Fabulous article on Edwards by Wendy Button, former staffer. Hugs to all.

[saracat]

(edited for copyright purposes-proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)


Posted September 17, 2008 | 01:41 PM (EST)
Not about Governor Sarah Palin, Just The Edwards Scandal
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wendy-button/not-about-governor-sarah_b_127168.html
What a political scandal feels like to a staffer--current, former or "it's complicated"--is an awful lot like grief.

There are stages. There is the initial chaos where the stories appear fast and furious like punches only Palin, Craig, Vitter, Foley, Spitzer, and Clinton, etc staffers can understand. Each story about John Edwards's affair and cover-up is a bruising and makes you hope that the truth is on the way so they stop and you can get back to work.

There is the stage of denial. John said it was all lies before he and the lawyers even released statements. Maybe he's being quiet because he's building a liable case like Carol Burnett won against the National Enquirer? If he's still calling to discuss the convention speech, that must mean something.

There is anger. Did he really pay her that much while so many worked longer hours for much less? Did they really put out those statements? Did I just watch "When Animals Attack 2 and 3" in order to avoid picking up the phone?

There is also a stage of dark humor. How can there not be with this cast of characters: a friend named Pigeon, the Sisters Druck, a father linked to insurance fraud by having a horse electrocuted, a spiritual advisor described as an "intuitive" (clearly, still working on his craft.), the website Being is Free (thank you Deceiver.com), a rumored vasectomy, a family moved across the country so they can all live in a house right out of a script from "Big Love," a presidential campaign based on a lie, and of course, the movie, "Overboard."

[ChiciB1]

1. I'm REALLY Late On This.... But Wendy Says It For Me!! Thanks Sara!!! n/t

[MonteLukast]

2. Sorry, Saracat... it looks like Wendy's bubble just got punctured:

She changes her party affiliation to Republican after not getting a speechwriting job with the Obama campaign, though she may or may not vote for McCain.

I do hope the Obama campaign didn't reject her because of her association with Edwards. That would be very uncharitable of them; distance yourself from the man if you must, but leave his staffers out of it. I do hope it was only because of speechwriting shortcomings (the emotional fluff-piece style is not really what the Obama campaign wants to go for)

[saracat]

3. But she did have a job with Obama. She mentions it. And I don't believe she changed to Republican.

She says "Independent" ASAIK.