Former Edwards Finance Chair Says He Was Unaware Of Affair

McClatchy Newspapers:

The former campaign finance chairman for John Edwards said this morning he was unaware of Edwards' affair with campaign videographer Rielle Hunter when he paid to move her to California last year.

In an e-mail this morning to The News & Observer, Dallas lawyer Fred Baron wrote, "I will re-state what I have previously stated on one point: I learned of the affair only a few weeks ago and had previously presumed that the 'tabloid' stuff was all bogus."

In an interview Friday with ABC's "Nightline," former Senator Edwards admitted to having an affair with Hunter but denied being the father of her daughter, born Feb. 27 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Former campaign aide Andrew Young, who moved to the Santa Barbara area with his wife and three children last year with Baron's assistance, released a statement online last year claiming paternity.

Read the whole story: McClatchy Newspapers

Comments

[riverhouse]

The rewards to National Enquirer have been huge for this story and the continuing saga of lies and coverups. I think they should consider digging into M*Cain's marital history of infidelity. There are two Mrs. M*Cains available that have been cheated on. Let's hear about that for awhile now.

[NotaBeliever]

Whatever he did is between him and his wife ... and the other woman. Politicians of every ilk seem to have the big pants, and we might as well accept that. I just wish the web sites that I frequent would quit shoving it in my face as if it were actually a big story. It's not.

[Toonadude]

It’s over Mr. Baron. You can stop wiping now.

[geobushono]

I don't care that Edwards just absolutely couldn't stop himself...­.........I absolutely do care that his arrogance allowed him to think it was OK to betray EVERYBODY who wants to see a Democrat in the White House.
This terminal political flaw should have banished Edwards and his wife to their compound, or Paris, or where ever rich people go to avoid the unwashed.
Some of us have never forgiven Bill Clinton for squandering his Presidency­..he should have been drummed out of the Party!

[RodgerLodger]

You are right, Sir! This man toyed with big-time politics, heedless of what the fallout might be. His wife is a primo enabler, who profits from her disease (prestige-wise, not monetarily). This couple is toxic to the values most people claim to support: honesty, integrity, prudence. The Greek tragedians would've have a field day with this couple -- maybe some film maker even now is writing a script.

[aubrey8]

You're lucky you have Bill Clinton, you wouldn't have a Democrat Party right now if it weren't for him. You kept sending up those same old lame ass candidates that got their ass kicked in every election. Clinton taught the Party how to be a fighter. You should be thanking God that Bill Clinton came along.

[MNmommy]

You know this story isn't going to die until the truth about the baby's father comes out.

It's a shame that Edwards did this, it's even more shameful that he's not being forthcoming about it. He wasn't truthful about how Elizabeth found out, what else is he covering? For crying out loud Edwards just tell the whole truth and stop letting this whole thing fester. The truth will set us all free.

[schoolmaster]

John Edwards is a lawyer and a politician. He is not a preacher. It is we who are putting a stamp of morality on him and trying to assess him, knowing pretty well that all humans are fallible. Then the question is whether he violated public trust. In his private act which he reconciled with his wife, if the significance of his fight for public cause is diminished, then it has the effect and requires to be deplored. It is more the media that brings about the damage to the public cause than the private conduct of John Edwards. I do not know whether we framed our laws sufficiently balanced where the morality is upheld and the human fallibility is considered.

[geobushono]

As long as you're so forgiving, have you noticed that Our Democratic Party bends over backwards on issue after issue, so as not to offend some mythical undecided voter?
I have noticed it, and having an affair while running for President is probably enough reason to lose that 'undecided' voter who isn't voting for civil rights/women's health issues/or any number of plans in the Democratic Platform..­......
..."he was screwin some blond" is all theycare about.....­..you don't care. I do.....it is unfaithful­.....I probably wouldn't hire a person like that in my Company.

[aubrey8]

you wouldn't care as long as he made you money...be honest about it. you're being a hypocrite.

[ailbhe]

Why does he have insult our intelligence by lying about it? He could at least come up with a plausible excuse for bankrolling her and the guy who was to pretend to be the father.

I wonder why on earth Andrew Young's wife would tolerate her husband announcing he fathered another womans baby. She must have been rewarded a lot of money to place herself in such a publicly humiliating situation. Or maybe Edwards has something on them? That would be in the public interest..­...

[riverhouse]

Young had a huge salary jump once he took the fall for the pregnancy, going from $12,000 - 20,000 to over $71,000. Got a boost in housing for his family, as well.

[SwingVoter]

Apparently, this horse's corpse has not start to ooze.

[MyrtleJune]

How painful for Elizabeth. Just stop it. Stop it all. Have some dignity here will ya. :-(

[LiberalBuzz]

WHEN is Huffpost GOING TO STOP ACTING LIKE THE NATIONAL INQUIRER??

This is doing nothing for the image of this place and nothing for the democratic party.

It's been done TO DEATH.

ENOUGH ALREADY.

[OzDanJoaquin]

When it first broke, this was a story of marginal interest: Unsuccessful political candidate had an affair. Neither Edwards, his wife or his former mistress hold public office. Nor do their private lives have any possible bearing on public affairs. So why is this story still being covered at all, let alone on HuffPo's front page? This isn't "Breaking", it isn't even "News". Give it a rest.

[Cherubim]

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.

[NTO08]

Now you sound like one of the crazed Obamabots.­..

[abby4ever]

I support O and I've been here since April and I'v e never made a comment like Cher just made nor have I ever seen one like this from any O supporter here.

[vippy]

Edwards is not my type. There is something about his snug appearance that does not appeal
to me. His blinking must be that his contacts are bothering him. He has a boyish look and like
any other man he cannot keep it in his pants. However, I don't see, where this has anything to do
with anything. Why would it have ruined his political career? Look what Bush has done to this
country should be much more of concern to us than this which has no effect on any of us.

[geobushono]

sure......­..and they hate us for our freedom...­........id­iot

[maniarwild]

report it once and thats enough. Anything more and it is a bunch of bullsh-t. Give me some issues. I must be dreaming to expect that. Then a bit of work would be required. What a bunch of crap ---- get a life

[Irons]

Wow, JE almost gave the election to McBush.

[kasinca]

If you want to see who else has done the big nasty, check the history on Ronnie Reagan, Jane Wyman, and Nancy. Also, it is no different than McSame dumping his wife for the current beer heiress. This is not news. John Edwards is not running for president, McSame is.

[NTO08]

DUH...HE WAS when this happened.