McQuaid: Edwards Love Child, Yawn

[question everything]

The Huffington Post

July 24, 2008

John McQuaid

Edwards Love Child, Yawn

Will the mainstream media cover the John Edwards love child scandal put out there by the National Enquirer? Is it exhibiting a double standard by giving blanket coverage to Larry Craig's bathroom antics, and ignoring Edwards's bathroom bunkering?

Oh, please. Edwards is a politician, which automatically puts him in the public eye. But, frankly, this is a tenuous pretext at best for covering his personal foibles right now. He is a private citizen. He is not running for president. He doesn't hold office, as Craig did -- still does! He didn't cop to committing a crime, then absurdly try to weasel out of it as Craig did.

It sure looks like Edwards is a hypocrite who misrepresented himself by showcasing his wife and kids so prominently in the campaign. But his campaign was unsuccessful. Voters didn't buy his arguments or his life story as reasons to elect him. In short, nobody cares about this now, except as celebrity gossip. And that's how it's going to play when the media picks it up, as it probably will.

The better question is, should the media have gone after this story more aggressively back during the campaign? Sounds like the answer is yes. It's not clear, though, that this would have made a difference: with everybody denying it, and no eyewitness evidence a la Gary Hart, or physical evidence a la Bill Clinton, it's very hard to sift the credible story from the hearsay in a situation like this.

An even better question: hasn't the National Enquirer heard of video cameras? This is the era of TMZ, man.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-mcquaid/edwards-love-child-yawn_b_114733.html

[Olney Blue]

1. Is this story really true?

:shrug:

[question everything]

2. No one knows. On the one hand, it is the National Enquirer

On the other hand, it had published stories that were true..

Either way, as the writer, above, says: Edwards is now a private citizen and it is no one's business, except his family's.

[JeanGrey]

19. This story is going to break in the mainstream media within

a few days. They got a security guard to admit it was true.

[Cleita]

3. I don't think so.

There's the "True Story" (remember that rag?), first person witness POV, except there is no proof. It's like all of those old "True Story" stories, which were mostly fiction invented by starving writers.

[marshall]

11. It may be true, but who cares?

Lots of men find comfort in the arms of another woman, especially when their wives are incapacitated by horrible illness.
So why is this really news?

[myhawgoff]

15. It may be true, but who cares?

Lots of men find comfort in the arms of another woman, especially when their wives are incapacitated by horrible illness.

This is true, but is it ok? If I were sick somehow I don't believe that I would feel better knowing my spouse was cheating on me. But if Mrs. Edwards is ok with it, then that's their business.

[question everything]

16. Which is why it is between the two of them

Each marriage is different and no outsider can judge one.

Now, if he were still in the race, this would have shown bad judgment, to get involved while in the middle of a campaign.

This is what happened with Gary Hart. He "challenged" the press to catch him, and it did..

[JeanGrey]

20. Oh really?? Poor Elizabeth. I cannot believe you would even

mention that this would be ok.

[Raine]

22. Agree

*IF* it's true it's completely despicable and repulsive and shows what kind of man he is. I hope it's not because I've been an Edwards fan for years and I will be completely disgusted if he did this to his wife who has cancer.

[JeanGrey]

24. Ditto. And I cannot even BELIEVE people who think that in any

way this is ok! My husband became permanently disabled four years into our marriage. The thought of leaving him or "finding comfort" in someone's else's arms never crossed my mind. AND NEVER WOULD. He pulled through but stayed disabled since then. I am now fighting cancer and had a transplant and the past eight years have been hell on him with my illnesses and he has been steadfast by my side.

This is just a sore subject with me. One of my best friend's had a wonderful 35 year marriage and she had a heart attack, and found out later he was screwing one of his dead friend's wives when she was in the hospital. They ended up divorced. Bastard. There is no excuse!

[question everything]

27. I hope that you and your husband will pull through

This, of course, is what we mean by in sickness and in health.

Marriage is more than just sex. It is a commitment and it is sad when too many do not see it that way.

However, each marriage is different and, at the end of the day, if true, it is between John and Elizabeth.

[JeanGrey]

33. We're hanging in there, thirty years this year.

And yes, it DOES mean sickness and health. And when you are in the public eye it isn't just between you. Character is part and parcel of a person for many people.

Plus, the woman Edward's has isn't even pretty. This is one thing I will NEVER understand about men. I have seen men with beautiful, exotic wives who throw them over to screw some dog.

Look at Christie Brinkley's husband! Unbeeeeleevable..................

[marshall]

31. I don't think it's "ok", but I also don't have enough facts (even supposing it's true) to condemn

He didn't wag his finger at me and tell me he was faithful to his wife. The possible other woman isn't suing him. His wife hasn't made any kind of statement. Nothing about them has been put in family court. As far as we know all parties are consenting and aware of the arrangement. I might put myself in the situation and say I wouldn't do that or I wouldn't like that or I wouldn't put up with that--but I'm not living their lives, they are.

[readmoreoften]

28. Geez, glad I'm a lesbian.

My fella's only comfort is in my arms and my only comfort is in hers. We've only been together for 5 years, but I'm confident that if either one of us had cancer we'd be changing bedpans and fluffing pillows.

[JeanGrey]

34. It appears that you understand what love is. Too bad

so many others don't.

[readmoreoften]

41. Fidelity is everything.

I was never in a committed relationship before I met her. Not because I didn't believe in fidelity but because I did: I was never in a relationship that was more than a open sexual friendship and I don't believe in pretending things are more than they are. And I'm not a kid either. I was 32 when we started dating. But I was as good as married after our first date. That's when I realized that the state can only "recognize" and "honor" marriages. They don't have the power to create them or destroy them. I have no problem with people having open relationships. But if a relationship is closed, it's closed. Even if your wife is laid up.

[JeanGrey]

43. I'm sorry, but I do not roll on "open relationships".

The real truth as I heard it put "the fidelity bank and trust is a tough creditor, if you make a deposit elsewhere, they close your account".

As it should be. I'm glad you have this and I thank God everyday that I have had it for 30 years.
As I said, Poor Elizabeth. This has happened to my sister and best friend. These men are pigs. Not really what I want to call them but I do consider myself somewhat of a lady.

[shireen]

4. i don't believe it.

If Edwards really did have a "love child", he would not hide it. He clearly loves his kids, and would not treat one of them that way. And I doubt if Elizabeth would hide it either. They're both really decent people, and would never treat a child with such disrespect.

[orleans]

5. but you're assuming. we actually don't know--just like we don't know

if this story is true or not.

[shireen]

6. if you read my message again

note that it starts with "If" ... i'm just expressing an opinion based on a hypothetical situation, which also explains why i think that hypothetical reason is untrue.

[JeanGrey]

25. Oh sure he would. Someone who is as involved in politics as

he was is going to announce to the world "by the way I have a mistress and I got her pregnant, I hope it doesn't bother my dying wife". Sure, he'd come right out with it.

Why do you think Jesse got so pissed at Obama's comments that he said what he said? "talking down to black folks" I think really burned him considering HIS love child situation.

[johnaries]

7. National Enquirer update - his love child really is......

BATBOY! And Nostradmus foretold it!

Why would anyone believe anything in the Enquirer? Assume it's a lie and move on.

[question everything]

17. Because recently Edwards came back to the potenial VP list

and it will be really sad if he is dropped from consideration because of a lie.

[Catchawave]

8. The Enquirer's heard of photoshopping ... lol...

I'm impressed with the National Enquirer though.....the hotel was also hosting the Television Critics Association at the same time, so they were jammed with people who are paid to watch television and the celebrities they were interviewing.....and the NE was the only one TO SEE JOHN EDWARDS !!!1!!

:sarcasm:

[asdjrocky]

9. Here, here Wave.

And I wonder how much longer this shit is going to go on. I've never posted a rumor, started by the National Enquirer no less, but then I guess it takes all kinds.

[Catchawave]

10. Hey rock !

This inquiring mind wants to know why sooooooooo many are believing the story without proof ?

There's a right wingnut spamming blogs with photos of "men's room" signs as PROOF it's true :rofl:

[asdjrocky]

12. Well, then that's a whole 'nother story.... er, right? nt

[JeanGrey]

21. No they weren't. A security guard has come forth.

[question everything]

30. As reported on Fox News which is as questionable as the National Enquirer

"The security guard goes on to say that the reporters were "rough" on Edwards by sticking cameras in his face and shouting questions at him."

So, if they stuck cameras in his face, where are the photos?

[JeanGrey]

35. They didn't say they took photos, they said they questioned

him. Look, don't discount this because it's the Enquirer. They have broken many stories.

[KitchenWitch]

38. Wonder how much he was paid to fabricate a story

Seriously.

[Catchawave]

39. So did a "...former Edwards staffer...."

neither have names ?

[unapatriciated]

36. and he didn't have a camera?

I thought all Enquirer reporters had a camera surgically attached on their first day of employment.

[FredScuttle]

13. As Kos says, if the MSM is supposed to cover the Edwards "scandal"

then they are obligated to investigate these other breaking stories:

[frogmarch]

14. so-called "love children" are non-issues

at least to me.

WTF did McQuaid mean by this sentence?

"It sure looks like Edwards is a hypocrite who misrepresented himself by showcasing his wife and kids so prominently in the campaign."

The sentence is bullshit no matter how it's interpreted.

[JeanGrey]

26. They aren't "non issues" to a lot of folks.

[marshall]

32. That statement by McQuaid makes absoutely no sense

How is Edwards a hypocrite, even if it's all true? So he featured his wife and children prominently in his campaign. The present allegation doesn't mean he isn't in love with his wife nor does it mean that he doesn't care for his children.

[spanone]

18. i wouldn't wipe my rear with the enquirer let alone judge another person by a story from it

[trayfoot]

23. Better Be CAREFUL!!!!!!!!

Some folks here do not like to have questions asked of prominent democratic leaders. I found that out last night - on this very subject. When I checked tonight, I found that one of the "moderators" had locked the thread and accused me of "flamebating". I have written to Skinner about this situation.

[question everything]

29. Unfortunately, sometimes you start with a serious discussion

and people, instead of debating the issue at hand, start calling you names. And other join in and soon a thread can deteriorate to a "flamebaiting." Not your fault but there are juvenile members here who are incapable of engaging in a real debate and instead of just say nothing they attack the messenger.

We have seen it mostly on the GDP forum but it can happen on other issues.

Hope you stay put. I think that I read that thread and some suggested that you be banned. Don't let them scare you. Since Edwards has been a VP candidate in 2004 and a serious one now - and I did support him in both races and even got to meet and shake his hand - and since his name is being mentioned as a VP, again, we cannot ignore such rumors. Either they are true or they are false and it should not be hard to prove them one way or the other.

[RamboLiberal]

37. Philadelphia Daily News has an interesting point

-----

As Daily News TV critic Ellen Gray informed us from the Television Critics Association summer press tour, what makes the Beverly Hilton choice even more bizarre is that the place was crawling with reporters Monday night for the TCA, including newspaper people from the New York Times, USA Today the New York Daily News, the Washington Post, and us.

But no one but the National Enquirer seemed to spot John Edwards.

Ah, it's a big hotel, you say.

True, but the Enquirer says Hunter/Edwards friend Bob McGovern reserved rooms 246 and 252 at the Hilton. The TCA hospitality suite was down the hall in Room 234.

Tattle's not saying it's not true - and Edwards may soon be issuing tearful mea culpas - we're just saying that if Edwards chose to have a liaison in a hotel hosting a press event, he's an idiot.

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080725_Tattle___Enquirer__links_John_Edwards__Rielle_Hunter.html

[Catchawave]

40. Many celebrities were staying there for interviews w/TCA

security must have been pretty tight.... certainly security cameras were turned on?

[tuckessee]

42. Bookmarked.

For the next time a Republican politician or right winger is outed as having a love child.