Where The John Edwards Scandal Is Headed

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

A former Senator and vice-presidential candidate misused campaign contributions and money pledged to fight poverty so he could bring his mistress on the campaign trail with him during the presidential campaign where he was constantly making appearances with his widely admired cancer stricken wife then fathered the mistress's child sometime around the time he was getting a Father Of The Year Award and then asked his loyal aid who already has a wife and kids to falsely claim paternity while the fake dad and the mistress were funneled money so they could move to be near the mistress's psychic healer friend while the former candidate continued to meet the mistress and baby until he was caught by tabloid reporters and hid in the bathroom and then confessed on national TV a couple of weeks later but both he and his wife continued to lie during that interview and in subsequent statements.

And the press is supposed to yawn that story off?

As we head into the the Democratic convention, the Edwards scandal isn't over. It's really just beginning. Don't blame the media, blame John Edwards.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lee-stranahan/where-the-john-edwards-sc_b_119691.html

[Cronus Protagonist]

1. Edwards is already off the national stage as far as the convention goes

And Arianna Huffington is a perfect example of how (she claims to be a lefty or centrist) our own pundits shoot our own public image down for money, fame and fortune. You won't see the other side doing this to each other.

[Frances]

5. Agree this stuff belongs in the gossip section

Edwards is not our candidate.

I think 50% of people cheat in their marriages, but I really wish people who are capable of doing so much good for other people could restrain themselves.

[Alexander]

2. Yep. Edwards may end up in jail when this is all over.

Kerry's first choice was Gephardt, and while I thought he was awful, if he could've given us Missouri and Ohio, we would've won.

Edwards barely got elected in his first Senate term and was never very popular in North Carolina. He was a lightweight from the beginning and it was a matter of time before his career completely fizzled out.

[undeterred]

4. I think some people in North Carolina wondered

why someone with his wealth would run for president when his wife was ill with cancer. If they thought he wasn't taking his family responsibility seriously enough then...

[JI7]

17. if it comes to that Obama needs to pardon him

[dysfunctional press]

22. huh...?

why for...? the guy is a sleazebag of the highest order. i'm assuming the criminality will come from the way funds were used- it always seems to.

[Alexander]

35. That is a horrible idea.

[XOKCowboy]

3. I thought I was through hiding Edwards threads....

I guess not.

[Warpy]

6. I'll believe paternity when it is proven, not before

and it's not likely to be proven soon since the mother in question has refused to submit material from the child.

However, that never stopped the salacious press, has it?

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

7. the mother also

has admittedly been receiving large payments from Edwards' associates. That puts her refusal to take a DNA test in a more suspicious light, doesn't it?

[Warpy]

20. It's still a refusal

and I'll believe paternity when it's proven.

Since everything is out in the open, there is no more need to pay hush money, if that's what it is.

Paternity should be proven, not taken on faith or tabloid guesswork.

[dysfunctional press]

23. if edwards IS the father- everything isn't out in the open- hush money would still be appropriate.

just sayin'...

[Warpy]

25. Yeah, and if I had ten million dollars I'd be rich

and if Republicans had brains they wouldn't be Republicans any more.

Start adding up those "ifs" in your post.

Talk to me as soon as proof is available.

[dysfunctional press]

26. i only count one "if" in my post...

and it's an "if" that could very easily be erased by those involved if they chose to. and unfortunately for them- in the court of public opinion- you are generally considered guilty until proven innocent.
(especially if when the term "sleazebag ambulance-chaser" is likely to show up in the person's bio.)

[Warpy]

29. IF he is the father

IF there has been substantial sums of money paid

IF it is hush money

IF there is still any reason at all to keep it quiet if he IS the papa--and remember he's agreed to the test. She hasn't.

See? They do add up, don't they?

[dysfunctional press]

30. hush money HAS been paid

the ONE and ONLY "if" in MY post is the one about paternity...and circumstantial evidence in the court of public opinion(the only one that matters at this point) is pretty much making that "if" irrelevant.

so that would make the math more like 1-1=0.

the guy's name is toast, and he'll be lucky to come out of this with his ambulance-chasing license still intact...

:rofl: how the "mighty"(high opinion of himself) have fallen...:rofl:

[Warpy]

49. Are you sure it was HUSH money? Did you see the check,

and did it have "hush money" on the "for" line?

Yes, his career has certainly been derailed because all of this looks very bad.

However, this is not a good thing. He and Kucinich were the only candidates speaking up for hard working Americans.

I would prefer to have such people untarnished by the scandals you seem to take great glee in promoting.

The burden of proof about that child's paternity, however, has not been met. The accuser must meet it and she has been disinclined to do so.

[dysfunctional press]

50. no...it was probably payment for her expert videography...

:eyes:

I would prefer to have such people untarnished by the scandals you seem to take great glee in promoting.

i got news for you- I didn't stick john edward's dick into reille hunter. and I didn't lie about it and cover it up- that was ALL johnny...(AND elizabeth). i think the edwards clan is showing VERY WELL just what kind of "such people" they REALLY are-

THEY had chosen their "angle" for providing themselves with a lavish and luxurious lifestyle, and now johnny boy has crashed the bread wagon.

good riddance to them!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

40. Edwards is a lawyer. Do you really think that paternity hasn't been proven yet? I think it is just

being withheld from the public. That would be their choice to do.

[cobalt1999]

8. The misuse of funds is what will keep this alive in the MSM.

That could lead to a criminal investigation.

[WoodyM]

9. Those who are righteously indignant

over the John Edwards saga ought to look into John McCain’s marital history.

[tritsofme]

10. This is just TOO rich.

Every bad thing I ever said about the man is true and then some.

What a despicable person.

[XemaSab]

36. I wouldn't go THAT far

I'd say every bad thing I ever thought about the man but was too polite to voice is true and then some.

And I'm not usually one to hold my tongue...

[Kansas Wyatt]

11. Meant to quash the poverty issue.

Edwards screwed up, but the media is making sure to silence a voice against poverty.

[Naturyl]

13. You're right - but don't blame the media

Edwards quashed his own voice and poor people are going to have to pay for it.

I'm all for bashing the MSM, but this time it's nobody's fault but Edwards.

[Kansas Wyatt]

16. I said Edwards screwed up, and he just handed the media a gem.

They are going to use that gift to silence the poverty issue, by making sure he is completely discredited.

[Naturyl]

19. They won't have to work hard.

I'm not disputing that the media is loving this opportunity to quash the poverty issue - an opportunity which was handed to them on a silver platter. I'm just making sure we remember it was Edwards who took all the work out of it and did their jobs for them with his egregious behavior.

The media does what it does. In many cases, it unfairly targets the undeserving. Sadly, this is not such a case. I'm sure we don't disagree on this, and I'm just reinforcing your point in a sense.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

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

[Naturyl]

28. Don't blame the homewrecker

Homewreckers can only wreck homes which include men willing to risk wrecking them.

Hehe... kind of an awkward way of saying "it takes two to tango," and pinning it all on the woman (as nasty a piece of work as she may be) is not the way to go.

Edwards is a human being who made a mistake many people make. Unfortunately, he was in no position to make such a mistake and he should have taken his responsibilities more seriously. Yes, he's "only human," but he chose a life of public service. He voluntarily accepted a higher standard and therefore his failure to maintain it rests squarely on his own shoulders.

[cali]

32. your post is a prime and hateful example of truly disgusting sexism.

and JE compared to FDR? Fucking insanely stupid comparison. JE did shit for poor people. He's not fit to be mentioned in the same breath with, for example, Bernie Sanders.

Con artist, self-indulgent, egotistical. That about sums up little johny.

[Pastiche423]

33. What policies?

The only time he could have made policies, was when he was in the senate. Have you even checked his voting record? He neither wrote, co-sponsored nor vote on any bill wrt poverty. But! He did co-Spenser the IWR.

He's been a poseur since he campaigned in 1997. He's not going to "turn around". What you have observed lately IS the real johnnyboy.

I am so lovin' it! His true colors are finally showing the world what kind of man he truly is.

[XemaSab]

37. Way to dump it all on the woman

:eyes:

[cali]

38. Amazing to see that kind of rank hateful sexism here.

and letting JE off the hook because he's some poor naif who got ensnared by the evil "pussy", is way beyond the pale.

[avaistheone1]

15. That's for sure.

Let's remember not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Progressives need to keep the focus on poverty issues, and the declining middle class.

[SoCalDem]

24. Did someone hypnotize him and make him screw a bimbo?

again and again and again?

People who are hypocrites often espouse lofty goals...

I think it's a way to excuse themselves for the nasty things they are doing in their secret lives..

and a way to lay guilt on the people who eventually expose them..

[blm]

41. I think if Edwards had made better choices AFTER he screwed up. he'd still have a voice to offer

on the issue.

[Naturyl]

12. Damn. Edwards made fools of a lot of us.

I supported this guy strongly. What a disappointment.

Oh well, sometimes you go out on a limb and fall off. That's life.

[cynatnite]

14. 'Follow the Money' has always been a strong sentiment here on DU...

when it comes to the repukes.

No different when it's a Dem, IMO.

[book_worm]

18. What kind of nut would that loyal aide be to take the rap for Edwards

when he already has a wife and kids. That kind of loyalty is really weird.

[JI7]

39. maybe because he is being paid off along with his wife

[grantcart]

21. and the worst thing is that he damaged the 'brand' of fighting poverty

The next time someone stands up and says they are devoting their lives to fighting poverty in America people are going to roll their eyes and see who their assistants are.

[Hidden Stillness]

31. Powerful OP; Accurate

Wow, what a powerful statement that OP makes; very concise and clear, like a punch in the gut. THAT is why it was so offensive and ugly, why this revealed Edwards to have been such a bastard and such a phony, just the way many of us already noticed otherwise. This sums up the case right here. The loss of Edwards to the "cause of poverty" is the loss of absolutely nothing, as Edwards never did anything for it anyway. There are many good people fighting for the cause of the poor and against corporate corruption and greed, and they describe the problem and solutions correctly, which Edwards never did. Notice also how the Edwards fans jump to the "hate the 'bitch' " routine so easily; that isn't part of your "loving idealism" reflecting the spirit of the Edwards stage-act, is it? Get rid of this sorry phony, and return to cheering for people like Dennis Kucinich, with one great effort after another, for the people of our country.

[Skittles]

34. it is sordid and disgusting

what a disgrace

[Hubert Flottz]

42. I agree.

Edwards knows how important this upcoming election is, yet he still took this stupid, selfish, chance.

The man is a selfish pig, just like Bill Clinton was.

I supported and believed in John Edwards, now I despise the fool.

Before you flame on about Bill Clinton, think about how George Bush got close enough to steal the election from Al Gore, because of a blow job.

[in_cog_ni_to]

54. Bill Clinton left office with 49% approval ratings in the polls. NADER

and Gore's refusal to let Bill campaign for him are the reasons Bush got close enough to steal the election. BC's BJ had nothing to do with Gore's 2000 loss.

[Tutankhamun]

43. Stick a fork in him; he's done.

He tripped over his dick, and in politics that's often fatal.

[dysfunctional press]

44. one-term flash-in-the-pan senators don't generally make it to the rank of 'elder statesman'...

and edwards won't be any different. his political days are OVER. for EVER.

i wonder what he was thinking during those 15 minutes that the enquirer people had him pinned in the hotel bathroom...?
that had to SUCK for him. good.

[robcon]

45. He's done because he lied about it, and proclaimed his marriage as an important part of his campaign

He betrayed the Democratic Party by running for president after he lied about his infidelity. If he had been nominated, then the truth came out, we would have John McCain as president for four years.

He didn't just betray his wife. He betrayed all of us.

[shrike]

46. This is going to be the Gary Condit/shark attack story of the summer

Obviously the Enquirer is not going to let go of the story, so he won't be off the hook. (You know, he's off the public stage, he's not a sitting senator, he wasn't on the VP short list, he wouldn't have had much impact on public policy anyway. So who'd he piss off? Why is it so important to go after him? Who benefits from this?)

Edwards has made enough enemies that if he has broken the law, I'm sure some zealous prosecutor will rein him in. If he's been a bad enough husband, I'm sure Elizabeth will divorce him.

But we're in some serious shit here. REALLY serious shit. We all read about it every day on DU. So if political junkies, bloggers and media types want to get their panties in a bunch about this, fine; I'll worry about other things. (I don't blame any Edwards donors for wanting their money back, though.)

For the record, in my little neck of the heartland even Republicans don't give a damn about this story. And I live in a really red state. The most frequent comment around here is "so what?"

[robcon]

47. The story will stay alive - in both the tabs and the news.

Three things will keep it alive:

1. The money - how did Hunter move to the house in North Carolina, then to Santa Barbara? What's the source of the money?

2. The timing - the dates don't work out for Hunter emails and Edwards' claim of the end of the affair. Is Edwards' timeframe just the one he told his wife, not the real one?

3. Who's the daddy? This will be the focus of the tabloids, IMO.

[Tutankhamun]

48. The tabloids do love their "love child" stories.

Especially when there's a dispute over the father's identity. The story will die eventually, but if Edwards did try to get back into politics, even in ten years, this story would still haunt him.

We'd see the ten-year-old boy's face in the Enquirer next to Edwards' mugshot as the subhead invites us to "notice the similarities" between the two faces.

[bklyncowgirl]

51. It gets even more sordid. Rielle's dad was tied in with a horse killing scandal back in the 80s

Apparently Daddy Dearest, an insurance lawyer, was hard up for cash so he tried to sell his kid's show horse. He couldn't get anywhere near the asking price so he hired a hit man to kill the animal for the insurance money. He bought the equipment and taught the guy how to electrocute the horse so that the cause of death would appear to be an accident. The guy, Tommy Burns, later became known as "The Sandman" around the show barns because when he showed up horses would mysteriously die. Once caught, Burns rolled over on his well heeled clients and quite a few members of the horsey set spent some time in the graybar hotel for insurance fraud.

Rielle, then known as Lisa Druck, was in a pickup truck outside the barn with her boyfriend when the horse was killed. They saw a man leave the barn late at night, chased after him, then went back inside and found the horse dead in his stall. She apparently caught on very quickly that Dear old Dad had taken out a contract on ol' Dobbin.

No wonder the woman's screwed up--and unfortunately for John Edwards, this is absolutely fascinating.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=3533725&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos1

[greguganus]

52. That's one hellavuh sentence! n/t

[mnhtnbb]

53. Gee, when I posted a LTTE from the local Raleigh paper

where a guy who volunteered, donated, and recruited donations for Edwards said he wanted his money back, my thread got locked for being flame-bait.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6631924

I guess only the Huffington Post is allowed to run such opinions.

:sarcasm: