John Edwards To Speak At U of I

Less than a month after John Edwards admitted having an extramarital affair, the University of Illinois says the two-time presidential candidate has agreed to speak on campus in October.

And according to the university, an Edwards representative says the former North Carolina senator is looking to add to his public speaking load.

University spokeswoman Robin Kaler said Thursday said a student group has booked Edwards to speak October 14 at Foellinger Auditorium on "The American Dream." Tickets are free, but the student group is paying Edwards $65,000.

Kaler says the group gave Edwards a chance to back out after he acknowledged earlier this month that he had an extramarital affair with a filmmaker hired by his political action committee during his most recent bid for the presidency.

"The agent responded that (Edwards) is adding to his calendar, and that the fee has gone up," Kaler said.

She declined to identify the agent.

Edwards couldn't be reached by phone or e-mail through his former campaign office or a think tank with which his wife, Elizabeth, is affiliated.

Edwards is making other public-speaking appearances. Salem State College spokesman Jim Glynn says Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, are scheduled to speak in September at the Massachusetts school, an appearance booked before Edward's admission of affair.

Edwards also made an unsuccessful bid for the vice presidency as Democrat John Kerry's running mate four years ago.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Comments

[Mahi Joe]

As an institution of higher learning, your choice of John Edwards as a speaker, gets you the failing grade of F.

[MyTake]

I just want him to give back that "Father of the Year" before he accepts this money!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow1pwtFpvq8

[StephenJK]

What a snow job! This man should be performing community service and speaking about infidelity and it's consequences. Unbelievable that someone is going to pay him. And to speak about what? Campaign ethics? Yeah, NO! I think he should just go back to malpractice litigation.

[susanra]

I welcome John Edwards.

We need the strong progressive voice of John Edwards, promoting important issues and policy proposals.

He will give voice to a whole range of crucial issues facing the U.S. and world.

And he supports policies that help the working class, blue collar workers, the lower middle class, the middle class, the working poor, and the impoverished........all groups who need a strong voice in government policies and who have under-representation.

I say, keep voicing your policy proposals, John Edwards.......you were successful in pushing the Democratic agenda in the 2008 election to more progressive stances.

John Edwards led and the other Democratic candidates followed your lead in issues, policies, and agenda.

[Mahi Joe]

We don't need another major politician who can't keep his pants up running around the country speaking on behalf of Democrats. He is nothing but a liability whose credibility stinks. Do you think the MSM and local Press here in Chicago will be asking him political questions after his speech? No, they all will jump on his infidelity and that will be what defines his trip here to Chicago. Of all the people to have speak in front of a University crowd they had to pick him? What a lack of foresight on the part of whomever selected him.

[AceOfSpades]

I can't believe my alma mater is paying that much to have him there. I know he's more than his infidelity, but I'm pretty sure that will distract from whatever message he might have for the near future. I could be wrong, but maybe it would be better for him to be focused on doing instead of speaking about doing for a while.

[newpotusplease]

his own campaign manager, David Bonior, still isn't talking to him, see this clip with Andrea Mitchell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzZagRrUBE0

Edwards needs to stop worrying about the $65,000 speaking fee and focus on mending fences one on one with his main supporters first. unbelievable. I really don't want to see university endowments etc being used to pay him.

[JoAnnCr]

John Edwards's thorough plans sparked many of the key platforms now taken for granted by Democrats. Read each of his solutions johnedwards.comm) which were presented months before the others unveiled their plans then notice how much of John Edwards's programs are now in use.

He may be in the background for the moment but his ideas have changed history and are the cornerstone of our hope for the future. We owe him and his wife eternal gratitude for forcing issues the entrenched interests spend huge amounts of time and money to suppress.

Fading when things get tough is not in John Edwards's vocabulary. Thank God!

[Cherubim]

I forgot to thank you.
This American thanks you John and Elizabeth Edwards for going through the snow and cold in Iowa,
and preventing the Clintonistas from returning to power.

[Cherubim]

WELCOME BACK, JOHN EDWARDS!!!!
You were away much to long.

[Jasel]

Well the man's gotta feed his family. If he sticks to real issues I don't see what the problem is.

[ayiticherie]

Which family?

[Justsaynodeal]

$65,000 and he isn't even a former president! How sad.................he should follow the bears instincts and hybernate until next Spring.

[ChicagoDMT]

Tell the peckerwood that I want the money I donated to his campaign back.

[ayiticherie]

He can't give it back. He's funding his baby mama.

[PerryWhite]

For that kind of dough I would require him to bring pictures of the baby.