John Edwards ABC Interview: Discusses Affair With Rielle Hunter (VIDEO)

John Edwards appeared on ABC"s Nightline Friday to discuss the revelations about his affair with Rielle Hunter. During the interview Edwards spoke about how the relationship began, what drove him to adultery, its effect on his political future, and whether or not he was the father of Hunter's child.

Watch the first part:

Watch the second part:

Watch the third part:

Read the full transcript

Comments

[kathyhussien]

If this disqualifies him for President than John McCain should not be running I don't care when it happened it was still adultery. The same ethics should apply to everyone or no one.

[MegInPA]

I like John Edwards. I don't hold this affair against him -- I think it's between him and his family. But this interview was painful to watch because I don't for a second believe that he was being very honest or forthcoming at all.

[Yellowbird]

This entire story makes no difference at all to me regarding Mr. Edwards' ability to be a fine representative in office. It shows how sick and hopeless our nation is that they would refuse to have Edwards as part of our future because of this. You see, like Mrs. Edwards, I forgave MY OWN HUSBAND about 25 years ago for this same thing. NO BIG DEAL. It is a private matter.

The only people I have lost respect for over this is the NEWS REPORTERS (again) and the PARTY officials and hacks on both sides of the aisle.

America is going down the tubes, and this story shows how sick we really are. We give this story more attention on the air than the RUSSIAN INCURSION OF GEORGIA.

For the sake of America's future STOP IT. STOP THE MEANINGLESS B.S.

Meanwhile ToeTapping Larry stays on in the Senate, and Clinton is forgiven, half the Republican party are closeted gays with Beards for wives and the media too, and you all think we DON'T SEE IT?

What the heck is wrong with you people?

[dtrain51]

well since the MSM will not bring up John McCain being married to two women at the same time and since ABC is covering for John McCain just like CBS, it's time to shine the light on ABC once again with thousands of e-mail.

[Agentlady007]

1st part - he's beating himself up. Yeah, that works. Is this how he wants America to improve itself?
(-YEeah right, that'll be happening.)

[DFutureIsNow]

If Adultery disqualifies you from being President of the United States then why is John McCain still running?

Funny how ABC "airbrushed" (from the video as well as the transcript) the part of their interview with John Edwards where he mentioned John McCains "mistakes" in his first marriage. Talk about ABC not having any journalistic ethics, its a proven fact that they and Katie Courics CBS constantly try to "cover up" the many character failures of their "corporate masters choice for president" John McCain.

[soundfury]

You said it. John McCain not only made this mistake in judgment; he went further; he married the "other" woman and dumped his wife who was in a serious auto accident and whose appearance and mobility had been dramatically altered. So why isn't the media making this comparison? We all know the answer to that.

They don't want to say anything negative about jmac, because he's in trouble as it is and they have to ensure that their candidate gets elected.

[kingofscotts]

But but but

McCain did it

The story isn't that he cheated. The story is that he put himself in a position to be the possible nominee right now for the Democratic party.

Imagine if he had won the nomination.

Where would this party be right now???

It's a stunning display of arrogance.

McCain might have been just as sleazy but that was obviously long enough ago that it isn't going to threaten the Republican parties chances.

Stop......­.seriously you are reaching in a major way.

[gr8abz]

Aside the baby part, which is a big part and I don't make light of it, I am sooo sick of people making such a fuss over men or women who have 'sampled' somebody else during a lengthy marriage. It is human. Like it or not, we are mammals and according to those who study the species, monogamy does not come naturally to us. Which is why it's become a source of constant frustration leading us into a state of guilt ridden obsession over the subject as reflected in TV soaps, talk shows, romance novels, movies, tabloid gossip columns, therapy sessions and even politics. Did he/she cheat? During the 1970's our culture did shift a bit on the subject and dared to challenge the tight established old moral standards. Not to say everybody had the right answers for everything - there were plenty of problems -- but at least people questioned the reality behind emotional disloyalty and simply sharing somebody's body. That is not to say that at times things could not get 'complicated.' Then again, aren't they just as complicated today with all our catastrophizing and heavy handed rules? I do believe the divorce rate was lower back then too. Just food for thought.

[JaneEyrez]

I had a dear friend who idolized John Edwards. I'm glad she passed on before she could see this come out.

[PDXTransplant]

I know he's embarrassed especially for his family, but this is between him and Elizabeth. No one here would want people in our business, but he did the right thing coming out and admitting it in person, because we all know how the bullsh*t train can run rampant these days. I know he was running for the nomination, but that is now water under the bridge. I don't feel its right for people to judge someone else, but there are people that love this sort of thing, I guess it makes them feel good about their own boring life.

[CamJam]

*waves from PDX* You are right, it's really a family affair. However, from my point of view, he was running for the Democrat Party, he was running for President of the USA. He got caught, THEN he could no longer hold "them" back, THEN he came out and admitted it. But at least he did... and thankfully before he was asked to swear on some bible.

I'm not into judging him (I'm not really into religion either) but men will be men.. as will women but I can't imagine where'd we be right now if it were Edwards instead of Obama running for Presidency.

It is too bad that the MSM can't bring more out on McC and his dirty laundry and what he's done in the past. Or have ALL forgotten or forgiven what he's done to HIS first wife and kids and how HE ended up with Cindy?

[chiefeditor]

We've posted audio from the ABC interview at Entertonement: http://entertonement.com/collections/1790/Affair

[bygollymissmolly]

So when do we get to start talking about John Mc'Cain's affair. That is relevant because he is a candidate for the presidency. And he left his crippled wife for his new bimbo. At least John Edwards didn't leave his wife.

I don't think either are fit to be President. It shows a lack of character on both their parts. But more so on Mc'Cain's part because he walked out on a woman who stuck by him for 5 years, just because she wasn't model pretty any longer. That speaks volumes about Mc'Cain's character.

[omaro]

Also, I suspect there's more to be discovered about Vicky Iseman, who seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth as far as the media are concerned. That's a recent relationship.

[jsinclair]

Can Woodruff interview McCain about Vicki Iseman?

He did a very good job.

[zenobiadarcy]

He is absolutely right. This is nobody's business and I think it is shameful that any media exploit this. Leave him alone.

[jsinclair]

If that's what he wanted, he should have read a press release and asked for privacy for his family.

Instead he thought he could fool us all (public, wife, fans, media). He lies at least 3 times in the interview--how long? money? baby?

His willingness to take a paternity test is also a lie--as evidenced by Hunter saying, "No, he doesn't have to."

[bygollymissmolly]

This includes the Huffington Post. This place is looking more and more like the National Enquirer every day.

[lizardbrain]

I've always liked Edwards, and I don't particularly care if he had an affair.

But he's an idiot running for President with this skeleton in his closet.

What a tool.

[Conejo]

Rielle has been pretty active, making it with both John Edwards and Andy Young. Or was Young's mea culpa fake in order to protect Edwards? Another question is, was she hired by Republican operatives to put the make on Edwards so as to disrupt the election? It is possible. Gee, anything is possible now days. Rielle needs to come clean. She could make a LOT of money for an interview.

[JBCinSD]

I make my living reading witnesses. This one is lying.

[CamJam]

Interesting. So... what's your "read" on McC?