He Did Not Have Paternal Relations With That Woman

Folks sure will be quick to believe John Edwards new admission of semi-guilt to ABC News - he lied in denying an affair with Rielle Hunter, but the baby was born so late after the affair ended that he couldn't possibly be the father:

John Edwards repeatedly lied during his Presidential campaign about an extramarital affair with a novice filmmaker, the former Senator admitted to ABC News today.

...

Edwards also denied he was the father of Hunter's baby girl, Frances Quinn, although the one-time Democratic Presidential candidate said he has not taken a paternity test.

Edwards said he knew he was not the father based on timing of the baby's birth on February 27, 2008. He said his affair ended too soon for him to have been the father.

Oh, get Rielle.  So what is Edwards' motivation here?  Does this admission let enough air out of the balloon that the media go away (as if they had really even arrived - I can't wait to see the NY Times non-coverage of this.)  I doubt it.

Whatever.  I guess this means the LA Times is free to report on it. 

INSUFFERABILITY WATCH:  He'll always have a place in my heart, but will Mickey be unbearable for the rest of humanity?  Time will tell!

TIMING IS EVERYTHING:  Stephen Spruiell works the dates:

Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with incurable cancer in late March of 2007. Rielle Hunter's baby was born in late February of 2008. That means that if Edwards is the father, he was definitely still carrying on the affair with Hunter after he knew his wife's cancer was back.

So denying paternity, however implausibly, is important.

RIDICULOUS:  Christopher Beam of Slate sees an Edwards problem for the Dems but tries to pretend that the infidelity topic might also hurt McCain.  He accomplishes this self-delusion by pretending the only story is Edward's infidelity and ignoring the obvious press cover-up for a sympathetic Dem.  If the press won't dish dirt on Edwards when it is dropped in their lap, what are the odds that they will present a fair and balanced portrait of Obama?  His long-time partnership with unrepentant Weatherman Bill Ayers on education reform in Chicago will never be covered by a press that turned a blind eye to Edwards.

And this telling of the McCain bio is laughable:

Recall: John McCain returned to the United States from Vietnam in March 1973. His wife, Carol, had been in a near-fatal car accident while he was gone. She was overweight, on crutches, and 4 inches shorter than when McCain had left. McCain ended up divorcing Carol for Cindy Hensley, his current wife.

When Johnny came staggering home after more than five years of abuse and neglect at the hands of his Vietnamese captors he was a physical and emotional wreck unable to cope with his life or or wife's problems.  Go figure.  It was a long time ago, McCain was not lying about his fidelity while running for the Presidency, and I have no doubt Republicans would be thrilled to have the conversation shift to "What did you do during the war, Senators?".

But attack Dems being attack Dems, I expect this line will be trotted out and we will see for ourselves.  Ahh, the thunder on the right if a press that couldn't cover the Edwards affair in front of their face goes all Sam Spade about the break-up of McCain marriage several centuries ago.  That will energize the base!

I love the smell of thunder on the right in the morning...

OH, THAT EXPLAINS THE DEAFENING MEDIA SILENCE:  Katherine Seelye of the NY Times explains the media Cone of Silence:

An intense public relations effort by Mr. Edwards and his associates had kept the story from spreading beyond the tabloid for months.

D'oh!  Just mount an intensive public relations effort!  Why doesn't every other scandal-plagued pol think of that?  Some details:

When The Enquirer first reported the affair, a group of Edwards associates, including from past campaigns, assembled at his headquarters to try to stop the story from moving from the tabloid into major newspapers. They declined to respond to questions or issue any statements that might produce news reports, according to those involved in the effort. It was led by Jennifer Palmieri, a longtime associate of both Mr. and Mrs. Edwards.

But by this summer, the team had shrunk. Ms. Palmieri managed the crisis again, working mainly with Mr. Edwards and Harrison Hickman, Mr. Edwards’s longtime pollster. Initially Mr. Edwards argued that he could ride out the latest report, but several associates said that if they were not true, he should denounce them.

Stonewall and deny.  Pretty subtle.  Yet Edwards cracked like a jihadist at Gitmo under pressure from the unrelenting National Enquirer.  Pity a real news organization didn't push a bit.

MORE:  Thunder has no smell?  Really?

Comments

[Sue]

C-Cal,

Dallas Morning News. I'll post it shortly for you.

[MayBee]

central cal: LUN

[Sue]

http://www.dallasnews.com/>Dallas Morning News. It's on the front page. I can't remember if you have to subscribe or not. If you do, let me know and I'll sneak a cut and paste.

[Enlightened]

UGH- That link to Elizabeth on DKos? I had sympathy for her before - not now. She's a lying sack just like her husband. I think their whole family life and marriage is a charade. And she's pushing the interview on Nightline? UGHGGGGHHHHH. I just cannot drum up any emotion for this woman. Her situation begs empathy, but then she posts that crapola. I so hope that kid is her children's half sister.

[Americaneocon]

But be sure to read Digby's blame-shifting, among others. It's all the MSM's fault!!

[Porchlight]

MaidMarion, nice to see you!

Some high level Dems must be pretty damn chafed that Silky has been leading them down the garden path. What if he successfully suppressed this until he was nominated for something and then Republicans were able to seize on it?

With that in mind, I wonder who pushed this into the public arena. Cui bono? Besides the NE of course. Someone had reason to provide them the information they needed. It could all have been Rielle's doing, but I wonder.

[windansea]

John made a terrible mistake in 2006. The fact that it is a mistake that many others have made before him did not make it any easier for me to hear when he told me what he had done. But he did tell me. And we began a long and painful process in 2006, a process oddly made somewhat easier with my diagnosis in March of 2007. This was our private matter, and I frankly wanted it to be private because as painful as it was I did not want to have to play it out on a public stage as well. Because of a recent string of hurtful and absurd lies in a tabloid publication, because of a picture falsely suggesting that John was spending time with a child it wrongly alleged he had fathered outside our marriage, our private matter could no longer be wholly private.

right

sorry but you are a tool

[Vaquero]

SARA seems to be gettin' her britches in a wad about John Boy's little problem...she appears to be trying to change the subject.
Maybe SARA should just MOVE.ON, there are other threads. Obama/Edwards what a couple they make... a nic gay salt & pepper!

[MayBee]

I just read the Keith Olbermann read her DKos diary on his show.
What a charade.

[Topsecretk9]

via insty -- it's a good point, I was having a hard time wrapping my head around

Plus, thoughts from Donald Sensing. "Edwards denies being the father of Rielle's baby. If true (coff), then while Edwards was cheating on Elizabeth, Rielle was cheating on him. You just can't make this stuff up." And, sadly, you don't have to.

Here is a question - why are all these southern wives cool with their men sleeping with the same woman?

[Sue]

How is John Edwards' judgment, or lack thereof, not any of our business?

[fdcol63]

Edwards:

"I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic."

And this was just during the campaign, when he was a mere candidate for POTUS.

Scary to think of what he might have thought of himself had he, indeed, been elected president.

[Sue]

"Of course. I mean, for a lot of Americans, including the family that I grew up with, I mean, it's, it's fundamental to how you judge people and human character - whether you keep your word, whether you keep what is your ultimate word, which is that you love your spouse, and you'll stay with them."

From the CBS link, it appears John Edwards agrees with me.

[Semanticleo]

"..and he's visiting her and the kid at some hotel. Why?"

Yes, Karl it's terrible. Just terrible.

Imagine. Lying about illicit sex. It staggers the imagination.

Meanwhile, the seven-year search for the anthrax killer is solved; with the perp conveniently committing suicide.

Now we'll never know why it took seven years to check the genetic fingerprint of the spore evidence to determine the source of the infection; a government run lab.

Imagine the Federal Chagrin that there won't be a trial.

[windansea]

I love all the specific dates Elizabeth profers

makes it all so authentic

[windansea]

shorter Cleo

"it's all a distraction"

LOL

[Sue]

Leo,

You forget Michelle's children. How does this help her children?

[Sara]

Vaquero, whoever you are, Sara is not trying to "change" the subject. But I have as much right to state my opinion as anyone else here. I find the story old news and very uninteresting. I don't think it serves any useful purpose and hurts some very innocent children at home, namely the Edwards kids. I don't think it is BREAKING NEWS, nor do I think it deserves the attention both TV and blogs are giving it.

But that does not mean that anyone who wants to discuss it doesn't have the right to do so, just as I have a right to say that the whole thing is boring to me. A man lied about sex, what is breaking news about that? Do you know any men who have not lied about sex?

Now, whoever you are, get lost!

[Topsecretk9]

Meanwhile, the seven-year search for the anthrax killer is solved; with the perp conveniently committing suicide.

Now we'll never know why it took seven years to check the genetic fingerprint of the spore evidence to determine the source of the infection; a government run lab.

Maybe because of the McCarthy like tactics of Nic Kristoff endless prodding and mocking the FBI to chase after an innocent man?

[Semanticleo]

"You forget Michelle's children. How does this help her children?"

Your concern is moving; if the bowels count, that is.

[fdcol63]

" ... Now we'll never know why it took seven years to check the genetic fingerprint of the spore evidence to determine the source of the infection; a government run lab. ..."

And yet, despite the conspiratorial tone of "government run lab", I suspect people like Semanticleo will still advocate entrusting our healthcare to a "government run", universal healthcare system.

Can anyone say "cognitive dissonance"? LOL

[Sue]

Leo,

Did you know Edwards said this about Clinton?

In 1999, when Edwards was a senator, he said of President Bill Clinton and his affair with Monica Lewinsky:

"I think this president has shown a remarkable disrespect for his office, for the moral dimensions of leadership, for his friends, for his wife, for his precious daughter. It is breathtaking to me the level to which that disrespect has risen."

[Porchlight]

Meanwhile, the seven-year search for the anthrax killer is solved; with the perp conveniently committing suicide.

Look who's here to change the subject. Rough evening for Dems, I imagine.

[Topsecretk9]

it appears the hole the are digging is getting bigger - via comment at Ace (grc)

See something wrong with this story:

Mr. Baron would not say how much money he provided for the couple's move. He said Mr. Edwards did not know about the arrangement.

“The money was purely and simply to get them out of North Carolina and to get them into a stable place,” he said. "They were unable to afford a second home. It was to give them the ability to live somewhere where they wouldn't be harassed."

Couple? They? Unable to afford a second home? Who the hell is he talking about? Young and Hunter never lived together. And both were living separately but in the same gated community. Don't see how they could be harassed very much. And a second home????

[Topsecretk9]

it appears the hole the are digging is getting bigger - via comment at Ace (grc)

See something wrong with this story:

Mr. Baron would not say how much money he provided for the couple's move. He said Mr. Edwards did not know about the arrangement.

“The money was purely and simply to get them out of North Carolina and to get them into a stable place,” he said. "They were unable to afford a second home. It was to give them the ability to live somewhere where they wouldn't be harassed."

Couple? They? Unable to afford a second home? Who the hell is he talking about? Young and Hunter never lived together. And both were living separately but in the same gated community. Don't see how they could be harassed very much. And a second home????

[MayBee]

Yeah, isn't that weird, Tops?

Anyway, with Elizabeth going on Kos (for the first time in a long time) and defending her husband, we get a glimpse into how Edwards got so egotistical and felt so special.

[anduril]

Now we'll never know why it took seven years to check the genetic fingerprint of the spore evidence to determine the source of the infection; a government run lab.

Actually, the technology to do so wasn't available at the time of the crime. It was essentially invented in the course of the investigation. Once the technology was available it became clear that Hatfill could not have been the perp. Sadly, it took the better part of 2 years for the investigators to come around to admitting they'd been on the wrong track.

[Porchlight]

Ah yes. Now I remember why Semanticleo is having a difficult time tonight:

"Mine's McCain, Cleo. Who's yours?"

A bold statement. In 2004 I would have voted for him. Not so sure, now.

Edwards is my choice.

Posted by: Semanticleo | January 27, 2008 at 02:04 PM

What a pity your choice turned out to be a scumbag, and all those nasty Rethuglicans sussed it before you did.

[Rocco]

Porchlight

With that in mind, I wonder who pushed this into the public arena. Cui bono? Besides the NE of course. Someone had reason to provide them the information they needed. It could all have been Rielle's doing, but I wonder.

My guess is Hillary. I believe Ron Burkle owns the National Enquirer and he's a big Clinton donor.

I don't think Hillary wants to be VP. I think she wants to be president, in 2012. The only way that can happen is if Obama loses. This story doesn't help Obama and the Dems in general and I question the timing of this story.

[Sue]

Even Alan Colmes isn't buying it. Wow! Questions why he was at the hotel if the child isn't his.

[PeterUK]

"Imagine. Lying about illicit sex. It staggers the imagination".

Septic must be fun to be married to,make an ideal spouse for Edwards,they could both cheat.

[Topsecretk9]

Edwards PAC Payments to Hunter [Greg Pollowitz]

The payments from Edwards' One America Committee to Midline Groove Productions LLC started on July 5, 2006, five days after Hunter incorporated the firm in Delaware.

Midline provided "Website/Internet services," according to reports that Edwards' PAC filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Midline's work product consists of four YouTube videos showing Edwards in informal settings as he prepares to make speeches in Storm Lake, Iowa, and Pittsburgh, as he prepares for an appearance on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" and travels in Uganda in 2006.

Edwards' PAC followed the six-figure payment with two smaller payments totaling $14,461, the last on April 1, 2007.

What happens in Uganda, stays in Uganda, or so he thought...

Are we really to believe that after he told his family, he kept paying her into 2007?

http://media.nationalreview.com/

[Captain Hate]

Edwards is my choice.

Wow, too bad the FBI didn't have an excellent judge of character like Semanticleo helping out on the case. A couple more decades and they'd have busted it wide open.

[Sara]

Elizabeth Edwards has terminal cancer. She needs John to take care of her and their kids. What better than all this delicious guilt to exploit. She has known about the affair for 2 years and apparently they were working it all out to her satisfaction. She's a practical woman (an I suspect the one who wears the pants in the family) and she looked at the cost/benefit for herself and decided to keep her husband around and defend him if need be.

[Rick Ballard]

Rocco,

I agree. Edwards would have been a logical alternative had the Dem convention deadlocked. He could also have been the VP candidate. He would have helped The Zero One with precisely the demos that Obama hasn't reached - blue collar whites and that part of the Muddle susceptible to Edwards ability to project the illusion of empathy. Edwards is a very decent lipsucking painfeeler.

This came straight from the cauldron beneath the Endor wing at Hariworts - if you listen closely you can hear the cackle.

[Sara]

Even Alan Colmes isn't buying it. Wow! Questions why he was at the hotel if the child isn't his.

That's easy, he knew Hunter was an easy lay and he was in the mood.

According to reports, the child was in another room and he didn't even see her. Wasn't that last week's scandal du jour, that he didn't even want to see his own child?

[ben]

All this happened because Edwards claims he was only "99% honest"....if is slightly off and is really only 90% honest, there should be plenty more to come...

[Enlightened]

Aww, poor Cleo. What's wrong? Your Family Man of the Year isn't The Messiah II? And Messiah I is fast approaching the same egocentric, narcissistic peak as his - alas - Not VP? Sad, sad times for the DNC. (Dumbass Nutroot Coaliton)

Hey - Cheer Up! Nancy Pelosi is going to save the planet after her vacation, and you'll still be paying big bucks for gas that isn't getting drilled. That's what 14% gets ya!

Cheer up! At least 14% of men that have a private affair, that is no ones business while crimes are committed elsewhere that go unsolved, admit it's for the SEX.

Strangely, it appears Silky Pony admitted it was for his Self Love and his failure to disassociate his Self from the world around him. He's a special guy that Johnny.

[Semanticleo]

"What a pity your choice turned out to be a scumbag, and all those nasty Rethuglicans sussed it before you did."

Scumbag, I suspect, as you reference it, makes
a tidy description of 99% of the politicians elected with the optimism they'll be different.

Rarely, are our hopes fulfilled.

Take solace in the marital fidelity of our
Presidunce. It's a small victory, but it's all you have.

[Sara]

Next stop, Ivory Snow, 99% pure.

[Sue]

I just listened to Kirsten Powers say the matter of trust was important if she was looking to marry John Edwards not elect him president. Say, Kirsten, you think this super rich trial lawyer in Dallas would not have exerted some kind of pressure on Johnny if he had actually become president? You think Mr. Baron really did this out of the goodness of his heart?

[Sue]

http://minx.cc/?post=270312>Ace beat me to that point...and said it better...

3) Do you think that this rich fatcat might maybe kinda-sorta have had some extra-special influence over John Edwards, should he have become President? Think maybe Edwards would have had to have maybe agreed with any requests this Mr. Baron might have made on behalf of the rich folks giving him money? Or any request Mr. Baron might have personally? Do you think the Talented Mr. Edwards would have had the integrity to refuse such corrupt requests and said, "Sir, expose my failings if you like, but I answer to a cause higher than self, and that cause is the office the American people entrusted to my care"?

Yeah? You think he would have said that?

Me too.

He's the son of a mill worker, you know. He's got values.

[ben]

"Because of a recent string of hurtful and absurd lies in a tabloid publication,"

Uh, Elizabeth, hurtful maybe, but definitely not lies as it turns out...everything was true, the affair, the hotel, the restroom, the time and date, etc. Now all that's left to know is who's the baby's father is, who was the bag man, and who was the sugar daddy (Edwards or a campaign contributor).

[DrJ]

Do you know any men who have not lied about sex?

I for one never have; there never has been any need to. I suspect there are many other men on this board who have not either.

[Porchlight]

Scumbag, I suspect, as you reference it, makes a tidy description of 99% of the politicians elected with the optimism they'll be different.

Rarely, are our hopes fulfilled.

Since you've proved to be such an excellent judge of character thus far, will your hopes be fulfilled with Obama? He promises to be different, after all. The odds have it 99-1 that he's a scumbag, according to your analysis. So, lots of luck - you're going to need it.

[Pagar]

Once again, Larry Johnson has the real question.

"Will Obama’s Secret Deal with Edwards Be Revealed?"

LUN

[Topsecretk9]

Pagar

That LUN adds more fuel to the fire that this NE deal was a Clinton friend NE owner operation.

[Enlightened]

"It's a small victory, but it's all you have"

An even smaller victory:

PRINCETON, NJ -- Congress' job approval rating has dropped five percentage points over the past month, from 19% in June to 14% in July, making the current reading the lowest congressional job approval rating in the 34-year Gallup Poll history of asking the question. The previous low was 18%, last reached in May.

[Porchlight]

That LUN adds more fuel to the fire that this NE deal was a Clinton friend NE owner operation.

Perhaps the implicit Clinton message to Obama wrt Edwards is: See how we took down Silky? You're next.

[Semanticleo]

"So, lots of luck - you're going to need it."

'I'm' going to need it?

Last time I looked we were in this mess collectively.

Eight years with your guy has proven lucky, hasn't it?

[Semanticleo]

"An even smaller victory:"

So that's what this thread is; a celebration victory? It certainly doesn't pass muster as a discussion. It's more of a group grope.

[Sara]

DrJ: Well then you are indeed a paragon of purity. I wasn't talking about just illicit sex. Boys start lying about sex as soon as they have their first wet dream and start hiding girlie mags under the bathroom rug. High school boys brag all the time about their sexual prowess when most of them wouldn't know what to do if it was offered to them. Men, no matter how fat, how ugly, how scummy, are convinced or try to convince a woman, they are God's gift when they want it. And I forget the exact figure, but 70% sticks in my mind, of the number of men who admit having had an affair.

[Clyde]

Sara was wondering why this matters: It's not just about character, but also about the fact that a politician with something like this is vulnerable to blackmail if and when foreign intelligence services find out about it. What kind of payoffs might a President Edwards have made to foreign powers to keep it secret? Thankfully, we'll never know.

[Sue]

Eight years with your guy has proven lucky, hasn't it?

I think so. And wish for 8 more with Cheney, but alas, will have to settle for McCain.

[JM Hanes]

"Eight years with your guy has proven lucky, hasn't it?"

Yep. Right guy in the right place at the right time. Obama is apparently convinced that his candidacy makes this the most important election of all time, fierce urgency of now etc., etc., but frankly, I think the 2004 election was far more consequential.

[Semanticleo]

"What kind of payoffs might a President Edwards have made to foreign powers to keep it secret?"

Good thought.

I wonder what other sins politicos might need blackmail insurance for? Opens an interesting
question.

[Semanticleo]

"settle for McCain."

Ain't we lucky?

[Sue]

I wasn't worried about international blackmail. I know what trial lawyers want and why trial lawyers didn't and wouldn't support a republican.

[Sue]

Ain't we lucky?

No. Resigned. And prudent.

[JM Hanes]

Sara:

If a guy were generalizing about women with the kind of disdain you're heaping on men, I have a hard time picturing you giving him a pass.

[Topsecretk9]

Well, Edwards broke the public trust by lying and it's not exactly like he's not seen it happen before. But he called the allegations lies and trash and had he copped to it he may have cost his immediate political career but would have been able to rehabilitate.

He's liar first, cheater second.

[Porchlight]

'I'm' going to need it?

Last time I looked we were in this mess collectively.

Yes, we are. But I certainly won't feel compelled to defend Obama if the time comes. Whereas it's clear that if you feel the need to defend the indefensible in Edwards' conduct, I'm pretty damn sure you'll be out spinning for Obama no matter what happens.

Look, I'm sympathetic up to a point to someone whose preferred candidate turned out to be a total douche. But, suck it up - don't try to spin it as something "everyone" does.

[Enlightened]

Tsk Tsk, Cleo you probably shouldn't Follow The Nutrut Leader in suggesting group gropeage.

Messiah II, Father of The Year can't contain his Love of Self for heaven's sake, much less lower himself from his "Special" place above all else.

[Jim Rhoads aka vnjagvet]

Lying about early adolescent sexual activity, Sara is surely not the equivalent of cheating on your wife with a campaign employee and continuing a charade for political benefit. Is it?

If it is, do I have to take back my harsh criticism of the silky headed one because I hid those hot babe pics 55 years ago?

Gee, I hope not.

[Pagar]

I agree with Sue and JM Hanes. The 2004 election was critical at that time. But I'm at the point I believe stopping the Democrats in 2008 is going to be even more critical.

[ben]

Semanticleo is just parotting the MSM and Democrat standard approach....if a Democrat gets caught with his pants down, its either about sex or its for the good of humanity, while for Republicans its a question of character or greed. The NYT splashed a front page story essentially reporting "that 5 years earlier purportedly some aid of McCain was concerned about McCain getting too close to a woman he was working with".
This is a guy who was one of 3 viable candidates the Democrats had in a year they are favored. He was being vetted for VP. Meanwhile he is sneaking around hotel rooms with a woman "he is not longer involved with and who is not the mother of his child" and being chased into a public restroom at 2 AM. Not to mention issues about money being paid and other people taking responsibility for his actions. Yet Semanticleo happily advances "the just about sex" line, like there is really no character fault here. It's very normal for a candidate running for President and being vetted for VP, with a wife terminally ill, to be screwing the video producer. If he has a D after his name, of course.

[Joan]

I take issue with this thread being a celebration victory or group grope. There have been many serious comments about the moral character required in our politicians here today and tonight. Yes, there might have been some justified joy that a hypocritical man who has exaggerated and lied about conservatives and this administration got a much-deserved gut punch, but other commenters have been thoughtful. As long as there are people who care and set standards for our nation's politicians and discuss them in forums like this, our politicians won't ultimately turn both houses of our government into a place of orgies, complete with neutered boys serving roast pig, grapes, wine and dancing girls in the aisles.

If you don't like the discussion here, go over to daily kos and continue the Edwards ass kissing.

[Topsecretk9]

Someone posed a pretty good question that the Cleo's ought to ponder - would they and the media be indifferent to Mitt Romney in this situation, sneaking into a hotel to see a woman he conducted an affair with at 2:30 am - even if Mitt's wife wasn't battling cancer? Hmmmm?

[Enlightened]

"Eight years with your guy has proven lucky, hasn't it?"

If some recent pictures are any indication, it appears John Kerry has a mind to try parking in the wrong slot too. So yeah I'm pretty certain we go lucky as frikkin hell.

Kerry/Edwards - The Cream Ticket.

[MayBee]

Mitt Romney? Are you kidding? I remember when people went bezerk with the news that he had strapped the dog's car carrier to the top of the station wagon when they went on vacation in 1981.

That was outrageous. This is private.

[ben]

Let's see if even Semanticleo believes this whopper: (via Hotair)

"Fred Baron, John Edwards’ campaign finance chairman and longtime confidante, told NBC News he has been providing financial assistance to both Andrew Young [the alleged father of Hunter's baby] and Rielle Hunter, he said in telephone interviews…

Baron insisted Edwards never knew what Baron did for Young and Hunter; he believes Edwards didn’t even have an inkling that Baron was doing this…

“My role is to be supportive of these two families,” he said."

[Topsecretk9]

Byron York has a few other questions up about the Dallas lawyers statements but this is so odd

"I decided independently to help two friends and former colleagues rebuild their lives when harassment by supermarket tabloids made it impossible for them to conduct a normal life," Baron, a Dallas trial lawyer said in a statement, Rob Christensen reports.

So he moved both Hunter and Young's family? And to escape tabloid harassment he moved them closer to the Tabloids in Southern CA?

[Sue]

ben,

Byron York, at NRO, wants to know how Baron even knew about Hunter and Young. Interesting question that Byron ponders.

[Topsecretk9]

I remember when people went bezerk with the news that he had strapped the dog's car carrier to the top of the station wagon when they went on vacation in 1981.

When I was driving through the Grapevine this summer, I saw an SUV with an Obama bumper sticker and a little doggy in a carrier straped to the top of the car.

[Topsecretk9]

I remember when people went bezerk with the news that he had strapped the dog's car carrier to the top of the station wagon when they went on vacation in 1981.

When I was driving through the Grapevine this summer, I saw an SUV with an Obama bumper sticker and a little doggy in a carrier straped to the top of the car.

[Enlightened]

In other News - Another Victory for Cleo:

Cindy Sheehan made it to the ballot for a November showdown with Madame Blinker. Dontcha just love it? A Nitwit against a Nutroot. Priceless.

[Topsecretk9]

death by a 1000 papercuts has a whole post on "what happened to Andrew Young"

starting with

A former “Director of Operations” for Edwards’ campaign, Young’s last official position with the campaign was “North Carolina Finance Director.” He left that job about a month ago - about the same time Rielle settled in Chapel Hill.

A source close to Young vehemently denies that he funneled campaign money to Rielle - who drives a BMW SUV registered in Young’s name.

this doesn't make a lot of sense with what was released today

and there is a LOT Edward's just doesn't seem to know

Sen. Edwards knew nothing about the relationship between these former co-workers, which began when they worked together in 2006.

“As a private citizen who no longer works for the campaign, Mr. Young asks that the media respect his privacy while he works to make amends with his family.”

but then there's this

The source also revealed that to keep the coverup going, Andrew Young, 42, and his family relocated to Santa Barbara, CA, where Rielle is living with her child.

“Young had to pretend to be by her side–but he’s living in a separate home with his wife and young children. The word is that he’s sick of living this lie. His wife Cheri is particularly fed up,” said the source.

Young and his wife are still married, despite his claim that he fathered Rielle’s child, a claim that sources say is absolutely false and part of Edwards’ elaborate coverup.

Here is the link

[ben]

"...told NBC News he has been providing financial assistance to both Andrew Young [the alleged father of Hunter's baby]"...

Democrats really are bleeding hearts. They give "financial assistance" to a campaign staff member if they father a baby out of wedlock, but not because the staff member admits to a baby with the same woman the candidate is having an affair with, nahhhhh....The problem with Republicans is they just don't understand how generous Democrats are...

[Topsecretk9]

I have to say, if ot turns out that Edward's was not only funneling money to Hunter, but also disrupting an entire family to lie for him -- both he and Elizabeth look pretty bad.

And would not be one bit surprised to learn that it is Andrew and/or Cherri Young who are informing the NE about it all.

At least Andrew will find work with Hillary.

[Rocco]

The Cackle that Killed 1,000 Ears

I think this story is bigger than Edwards, I think it's an attempt to damaging the Democrats chance at winning the presidency.

From the Washington Post

After leaving the White House, the Clintons earned $30 million from their best-selling books and brought in as much as $15 million more through an investment partnership with one of her top presidential campaign fundraisers, California billionaire Ronald Burkle.

[Enlightened]

TS9 - Isn't it funny the amount of ADDITIONAL details that have come out in the MSM within HOURS of the mea culpa?

Sure - The MSM knew NOTHING about it.

Cleo - Howse about you and Tim-may Robbins and Susan Sarandon help the guy out? I mean really - you guys were for him, now your against him, ya leave him hanging like a 2000 chad......y'all can probably help him squirrel the mistress and love child to - Italy or something.

[centralcal]

I have granddaughters using the computer, so I have barely read the thread and I have not kept up on the web pundits, but . . .

#1. It was really great to see MaidMarion post again. Stop being a stranger, okay?

#2. As usual, JM Hanes is always on point!

#3. Sara - I kinda think I know where you are coming from (if, not, forgive me please). Yes, we are all human, and flawed. But, we are also, all of us, our choices made and not made. It seems to me that John and Elizabeth have made some choices - very human choices - and they are now, sadly, being judged by those choices.

I personally feel that Elizabeth is as much an enabler as she is a victim. Based upon the facts at hand right now. I may change my mind. I may not. But, that is where I am at.

[centralcal]

Maybee and Sue: Thank you for the link to the Dallas Morning News! Grazie.

[centralcal]

One last thing before I turn the computer back over to the short people...

This is about much more than Edwards or his family or his infidelity. It is about our national media and how easily they think they can play us all for suckers.

For a long time that was probably true, because we were dependent upon ink and paper and at the whim of our subscriptions.

Not today. No more. No longer. We see them laid bare for the liars and withholders of truth that they are. They deserve to be dinosaurs. The sooner, the better.

[Enlightened]

Curiouser and Curiouser. I think Burkle and BillyJeff split ways over Raffaello Follieri and the failed Yucaipa Co. deals that the WSJ mentioned in Sept 2007.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/12/protecting-hillary-bill-_n_76529.html

So BillyJeff breaks with Burkle in Sept.2007
NE first outs Rielle/Johnny Oct 2007
Burkle takes over the NE Nov 2007?

And this gem:

"What if the Clintons (through Bill's buddy Ron Burkle) were about to gain effective control over the nation's major tabloids? Seems like a big story. Well, it's happening--or sure looks like it."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/11/ron-burkle-set-to-gain-co_n_72080.html

[DrJ]

Well then you are indeed a paragon of purity... And I forget the exact figure, but 70% sticks in my mind, of the number of men who admit having had an affair.

Sara, I'm not trying to pile on. I'm no paragon of purity, but I have always told the truth to partners and honored my commitments to fidelity, whether before God and witnesses or more informally.

I'd like to believe that is not as uncommon as the polls make it sound, but maybe it is. If so, that truly is a shame. I do respond poorly to the implication that "all men are dogs."

[Topsecretk9]

Oldie but goodie

LUN ---I'm learning

[Enlightened]

Ok - I'm gonna also call bullshit on Elizabeth Edwards saying getting cancer strangely made her husbands confession easier to take. LIE. BALD-ASSED, BALD-FACED LIE.

If I was battling cancer and my husband came and told me he was bagging another woman - I would have injured him. His nards, a bat to the cranium, a knife to the p--ker, whatever - I would have gone ballistic. ESPECIALLY knowing I might be dying. And then I would have hunted down the other woman. At the very least I would have slapped her lying little mouth.

I don't believe this whole stinky bullshit story. It smells worse by the minute. And his wife is in on it. Sickening.

And what of BillyJeff and Burkle? Rumors they used to cruise Los Angeles a lot and have kinky three-ways? Hmmm. Maybe, just maybe - BillyJeff was with Rielle first? Or maybe Burkle was? Doesn't this whole thing stink of revenge of some sort?

[Topsecretk9]

first comment at HuffPo at the first disgusted Edwards supporter

http://scobleizer.com/2008/08/08/front-row-seat-to-john-edwards-sex-scandal/

[Topsecretk9]

and looks like Huff closed the comments because that dude's last post got a ton of comments.

I can't make my TV turn on - no kiddies to help with tech dumd mom (why are tv's so hard to turn on anymore?) so I can't watch the olympics or Edwards buried interview.

[Porchlight]

For a long time that was probably true, because we were dependent upon ink and paper and at the whim of our subscriptions.

centralcal, I agree on the whole, but - to go OT - I'm in the midst of Novak's book (The Prince of Darkness) and I do wonder sometimes what we've lost in the "old" (I mean really old) dinosaur media. Reporters were a much less monolithic group in the 50s when Novak got his start. Not only was he a young conservative reporter, but some of his editors leaned that way, too. Hard to imagine now.

And because the newspapers were the only game in town, there were scoops galore - news bureaus were intensely competitive and didn't want to lose out. Without serious competition from TV, and obviously no cable or blogs, there was simply no other way to get the news out except through the papers. Which meant tons of leaks and scoops and scads of reporters pursuing them. And since the repoters were not always sympathetic to the same party (or either party), information found its way out there.

The Politico is actually the entity that most resembles the world that Novak describes, in terms of getting the scoop regardless of who benefits. And guys like Jake Tapper and Brian Ross at ABC.

Anyway, I highly recommend the book. It's fascinating reading.

Night, all! I know I'll be sleeping more soundly than John Edwards tonight.

[Porchlight]

One more thing - I think Novak is one of the greats because he clearly enjoyed reporting more than advancing his views. This is quite evident in the book. Those reporters in the old days had a ton of fun and it shows.

[MarkO]

OK. I'm going to sleep, but I need an answer to this question, which applies also to Clinton. Why her?

[PaulL]

Elizabeth Edwards is something else, isn't she. She gives a pass to her husband, calls it "human weakness," but slams the supermarket tabloid that reported the affair.

[Sue]

How special. He brings up John McCain but makes it perfectly clear this is all about him, not someone else. ::eyeroll::

[Ann]

I have been at the Ohio State Fair all day and I must say Tops,
" I feel pretty, Oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright! "
I love the Ohio State Fair but good gawd...the things you see.
Thanks for that link, I cracked up.

Where is bad, when we need a Johnny John, son of mill worker, son of a gun post. :)

Anyways, I agree with Centralcal, the story is the media. What a joke. And Rick and Rocco, I so agree with the Monkeys are flying, flying, flying!!!

[Sue]

I have always thought John Edwards was slime, but I know it now.

[Topsecretk9]

Since I can't turn on the TV will someone tell me if he bit his lip? Pursed his lips with an eye grimace?

[Topsecretk9]

Since I can't turn on the TV will someone tell me if he bit his lip? Pursed his lips with an eye grimace?

[Sue]

It's not his baby. The report was in a tabloid. Uh, yeah. So was the allegation you were having an affair. Tool.