I heard the rumors but I didn't believe it because it came from the National Enquirer. Then it hit the major news outlets and my phone quickly began to blow up. I quickly became engulfed in something that I never thought I would have to be involved in. John Edwards, a person who I have supported for President of the United States of America for the last two presidential elections, cheated on his wife and lied about it while on the campaign trail. I was hurt, lost for words and even confused on what I should believe in until I heard John Edwards statement which was one of the most honest and real interviewers that any politician has ever gave when faced with the question of cheating and lying.
John Edwards stood their with Bob Woodard of ABC Nightline and told Woodard & the American people including those who believed in him, like myself that he began to feel like he was special but in reality he was egoistical and narcissistic. Heavy words from a politician to say about himself and Edwards began to redeem himself with me as I read the statement but his wife's validation of when she found out about the affair and how her and her family want to deal with the issue privately, only gave me more momentum that I did the right thing in supporting John Edwards for President over both Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. While some say Edwards ran a populist Presidential campaign, I say that his words, his vision and his plans were what set the tune for the Presidential race in 2008. In fact, it was Edwards who spoke about issues first and released plans on universal health care, Iraq, the economy and AIDS before Hillary or Barack even thought of it.
It was Edwards who set between two rock stars and told the American people how the failed policies of Bush and Congress have led us on a even worse road than we were in back in 2004. It was Edwards who looked like an adult during the South Carolina Presidential Primary debate. However on Friday, my whole world was starting to crumble for a minute as I begin to question why are all the politicians I believe in beginning to show signs of greed and wanting to do anything to win. That's when John and Elizabeth Edwards thought me a lesson of guts and glory because if Edwards told his wife about his extra-martial affair in November of 2006 but they decided to still run for office and than Elizabeth got re-diagnosed with cancer but they still didn't drop their Presidential bid. Instead Elizabeth wanted John to continue on. Then I have seen it all, just how far and how much the Presidency meant to John and Elizabeth.
I have seen just how passionate and compassionate John and Elizabeth Edwards truly are. Some might say they were power hungry but I say they were real about it. They knew they were not perfect and that perhaps the lie or secrecy might come back to hunt them but regardless of all of that, they campaigned on the issues and talked about two Americas and how we can fix the two Americas of the haves and have not's or the rich and poor. John and Elizabeth championed the rebuilding efforts of Hurricane Katrina and fought for the poor and underprivileged by talking about poverty like no other politician has ever done. It was John Edwards who was vocal about Jena 6 and demanded answers for the black community in regards to the situation from the Bush administration, the Justice Department, the Governor of Louisiana and other Louisiana state leaders especially the prosecutor in Jena.
John and Elizabeth Edwards lied to the American people but is a man's shortcomings in marriage or in a relationship, reason enough for him not to be qualified to be President. John has been there for his wife through it all and so has Elizabeth, therefore it is no reason why they decided to keep their private life separate from their political life and that is something that we as people need to understand. A person's private life should be just that. While so many of us, always want to know how our politicians family life is, I for don't. The only thing I want to know is where my political officials or those seeking office stand on the issues. I want to know do they agree with the behaviors of current political officials who are using taxpayer's dollars for their own private trips. I don't care if one cheated on his wife but I do care if he beat his wife.
Now that John Edwards is not a public official and isn't planning to run for office any time soon, I hope that the public respects Elizabeth wishes and allow the Edwards to deal with this issue privately. The Edwards are no different than the Clinton's except for the fact they are not currently in office. I respect Elizabeth just like I respect Hillary for not simply giving up on their marriages but being willing to work through it in order to keep their marriages alive and well. Elizabeth could have easily walked out on her marriage and gave up on it but instead, she didn't and embraced her husband after his betrayal and until this day she is still supporting him.
What I admire more about John Edwards is that he has the guts to know that he didn't want his wife by his side as he addressed the public about this issue. John told Woodard that, his wife didn't do anything wrong and it is he who must deal with this problem, not his wife. John said, he doesn't know why others bring their wives with them to discuss their extra-martial affairs but for him, he didn't want Elizabeth standing by his side cause she didn't do anything wrong. He didn't want this to be a political issue and he didn't want to do any political posturing so that's why he chose to do the interview solo. John not only said the right things but he did the right thing when faced with this political problem. Nonetheless, if it is one thing that I didn't agree with John in doing the interview was the fact that he repeatedly said, can I explain to you what happened.
John Edwards was real about the whole ordeal and I commend him for addressing the issue. The Edwards have restored my faith in politics and my passion as well my zeal to want to continue to fight for the truth and justice that my country was found on. I am proud to say that John Edwards did the right thing by admitting his faults and allowing the American people to scrutinize him for his actions. John told the truth, kept it real and made it clear that he will deal with this issue in the public's eye alone so leave his family out of it. However his wife Elizabeth has said that her and her family will be here for John when he leaves the public eyes and closes the door, her and the family will be waiting on him with welcoming arms to embrace him, care for him and love him no matter how others might see him. That was real commendable and heart warming as well as refreshing to hear from not only Elizabeth but John. The Edwards are real people who understand that it takes guts to do somethings in life and it takes having some real balls to try to pull off what they attempted to do. I salute John and Elizabeth Edwards!
References:
John Edwards admits to affair he denied as candidate http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view/2008_08_09_John_Edwards_admits_to_affair_he_denied_as_candidate/
Forget John Edwards, It's Elizabeth Who Matters http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20080810/cm_thenation/45343835
Elizabeth Edwards Stands By Her Man http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/comments?type=story&id=5551007
John Edwards: Affair was result of egotism, narcissism http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view/2008_08_09_John_Edwards:_Affair_was_result_of_egotism__narcissism/
Fresh questions for John Edwards over affair with Rielle Hunter http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4499018.ece
Democrats Shrug Off Edwards' Affair, Paternity Questions http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401127,00.html
John Edwards ex-mistress rules out paternity test http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view/2008_08_10_John_Edwards_ex-mistress_rules_out_paternity_test/
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