A Word on Edwards

[El_Che]

http://liberalretort.blogspot.com/



Alright, yes, he had an affair. Yes, he lied about it numerous times. Yes, this occurred while he was campaigning for the highest office in America. Yes, this will probably end any major political ambitions that Edwards might have held, as it well should. Yes, he is sleazy and should rightfully have a lot of work to do with his family to reconcile for his actions. But should we really be surprised? Furthermore, should we really disregard everything the man has ever said or stood for? There are a few things to bear in mind, while this story plays out in the public eye.

#1. Personal vs. Public
Edwards' conduct was, and should be, a personal matter. Yes, the public should know about it, but we don't need to delve into the sordid details of his affair. This is something that should remain between him and his family. His affair does not affect public policy or the direction that the United States is headed. If his campaign made improper payments for services this woman provided, then by all means, that should be investigated. But contrast Edwards' improper conduct with say, any top member of the Bush administration in the run-up to the war in Iraq. What were the consequences of the Bush administration's blatant lies and deceit, not only to the American people but to the Global community? I'll take a politician lying about a personal matter that is contained within his family to one whose lies negatively impact the entire globe for many, many years.

#2 Democrat vs. Republican
Republican pundits have been quick to jump on this story, taking a particular delight at the prospect of lambasting this "Southern do-gooder". Of course, they have every right to print whatever they'd like about the Edwards' affair. But let's keep in mind, this isn't an isolated incident among Democratic politicians. Have we forgot such Republican do-gooders as Larry Craig, Mark Foley, and Ted Haggard? These types of incidents take place on both sides of the aisle and we shouldn't forget that the Edwards' affair isn't an isolated incident amongst politicians. For a more detailed look into Republican Sex Affairs, click Here

#3 Conduct vs. Policy
As despicable as Edwards' actions were, this incident should not force us to disregard his policy ideas entirely. For a great number of Americans, Edwards' ideas represented a sharp contrast with current political policies and were seen as a beacon of hope on the political landscape. His proposed plan for truly universal health care, which he had laid out in very specific details, was just one of his policy ideas that should not be lost in this affair. His proposal for a Rural Recovery Act, his plan for tax simplification with "Form 1", his comprehensive plan to significantly reduce poverty, and his plan to shut down abusive lenders and create realistic alternatives are just some of his political platforms that should be embraced by current and future politicians, as they provide the groundwork for affecting real political change.



And now for something completely different:

Interesting Slate article here on how this whole debacle might actually hurt McCain the most... Here

[TimMitchell]

I agree. The bickering between Republicans and Democrats is sickining especially over personal matters. Spitzer, Larry Craig... it really is all the same. Clinton I felt was a little over the top, too... however I still feel the impeachment was right due to the purjury aspect.

The bottom line is: we should focus on the issues and stop being vultures.

[Laura Roslin]

I agree. The bickering between Republicans and Democrats is sickining especially over personal matters. Spitzer, Larry Craig... it really is all the same. Clinton I felt was a little over the top, too... however I still feel the impeachment was right due to the purjury aspect.

The bottom line is: we should focus on the issues and stop being vultures.

Yeah, because that will happen.   

Politics has always been a form of entertainment; I cannot imagine that changing in our lifetimes.  People are always going to be voyeurs about politicians' (and other celebrities') private lives.   With that known - and in particular, with the Clinton impeachment debacle in his party's recent past - I have to conclude that John Edwards was monumentally stupid and selfish, which is a good enough reason to disqualify him from further consideration for high political office. 

You're both right that the affair itself was and is the Edwards family's own beeswax.  But if this really happened in 2006...he ran. For President.  ANYWAY.  Knowing this was in the background, knowing it would come out sooner or later.  (The Enquirer was already sniffing around this story in November 2007!)  He came shockingly close to winning Iowa; if he had, he could very well have become the anti-Hillary, gotten Obama's endorsement and won the nomination.  And then this story comes out?  Look, I realize Tim's not a Democrat, so maybe this counterfactual doesn't sound so bad to you, but imagine if the parties were reversed.  It's just the height of stupidity and arrogance.  That's why this is an embarrassment, and why I have no problem with the continued focus on it.  Maybe it will scare future would-be candidates to THINK before they put their parties, and the causes they supposedly believe in, at risk. 

BTW, I'm not a particularly liberal critter.  But I have a serious knee-jerk aversion to arrogance.  And this was unforgivably arrogant.  *end rant* 

[El_Che]

The bottom line is: we should focus on the issues and stop being vultures.

Thank you. This is what I'm saying!

[Julie Fern]

I agree. The bickering between Republicans and Democrats is sickining especially over personal matters. Spitzer, Larry Craig... it really is all the same. Clinton I felt was a little over the top, too... however I still feel the impeachment was right due to the purjury aspect.

The bottom line is: we should focus on the issues and stop being vultures.

any sins of gump you consider impeachable?

[El_Che]

I agree. The bickering between Republicans and Democrats is sickining especially over personal matters. Spitzer, Larry Craig... it really is all the same. Clinton I felt was a little over the top, too... however I still feel the impeachment was right due to the purjury aspect.

The bottom line is: we should focus on the issues and stop being vultures.

any sins of gump you consider impeachable?

Besides the whole Perjury thing?

[Julie Fern]

I agree. The bickering between Republicans and Democrats is sickining especially over personal matters. Spitzer, Larry Craig... it really is all the same. Clinton I felt was a little over the top, too... however I still feel the impeachment was right due to the purjury aspect.

The bottom line is: we should focus on the issues and stop being vultures.

any sins of gump you consider impeachable?

Besides the whole Perjury thing?

well, it on julie's list.  julie just asking mr. gop apologist.  apparently he had go vomit.

[Julie Fern]

julie laugh:

http://www.236.com/video/2008/rielle_hunter_unedited_uncenso_8246.php

[Julie Fern]

good ol' limbaugh:

http://mediamatters.org/items/200808120009

[vjm]

If I were his eardrums and I had to listen to that kind of misogynist tripe all day, I would have self-immolated as well.