Elizabeth Edwards Speaks Out on Husband’s Affair

Jon in Orlando – You make some good points. McCain would be wise to say “no comment”.

Jon in Orlanda, see above, I believe It should also apply to Dems..This should not be about politics..this family is hurting. Send well wishes..Because I can guarantee my fellow repubs can be just as cunning with their messages………

I have even more respect for Edwards knowing that he told his wife and family about this at the time it happened. It takes a strong person to do that, work through it and admit your wrong doings. He could have swept it under the rug. I think it is a shame for all he is dropping out because of this. These matters are nobody’s business but those involved.

Ben..I could NEVER defend a statement such as that..I agree it was way over the top..most repubs I know would shake their head in amazement…we should not take advantage of a situation at the expense of someone mis-fortunes especially when kids are involved….devoted repub…

REPUB – Agreed. By the way I also lean republican, but I don’t pick based on brand but rather substance. Probably why I liked Dr. Paul. I respect John for coming clean to his wife when this happened. Given what she was and has been going through, I imagine it was eating him up inside.

Pluuueeezzz – You can not beg for privacy if you knowingly run for office of President of the United States especially with this in your closet. He lied and he lied well. He’s most likely still lying. Interesting bunch these politicians

Edwards totally admits that he is an ego-centric (as if that is news). It makes perfect sense that he endorsed Obama, Obama is equally arrogant. It’s high time that we elect a woman to the top office to get on with the problems in the country. Bring Hillary back!!

However “personal” you feel this is, he ran for President and is arguably angling for other positions (e.g., Attorney General, Supreme Court Justice) all the while knowing this was in the background, had a chance to come out and hurt his party. God forbid he actually got the nomination and this came out now. Better we know now how bad his judgment (not just the affair, the assumption it would remain ‘private’) before there is a chance for more damage.

In the blog, Elizabeth Edwards says her husband told her about the affair in 2006 and they worked through it. “This was our private matter,” she writes.
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If the affair is over, what was he doing in Rielle Hunter’s hotel room recently in the wee hours of the morning?
Edwards said, “In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic.”
There you have it. And this is not a Republican or a Democrat problem. It’s an “American” problem. I suspect that this kind of narcissistic behavior amongst our “glorious leaders” is rather common. Bad news for ALL Americans.

Another fine example of Democratic Family Values.

I repeat — why think the worst of people: why do u believe all that u read?

As always with the whip-smart Mrs. Edwards, this was written with courage and grace – two qualities she seems to always have hidden under her belt in the most dire of circumstances.

The Edwards’ complained that they weren’t getting as much press as Hillary and Obama during the campaign… now they’re appalled that the media isn’t giving them – a family that ran for the presidency – complete privacy to lie. She’s acting indignant like everyone who gets caught in a lie. Elizabeth is just as guilty of lying and deceiving their donors, the Democratic party and voters as John. What total hypocrites. They put up a fake front and abused the trust people put in them. Now Elizabeth wants us to feel sorry for her again. I’m sorry she – and millions of others – have cancer. I’m not sorry the press did exactly what they should do and caught a presidential candidate lying. Can you imagine if this guy was our nominee or the VP nominee? McCain would be the next pres. for sure. Obama and the Democratic Party have to drop BOTH Edwards like hot potatoes. Anyone who worked for them or voted for him should be disgusted right now… can you sue a candidate for taking donor money while lying – and paying off his girlfriend? Does they truly think we’re going to believe he spent about 5 hours with Reille alone in a hotel room in the middle of the night and the affair’s been over for 2 yrs.? This guy is the biggest jerk of all time. And Elizabeth isn’t honest either.

Repub said: “My thoughts and prays go out to the Edward’s family..I hope my fellow Republicans will show professionalism in Not taking advantage of this tragic event…this is not the time to play politics Let’s show others how we can play grown-up…signed a devoted Republican”
Well said, Repub. Besides, it’s distracting us from much more urgent issues.

Why does this have to be a democrat, republican issue. And why do we care if the affair is still going on.

“I had learned not to care. I blew a few smoke rings, remembering those years. Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack, though.
-Barack Osama
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Wake up, America! Osama makes John Edwards look like a bottom-of-the-barrel piker!

Like most, I am sorry for Elizabeth and the children. However, to think that it is no one’s business but theirs is wrong. Edwards was an elected public servant. We have a right to know by what standards he lives.

Interesting that when a Republican does something they need to resign any offices they hold immediately. When a Democrat does it they need time alone with their families or in a rehab enter and are then allowed to come back stronger than ever.
Meanwhile Edwards RAN against Hillary because he figured that the country saw too many negatives with Hillary because of – ahem – Bill’s infidelities.
You don’t think there’s a double standard? Consider that Nancy Pelosi is out even now flogging her book, and both the Clintons and Obamas are now multi-millionaires solely as a result of flogging their books, but Newt Gingrich had to give HIS book revenues to charity because it was unseemly to make money in that way.
I guess we just expect Democrats to be corrupt and self-serving, while it is still news when a Republican does it.

This entire matter goes to show you that only a few really know a candidate and what they’re like behind the scenes. Anyone who deceives themselves into thinking they know the real Obama are just as silly.
There were rumors flying around Edwards during his campaign so that must be true people said. Well, what about the horrid stories of Obama’s ties to the criminal and racist elements that keep popping up. By your reasoning, shouldn’t that also mean those rumors about Obama are also true, then ? Where’s there’s smoke there’s fire so keep your fire extinguisher handy.

It is just a matter of time before Obama falls like a house of cards. I was once a democrat until till this race of 08. The democrats are toast.
Hillary is most likely glad she did not receive Edward’s endorsement.

Oh my! It is amazing how critical and condescending we as Americans,irrespectful of political party, can be. As has been previously, stated, none of us are without shame in our past. No, I do not agree with Sen. Edward’s affair and his public lies. I believe him not different than any other human being who has ever done “something” that we knew shouldn’t have been done or happened and has prayed that the deed would never come to the lime-light. One lie often requires at least two more to cover it up. Yes, we tend to hold our elected officials in a higher regard; however, let’s be honest to ourselves. The lies, half-trues or just bold-face lies and deception is part of being viewed as a “‘trustworthy” politician.

although i supported hillary i saw edwards as an outstanding, and honorable, family man whom i would have likely supported had he been the nominee-he sure had me fooled!
was he really thinking (had he had the nomination) that he could keep this secret?
the msn is now focusing on ‘other politicians’ who have cheated-problem is they aren’t running for the highest office in the world.
and bothersome to me is why the mainstream media ‘kept a lid on it’.
and did obama know and plan his vacation so as not to ‘comment’ until after hillary, and mccain, were interviewed obama as usual taking his cue from others before taking on controversial issues.

FACINGREALITY- i really am not trying to connect this to obama…i do however question the timing of his vacation plans, that’s all.
by the way the national inquirer was working on this since last fall and certainly before june.
in sept (07) the huff and puff reported a story on the edwards affair but did not follow up due to lack of confirmation as per ariana huff and puff on cnn tonight.

we can also add the names of jfk and mlk to the list of high profile adulterers and many, many others, i agree they should all be accountable.
i agree we live in 2 americas one for the connected, and one for the rest of us, whom they refer to as the masses.
i felt ‘the pain’ when hillary’s daughter was unfairly targeted as well. after the obama/ hillary primary campaign and the vile hatred directed toward her and her supporters believe me i get it.

I also think that John Edwards has used her illness for his gain. I am glad the truth came out since he may have been VP pick. Odd, how someone wanted it to bomb now. I wonder if Obama will be back in NC soon? No way. He got his mileage out of the Breck girl (sorry, too easy). No one ask her to go public to explain this. He’s a jerk and couldn’t stay committed. Why these women stay with these cheaters is beyond me. There are descent mean out there who love one woman. Not all men are like Edwards. She’s got her lifestyle in tact. He got to be famous and loved way too long. Goodbye Mr 2 Americas.

Elizabeth Edwards is a price above rubies. She is an absolutely WONDERFUL woman. If I were Jon Edwards I would treasure the gem that she is.
This idiocy of gotcha journalism is DISGUSTING and it is we the people who allow it to happen by tuning in or buying those horrendous tabloids. When will we learn? Never probably as the continue to be utterly drowning in stupidity which the public wants. So many problems visit our country and we have nothing to say about them but lots to say about John Edwards personal life or an Obama fist bump.
Sure, Republicans who make their party ABOUT family values deserve to be exposed when their hypocrisy is revealed but that is NOT part of the Democratic base. Where personal sexual behavior is concerned we are about live and let live. So media, go look at some Republican or religious zealot’s life in the sewer and there are MANY of them and leave the Edward’s family alone!

Give me a break! We are talking about politicians here. Having an extramarital affair, then telling the spouse about it neither shows strength nor sincerity. Edwards, like so many others, was caught in his lies and insincerity.
He should just go back to being a lawyer, be with his family, and remain out of public life.
As for having “hope” for any politician, I think that is a waste of time and effort. This whole “hope and change” thing is falling flat on its butt, as well it should.
Voters need to follow the advice of Mr. Watson…….. THINK.

Hey Lizzy, your marriage/relationship wasn’t so “private” when you and your lying-sack hubby shamelessly pedaled your cancer sob-story and appealed for campaign donations to people who signed an online “get well card” for you, huh?
“Private matter”, my tushy. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say.

My prayers are with the Edwards family. I think it is reprehensible that the National Enquirer finds it so profitable to search for our weaknesses and exploit them for profit.
Especially when our country and our neighbors are in need of spotlights shining on the issues before this historic election. The media including Ms.Mitchell have let their personal feelings color their judgment.
Jesus said that only those without sin may throw the first rock. I can’t throw one and I suspect noone else on this site can either.
As for those trying to tie this to Sen.Obama who according to McCain and clones can do no right,shame on you.
AS for the Edwards, this is their private issue so everyone butt out.

Last night, Bob Shieffer said she was in tears when she talked to him.
I can’t think how she feels about this whole thing.
I hope she stays strong.
Stressful is not good for her cancer.

What a tragedy! Good luck.

Elizabeth Edwards is a rock. God speed for her. I think both of them have handled this with grace.

I am sure if Romney or any other candidate being vetted for McCain’s veep, were caught like Edwards with the same set of circumstances would be in their glory, calling all kinds of names! But because it is one of theirs, they want everyone to be quiet about it! As much as I feel sorry for Elizabeth, I think her husband is a despicable human being, especially because she is dying! Her choice to stay with him is hers to make and not mine to judge! Maybe that is a choice one would make if they knew they were dying and have small children to keep a stable home for in the meantime!

Mary…good point, however, you are preaching to a bunch of Obama lovers who have no clue to reality nor do they know the difference between truth and fiction!! Obama’s whole life is fiction full of stupidity!

Let he or her without sin cast the first stone. I think Edwards will still figure large in America’s future. He may be human and he may have made a big mistake, but as his wife says, he has stood up and admitted the mistake. I think all those with the open criticisms about him should look hard in the mirror before they speak. They should also consider that they too are human and can make mistakes. And as far as politics, this human weakness is not exclusive to any political party or to men or women of any particular walk of life.

Omentum: Obama has not been vetted to do what in his closet. We just do not know anything about him to say that.

All of a sudden, Eliz is the poor, pitiful sympathetic figure … she sure didn’t offer support to even Hillary, or Vitter’s wife, Craig’s wife, Livingston’s wife and countless conservative politicians whose spouses were caught in unsavory situations. I recall her ridiculing them and how John Boy would never be involved in such behavior … Let’s face it — any man will cheat when it’s thrown right in their face — but this is really a wake-up call to all of you who live and die by the MSM — talk about truth in reporting and fair and balanced — NOT. Hooray for the Enquirer and Fox.

I pray for the family and hope they can get over this. It is important we hold the candidates accountable to us and to this country. Your voice and your vote count. In 2004 , 20 milion women did not vote.

Enough already. Do you ask your doctor if he cheats on his wife, do you ask your accountant that, your lawyer? This country needs to worry about electing a president who can do the tough job of leading our country with an effective policy in the Middle East, job creation here at home, healthcare, education…the list goes on. Maybe everyone should just stop thinking so much about candidate’s personal lives and START thinking about whether they are truly qualified for the job at hand.

Adultry always comes back to haunt those who participate and those who are the ones betrayed and the innocent children. It waits in secrecy like an ugly snake waiting to strike. unfortunately it also affects people in public life and those who support them. It is not a private matter.
Just look at how people are trying to pin Edwards adultry on Democrats and Obama.
As far as Obama’s vacation, the only week he could possibly take it was this week when the Olympics are on TV. Supposedly people will be watching the olympics and not be so interested in politics. Also he will have no time after the Democratic convention which is last of August.

John Edwards was promised a prominent speech at the convention if he endorsed Barack Obama. Now Obama people told the Edwards to stay home.
You may argue, that allthough this has nothing to do with politics, Edwards are mostly to blame. Obama has an excuse for not delivering on this promise. Obama always has an excuse.

Elizabeth and Johnny just don’t get it…. it’s not the act… it’s the lying and deception that matters…… this — about it being a private matter don’t cut it when your a politician using your family to promote your political agenda……………..

What is the difference between Bill Clinton speaking at the convention and John Edwards? Both are guilty of the same thing. Why this matters is beyond me. We all know men in public office have had affairs before. JFK, MLK,Clinton,all the Senators that have been busted for the same thing. I don’t agree with what they did.

Be patient Elizabeth.

Published pictures has the mistress on a plane with Edwards 12/29/06. That would give all of about 24 hours to confess to Elizabeth and end the affair in “2006″. Further, he still meets with her in the early am hours in 2008. We would all be nimwits to believe that he has not seen her privately since 12/30/06 until recently in 2008 in a hotel room.
Not credible. Sorry Elizabeth, it would have been best not to comment at all than to be less than truthful.

John McCain cheated on his first wife many times or so the papers say,and she is almost as bad off as Elizabeth Edwards,Only she can’t say anything because she may have signed papers to get the support she needed to get on with her life.There are just as many republicans as democrats that are unfaithful.I believe Elizabeth Edwards and will say leave that famil alone to pick up the pieces as best they can.As far as John Edwards speaking at the conventionor Elizabeth for that matter.Bill Clinton was unfaithful and Hillary backed him and forgave and both will still speak.This was a private matter and John Edwards was out of the race so why publicise this anything to make a buck off of someone elses hurt.!!!

My heart goes out to Elizabeth Edwards for her battle against cancer. I wish her the best.
John Edwards is nothing but a typical Anti-American Liberal. He has done nothing for this country except lie in court to make millions of dollars and lie to the American people for his sociopathic needs of power and authority. He is truly an evil Liberal.

Since the media covered this guy’s ass all this time and they weren’t even rooting for him to win the nomination, what in the hell are they covering up for Obama since he’s their one and only?
God only knows.

WestCoastMessenger: I love that you are still going strong.

I feel sorry for Elizabeth Edwards. This is the last thing she needs.
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This this the last jocke! Why do democrat cheat on there wife with women while republican do the same thing with man?

She is proud of John’s honesty during this terrible personal tragedy? He bold-faced lied to the Nation. If you want it to be a private matter, then don’t run for President and lie to the cameras about it. I am shocked that Elizabeth stood by silently when she knew that John was lying to the reporters. Elizabeth probably feels that she needs to defend her husband and her family. However, when your husband leaves you to suffer the ravages of cancer to get his kicks with his mistress, you need to put on your big-girl pants and drag him to the carpet over this. The personal tragedy is about to begin for the Edwards family. They cannot avoid what John Edwards did.

Elizabeth Edwards – you are the epitome of class and dignity. The media has become outrageous in its attempt to sensationalize stories. This is one that really needs to be left alone and let the parties that are directly involved work it out.
Anna Wu

I feel for any woman who is married to a cheating man – but in this case, Elizabeth played along with deceiving the American public, many of whom were funding the Edwards campaign. This is not a matter of sensationalism – it’s a matter of getting to the truth. Had Edwards been honest about this when news first broke, it might have played out differently. The American people are forgiving and realistic – most don’t like men who cheat on their wives, but they really don’t like politicians who lie to gain votes. Edwards made this affair a public matter when he gave his mistress a campaign-funded $100,000 salary for a position in which she had NO experience. That’s a big deal.

I have no pity for Elizabeth. She is completely complicit. She knew about this yet not only agreed to his presidential bid, but willingly put their marriage, their family and her illness on public display, in hopes that they would help win support. She put political ambitions ahead of the Democratic party, the American people, and worst of all, her own children, whom she should have been home with, spending her last earthly minutes with them so that they might remember her when she’s gone. I despise her for complicity, arrogance, and deceit as much as he.

it’s not difficult to admit to doing something wrong when everone knows you’ve done it. This got boring 15 minutes after hearing it, just like John Edwards himself The guy didn’t get the nomination for a reason.

I’m disgusted that edwards would put his wife through such trauma and drama in the last years of her life. How selfish of him to take away any true joy and happiness she could have had with her family, especially those young children. I can’t imagine dealing with my impending death and the let down of being deceived by the man I loved and trusted and let’s not forget international humiliation was added to her burden. How self centered and selfish of him. I’ve lot total respect for him and my heart goes out to her. Men are dogs but he resorted to being a total rat when he should have been by his wife’s side. He deserves nothing from the American public but disdain.

“When will people learn what happens
between a married couple is their business, whether they are politicians
or movie stars. It was not a crime to
have an affair, and again like with Bill Clinton it really does not affect the job of the President. So why do you all care…?”…..I care because I want the leaders of the United States of America, whether democrat or republican, to demonstrate some moral character. Evidently immorality is ok with most people in the U.S. if the perpetrator is a member of your party.

I’ve always believed that Elizabeth Edwards would do anything for her husband in order to keep and please him (more so than he would do for her), even going along with his lies. Check out their body language when they are together–she seemed so eager to help him realize HIS dream. If Edward had won the nomination and this had come out during November, McCain would have won. The Edwardses’ were willing to risk this and the future of the country for John Edward’s raw ambition. This makes me wonder: How seriously ill is she? Has the extent of her illness been exaggerated in order to win the sympathy vote?

John Edwards was arrogant to run for the highest office in the land, while committing adultery, in the same time frame his wife was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Those of you elected by the public to serve at the highest levels of government must realize the general public is not lacking in our disgust at the current behaviors running rampant on both sides of the aisle. Those of you entrusted to LEAD…please pull up your pants and do so with good conscience and loyalty to family. If you have forgotten, we are observing, and our votes are your manna from heaven…

Logically looking at what John’s ego would consider a best case scenario:
- Keep a secret mistress on the side
- Win the nomination and presidency with a seriously ill wife by his side
- When the unfortunate day arrives, he dates his mistress openly
- Marries her in a whitehouse ceremony
- All the while proclaiming moral values
Thankful John did not get the nomination and (thought I would never say this) thank you National Enquirer. John is trained in the art of being untruthful. He said that he has told 99% of the truth. Right, 99% of the people don’t believe you.
My sympathies to Elizabeth Edwards and her children.

I am so glad that that ugly man got caught. He is disgusting. Hid lying career is over.

What is wrong with our Country? Why are we as a nation with turmoil on every level, spending one minute on John Edwards affair? This matter is for Elizabeth to address. Soon we won’t have any new leaders that are willing or you folks view qualified to run for office, if in fact we feel that what they have done in their personal lives is the concern of ALL. I don’t condone husbands or wives having affairs, yet the reality is they do and often, many are truly sorry, some make a career out of being cheaters, but for those not in public life the couples are allowed the freedom and privacy to make the calls with respect to what if anything they plan to do about it. Elizabeth is an intelligent, loving mother, yes she is ill, but do we care? Obviously not if we insist on going on and on about what the heck her husband and with whom. What about her kids, every candidate professes to care about the kids the kids the kids, yet we are putting the Edwards kids through hell!! Over what an affair, can they measure the impact this has on our country, No, only on how this is making them feel and their parents feel and rightfully so. I am sooo glad that my daughter was allowed the privacy to know and love her father based on their relationship not on our failed marriage. He had multiple affairs before I finally said enough, yet she was not aware until she was an adult and he shared with her why we actually divorced. She was allowed the opportunity to have memories that will get her through tough times that are posiitive and warm, because we were not selfish and kept folks OUT of our business. Are any of the reporters hell bent to report on how many potential lies John Edwards told ever going to be there in the middle of the night when his kids are crying, sad or even angry. Should they not have the strength or tools to get over this and they become angry adults unable to have meaningful relationships, I suggest each reporter working late into the night on the “Edwards” story take a look in the mirror. You are potentially harming the kids more than Dad’s affair!! Having an affair does not always mean that the husband does not love his wife or his kids, it just might mean he has not learned to love hiself!! I am so sick of the media spending time and resources on who slept with whom and why, what about the lies that we profess, that we are concerned about education, insurance coverage for all, war, energy. If I had the means I would start a paper, radio and tv station that did not allow any of this crap to be reported! Media, stop with the “We want the truth” bull and show that you are really intelligent capable folks that care about our country and the world. News folks, Real News not bedroom smut. I ask myself is alot of this because we have no qualified invetigative reporters that can report real news? Sex has always been, it just has not always been “the Story”. KIds being sexually abused, Sex slaves, Rape yes all issues & facts that need to be reported, but what happens between a married couple and how it relates to them doing their jobs Not News! If anyone has the courage to do a story on how many reporters have had affairs or bureau chiefs or support staff that do the investigating or teachers or lawyers, judges car salesman clergy, well we probably would not have enough married folks left to fill the respective posiitions. This is reality, stop behaving like you all have the Vannah White syndrome and can’t buy a vowel!! You can specualte until the cows come home but the reality is there are three sides to every story in a relationship, his, hers and the truth. The only people who really know are the two in the relatinship,I don’t care and don’t understand why anyone else wants to hear what the neighbor, relative, friend etc has to say. THEY DON’T KNOW! Just read your copy and count the times one of your contributors says “I think”, hell everyone can think how about FACTS! I could write the rest of the day, yet then I would be guilty of giving this way too much time and energy. This is not just about the Edwards for me it is about all the married couples that we have intruded upon with our “need to know” attitude. Finally once again I challenge each of media that feels compelled to report this to take a look and themselves and those around them, honestly

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliver,
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust,
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge,
My Savior, You save me from violence,
I will call upon the Lord, who is worth to be praised:
So shall I be saved from my enemies
When the waves of death surround me,
The floods of ungodliness made me afraid,
The snares of death confronted me,
In my distress, I called upon the Lord
And cried out to my God:
He heard my voice from HIs temple,
and my cry entered His ears
2 Samuel 22:1

The news media again has gone too far with this. What happened within the Edwards’ family is their business. John is a lawyer and should get data together for a lawsuit against any and all parts of the media for invasion of privacy. No matter what their status in the public eye, there still are things that remain totally private, no matter the reason. The media has displayed what everyone fears, Big Brother is watching. The only difference is , it’s not the Big Brother we thought it would be.

Republican or Democrat, what business is it of anyone to judge. I only know one who should be judging and the Lord doesn’t judge a human who made a mistake. We all know he knew what he was doing but everyone is a sinner. It is her business to handle this matter in whatever fashion she wanted to. So to all who has their opinion, keep it to yourself.

I read the interview transcript and reread it and felt a feeling between nausea and disbelief. It wasn’t so much Mr Edwards having the antipoverty meeting at a posh hotel- but that Mrs Edwards blames everyone and every thing on something else rather than on her husband.
Yes, he is weak and a cheater and a huge liar. And it is irrelavant whether or not some woman or man waited outside the hotel and said “You are hot” and he made a mistake???
No, that is not a mistake that is a deliberate action.
But Mrs Edwards is weaker than her husband and I do realize when one has a disease which may be affecting clear thinking it is hard to imagine one being alone. But sadly she is still with this man for whatever reasons.
Politicians and public people always have women and men after them- He needed to take responsibility for this. He would never have told you and would have continued to cheat and lie and have sex with more than one woman unless he was against a wall and the story was about to come out. She now has his child. Both of you Mr and Mrs Edwards deserve each other. You are examples of everything that is rotten in America. Lying, cheating, passing the buck, laying blame. Not taking responsibility. Allowing him to get away with all of this. It really doesn’t matter if a million women threw themselves at his feet. He only had to say “Thanks I am flattered but I have the most amazing wife at home” No he didn’t do that- He went with her like he was a dog in heat and lay with her and committed an act breaking every vow he took.
The man is an idiot and he sitting there having a discussion on anti poverty in a 5 star hotel. What a moron.