Edwards Exits Again

Having said positive things here about positions taken by John Edwards’ campaign for the Presidency, I’ll comment briefly on his public confession. I don’t have much to say, except that by going on network television to personally deliver this ridiculous and self-absorbed mea culpa, he lost the respect I once had for his candidacy.

Having an affair is one of the least annoying things a candidate does. At least they do it in private; it sidelines them from holding more press conferences. Of course, they’re fair game when they get caught, but an affair is not the most exciting news about a candidate. We’re not looking for saints in the White House. Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford are about the only pols to occupy the Oval Office in recent memory who didn’t have an affair we know about— and look at those Administrations. One paranoid burglar and a dull bumbler.

But Edwards’ television performance, from the denials of paternity, to the unattributed third-party payoffs, to the “I did it while she was in remission,” caveat, proved him to be the kind of guy you don’t want on your team, or in your family, if his interests and yours conflict. The parsing of the English language and the navel gazing about his narcissism, it all made you want to turn the page— and the channel.

To me, the least appetizing thing is thinking about him deciding to do the Nightline interview at all, subjecting his family to further inspection as a result.

So long, Mr. Edwards. I just hope the antipoverty movement doesn’t take it too much on the chin for your sake.

Comments

[milk]

"Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford are about the only pols to occupy the Oval Office in recent memory who didn’t have an affair we know about"

When did George W. Bush cheat on his wife?

[Bill]

What can I tell you, I was totally blotting him out.

...Just in denial about the entire Presidency. Now you've ruined my happy place by mentioning him.

Seriously, Etan, you're right. Add him to that list of glory with Nixon and Ford.