Former presidential candidate John Edwards, who won nationwide praise and sympathy as he campaigned side by side with his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, admitted in shame Friday he had had an affair with a woman who produced videos as he prepared to launch his campaign. Acknowledging a sex scandal he had dismissed as "tabloid trash" only last month, Edwards said he had told his wife and family long ago, but "I had hoped that it would never become public." He denied fathering a daughter, born to the woman with whom he had the affair, and offered to be tested to prove it. A former Edwards campaign staff member professes to be the father.
The former North Carolina senator, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004, confessed to ABC News that he had lied repeatedly about the affair with Rielle Hunter, then 42. Hunter's daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, was born on Feb. 27 this year, and no father's name is given on the birth certificate filed in California. In a statement provided to The Associated Press, Elizabeth Edwards confirmed that her husband had confessed the extramarital affair to her in 2006 but that after a "long and painful process" she was now standing by him.
After the story broke Friday, Edwards released a statement that said, "In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake, and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public."
"I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices," he said. "With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006, and today I take full responsibility publicly."
Edwards declared his presidential candidacy in December 2006. His wife campaigned enthusiastically with him and by herself in the months that followed. She announced in March 2007 that her cancer, formerly in remission, had returned and there apparently was no cure. She and her husband said it was important for the campaign to continue. Edwards dropped out midway through this year's primaries after it became apparent he could not keep up with front-runners Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. He recently endorsed Obama and has been mentioned as a possible running mate. Speaking to reporters Friday in Honolulu, Obama praised Edwards as a "great champion of working people" during the campaign and said the couple indicated they would probably not attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month. In her statement Friday, Elizabeth Edwards said it wasn't easy to find out about the extramarital affair in 2006. She called the affair a "terrible mistake" but said the healing process was "oddly made somewhat easier" after her diagnosis of breast cancer in March 2007.
Mrs. Edwards said her family has been through a lot and pleaded for privacy. She also said that she " is proud of the courage John showed by his honesty in the face of shame." In an interview which aired on ABC News' "Nightline" Friday night, Edwards described the affair as being "over for a long time." He declined to give specifics, saying his family was "entitled to every detail" but no one else. The Edwardses have three children — Cate, Jack and Emma Claire. Another son, Wade, died at 16 in a 1996 car accident. [End of report]
When I first heard this news in the morning, I honestly couldnt believe it. I am obviously very disappointed with the news because I had supported John Edwards for the presidency post before I decided to support Obama as I believe he would be a better choice. I continued to support him for the Vice President role after that until I heard this story. I always thought he was telling the truth everytime he said he is not having any affair but of course, I was wrong and I feel betrayed by him. I feel really sorry for his wife though. Shes a strong individual who had to cope with so much. She was still battling with her fight against her breast cancer when she was told about the matter back in 2006. You would think that she would have asked for a divorce but she didnt and decided to let the matter rest and continue to support her husband in his quest to become the president. That is why I think she deserves a lot of credit for having to go through so much obstacle but yet managed to remain strong. The good thing I guess is that Edwards had told her wife much earlier about the affair before it was told publicly now. They wanted to keep the matter private but I dont think that was ever possible especially when you are a high ranking public figure running to be the next president.
I couldn't believe that he still dare to run for the president post when all of this things were happening. Yes, he did well to keep the matter a secret when he was still in the race, but whether he was still running or not, I think the secret will be out sooner or later. I cant imagine what would happen if he was still running for the presidency. The people who have voted for him would have felt betrayed by him as well and it could give the Republican and McCain the win, but thank God Obama is the Democratic nominee. And speaking of Obama, I doubt that this news will have a major effect on his chances of winning the election later. We all know that Edwards has endorsed Obama and Edwards is one of the person in the list to become the Vice President, but that was before Obama knew the true story. Im sure he will be just as disappointed with Edwards and I would like to think that this will mean the end of Edwards chances to be the VP which is sad for me in particular because I always thought he and Obama would be a great team. Nevertheless, fret not Obama supporters, there are still many other great candidate that can be choose from to become Obama's running mate.
Now whether Edwards is the father of the child or not, I dont think it matter much. I think he has learnt a valuable lesson regarding the issue which is about trust. And after today's revelation, I dont think anyone would trust him anymore, whether it is the ordinary American or the people in his party. Like I have said earlier, I am utterly disappointed by his actions but at least he still have the support of his wonderful wife despite his terrible actions and that is something that no one can take away from him and that he should cherish and something that I really admire.
*The report was taken from Associated Press & to read the full report, please go to this link http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/edwards_affair
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