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Friday, August 08, 2008

For Chist's Sake, Who Cares? John Edwards in the Age of Holier-than-thou Morality
Posted by Melina | 9:15 PM

Tonight on Hardball, David Schuster, went on about how John Edwards' titillating 2006 affair has damaged his message on poverty so severely that...well, he has lost his message. So powerful is the media's feeling about this moral lapse that it surpasses everything else in his career, and all other news on this Friday dump-day.

The National Enquirer, after months of trying, for no real reason, to uncover this thing, as if no one else in politics ever has cheated, as if it means anything in the face of what his work and message has been....or even in the face of the news of the week or the fact that we are at war and planning another, has finally satisfied a hungry supermarket checkout line, dragging our culture further into the gutter.

Lies? You wanna talk lies? How about the lies that the democratic leadership don't want to waste time bringing to light? How about the sick, the old, the suffering that are hungry tonight because of the lies of the government and the insurance industry? What about those old republican ultra-conservatives who would force patriotic Americans to deny their right to the pursuit of happiness honestly, forcing don't-ask-don't-tell, while they have sordid bathroom sex with strangers, even sneaking them into the White House press briefings?

Yeah, HuffPo's Edward's Big News Page will fill you in on the immorality of that night way back 2006, and its even being suggested that then the family went forth, stoically, with this lie under their belts. But who is to say what happened, how they felt, and if they even knew? Maybe it was his own personal secret...Why do we care?

You know what? As heartbroken as I am, because this may answer the question of why he dropped out when and how he did, and as much as I hate liars, I've got to say that I don't think that it changes what his message has been in this race or how he would be as a President or a Vice President, Attorney General, or diplomat.
To deny his influence on the messages of the primary candidates, of all of them, is to deny the effective parts of Bill Clinton's Presidency, the social and political impact of RFK and JFK, and if you want to go there, evidence suggests that even Martin Luther King Jr strayed.

Anyone who has been on the road in any intense job capacity understands what happens sometimes in those intense hours and days and weeks. Not that it's OK; not that anyone would condone it. But can't we just understand that whatever it was back then, in 2006, they obviously worked it out and decided to go forward as the happy family that they appear to be. Can't we allow ourselves to learn from Edward's message about the Two America's and apply that to what needs to be done? Why does the message have to be tarnished by a slip that is as common as divorce is in this country?
All of Europe laughs at us, the ugly Americans who waste so much time on issues of morality while we slaughter innocents for oil and allow our own weakest citizens to go hungry and without proper care.

I don't like it, and I'm really, really disappointed, but humans are fallible and its not for us to question what happens in someone's personal life unless it is against the law or hurts others in some way that effects society as a whole.

Why are men like this? We are animals and the urge for sex with many different people is deep in the coil. That doesn't mean that we dont have the ability to reason and that we shouldn't strive to overcome those urges, especially when there are children and the construct of the family unit involved.

I cant say that I believe in marriage in general, as a 100% forever thing. I don't understand the mentality of lying to oneself that any particular marriage is the one that will weather years and trials. Rather, if I were to find someone who I felt compelled to marry, I would have to say, realistically, that its a craps shoot and that all we can hope for is to make it to old age together in one piece; that we would promise to try to understand the fallibility of humanity and to not be cruel to each other. Its not OK to make a promise and to be untrue, but its unrealistic to think that its possible for 100% of the people, especially in positions of power that require huge egos, to be perfect 100% of the time.

Why should this make a difference in what he did professionally?
I guess he should have told the truth up front...
I guess they all should have.
I suppose that if we took the same amount of time to hold up the truths of the Clinton's, the McCain's, the Bush's, the Cheney's...I wonder which would be more destructive to society as a whole.

As usual, Americans will follow the bouncing ball, the shiny-shiny, and let the rest be buried. Its the soap opera effect...but this is not a story on TV, these are people who have some very real ideas that just could improve our lot as a country and the world as a whole. So, lets no get carried away with this crap. Move along, theres nothing to see here...except some ideals that were meant to bring us closer to what America was founded for.

c/p RIPCoco

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12 Comments:
Blogger Unknown said...
There MUST be a good hair joke in here somewhere...
8/8/08, 9:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Can't run your campaign as the "family guy" then cheat on your wife while she's fighting cancer.

Sorry.
8/8/08, 10:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I"m sorry but I'm so angry and disappointed to hear this. There's no point in rationalizing this as "men need sex with lots of women." He knew that this would be a huge issue, and that he would never be able to fight past it if he managed to get the nomination. Yes, things happen on the road, but come on! I agree with CRB- you can't put up this face of being the family guy especially in the current climate and get caught fucking someone else when your wife has had cancer and is vulnerable to relapse. Yes, it was ridiculous what Clinton went through, but did anyone think what he did was okay?

Edwards doing this may not reflect at all on his ability to be president. But he knew perfectly well that in this day and age, the affair would come up, and it would torpedo his chances to become president. That's the crux of this. He could have been our most viable candidate, he could have done great things for this country, but the way things are right now regarding people being sick of the public and the private persona not matching up at all he knew what he was doing would come back to him. It's just like I wouldn't vote for Clinton the second time and was glad I didn't, because he was utterly stupid since he was such a target to have an affair while in office.

Now how do we make this a whole lot better than what Newt Gingrich did? Sure, Edwards didn't dump his wife, but do you know how much stress can affect the future outcome in someone who's already had cancer? To be a high profile wife who finds out her husband cheated on her after putting her trust in him- even if he told her on his own so she could deal with this privately- can be faith and life shattering enough to play a part in a serious medical condition worsen.

Ugh! Then people start pressuring me that if I vote for a third candidate like I'm leaning towards, just because I can't stand Democrats anymore, it will be like voting for McCain. Enough! Seriously, do we keep rewarding stupidity by voting for it instead of demanding serious reform and finding candidates who can live up to that? I despise McCain and would never consider voting for him and do not want him to be president. But I've already watched Obama vote for FISA and start pandering to the Faith Based people. I watched Hilary Clinton vote for war in Iraq and then try to justify it, making me unable to support her. I don't want to see this country collapse entirely with another Repug, but I'm getting really, really tired of excusing any action or position of a Democrat just because they are a little bit better.

I'm not saying someone who's been unfaithful is not qualified to hold public office. People cheat- some really otherwise good people cheat. But I am saying it takes a certain amount of stupidity and giving a lot of weight to decisions by the "smaller head" to cheat on your spouse in the current political climate. Especially if you are someone who has a very strong position on an issue, which for some reason these days means you're a target.

If you want to run for public office people, you better make sure your actions in your personal life measure up to a certain to degree to the person you are putting forth in public. If you don't, you will tank your own chances and your ethical or strong positions will never be implemented. And so Edwards didn't just fuck some other woman. He fucked the country out of having a strong anti-poverty president, because he knew perfectly well that he would be vulnerable to the rumor mill and was thus vulnerable in a rough campaign, making him possibly unwilling to stick it out like Hilary did because he knew perfectly well this would come out.
8/8/08, 11:13 PM  
Blogger adam k. said...
I don't resent the affair in and of itself (though I'm sure many of his supporters do, my mother among them). What I resent, and what made me lose most my respect for him, was:

A) He ran for president KNOWING that if he got nominated, this thing would probably come to light and would probably derail his chances to win. Cheating on your dying wife? Did he REALLY not realize what that would mean? The fact that he chose to run anyway, hoping (I assume) to win, knowing that this played into the worst instincts of his naysayers and would be politically radioactive in this election we NEED to win, was incredibly irresponsable and shows extreme lack of judgment, either arrogance or just stupidity.

B) It looks like some of his campaign contributions may have been funnelled into the mistress' bank account as "hugh money". That's NOT acceptable, whether with or without his permission.

I want to tell myself that he never intended to win, that he knew he couldn't, that the only reason he was in it was to influence the debate and move Hillary and Obama to the left. If that was the case, then maybe it was all for the best and I can sort of begin to understand why he played it this way. But I don't like it. I don't like it at all.

I mean, what if he had WON?? Thank God we ended up with Obama, whose wife seems hot enough to keep this from being an issue (or so I'm hoping). Please, please, PLEASE let Obama win, and then not become another Clinton.
8/8/08, 11:19 PM  
Blogger adam k. said...
"*HUSH* money"

I think I've typed "Hugh Jackman" a few too many times in my life...
8/8/08, 11:23 PM  
Blogger Bob said...
Nobody was paying any attention to John Edwards except the National Inquirer. So how can it damage a "message" on poverty no one was hearing? In the context of the campaign it shouldn't have much political significance. Edwards isn't running for office. Even Fox News knows this. If it's belabored too much, the pushback becomes the story of McCain's first marriage.
8/8/08, 11:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Bob-

I believe he knew not to really get into the trenches like Hillary did because this would come out. Which means he couldn't really fight. But what if he had? What if he stuck it out and became the nom, and then this came out this summer? What if Obama had already declared him a running mate?

The fact is he did something really, really stupid that would have drowned out his message about poverty had it finally "taken" and he became the nominee. It just gives more fuel to the Republicans and all those people out there who seem to give Dem sins more weight than Repub's. He could not have been so naive to think that wouldn't matter in today's political climate.

Therefore he made himself vulnerable, he gave ammuntion to those with a vested interest in not addressing poverty or health care, and now that message is tainted by this.

I don't want to come off as some high moralist here. I'm talking about the perception people now have of him. I mean, he cheated on his wife who had struggled with cancer. If we could say things similar to this impact our view of Gingrich, why deny that this impacts our view of Edwards? And seriously, what does it say about his character?
8/9/08, 12:02 AM  
Blogger Distributorcap said...
the media is incapable of reporting anything of value or worth to humanity

sex sells -- fox knows it, cnn knows it and even the times knows it

the media is not about report, it is about selling sneakers and insurance.

in this case you can add in the fact that the media wants mccain to win -- so you have the perfect combo ...

super sized to all its glory

of course it shouldnt matter and of course edwards is a creep for doing what he did. but dont let his message get in the way of a good sordid story

and we wonder why this country is falling apart?
8/9/08, 7:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
To Adam K, who wrote: "Thank we ended up with Obama, whose wife seems hot enough to keep this from being an issue (or so I'm hoping)." Adam, are you really young or just on crack? Christie Brinkley got cheated on, so did Jackie Kennedy and various and assorted other beauties. What this is mostly about for the men, I think, is immaturity and an excitement created by risk-taking behavior. They seek out something they believe will be "newer and better", compartmentalizing it as okay of no one finds out, because they would really just like to play with a new toy no one knows about than ever leave their "real lives." They want both, like babies do. Elizabeth Edwards was already fighting cancer when John began this affair, and there are still many unanswered questions. However, this we now know: He sought solace for himself with little thought of Elizabeth or his family. My heart goes out to her and I support her and her family in whatever she chooses to do--even stand by him--but he is forever changed for me. Forgive? Maybe. Forget? Never.
8/9/08, 8:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Anonymous, I agree. Whatever she chooses to do, I support her. But the staggering disregard for her health by her husband is just mindblowing.

While she has had to suffer the indignities of cancer treatment and the blow to the self esteem for any woman who has to go through that, did she have anyone to turn to in order to help relieve her stress and anxiety? 'Cause I just feel that's going to be someone's excuse for his behavior, "He was stressed!" Uh huh.
8/9/08, 10:22 PM  
Blogger adam k. said...
Anonymous, yes, I am quite young, but I do know Jackie Kennedy, etc. were cheated on, too. Mostly what I said was just meant as a joke. But I honestly don't think Obama has cheated or will cheat on Michelle, for several reasons:

1) And most importantly... he already gets his fill of "excitement created by risk-taking behavior". I doubt he's looking for more. Just by running for pres, he engages in plenty of "risk-taking behavior" everyday. He need not seek any additional thrills. He also knows what an ordeal this is for her and the girls, and that she didn't wanna do it. I really don't think he'd do that to her. Plus, when would he find the time?? Seriously.

2) They seem to have a very VERY healthy relationship. He clearly respects the hell out of her. And not in a worshipful "you're way better than I could ever be" way (which I think breeds subconscious resentment in men), but in a partnership-of-equals, truly loving and trusting way.

3) He has a sense of history and perspective. He knows how much scrutiny he's under. One wrong move and he's toast. The LAST thing he'd EVER want is for him, the (hopefully) first black pres, to get caught cheating on his wife (either before or after the election). It would overshadow everything. It would humiliate his whole family and the whole black community. He's way to smart and classy to let that happen.

4) I don't think Michelle puts up with crap. I think she's the type who, if he cheated on her, would smack him across the head. She speaks her mind and isn't with Barack to feed his ego. He knows she's not one to get played. He wouldn't do it. I really think they both love and respect each other too much.

Then again, I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time. Lord knows there are women who want him. But I just don't see it.

And obviously Elizabeth is staying with John. She's known about the affair for quite some time. I doubt the indignity of the media circus, degrading as it is, will change how she feels about her husband (nor should it).
8/10/08, 5:01 AM  
Blogger Melina said...
Adam...your guesses about Obama and his wife's relationship and a couple of dollars will get you on the subway in NYC...thats about it.
Try not to project. None of these guys are perfect...no one is...and, if anything, I expect less of people in high power, ego serving, travel heavy jobs than more.

Obviously a mistake is a mistake, and we cant know if Edwards was thinking straight at the moment(s) of his indiscretion, or how big or little it was physically. Hell, a flirtation can be just as destructive as a night of lust.
We just cant know...and making up stories only sets you and everyone else up for a bigger fall.
Obama is human and is as fallible as anyone.
The details don't matter.
What matters is the focus on something that doesn't matter and the lack of focus on McInsane's failings, of which, his infidelities and cruelties are probably the least of what should concern us...He is unfit to be president!!
Id prefer to hang onto Edwards ideas and ideals...and forget his personal life.
I never hoped that he was perfect...Im disappointed and dismayed at how deeply the narcissism runs in this country; even you thinking that you can guess Obama's relationship is part of it...
Infidelity in stressful situations of illness and work is not new, its probably the norm.
So, there is no telling if a hot mama like Michelle can keep Barack in line. It really has nothing to do with hotness or even their relationship. Its more about how each person handles stress and their ability to realize when its over the top, if they need to stop what they're doing and consider whats going on internally, and/or get some sort of help.Its about flawed thinking, brain chemistry, and sometimes just alcohol on top of it all...you just cant guess...humans and their relationships are too complex.
As you get older you'll see that hotness has nothing to do with it.
If it was about hotness, Edwards would have gone with every model perfect girl who throws herself at him...Im sure there are many, many that he has turned away.
What will be tragic here will be if Edwards' message is lost in this...
Because what he says is true.
and we're gonna be sinking, losing our houses, dying of illness' that we cant afford to treat, as we see the poor die in the streets, and we're deeper into war after war, while we look at the failings of others on the Enquirer and pretend that this is so surprising.

Im not overstating how bad the situation is, and seeing the NYC papers with pictures of Edwards, head in hands, yesterday, illustrates how INSANE we all are...
8/10/08, 10:55 AM  
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