The Two John Edwards

As much as I hate for my first real blog post to be about someone besides Mitt Romney (and it’s a Democrat no less), but this is breaking news, and it has a great deal to do with politics, character, and family values. Now I’m afraid I can safely lump John Edwards in with the slew of other prominent politicians who have been unfaithful to the one who should have trusted them most: Newt Gingrich, Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, Eliot Spitzer, just to name a few.

This might be a good time to draw attention to the personal lifestyle of Romney which is without such blemishes. I firmly believe that the personal lives and character of politicians has a great impact on America and its attitude towards such behavior as Edwards’. This revelation about John Edwards will only make these occurrences more “normal” and acceptable. It slowly crumbles the ideals of strong family values that this country holds, which ultimately will affect virtually all aspects of our lives. If I had been a supporter of John Edwards I would be devastated. The life of Governor Romney in contrast is refreshing and commendable. It’s too bad that it is commendable for a politician to remain faithful to his/her spouse, as it should be expected of them.

The story from CNN can be read here.

~Nate Gunderson

ADDENDUM: There is a little discussion going on about this at Race 4 2008. There are two comments I’d like to quote:

# BobH Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

What I like is Edwards’ claim that he had an affair, but

a) I’m not the father of the child, and
b) It was while my wife’s cancer was in remission.

a) is reminiscent of “I smoked grass, but I didn’t inhale”, and b) is the ultimate “Oh, well then it’s all OK, John.”

This guy is one of the slimiest creatures of all time.

# Illinoisguy Says:
August 8th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

Now we know more about what he meant by his “two Americas’ concept.

ADDENDUM #2: Sorry. More noteworthy commentary from N & O: (H/T to MittIsIt4Prez)

Here is Edwards on Clinton on Feb. 12, 1999:

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.

Later, Edwards debated whether Clinton intended to obstruct justice when he talked with a White House employee:

We have a man who has just been confronted with this problem, who is political by nature. And do we really believe that the first thing he thought about is, “I’m going to go protect myself legally’”? I suspect the first thing he thought about is “I’m going to protect myself politically.” He was worried about his family finding out. He was worried about the rest of the staff finding out. He was worried about the press finding out.