The John Edwards affair story which the National Enquirer has been a following for some time - and John Edwards has been denying for some time - turns out to be.... true. (Regular RSR readers knew this might be coming. -ed.)
That John Edwards would parade his ill-with-cancer wife around in front of the cameras for political advantage, all the while while he'd been nailing some blond LA filmmaker, should come as no surprise. We've known for a while that he is a self-centered, vain, hypocritical egotist - in other words a trial lawyer - so I'm not sure adding "unfaithful" and "liar" to that list is really news. (Add "drunk", though, and he'd qualify for Senator from Massachusetts...[rimshot!])
For the interested, Pajamas Media has a roundup on l'Affair Edwards.
But to me the BIG STORY here is how much this points out the hypocrisy and partisanship of the Legacy Media. The story has been bubbling out there for months, and the Enquirer had some pretty good evidence, but "respectable" media outlets (New York Times, Washington Post, etc.) have felt it beneath them to cover the story, apparently because of who broke it. The Los Angeles Times actually refused to allow it's bloggers to mention the story. Had far less credible allegations made in the Enquirer about a Republican, we would have heard all sorts of spin about why it was the "duty" of the press to investigate them. And put it on page one, of course, weather true or not.
And then there is the timing and location of Edwards' admission. Isn't it curious that it was made on the same day as the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, and on Nightline - which is up against the Games coverage - so only about 7 people (worldwide) will actually see the Edwards interview tonight.
So, is l'Affair Edwards really important? Not really. It just proves what most everyone already knew (even most Democrats) - John Edwards is a vain, elitist political lightweight who radiates all the trustworthiness and honesty of a used car salesman. It wasn't like he was going anywhere politically. And, it also proves one other thing - the Peter Principle still works.
UPDATE 09AUG08: Edwards now says he's really sorry. "I have been stripped bare..." That's not an excuse Senator; though, it would explain how you got into this mess in the first place.......
7 comments:
I'm not supporting the Democrats anymore if they're going to keep acting like Republicans. ;>)
I find this very interesting. If I recall correctly, the MSM had NO PROBLEMS reporting on Senator David Vitter's involvement with a prostitute based on information provided by Larry Flynt of Hustler magazine!!!
Larry Flint may be a slimy peddler of (bad) porn, but he HATES, HATES Republicans. Which makes anyone a "respectable" journalist nowadays.
Walker,
It's interesting to compare/contrast Edwards and Vitter. MSM is calling Edwards' political career finished, while Vitter is still serves in the Senate.
Interesting politics.
Perkins,
Since Edwards no longer holds office, the chances for him to get elected to any position is remote. Vitter, on the other hand, enjoys the position of incumbency. To unseat Vitter a potential candidate would have to: A) Have a huge campaign chest of funds, B) Convince the state that his voting record is consistently more conservative than Vitter's ( That would be a pretty remarkable feat).
So, regardless of how ones feels about Vitter's personal life, his political life seems to be on solid ground. For his next election run ( pending any more surprising revelations) most citizens of our fair state will most likely just hold their noses and pull the lever for Vitter. Fair? No. But that's politics!!!!
John, I think the difference here is:
1. Vitter, when he got caught, fessed up and asked for forgiveness. Edwards at first lied, and then tried to explain his actions. With Vitter, the media locusts went elsewhere when there were no more juicy details to chase. Apparently, there is more Edwards is trying to hide. (Daaadeeeeee....)
2. Vitter comes from a state where it takes a lot more to rise to the level of "political scandal." Remember Gov. Edwin Edwards (no relation) "dead girl / live boy" approach. And we Louisianaians forgive a lot, too, especially when the pol is doing a good job.
3. Vitter comes across as rather more trustworthy and real, whereas Edwards comes across as manufactured and slick - someone who would sell you a used car.
4. Vitter never paraded his ill wife around to score campaign points while boffing a staffer on the side. Very low, IMHO.
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