know it eventually. Meanwhile, you've already swallowed it hook, line & sinker. Now just why would it be that you did that?

[existentialist]

97. I'm sorry, but I really would not consider the NE

to be any kind of a worthy or credible news source whatsoever. Period. I'm not crazy about Edwards, but I don't exactly think of the NE as anything to be believed, either.

[GreenPartyVoter]

118. Hey, the speck in my eye would like to converse with the plank in yours. YOU attacked me

for NO reason. Sat in judgment of me and told me I should review my values and priorities when ALL I did was state my opinion of the NE as a news source. Why should you be upset with being called names when you are doing a little mud flinging of your own??

[mugsiewugsie]

129. You know, you may be right

I did get carried away. I apologize.

[LBJDemocrat]

34. What the hell?

You can't be serious.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kiva]

100. Ummm, can almost smell it...pepperoni, I believe.

[RoyGBiv]

38. Plenty of evidence ...

... in the _National Enquirer_ ...

Oooookay ...

I dunno whether to run carefully away or point and laugh.

[AlCzervik]

39. Why do you think the story is true, are you privy to information the rest of us don't have?

I think you need to reexamine why you have faith in the source of this story, i'm guessing you hope it's true.

[DearAbby]

43. Do you believe the Alien babies and wolf boy too?

it's the National Enquirer for crissakes...

[Bobbie Jo]

50. Before you direct someone to examine THEIR values and priorities....

How about taking the plank out of your OWN eye before you would have another remove the splinter from theirs.

and btw.....let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Ready to throw?


Welcome to DU, enjoy your stay!

[GreenPartyVoter]

119. Thank you :^)

[Phillycat]

51. Hee!

O HAI YOU'RE A MORON.

Because the National Enquirer is exactly where you should be getting your hard-hitting political news.

[tabasco]

53. Hahahahahahahahaha!!

The trolls really are desperate.

[waiting for hope]

58. Please! All those reporters and NO PICTURES?

The last three cell phones I've owned have the capacity to take a picture. It's bullshit. And any news rag knows pictures "sell". The Edwards' have already said this story of an affair is false, months ago. Do you believe the NE? Really?

[Bobbie Jo]

61. No pictures? I'm surprised the story got out at all.....

It's that READING thing, ya know?.....

[Mutley]

59. No insults -- just sayin'

The National Enquirerer is not by any means a reliable source. This is the same publication that reports on dinosaurs being found in Costa Rica (Jurassic Park anyone?), demon babies being born in some third world country, bat/pig/dog/horse kid, the 40lb infant -- the list goes on.

Got any reliable sources?

[Critters2]

86. Here's the thing that makes this site so much better than FR.

Over there, a post like this would never have been posted in the first place, and you'd have been banned before your very first post. Here, we give you enough rope to hang yourself, so to speak.

Enjoy your stay!

[cliffordu]

87. Man, I loves me some PIZZA!!! When I can't get me no pizza, I loves the POPCORN!!!

Enjoy your stay at DU!!

[LeftishBrit]

115. Are you sure you're on the right board?

[GreenPartyVoter]

117. Lord, thank you for sitting in judgment of Senator Edwards and me. What wouldst thou have me do now?

Seriously, thanks for the pointless attack. This thread was the first I had heard of this "story". I hadn't and still have not read anything else about it elsewhere. If I come across it in a real source and it is backed up by real evidence then I'll worry about Mrs. Edwards and the children.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

121. Do you feel the same "contempt" for the guy who fucked around on

that lady on your avatar?

[pnwmom]

124. For a Christian, Edwards' behavior falls into the "Judge not lest ye be judged"

category. Whether or not he committed adultery is none of our business -- and would hardly set him apart from the majority of Presidential candidates over the centuries.

But he is no longer a candidate for anything. And his wife is dying of cancer. It was REPREHENSIBLE for the National Enquirer to go after Edwards in this way, merely to sell some more copies. But that's the kind of publication it is.

[asdjrocky]

126. Oh lookie, another low post count moran spreading shit

about a decent man, and a wonderful family. Now, I'm not saying out right that you are an asshat, but that is a very asshat thing to do. Get my drift?

[pnwmom]

123. It's beyond tacky. It's reprehensible, especially since Edwards is not a candidate

for any office now.

I feel so sorry for Elizabeth. She doesn't deserve any of this.

[panader0]

3. I hadn't heard about this and don't believe it either.

Consider the source. Sue 'em John!

[billyoc]

4. Because it's in the National Inquirer?

The "Satan Escapes From Hell" paper?

[mugsiewugsie]

17. You're uninformed

The Enquirer may have a lot of hinky celebrity stories, but their copyrighted stories like the ones about O.J., Rush Limbaugh, Jesse Jackson, etc. have been right on the money. (By the way, they don't do "satan-escapes-from-hell" type stories --that's the Globe and others.)

If you actually read their latest piece on Edwards, you'll see reference to a both a photographer and witnesses. I'm sure we'll be seeing photos in an upcoming Enquirer spread. It's hard to accept that your hero has feet of clay, but in this case, there's plenty of evidence it's true. We should be open-minded and truthful enough to accept that not all creeps are Republicans.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mugsiewugsie]

26. No offense intended

Perhaps I should have used slightly different wording. All I meant was it is difficult to find that someone you look up to is found to have feet of clay. By the way, is there something wrong with being a first-time poster? Weren't you one at some point in time? And why am I a "dumbass" just because you disagree with my opinion? I thought this website was into civil interaction and tolerance.

[alarimer]

30. Who gives a shit if it is true anyway?

What possible difference could it make anyway? It's not like he is running for office anymore and even if he were, it's a private matter.

[Oeditpus Rex]

33. Civil interaction and tolerance?

Didn't lurk very long before you started posting, did'ja?

[Mutley]

63. Ha!

Right on the money.

[Regret My New Name]

74. he or she probably wrote the story....

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mugsiewugsie]

28. Maybe you're right

You may be right about the photos. I guess we'll see.

I'm sorry you found my post to be a waste. Obviously, that's because you don't agree with it. Aren't differing opinions OK? And, by the way, I wasn't aware that one needs to establish "credibility" with other posters. That implies my posts aren't worthwhile unless they agree with the majority. Somewhat intolerant point of view. Cheers!

[JuniperLea]

37. Everyone has cred until they blow it...

And no, it's not that I disagree with your post, it's that your post is bullshit.

[RoyGBiv]

44. This is true ...

Some of them apparently join Internet discussion forums and point to a rag's obsession (and luck) with OJ Simpson and subsequent flirtation with something approaching journalistic integrity as somehow evidence they're really good at what they do ... sometimes ... maybe ... except when they're not.

[Mutley]

69. Mugsie

If you and your other friends in this thread are so convinced that the National Enquirer is so reliable, then surely you believe this:



Right?

[JDPriestly]

83. Hillary fans have reason to like the National Enquirer!

The political world has been holding its nose for the last twenty-four hours while peering at the weekly tabloid National Enquirer, which published a story yesterday alleging that presidential candidate John Edwards had an extra-marital affair.

"The story is false," Edwards told reporters in South Carolina today, according to a reporter who was there.

What the tabloid's readers, in politics and out, may not know is that a key owner of the Enquirer is a prominent New York investment banker and one of Hillary Clinton's key backers, Roger Altman. Altman was an official in the first Clinton administration, and his name is often mentioned as a possible Clinton Treasury Secretary.

The investment boutique which Altman founded and chairs, Evercore Partners, bought a controlling stake in American Media, which publishes the Enquirer, in 1999, which it still holds with a partner. Evercore's president, Austin Beutner, sits on American Media's Board of Directors, according to Evercore's website.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1007/The_Clinton...

As for the report, consider the source. Ms. Rielle brought her baby and was accompanied by a man. Ms. Rielle worked on the Edwards campaign. It would not be surprising if she remains friends with Edwards. We do not know whether Edwards and Rielle had an affair. But we do know that Hillary and the National Enquirer have a close relationship.

[emilyg]

89. Primaries are over.

Try to keep up.

[JDPriestly]

111. Just pointing out that the person who was most supportive

of the Enquirer article was a Hillary supporter, as is the National Enquirer. This "news" about Edwards is raised every time Edwards poses a threat to Hillary -- now in a probably non-existent rivalry over Obama's choice for vice president. Frankly, I'm an Edwards person, but I don't think Obama will choose either Edwards or Hillary. So, I don't know why this story about Edwards was run or why anyone would believe it. Even if it were true, Edwards is a private person, and this would not be anyone's business. The story has nothing to do with anything and can only divide Democrats. That is it is meant as a dig at those of us who supported Edwards and still support him for Edwards' issues on poverty and economics, even if we are backing the candidate, Obama.

The article is nasty talk. It would not surprise me at all if Edwards is still friends with Ms. Rielle who was a part of his campaign at one time. That certainly does not mean he had or is having an affair with her.

Edwards is not in a position of power, not in a position to be bribed or embarrassed. I do not believe the story, but think it is important to know that those who are spreading it may think they are helping Hillary. They should forget it. They are only making Hillary look peevish and small. For every story that might be told about Edwards, there are several waiting to be told about Bill Clinton, and that reflects very poorly on Hillary.

[cliffordu]

88. Are you still here??

[KitchenWitch]

90. That pizza is going to get burned before it is served.

[cliffordu]

92. It's been a couple of weeks since we had a balls out dead-ender show up

out of the blue -

This one's hilarious...

[KitchenWitch]

94. Yes, I am quite enjoying the show...care for some popcorn while we wait?

[cliffordu]

103. Why, Thank you, Yes!!

[KitchenWitch]

104. Open bar, whatcha want?

[cliffordu]

105. Ummmm I'm one of those latte liberals you have heard soooo much about.

Elitist, too..


I'll have a quad espresso,

THANKS!!

[KitchenWitch]

106. Foam?

[cliffordu]

107. Nah, just leave it like it is, I'll chug it like a beer.....You??

[KitchenWitch]

108. I think I will have a cranberry juice and seltzer.

Here is your espresso!

[cliffordu]

109. LOL!!! Perfect!! Thanks!!

[Jazzgirl]

113. Why r u here?

I like Canadian Bacon myself....

[Marie26]

5. ... and because there's no photos

The NE sent a crack team to catch this story & didn't even bring a photographer for the money shot? No way.

[zbdent]

6. Isn't the NE one of those which reported that Bush was sleeping with Condi,

Bush was drinking again, that Laura was divorcing him, ...

[AZ Criminal JD]

56. According to the posts I remember most people believed those stories.

They said those stories must be true.

[salin]

7. or try this... supposedly the story first was floated a year ago...

remember the period of time when John and Elizabeth Edwards learned that her cancer had returned and did some soul-searching per whether or not he (they) should invest the time/energy on another campaign... around the same time frame of this "story" first being floated.

I don't believe that he is stupid enough, or cruel enough to subject Elizabeth to the heat and focus of a campaign where, if true, this story would comeout - and cause her anguish - which would take a serious toll on her health.

Just don't believe it for a second.

Oh, and I find the tabloids to be the poorest source of news possible.

[chimpymustgo]

9. And this time it comes out as JRE is said to be on Obama's VP "short list".

Hmmm.....

[salin]

11. slightly different take

ala - rather than trying to smear JE, that their story wouldn't sell much per JE UNLESS he was being floated as possible VP. Just not as interesting about private citizen JE. I think it signals the NE expectation that JE is about to be back in the national limelight.

[Clark2008]

13. I hope not.

I really want to vote for Obama.

[salin]

14. JE as VP would preclude that?

I could see a lieberman type making one hesitant... but JE?

[AspenRose]

110. BINGO

It'll drop like a rock (again) if/when it's decided JRE won't be VP.

[Lorien]

8. Don't they also report stories of HRC having a lesbian mistress and

Oprah cheating on Stedman (or vice versa)? Seems to me that whenever they run out of scandals they just start making shit up, and that's always been the case.

Besides, even if Edwards had had an affair, it's not like he left his ailing wife for a hottie with very deep pockets.

[polmaven]

10. If they don't have any sandals

they sure better stay away from shit, doncha think?

[DesertRat]

120. Yes, and about Bush drinking again,

Laura moving out on him and Bush having an affair with Condi. As I recall many here at DU gleefully jumped on those stories as the truth.

[Giant Robot]

12. My all time fav NE Headline:

"Dozens maimed and killed in KANGAROO Onslaught!"

Seriously the NE I believe takes time tocheck on some of its stories when they involve actual big name people, but come on, this is the same paper that had the above mentioned headline.

[dsotm-wywh]

15. I hope it is true...hear me out...

I hope this is true about John Edwards because it will bring attention to the hipocrasy(sp?) of the Repubes. The more and more the Edwards thing is in the news the more and more they can't avoid talking about McCain and his affair. The more McCain and his affair comes up the more the Christian radicals will try to distance themselves from him and comparison's will be made to Clinton and how they just HAD to impeach him for getting a bj when McCain is no better.

"Mom, I like how you refer to the Weekly World News as "The Paper" - Mike Myers in So I Married an Axe Murderer

[kiva]

24. And I hope that the two people on this thread

who REALLY REALLY want to believe this crap rethink why they want to join a site called "Democratic" Underground.

[Critters2]

93. One of them lists his hobby as "questioning why I'm still a Democrat".

That's one of several things I'm questioning.

[KitchenWitch]

41. Welcome to my buddy list.

[AlCzervik]

42. that is some serious backward logic, like people saying they were voting for Bush

because he made the mess so he should clean it up.

[cobalt1999]

16. Considering the source without pictures, makes me skeptical

Though I wouldn't believe any politician is "above" having an affair. Hell, JFK used to have them like I have lattes from Starbucks. Who cares besides his wife and family anyway?

[Catherine Vincent]

18. Two words....Elliot Spitz

Although I don't believe Edwards would do such a thing.

[JuniperLea]

20. I don't believe it because it's the NE...

I don't believe in Batboy either. The Bev Hills hotel is about as high profile as it gets, and it is THE place to meet someone in secret. There are ways. I have no doubt that all of the high profile hotels in Los Angeles have similar "ways."

I don't believe it because the only person who says it happened is a NE reporter, who didn't happen to snap a photo. The whole story is just stupid, and the only people who benefit are Gaffe McBlunder and his mob.

[ColbertWatcher]

23. Best argument against (via fark.com):

fark.com had a thread about this and one of their regulars posted a link that provides a little perspective:

John D. Forbess, a Los Angeles lawyer who has sued The Enquirer and The Star on behalf of clients like Cher, noted that the Burnett case symbolized another difficulty in suing such publications -- or, for that matter, any publication: Even if a plaintiff wins high damages, appeals courts tend to reduce the award.

For those who decide to pursue a case, the going can be rough.

The tabloids' lawyers, employing a defense strategy that is often used by daily newspapers and other publications in libel suits, usually file a barrage of motions in court that tend to delay cases and put pressure on the plaintiffs to settle.

As a result, very few lawsuits ever come to trial. Some end with a settlement that includes a printed retraction or an agreement that the newspaper will not write anything about the celebrity for a specified period.

--New York Times

[JuniperLea]

25. And if you read the story...

It comes down to he said he said... all the so-called evidence is the word of a NE reporter.

The press, even those rags you can only loosely refer to as press (which includes most of them these days, unfortunately) can do anything they want... print anything... and get away with it.

[ColbertWatcher]

32. Yes. That's why I posted it. n/t

[AlCzervik]

27. the only place i've heard about this story is here at DU.

[pnwmom]

125. It's at Huffington Post today. That's where I heard of it. n/t

[EFerrari]

31. If Elvis wasn't there, it can't be true.

[flvegan]

45. This thread is awesome!

[AlCzervik]

46. yes, it's been very illuminating.

[flvegan]

48. It's mugulacious!!!!!!!!!!!

[KitchenWitch]

47. Did you bookmark it?

[flvegan]

49. Half

the reason I posted this.

[Joe Holmes]

52. Its true, alright.

If the story was false, he'd already be using all his magical trial-lawyer skills to sue the Enquirer for slander and libel.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AlCzervik]

60. Orly? Adding you to my Buddy list Joe.

[flvegan]

65. mugulacious post!

[Mutley]

67. Wow, you guys are coming out in force today.

Didn't you all go on and on and on about how the NE was not a reliable source when they printed that story about Bush being a drunk and a cokehead?

Helloooooooo double standards.

[Joe Holmes]

68. Bush is a drunk and a cokehead!

But that doesn't mean that John Edwards isn't spreading the love around!

[Mutley]

70. How 'bout your boy Rush?

Or this guy? Yeah, this looks plausible.

[struggle4progress]

75. I expect forthcoming Weekly World News coverage to seal the deal

[KitchenWitch]

76. Alas, the Weekly World News is no more

[struggle4progress]

79. Y'know, I'd felt less informed in checkout but hadn't been able to put my finger on the reason

How will I know how to vote this Fall?

[Critters2]

95. A whole bunch of you came over tonight, huh?

Enjoy your stay!

[seabeyond]

55. i really didnt think bill was so stupid to be getting blowjobs in the oval office either

now... that is not say i believe or dont believe this edwards thing. your post is the most i have heard about it. really dont give a shit either... just saying on stupid having to do with sex? lots of uh hu

[AlCzervik]

62. these threads do serve a purpose, they're good identifiers.

[KitchenWitch]

64. Like moths to an open flame, baby!

[AlCzervik]

66. the flame helps show the mark of the beast, kind of like heat on invisible ink.

[supernova]

71. Wow, did they all eat their wheaties this evening?

Seriously, you all need to stop being so jealous of those of us who have sex.

[Mutley]

77. Some of them have sex

[supernova]

78. Yes, some of them do have sex!

[Mutley]

80. Looks like a lot more of them than we thought...

http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Republican_Sex_Scandals



I guess they're the only ones who are allowed to have torrid affairs.

[sendero]

73. Ok...

... first of all I am an Edwards fan and he was my first choice by a country mile.

That said, do some research on NE. Many many years ago they got sued and lost over a story. When that happened, they decided to be a lot more careful about what they print.

The editor-publisher says that he is scrupulous about what gets printed and nothing gets in NE without multiple sources.

So, you can believe whatever you want, I think he probably did it. Sorry.

[struggle4progress]

81. The recent spat of libel suits against NE were filed in the UK, which lacks the US "public figure"

restrictions. In fact, if I understand correctly, truth is not an absolute defense to UK suits, whereas for public figures in the US a showing of actual malice is required for successful prosecution

A probable consequence of the UK suits would be to limit UK distribution of the NE and/or access to its website -- which would have essentially no effect on publication here

[sendero]

114. I don't htink a lawyer...

.. would have much trouble proving "malice" in a case where a story was made up from whole cloth.

We'll probably find out in the fullness of time. I don't care much either way, JE's political career isn't going anywhere either way.

[JI7]

82. he just isn't the type of guy to cheat on his wife

he is one of the few politicians i would be surprised by if he was cheating on Elizabeth.

[agentS]

84. Oh hell nah!

Say it ain't so, Senator! Say it ain't so!
http://www.click2houston.com/politics/16964350/detail.h...
Oh, wait, you just did say it wasn't so. Carry on.

[KitchenWitch]

91. 4, count 'em, 4 additions to my buddy list!

[Critters2]

96. I just took a peek at that other website, and it's front page shows an OBSESSION with this story!!

Not surprising a few crawled out from under the bridge and ended up here.

[KitchenWitch]

98. I am sure they are all a-tingle over there...

We need a vat of Lysol to clean GD up.

[Critters2]

99. You should wait until the bodies stop dropping.

Saves time if you do all the clean up at once.

[KitchenWitch]

101. Right you are, my friend.

I guess I will put on the gas mask until then.

[Critters2]

102. Surely it won't be long now! nt

[Cleita]

85. You are right.

Also, I can't believe that he was sneaking into this hotel looking around to see if he was being followed considering that he is being followed by
bodyguards and retainers no matter where he goes. His life isn't that private even among those who are his supporters. If there was a woman and his love child, I'm certain the rendezvous would be done in places that weren't public hotels.

[Hekate]

112. I wouldn't use the NE for kitty litter, that's how bad it is. nt

[Ganja Ninja]

116. I don't know whether he's guilty or not but I think if he were he ..

would have already owned up and settled the matter or he'd be the subject of a paternity suit.

[KoKo]

122. CALI I wondered what happened to you....Now you are back with the National Enquirer thingy

about Edwards? What...? You doing a little "pre-emtive STRIKE?" Just in case Edwards might be considered for VEEP?

Thought you were gone when Obama cinched the Presidential Nomination?

[asdjrocky]

127. Cali, why are you doing this?

[struggle4progress]

130. Tattle: 'Enquirer' links John Edwards, Rielle Hunter (Philly Daily News)

By Howard Gensler
Philadelphia Daily News
Daily News Tattle Columnist

Edwards' pal, Andrew Young .. claims to be the father of that child ...

... Daily News TV critic Ellen Gray informed us from the Television Critics Association summer press tour ... the place was crawling with reporters Monday night for the TCA, including newspaper people from the New York Times, USA Today the New York Daily News, the Washington Post, and us. But no one but the National Enquirer seemed to spot John Edwards ...

In Houston yesterday, Edwards said about the Enquirer story, "That's tabloid trash. They're full of lies. I'm here to talk about helping people."

Hunter has said the stories were "not true, completely unfounded and ridiculous."

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080725_Ta...

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080725_Ta...