Former Presidential Hopeful John Edwards Indicted

Image from source, New York Times

More than four years ago, the Democratic field for the 2008 presidential campaign was very strong. Late in March 2007, I went with my friend Stupid Monkey Planet to an SEIU event here in Las Vegas featuring all of the candidates: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich (?) and John Edwards. This was right after Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, announced the relapse of her cancer, and all eyes (and cameras) were on the couple. The Monkey and I were right behind her in the bleachers, so we even ended up in the video of the event.

At the time, it was clear that Edwards, Obama and Clinton were the three it was going to boil down to. Obama was impressive with his intelligence and unscripted answers to questions (asked by Margaret Carlson, I think), and no, there was no teleprompter. Clinton worked the crowd like a pro, and really wowed me. But Edwards was my choice after that day. There was something so earnest, so sincere about him. And there was my empathy for Elizabeth, and let's face it, Edwards cut a dashing figure. I could really picture him as president. Then, he turned out to be a scumbucket. And the Democratic Party really dodged a warhead, didn't they?

[Excerpt]

Edwards Indicted in Campaign Fund Case

John Edwards, the former senator from North Carolina and presidential candidate, was indicted Friday morning by a grand jury in Raleigh on charges that he violated campaign finance law during his 2008 presidential campaign. . .

Read more at: New York Times

Elizabeth Edwards Loses Battle With Cancer

Image from source, CNN

It's alarming how quickly these things can happen. I mean, I know that Mrs. Edwards has had cancer for a while, but it was a day after the announcement that she was quitting cancer treatment. Shocking and sad.

[Excerpt]

Elizabeth Edwards loses battle with cancer

Elizabeth Edwards, the estranged wife of 2004 vice presidential candidate and former North Carolina senator John Edwards, died Tuesday after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 61. . .

Read more at: CNN

Elizabeth Edwards Gravely Ill

Image from source, Washington Post

Very sad. I was in the audience a day or so after it was announced that Elizabeth Edwards was terminally ill, at an SEIU forum here in Las Vegas. All of the Democratic Candidates for President were there, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson and John Edwards. It was a very interesting day, and seeing all of the candidates was inspiring. Clinton wowed me, Obama impressed me, and Edwards won the day, for me anyway (not anymore, obviously). Part of that feeling may have been empathy, since the press seemed to be focused on Elizabeth more than anything else, and I felt badly for her.

The poor lady has been through an awful lot.

[Excerpt]

Elizabeth Edwards gravely ill with cancer



Elizabeth Edwards, stoic as her husband's presidential ambitions collapsed, her marriage crumbled and cancer sapped her strength, thanked her supporters online Monday as word spread the disease may take her life within weeks. . .
 
Read more at: Washington Post

John Edwards Admits to Love Child, That He's a Scumbucket

Image from Politics Daily

Wow. However Democrats like me feel about President Obama thus far, I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief that John Edwards didn't manage to win the Democratic nomination. While I don't think it's particularly fair that Edwards' career in politics is deemed "over" when members of the opposition (*cough* Newt Gingrich! *cough*) have been just as naughty. But I tell you, I'm done with him. And I caucused for this guy in Nevada! Snowed by that pretty face, I was. Watch out Scott Brown fans!

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John Edwards Admits Paternity of Rielle Hunter's Child, Quinn

In a statement given to NBC News, former Democratic senator John Edwards admitted Thursday that he fathered a child with a campaign videographer during his 2008 presidential run. Edwards had previously denied paternity of Quinn Hunter, now 22 months old.

"I am Quinn's father," Edwards said in his statement. "I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves. I have been able to spend time with her during the past year and trust that future efforts to show her the love and affection she deserves can be done privately and in peace. . ."

Read more at: Politics Daily

John Edwards, Pig or F***ing Pig?

Image from source, AOL News

As noted previously, I'm entertaining friends and family from out of town, and have been unable to blog up until now. And right now, I may only have a moment. I'll just give a few quick news items I've been missing, with a brief editorial and some links.

John Edwards reveals tryst with tart - I caucused for John Edwards here in Nevada, until he was not viable, and then I switched my vote to Barack Obama. Can we get a "whew!" The story is rather convenient, placing the affair in a window between Mrs. Edwards' illnesses, and between his runs for President. If true, that means he was not a cad for skipping out on a sick wife, and wasn't whoring around while running for President. I hope it's true, but if it were W. (or Newt, or Rove, or Cheney, or Rudy) I would not be so generous. Mighty convenient.

But might I say that there are a number of politicians who have had extramarital affairs--for much longer periods of time, with equally or more sordid details--and still managed to have stellar careers. I'm thinking primarily of Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain for three. So, before any conservatives get on their high horses about this, they'd do well to think of their current presumptive Presidential nominee.

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Edwards' Future in Doubt After Affair

Senator. Vice presidential nominee. Leading presidential candidate. Political outcast.

It was a rapid career ascent for John Edwards. Then it all came crashing down when the North Carolina Democrat on Friday admitted that he had an extramarital affair, though he denied fathering a daughter with the woman. . .

Read more at: AOL News

Elizabeth Edwards on the Media and the Election

Photo from Time

The New York Times has a great editorial up by Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Presidential candidate, John Edwards. She's quite a classy lady, and evidently smart too. She'd certainly have made a great first lady.

I had the opportunity to see them both here in Las Vegas, at one of the very early Democratic forums. Unfortunately, this was only a day or so after Mrs. Edwards' illness had been reported in the press. While Mr. Edwards was on stage, most of the cameras were on her. I felt a little sorry for her, but she handled it with poise and dignity. Yep, classy.

[Excerpt]

Bowling 1, Health Care 0

by Elizabeth Edwards

FOR the last month, news media attention was focused on Pennsylvania and its Democratic primary. Given the gargantuan effort, what did we learn?

Well, the rancor of the campaign was covered. The amount of money spent was covered. But in Pennsylvania, as in the rest of the country this political season, the information about the candidates’ priorities, policies and principles — information that voters will need to choose the next president — too often did not make the cut. . .

Read more at: The New York Times

John Edwards on Health Care

This is a video from the John Edwards campaign trail in New Hampshire. The lady asking the question has medical insurance, and has still been put in dire straights. This, as much as the uninsured is a big problem. Insurance is there so that you are not ruined, right?

Anyway, John Edwards, while he may not be at the top of the polls is still my favorite candidate. I'm not with him 100%, but if you're that jazzed about your candidate, you're wearing rose-colored glasses.