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In reply to the discussion: John Edwards... the REST of the story [View all]ProSense
(116,464 posts)112. Is this
a cry for help?
Here, this should help:
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. When a supermarket tabloid told a version of the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it. But being 99% honest is no longer enough.
I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices, and I had hoped that it would never become public. With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006 and today I take full responsibility publicly. But that misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby. I also have not been engaged in any activity of any description that requested, agreed to or supported payments of any kind to the woman or to the apparent father of the baby.
It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am sorry. In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic. If you want to beat me up - feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my family and others who need my help.
I have given a complete interview on this matter and having done so, will have nothing more to say.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/us/politics/08text-edwards.html
I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices, and I had hoped that it would never become public. With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006 and today I take full responsibility publicly. But that misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby. I also have not been engaged in any activity of any description that requested, agreed to or supported payments of any kind to the woman or to the apparent father of the baby.
It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am sorry. In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic. If you want to beat me up - feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my family and others who need my help.
I have given a complete interview on this matter and having done so, will have nothing more to say.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/us/politics/08text-edwards.html
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He was the only one with this message and yes, he forced the other candidates to include it in
gateley
Apr 2012
#2
As long as the republicans continue to stonewall it there will be little to no real
cstanleytech
Apr 2012
#51
I think Obama had a good sense of the 2 americas as well. he was a lot closer to the poorer part
Whisp
Apr 2012
#85
Obama was never poor. Neither was Edwards. But Edwards grew up in a working class family.
HiPointDem
Apr 2012
#192
Am I the only one that found the reference to "integrity" in the OP somewhat ironic?
onenote
Apr 2012
#3
IIRC, newt gingrich threw his first two wives over because of their physical imperfections.
calimary
Apr 2012
#52
Just like Lt. Hiroo Onada, who continued to fight World War II for 29 years after it ended
frazzled
Apr 2012
#16
OMFG. Just read the whole sickening piece. The diarist is a sick piece of crap. Shame for posting
cali
Apr 2012
#24
So they hypnotized him to cheat on Elizabeth? And to not use birth control with his mistress?
Nye Bevan
Apr 2012
#71
He never truly cared about the poor. He was cynically staking out the campaign position
Nye Bevan
Apr 2012
#65
Fuck this narcissistic man with a God complex. I don't care that he was a weak man who cheated, but
Pisces
Apr 2012
#76
Unionworks, I never supported Edwards, he voted for the War in Iraq, as did Hillary, so they were
sabrina 1
Apr 2012
#122
Elizabeth told her side of the story. She was married for 30 years. The side you are now taking as
sabrina 1
Apr 2012
#153
Translation: If only his wife hadn't gotten fat, maybe he wouldn't have cheated...
Drunken Irishman
Apr 2012
#129
HE doesn't need to do any soul searching. YOU do. You're the one who brought that filth here.
DevonRex
Apr 2012
#137
There is NO side that EVER says that it's okay to cheat on your wife because she has cancer
DevonRex
Apr 2012
#139
It is hard to find what you are looking for - and the DK article was desperation
karynnj
Apr 2012
#170
I guarantee you that every candidate to ever run made some insiders nervous....
Drunken Irishman
Apr 2012
#219