“So, I want every pundit who condemns John Edwards today to tell me what the difference between him and McCain is and why John McCain shouldn't also be run out of politics for his adulterous affairs and what he did to his first wife.”

We all know there is no difference.

But some opinionated people like Gail Collins who writes for the New York Times always decide to go with the morally superior position by writing titles for AlterNet (a title more appropriate for the National Enquirer) John Edwards' Ken Doll Lust. She gives good voice to the proper American prude.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

In an article published in June 2008 by Military.com, Phillip Butler, a Navy pilot and U.S.
Naval Academy graduate who spent more than eight years in North Vietnam as a
prisoner of war, explained why he would not support McCain for the presidency.

Here are some excerpts from Butler’s Internet posting:

Believe me when I say that back then I would never in a million
years have dreamed that the crazy guy across the hall would
someday be a Senator and candidate for President! John was a
wild man. He was funny, with a quick wit and he was intelligent.
But he was intent on breaking every regulation in our four-inch-
thick USNA Regulations book. And I believe he must have come
as close to his goal as any midshipman who ever attended the
Academy.

I could tell many other midshipman stories about John that year
and he unbelievably managed to graduate though he spent the
majority of his first class year on restriction for the stuff he got
caught doing. In fact he barely managed to graduate, standing
5th from the bottom of his 800-man class. I and many others have
speculated that the main reason he did graduate was because his
father was an Admiral, and also his grandfather, both Naval
Academy graduates.

I furthermore believe that having been a POW is no special
qualification for being President of the United States. The two jobs
are not the same, and POW experience is not, in my opinion,
something I would look for in a presidential candidate.

Most of us who survived that experience are now in our late 60’s
and 70’s. Sadly, we have died and are dying off at a greater rate
than our non-POW contemporaries. We experienced injuries and
malnutrition that are coming home to roost. So I believe John’s
age (71) and survival expectation are not good for being elected to
serve as our President for four or more years.

I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot
head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have
experienced firsthand. Folks, quite honestly, that is not the finger
I want next to the red button.

John is not a religious person, but he has taken every opportunity
to ally himself with some really obnoxious and crazy fundamentalist
ministers lately. I was also disappointed to see him cozy up to Bush
because I know he hates that man. He disingenuously and famously
put his arm around the guy, even after Bush had intensely
disrespected him with lies and slander. So on these and many other
instances, I don’t see that John is the “straight talk express” he
markets himself to be.

Butler didn't mention marital infidelity as another reason for opposing McCain's candidacy. He didn't have to. There was enough grist in Bultler's mill to reduce McCain to the small contemptible "man" he is. Unfaithfulness, which indicates of lack of integrity, is simply another indication of why the Arizona senator is unfit for command.


With love,

*Hugh E. Scott, Vietnam vet, lifelong registered Republican and ardent Obama supporter.
Seven Reasons to Vote Against Unfit McCain

*For the benefit of first-time AlterNet visitors to give context to this comment.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It's very simple - John Edwards' wife is dying of cancer.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It's the news media that whips up this non-news and spoonfeeds it, along with commentary, to the masses who psychologically pick up on it and enjoy it because it makes them feel better about themselves. Especially if it's a candidate or politician you hate, you're more likely to demonize them for their immorality and therefore climb up a little more on your proverbial high horse.

I don't care about John Edwards' affair and I have not read articles about it. I do not care about McCain's affairs either, nor do I care about anyone else's. It's nothing more than gossip, which to me is a sin anyway.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This is only one of many things that the press seems unwilling to deal with in regard to McCain and his past. Given McCain's propensity for speaking improperly, I am beginning to wonder if the writers were beginning to worry about not have the silliness of "Bush speak" to quote if the articulate Obama were to be elected president, and want to keep the fun alive! Let's see, we have a very privileged son of a highly placed father who did academically poorly in school BUT still got into a highly competitive undergraduate program, did even more poorly there BUT was still able to skip over 100's of more highly rated competitors to the next plum assignment (and who adamantly opposes affirmative action so as to maintain a "level playing field"!), and who seems to have a propensity to mangle the English language when he explains to the American people how he makes decisions with his "gut"....Bush? yes. McCain? yes. Hmmmm....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I love the idea of someone saying Alexander the Great can't lead his empire because he's cheating on his wife (by the way, doesn't Alexander's bisexuality single-handedly destroy the idea that gays can't serve in the military). How about Genghis Khan? He had so many affairs that nearly 1% of the entire world population has his genes.

Bit of a stretch. That was then, this is now. It's called progress. It's time to expect more and most American voters agree. That is one reason the republicans win, ESPECIALLY in 2000. Even though they suck, they at least get that.


We have now heard the stories of JFK receiving sexual favors after speeches in his limo and partying with several women on a yacht while his wife was delivering. But those are all in the past --

I've never believed the 'stories' about JFK. He was in terrible pain from his back injury, sometimes could barely walk, had to sit in a special chair and had daily injections to control the pain. Besides running the country and two kids I think he pretty much had his hands full with other stuff. His dad cheated and JFK WAS very handsome, so 'stories' will always persist, about Robert too, even though he had TWELVE kids. If Kennedy had all these women why don't they come forward? Sounds like there must be hundreds of them.


Does John Edwards care less about poor people today than he did yesterday? Would his affair lead him to change his position on NAFTA? How would it alter his policy on Iran?

Who knows. He does have nerve though, all that falderall about Hillary or Barack getting his endorsement and how much that would mean. Wonder how the people that worked for him and sent him money feel? If he had won the nomination the dems would be in a WORLD of HURT going into our convention and McCain (or any other repug) would almost certainly be our next prez.


Some will claim, as they did with Bill Clinton, that it's not the affair but the lies that went along with it.

Clinton lyed to my face "I did not have sex with that woman....The dog tried to blame it all on that woman. OK to lie about her ruin her, just another bimbo.

So, why are McCain's actions any more excusable than Edwards'?

They aren't.


So, I want every pundit who condemns John Edwards today to tell me what the difference between him and McCain is and why John McCain shouldn't also be run out of politics for his adulterous affairs and what he did to his first wife.

There is no dif.


The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.

Abraham Lincoln
*********

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Edward's cowardly lying about the affair was compounded by his arrogance in stating that the affair took place when his wife's breast cancer was in remission. Maybe he could have said because his son died, or some other equally hideously callous reason. What he places before his supposedly devoted political fans is the same old stuff - win at any cost.

As a breast cancer survivor, I know that current diagnostics are only able to tell a patient that there is "no evidence of disease"; apparently Elizabeth's recurrence, coming relatively quickly after her treatments, was not in remission. John Edwards doesn't even seem to know the facts about his wife's illness, and, worse still, uses a life-taking illness as an excuse for his affair.

Integrity is in short supply these days. Edwards is a great example of this - smiling while he is interviewed, and not being the least bit credible. Don't believe him now. Never did. He played the "cute" thing for the last time for most women - especially breast cancer survivors.

NOTE: "saveusall" is about curing cancer, not saving us from Edwards - the latter is a personal choice for all.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

with real moral fiber-- McCain is the living dead.Who expects anything from these Republican monstrosities? The problem is the press wants us to think they are normal politicians. The Media does not want to admit the Republican Party has been transformed into a cult greedy to rule the world, spill blood, and steal everything. Corporate Fascism any one?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Some opinions of McCain from his own party and military comrades:

McCain - War You Can Believe in!

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Republicans_and
_miltary_men_on_John_McCain

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The real difference between McCain and Edwards is that the Edwards' are staying together. While Reagan, Gingrich and McCain are all divorced and re-married (and so are continuing in adultery, according to the Bible); the Clintons and Edwards are still together.

Commitment to marriage means staying together and coming to reconciliation, even after a disasterous betrayal such as an affair. The commitment of marriage requires humility, character and compromise . . . qualities that should also be found in a good president.

A party whose prominent leaders include so many adulterous divorcees could perhaps be called . . . the 'cut and run' party.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I watched a few minutes of the Matt Lauer and Meredith Veira (sp?) this morning just to see Olympic results. They started talking about the McCain/Obama race and ended up talking about John Edward's affair (message - Dem's cheat). Then they concluded with an interview with Dan Quayle. These are the same folks who quiver about Rev. Wright while giving John Hagee and Pat Robertson a free pass, who talk about Obama's tire gauges, and talk about the success of the surge.

I do think, of course, that the MSM can press Obama (and McCain) on various issues - like how they're going to deal with the need to rebuild the public transportation system, get Americans to accept driving less, and deal with the fact that our public infrastructure is decayed and that our private living and commercial spaces are doggerels that weren't built to last 30 years, and a wave of massive architectural collapse is coming upon the country at the same time as peak oil and economic collapse. But that requires too much attention span.

On the issue of politicians having affairs, I think everyone should realize by now that powerful men are never faithful - that's why they're driven to become powerful in the first place. Powerful men just shouldn't get married in the first place.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What is interesting is listening to the Republicans (and especially the Right Wingers) as they defend Senator McCain. They find themselves painted into a very sticky corner right now.

Can the Republicans/Right-Wingers condemn one and not the other? Can they "forgive" or gloss over one and not the other?

Is the line so fine that it really makes a difference between breast cancer and car accident? Like "Oh, it was just a car accident and Elizabeth has breast cancer...much worse!"??

My favorite (so far, anyway) is "Well, that's ancient history!" Well, yeah, McCain, by virtue of his age, CAN have some ancient history! So, how does that make things different? Time vs Behavior.

No, what is REALLY important about these affairs is how each side handles them and how the MEDIA decides to play it out.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Also, Republicans seem to have particularly severe short term memory loss when it comes to this type of thing. Apparently the names Mark Foley, Larry Craig and David Vitter don't ring a bell to them anymore.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Rob the country blind? Patriotic. Gut social services and education? Fiscally sound. Wipe out a foreign culture to secure resources? Needs of the people. Imprison without trial? Enhanced justice. Force lower class majorities into poverty-level existence? Economy trickling down. Use political power to extract bribes? Cost of doing business. Sleep with someone outside your relationship? You sick, perverted, liberal, lying, scummy, communist, insensitive, corrupt, inhumane, populist, dishonest, anti-American terrorist lover... Allowing this logic to consume American culture is why your phones are tapped, your home is foreclosed, you can't find work and you wonder what having health care would be like. It's not that cheating isn't wrong, it's about the greater good for society. How many people did you not hear about losing their job while you fretted on about Edward's marriage?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Haven’t you noticed that only the Democrats seem to have their affairs spread across the front pages. John Edwards and Bill Clintons affairs were front page news. But John McCain’s affair is backroom gossip.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

for years i have listened to everyone around me talk about how the affairs of politicians should not and do not matter. their personal life has nothing to do with the way they govern. i disagree. when you enter a marriage, at least in this country, you make a vow. a vow to your husband or wife to stay faithful. before your friends and family. and at one point in these peoples lives, they loved this person more than anyone else in the world. im sure no one on this site will agree, but i think it speaks volumes about someones character when they cheat with hookers or have full blown affairs while still married. if these politicians can lie and betray the trust of the one person they were supposed to care about more than anything in the world (by society's standards of marriage in the states) then who is to say they will not lie and cheat their way through the job? a liar is a liar, a cheater is a cheater. if you can flat out lie to your wife dying of cancer and sleep around while she is receiving treatment, why do i want someone as disgusting as you representing me and the american people and making very important decisions that affect the entire world? i dont.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

You say: "And don't forget that he left her for a younger, richer woman - multi-millionaire Cindy Hensley who is now Cindy McCain - after she had been severely hurt in a car accident."

This sounds like he left his first wife for a younger woman, who had been severely hurt in a car accident. Maybe John McCain has a thing for crash victims (see James Spader movie "Crash"). What you mean and what you say are apparently different things; perhaps, you might want to re-work that sentence.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Many months, most in Washington knew, only went public when the Enquirer put it out. Don't blame the media, it is ALL on John's shoulders. Blame Monica, blame the repugs, blame the media! Blame me! BAH! That's fucking bullshit.

I am just not understanding why fellow dems and progressives insist on making out that just cause the repugs conduct themselves in a reprehensible manner it is ok for dems to get away with it. Voters want and expect character and integrity! Dems better come to terms with that and deal with it instead of complaining. If you (we) can't we might capture the presidency and the Congress in this election cycle but we won't hold onto them.

Dem or repug, they are paid quite a lot to do the People's business, they asked for it. If they don't like being on the front page they should find another line of work or watch their ps and qs.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Here are some basic guidelines for politicians -- or any sexually healthy adult.

Honor your commitments to your partner. A sexually healthy marriage is based on honesty and trust; only you and your spouse know what you have agreed to, but don't put her in the position of having to stand by you at a microphone while you confess to the entire world. Keep that picture in your head as you are considering your behaviors. I have great respect for the way Elizabeth Edwards responded this weekend.

Understand that you can have a sexual feeling without acting on it -- without even telling anyone about it. Think about it -- if Bill Clinton had thought to himself, "Cute Intern. Too Young, Too Risky" and moved on, he would not have been impeached. If your partner isn't interested in exploring a particular part of your eroticism with you, the safest thing is to explore it only in the confines of your mind.

Nothing, really nothing, is ever private between two people. Someone always tells someone. And the less the other person has to lose, the more likely they are to tell more people. In fact, unless it's your life partner, only have sex with someone who has as much to lose as you do. Sex workers don't. Neither do women or men in their twenties. Oh, and the scrupulous use of birth control and condoms are not alternative behaviors. One can only hope that Mr. Edwards knows for sure that this is not his child.

Rev. Debra Haffner
http://debrahaffner.blogspot.com

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Ideally, we want our leaders to be role models--to be men and women of integrity. With his callous treatment of his wife and his self- serving confession on TV, Edwards failed this test. I'd argue that McCain also fails this test. His past is dubious (at best), and he seems to treat his present wife as a bank and an ornament.

Ironically, the GOP of "family values" should be celebrating Obama--by all accounts, he has a healthy and stable marriage with two adorable children.

Imagine if McCain was the Democratic candidate, and Obama the Republican? Imagine how the Republican party would be exploiting the flawed character of the womanizing McCain, the one who left his crippled wife for a younger woman who could bankroll his ambitions (even better if this story isn't quite true)? And then contrasting that story to the faithful Obama, with the attractive wife and adorable kids, testifying to the strength of the American Christian nuclear family?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Anyone who uses this for political gain for any candidate is sick. Be grateful he is not the Democratic candidate and move on with your lives. Say a prayer for the children involved and be glad it is not you. Is this some justification to elect Obama? Do you really think he would approve of this message????

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

One dangling modifier in first sentence. Can anybody find it?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yes, there is no artificial disconnect between the way people lead their lives at home and in public. People who maintain as part of their value system integrity and honesty are usually consistently so. Not everyone has affairs; perhaps a preponderance of politicians having them is reflective of the generally sleazy business of politics and the people who seek power within its framework. After all, Obama has flip-flopped on numerous substantive issues, and although I will vote for him because there's no choice involved, I find it the height of hypocrisy that he declared his campaign would not be politics as usual, and that he would give us change we can believe in. Yes, honesty and integrity do matter. JoShrink

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

We got lost Rushbies?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

One more point of similarity between what McCain and Edwards did when cheating on their wives. McCain's wife recently had been in a horrible, disfiguring car accident when he decided to cheat on her. Apparently, he was no longer attracted to a disabled woman. Why this isn't a bigger story I don't know. The ex currently lives in Virginia Beach and still has to walk with a cane.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

When will the Sheeple ever learn? Apparently never.

JT
Ultimate Anonymity

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

"Perot still hasn't forgiven him. In fact, he said recently about McCain dumping his first wife for Cindy, 'McCain is the classic opportunist. He's always reaching for attention and glory.'"

McCain is far worse than a mere "opportunist", he's a psychopath.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this world run, operated and controlled by psychopaths.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Don't forget Gary Hart.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

why is hugh scott a "lifelong republican"? after vietnam and hen watergate, how could anyone with a conscience be a republican? vietnam was all the lies Iraq is,all the worst trashing of the bill of rights and Constitution ever,until now.
so now scott supports obama because he hates mcCain, and no other reason.

great, let's all hate mcCain but honestly,for the right reasons.McCain is a bottomfeeder and always was. This "maverick" garbage was worse than Bush being a "regular" guy you could have a beer with. McCain's right-wing ideas are nothing new and "life-long" republicans aren't Democrats now or ever.Put your arm around Pat Buchanan
and Matt Drudge,why don't you.You all deserve each other,if you can stand the smell.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

If anything, McCain's transgressions are worse that Edwards'.

Frankly, I'm not too fond of Edwards, but electing McCain would be a disaster. I would rather see a campaign about serious issues and the policies to address them, but the Dems shouldn't be shy about pointing out McCain's lack of character, his dishonesty, and his total lack of class.

On his vaunted military record: he was a POW who gave useful information to the enemy. Is he really an American hero?

On his leadership on the economy: McCain himself has said he doesn't understand economics. He has also boasted of being a foot soldier in the Reagan revolution. Is that leadership?

On honest and respectful campaigning: McCain has said repeatedly there should be a tough but respectful debate on the issues in this campaign. His biggest ads and efforts have been to label Obama as the biggest celebrity in the world and to continually distort Obama's policy positions instead of contrasting real policies head-to-head. Is this honest and respectful debating?

I could go on ad infinitum on almost every significant issue. At this time, with this economy, and with all the instability in the world, the last thing we need is John McCain.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

About who's boffing who. Who, besides the lackwits who believe the stories in the tabloids actually gives a damn, anyway? It's simply none of our business, and a political NON-ISSUE.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The differences are:

1. The lying about the relationship.
2. The cover-up.
3. The hush money to multiple parties.
4. Running for president regardless of the risk to the party.
5. The love child (it is his).
6. Lying about the love child.
7. The continued affair (it didn't stop in 2006).

We in the Democratic Party have become so desperate, that we will support a scumbag like Edwards even after he spits in our face.

Enough! It's not enough to say "everyone has affairs." That is not the point.

And if Elizabeth knew of the affair, she is complicit for encouraging her scumbag husband to run.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

McCain wrote about his affairs in his book and expressed remorse.

Edwards tried to keep it a secret and ran for president anyway.

Remember the news conference when they announced Mrs Edwards cancer. He was messing around then.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Edwards could've done himself, his family and the rest of us a big favor by telling Bob Woodruff and the Enquirer and all the other bloodsuckers to bugger off and mind their own business.

It would be different if he had been the nominee, but he isn't so forget it.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

Instead he's made it worse by lying about the hush money and probably the "not my child" - Jerry Springer plea bargain.

You know he's lying right?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I can see how people think it happened a long
time ago (McCain leaving his wife), but he
left her when he met the young Heiress and
his wife had been injured in an accident and
was badly hurt. She raised the children.

Same deal -- she was hurt and Elizabth has
cancer -- both women had/have problems.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This only goes to show how indoctrinated most people are to unquestioningly accepting church sanctioned notions of "morality". Open your eyes and read up on the history of marriage. Has way more to do with the state screening out bastard children from claims to the inheritance pile than anything else. Stop being such a flock of sheep, herd mentality is unbecoming to primates.

Personally, I hope John had a great time with his lover. He had already told his wife and family and they forgave him so who are any of us to carry on this way? GET A LIFE!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Eeecks... I am NOT defending McCain but I do think your article and argument is full of holes.

John Edwards was no Ghengis Khan, the Khan conquered the world and had a remarkable life the early part of which was spent starving and desparetly trying to provide for his mother and family.

Temujen (Ghengis Khan) also was EXTREMELY devoted to his wife (a fact you missed utterly but education was never much valued on this site). He lost her early in his marriage to another warlord and raised an army of 50,000 horsement to get her back. When he found her again she was already with another's child. Nevertheless Ghengis Khan took her back and raised the child as his own son. The Great Khan may have been fortunate enough to father so many children but he made no pretense and the record is clear that he and his wife were full partners in ruling an empire. The modern west has chosen to ignore reality. The problem with Edwards wasn't so much his liason with Ms Hunter but rather his slinking and cowardice.

As Martin Luther well said; "Putting an man and a woman together and expecting them not to have sex, is like putting kindling in a fire and expecting it not to burn."

John Edwards is a low life and made a career out of prancing around as a pouting self absorbed and preachy "family man". Edwards has the honor and moral fiber of an alley cat. Only in a system as corrupt as ours would not this prancing low life not be cast aside much sooner. Luckily for him he's a lawyer so it's not likely he can sink much lower.

Can't wait to see who the New Tork liberal "elites" (aka idle rich) pick as their new "Father of the Year"...Charles Manson, Larry Craig, or Ted Kennedy moral icons all to be sure...not.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

- yet a noticeable one.

Edwards used personal charm and consenting partner.

McCain used Viagra and date-rape drug...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

And how short the coverage was of the Universalist Church shooting in Knoxville by a disgruntled right-winger and follower of the Fox News blow hards.

Is that the "librul" bias in the news that the right is constantly blathering about?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

McCain has been married for over 20 years to his second wife, has had a family with her and adopted a kid from Bangladesh. We still don't know, and apparently neither does the disrespected Mrs Edwards, what liar Edwards was doing in a Beverly Hills hotel room with his allegedly exlover (2006, according to the official apology) and this baby for five hours in the middle of the night, just a few weeks ago.

I really don't care for either man. But McCain's story is old old news. It came to light a long time ago. The press did not cover it up the way it did, except for Fox and the Enquirer, with Edwards. IF this affair happened only in 06, what was Edwards denying it for and trying to lay it off on a hapless aide?

Edwards is a phony on Iraq and free trade. That is really what he should be remembered for, rather than for being a pathetic and incompetent liar. Bill Clinton really should give Edwards lessons in lying and in euphemisms for infidelity.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Lack of Character: John McCain's
Marital Infidelity: John McCain's
Political Policy Flip Floping: John McCain's
Religious Flip Floping: John McCain's
Mental/Emotional Acumen: John McCain's
Moral Rectitude: John McCain's
Physical Health: John McCain's
For Sale - 1972 Yugo 2 Door, White and Rust $60,000
For Sale - 2009 Lexus 4 Door, Black and New $60,000

What kind of brand new fools are American Voters supposed to be on Nov. 4, 2008?
As to John Edwards "affair" another writer asked a very insightful question. What is the statue of limitation on an affair? If John McCain's "AFFAIR" does not deep six his political ambitions why should John Edwards be so washed up? Two years ago? His family has full knowledge and is intact. Why the wreckin crew now? And if the mother of the child is dead set against paternity testing who is she commited to protecting. Surely it isn't John Edwards. Is this baby's dad a republican? Don't leave us hanging out here like this now that you got us aroused with this gossip. Some of us who don't thrive on gossip also detest double standards. BTW for all who wonder why the use of the gastly words "WHITE RACISM" must not be taken from the public discourse just yet seek a private moment with the John Edwards' of the world. Double standards hurt like hell.

The only pain worse than being the victim of a double standard is to have to endure the sick and silly justifications in defense of the perpetrators of the double standard,...from friends and family.

I know it's upsetting to some people but this chorus of "crucify John Edwards" is the stuff that hatred gets made from. Consider yourself, a wise older person told me years ago. When judging others in matters of non criminal or forced sexual activity between consenting adults, consider yourself. Maybe you will never need mercy (witheld penality) for getting laid, but it is for sure that sooner or later you are going to need forgiveness for something; so from me to you I forgive you now. In Christian America what ever happened to "Except for the Grace Of God There Go Me, Myself and I?" Just asking. Forgive me if it sounds preachified. I'm just asking.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Mind your own business about these people, I am sick of this gossip.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It doesn't matter what they do in the sack. They're all liars and thieves. You just have to try and find those who aren't willing to commit mass-murder.
The reason you think what they do in the sack is important is you're brain-washed by the liars running your churches; You buy their "guilt" bullshit.
EVERY ONE OF YOU has done something that would make you not vote for someone (even if it's just masturbated!); So that should tell you to forget about everything they say, and what others say about them. Vote only based on what GOOD THEY HAVE DONE. Real stuff. Done, not promised.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Alfonso Guerra, Socialist Vice President of Spain in the 80s, had a love affair with a 25-year lady by the name of Maria Jesús Llorente Morales. He had 2 children: a son, Alfonso, with his wife, Carmen, and a daughter, Alma, with his lover. The love affair was in the magazines, etc. The right said he should leave the government. The President of Spain, Felipe Gonzalez said that if Alfonso Guerra was forced to leave, he would leave, too. Alfonso Guerra didn't leave, though. And you know what? The Socialist gov't got a lot done in the 80s.

I might add that Alfonso Guerra, not because of this, but because of his intelligence and wit, was the most popular politician of the Post-Franco era in Spain.

The "center"-right government (not so sure about that center part) that followed Gonzalez and Guerra's government was the one who made a deal with Bush and got Spain involved in Iraq. Thankfully, when the Socialists were re-elected, that changed. I don't care about these guys' personal affairs. What I care about is their performance in governing.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I think it's time we told the media to get out of politics unless they can stick to the issues at hand. Edward's and McCain's affairs are nothing but a diversion from the real issues. Why are we fighting in a country for it's oil and calling it 'fighting terrorism'? Why are we allowing our citzens to be treated like criminals? Why are we destroying the middle class and robbing our children, with a huge national debt that won't be paid off even in their lifetime? I say 'we' because we sat back in the name of 'protecting our citzens from terrorism' and allowed our rights to be trampled, our homes to be wiretapped with out cause, and big business to make all the rules for our lives. This election is about who we want to run this country for the next 4 possibly 8 years. If 'we' allow media to continue to tell us our issues then we will never get our government back to being of the people, by the people and for the people. Instead we will continue to roll downhill into a form of dictatorship with big business and big oil running our country. And no one giving a tinkers damn about the people they govern.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

First of all, John Edwards is an idiot and he never really cared about poor people in the first place so it is stupid that anyone would bring that up.
Both affairs are wrong - an affair is never right. However, the reason why they are 'different' is John McCain's was many years ago and he and his wife had been separated several times. His wife was not battling cancer. John McCain was not running for president at the time. You have to be a pretty big idiot to run for President of the United States, have an affair and honestly believe that nobody is going to find out about it. Seriously, how stupid can you be? That just proves that he is not ready to lead a country as he obviously has horrible judgment. Also, John McCain never had to lie about his affair - he talked about it FIRST.
As I said, an affair is never right, but, if I had to pick, I would say that Edwards' is more wrong than McCain's.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The foreign press, specifically the London Daily Mail has an interesting article on the subject.

Let's all watch to see whether the media in this country will pick up the story.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

How many times have you heard someone say that they would vote for Bill Clinton again if he could run?

Even after the republicans tried to abuse their powers to impeach him for something far far less dangerous to our nation than lying to start a deadly war for profits, people still like Bill Clinton.

Why? For one thing many people have cheated and understand that it does not mean you are suddenly unable to do your job.

Impropriety aside, Bill Clinton is a very intelligent person who did a good job as President, unlike the moron we have today.

And most intelligent people saw through the impeachment sham as a purely partisan political attack at tax payer expense.

Congress lost a lot of respect over that and now they lose more respect for failing to impeach on real solid evidence of crimes committed by a Republican president.

It was never about an affair...it is about trying to smear someone who might oppose you in the future.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

My god, how is it different?? WELL, first of all his wife wasn't dying. Second of all, he didn't bear a bastard child with her. Third, he didn't break any campaign finance laws! and lastly, he wasn't running for office!
THERE Pulleeeeze. This isn't even CLOSE.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I sent money to Gary Hart's campaign. It's deja vu all over again.

A liberal acting on his gonadal impules is hanging them right in the gunsights of the Republican Attack Machine. Strom Thurmon, the famous right-wing segregationtionist, had a black love child and the "free" press never said a thing. Daddy Bush had his girlfriend on the taxpayer payroll when he workd in China, but did you hear about THAT in the press?

Very simple, a double standard in favor of the Right Wing. The only hope the left has is to nominate only women. They don't have a penis to override their good sense.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The simple fact of the matter is that there could be a huge difference between their "affairs" or none at all. The other fact of the matter is that not one of us, NOT ONE, knows the life that either of these two men or their wives lead when the doors to their homes are closed, and that is how it should be.

We forget that each of us has our own life to lead and we have no business analyzing either of these two and their actions, simply because we do not know... The relationship that matters is between the man and his wife and is quite frankly none of our business, not even when it comes to being the president. We all have our reasons for doing what we do and could we ever know what the intentions of these men were unless they tell us, and to me, there is no reason why they should. If they wish to "confess" fine. If not, all they need to say is that is my personal life and will not be discussed in public. End of story. What happens between two consenting adults in terms of a relationship is their business and theirs alone.

So let's just drop this non story and move on to something important, eh?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Why is this important? Who wants yesterday's papers? Who wants yesterday's girls?......Nobody in the world..........with any intelligence. Is E TV that important? This piece is worse than McCain's Paris Hilton ads.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

there has to be someone out there with it...right??

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

wow! good point

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

when it is his public and social morals that will be reflected in public office. No serious pecadillos seem to be reflected in George Bush's private sexual affairs. Yet he is a far sorrier president than Bill Clinton. We are only interested in what the president sees as right for us. Everything else is garbage.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Cenk Uygur, you are such an idiot! The difference is huge and everybody knows it, McSame is a repugnant and Edwards is a democrat! All repugnants have special status when it comes to sexual affairs for several reasons:
1. It was the stress of the job, you see they are very important people and have more stress than democrats do.
2. McSame was a prisoner of war and as such we must forgive his actions because we feel for him.
3. McSame married one of the women he had fooled around with and you can't say that for Edwards or for President Clinton.
4. Cindy has money and men are allowed to fool around with women who have lots of money.
5. He should be forgiven even though he never asked for it simply because his affair was with a WOMAN and not a little boy.
6. When all else fails, simply make a tearful public confession and offer a few words of prayer and beg people to forgive (and forget) just like all those republican preachers do when they get caught screwing their secretary or stealing money.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

...Edwards didn't win the primary. He was busy chasing booty and making whoopy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

You have condemned John McCain for his affair in previous articles, and are forgiving Edwards for his.

Complete hypocrisy on YOUR part, just as it is hypocrisy on the part of the right-wingers.

Perhaps we can once and for all, decide that affairs don't matter with respect to politics?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Should be how is McCain different from Obama - period.

And the answer would be one's white and old and the other isn't. Other than that they're about the same.

All else is just window-dressing for a farce of an election process we clownishly participate in when we should be tearing it down.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

McCain, Bush, Cheney, and the sizable mafioso associates......all abortions gone wrong.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Unlike, John McCain, John Edwards, is incredibly good looking. Have you noticed that when the female reporters report on this story they have a smile on thier lips and a twinkle in their eyes? (To be fair, so do some of the men reporters)
I think people hate John Edwards more for
for his good looks than his infidelity.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

... if Senator Edwards had been a POW, then his adultery would have been a taboo topic. And anyone of the press who mentioned it could be accused of treason.
But, that's only the fluffy epidermal message; the deeper subcutaneous message has to do with party affiliation.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Willy Nelson said he outlived his dick, I think John McCain outlived his BRAIN!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Her illness considered, and we all wish her well she did know about her husband's affair when he was trying like hell to become the president. Therefore she lied along with him. That disturbs me because of the show they put on. Knowing how Americans (right or wrong) react to this conduct they BOTH should have had the decency to drop out. Truth is, they could both taste the White House and showed little regard for the enitre political process. Did they really think the canary wouldn't sing? How naive. ANNA

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Most people have forgotten about it, that's why - the one's who knew at all, that is.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It's hard to weigh situations of today and thirty years ago except if you might have had to live similar circumstances your self. As a Veteran of Viet Nam and having done several tours, One thing that does happen unfortunately, is that one can be exposed to some very traumatic situation(s) which will change you from who you were for ever! Thus, when you go home, the person your wife thought she knew, and the wife you thought you remember seem to have faded away as does your relationship. As you spend time with them they as well as you discover you are two different people and may not have much in common any more.
For the critics out there of McCain.... Were you the fly on the wall to wittness their relationship? Was it just a situation where John had an insatiable appetite for sex that his wife couldn't satisfy? OR Was it that they just didn't click together any more and the meshing was more like "FRICTION"?
I have seen it happen to an untold number of veterans that came home. Some descovered that the wife that they thought was their only true love and waited for them, had spent a little time getting their "MUFFINS BUTTERED" while Jonny was playing soldier in Viet Nam. How many Jonny's have gotten "Dear JOHN" letters? I lost track of what I saw!
John McCain had endured more than just a tour in Viet Nam. He had to endure pain and mental torture which the majority of veterans never experienced! SO...TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY>> CRITICS OF McCAIN WHO FEEL THAT THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE? I BEG TO DIFFER! JOHN EDWARDS HAD A WIFE OF MANY YEARS WHO WAS SUFFERING FROM A SERIOUS DISEASE. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOT FURTHER AWAY FROM HER PLAYING "HIDE THE SALAMI", HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO HER SIDE OFFERING HER AS MUCH SUPPORT AS HE COULD. YOU KNOW,.. THE VOWS FOR RICHER OR POORER, "IN HEALTH AND SICKNESS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So is there really a paralell in their infadelity? Is everone so sure that McCain's wife was true to him during his absence? Especially if their were times that it may have seemed hopeless of ever seeing him again? She might have started thinking about her kids and what to do about getting on with her life without him. No one knows the answer!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]