Elizabeth Edwards Expects DNA Test For Rielle Hunter's Child

Elizabeth Edwards expects that her husband John will take a paternity test to determine if he is the father of a baby girl born to his former mistress, Rielle Hunter.

Edwards spoke about the paternity testing during an appearance on Larry King Live Wednesday night. She was there to discuss health care reform.

When Larry King asked about DNA testing for Hunter's child, Edwards responded, "My expectation is that, at some point, something happens," she said. "I hope for the sake of this child that it happens, you know, in a quiet way."

John Edwards first admitted to having in affair with Hunter, a documentary filmmaker, in August 2008. He is currently at the center of a federal grand jury investigation for campaign payments made to Hunter.

When Hunter's baby was born in February 2008, Andrew Young -- a married former Edwards staffer -- claimed to be the father. Young is now reportedly looking for a book deal.

Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer in 2007. According to People.com, she reports being in good health, relative to her condition:

As for her health, Mrs. Edwards, who was diagnosed in early 2007 with incurable Stage 4 breast cancer, reports: "The numbers don't look that optimistic, but I feel good. And I've had recent tests that show me to be in pretty good health, all things considered."

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Comments

[pipetoe]

One of The cruelest scandals of all times.

[schoolmaster]

ok

[rationalthought1]

I've had enough of the Edwards and their holier than thou presentation. They tried to pull the wool over our eyes (that includes Elizabeth) and it could have led to a total disaster for our country. How can you be anymore selfish than that? The "son of a mill worker" is a "son of a bitch" and his conniving wife is not just some helpless victim. They were playing Russian Roulette with all of our futures. THey should go back to their obsenely enormous house and try to do some good behind the scenes - their time in the spotlight was a disaster.

[pipetoe]

WOW are you a Republican?

[Roses]

I feel pretty much the same way and I am NOT a republican.
The whole thing is a quite literally a shame.

[bat713]

Why not have the DNA test and publicize the results. And move on!

[Teresa201]

He does not serve the people......
Why is his life public?

Those who are serving and collecting tax payers money are still holding their seats in government and have broken many laws.

I think it's time they move on...
And move out of government jobs.

[rockinroll]

Back when they showed the first picture of this baby - it looks just like John! No DNA Test is needed!

[MrsPeel]

Well, that's reliable.

[serindipity803]

This subject is important - HOW? Old people making more 'baby' and who cares? The result of copulation=birth can be and is done by everyone. The media's obsession with moral judgement is ludicrous. Using myth to secure a hanging...give it up - find a real story pertinent to the current degradation of humanity.

[mollymac]

Agree.

[Progressiveama]

I am wondering something. I am not taking sides and certainly not standing up for John..........please don't get me wrong. Is there any chance that Elizabeth's cancer was the prompt for him to have an affair? Could the affair have been a reaction to her illness......his shock or grief or fear? I really am not standing up for him, but it is so cold, I have just wondered a few times if Elizabeth's news hit him so hard that that woman was his outlet.

[orion52]

In that case Elizabeth should have had affairs because of her husband's career choice.
There is no excuse this woman has been humiliated and in a time of her life where she is facing dying, She's having to say good bye to her children, family and friends. His wife should have been his outlet!
Sorry I'm not angry with your comment I am just really upset by this whole ordeal.

[MNmommy]

As far as "we've" been told about her cancer and the time line of the affair (since it's clear that he's acknowledging the possibility that the baby is his by submitting to a DNA test) the announcement of her recurrence came in the middle-to-end of the affair (mid-March 2007).

So, either Elizabeth and John are lying about when John told her, or John continued it at least six months after he told her and a few months after they announced the recurrence of her cancer.

As someone that was very appreciative of John's populist message, but was hopeful about SoS Clinton as a woman and thought she'd be better on Education and maybe better in the long haul on Heath Care because of her previous failure at it (yes, we can learn from our mistakes); it all disappoints me very much, especially some of the snark that John and Elizabeth laid on SoS Clinton - the whole tawdry thing ticks me off. I do feel really sorry for the kids, what a mess.

Health Care and Education were really the two most important issues to me, I figured foreign relations would take care of themselves and the Iraq and Afghanistan issues were pretty predetermined. Obama, on those two issues for me, fell short. And from what I see know, we're right where I though we'd end up. I'm supportive, but disappointed.

[schoolmaster]

It is quite possible. It could be the suppressed desire because of the inability of cancer stricken Elizabeth. Divorcing her in that state could be worse. All said under the circumstances, Elizabeth could have sympathised with John Edwards. Besides it is an affair betwenn consenting adults. It is considered wrong because it happened to be extramarital. Probably what it would require is amendment of law to meet extraneous circumstances, considering that individuals involved could be consenting. If such a law were existing John Edward's affair would not have been an issue at all, politically speaking. Involvement of some catholic preists in sexual encounters basically because of supressed desire is an obvious example. But the circumstances of church are different.

[Wallysmom]

It might be. I don't know what his track record on fidelity was before the cancer. He is a good looking guy and I'm sure women were all over him. The part I'm not keen on is the fact that Elizabeth is out front now on political issues while John hides somewhere in his basement. She should speak about health care issues and breast cancer advancements but stay away from the political talk shows. John should get the darn test done and be done with it.

[Teresa201]

Most men don't need an excuse to cheat....
As is proven every day on the news.

The women they cheat with are no better.

It's life, and it happens...
But that does not make it right.

[MadridFrank]

It's Bush fault!

[pipetoe]

oops!!! LOL

[munki]

despite all critics I read here... regardless of any and all reasons yes or no...

Elizabeth has the right to know the fact... and accept whatever that may be...

[mollymac]

agree.

[pipetoe]

agree also.

[Chicago jo]

At what point do these people speak frankly and honestly, only at such time that the truth can be proven in court?

"I hope for the sake of this child that it happens, you know, in a quiet way." -- Clearly she knows, like we know, it is his kid. Why is she keeping up appearances.

Speak frankly and honestly E. Doing so will make you feel better.

[enhancedvibes]

I think what she means here is that the child has a right to know its father and if her husband is the father he should provide for his child. I think this one statement says A LOT about how Elizabeth views parenting responsiblities.

[Teresa201]

You 'know' nothing.

The fact is, it's no ones business but theirs.
And she doesn't have to answer any of these questions.

You keep your life personal and leave everyone else alone.

[mollymac]

Totally agree!!

[ponderingmuch]

If I wrote the three of them as a play, they would all be villains.

[jesus316]

LOL! I would make the hero Rush Limbaugh, who snuffed this out from the start!

[lazercat2008]

Snap out of it. She is the queen of denial.

[alice09]

John and Rielle deserve each other. I can't believe they put her and his other children through all this while she is facing terminal cancer.

[GabrielXL]

Now what would be the purpose for this? I thought the man already admitted that the child was his. Likewise, I thought he'd already confessed this to his wife before it become public knowledge. So...

Why is this necessary? X^0

[Knowitall]

Maybe Elizabeth wants to know if this child is really her children's half sister. She and John both are attorneys, and they are very well off. She is facing the real possibility that she may not be around to see her children grow up. From just a practical standpoint, she probably wants to preserve her childrens' legacy.

After initially lying low, it's clear that Rielle has realized how expensive it is to raise a child alone (especially when the father is rich), went and got herself lawyered up, and is going to try to get as much for her child as Elizabeth has for her children.

From a purely legal standpoint, it would be foolish for Elizabeth NOT to be 99.9% sure that her children should share John's legacy, and by default, part of hers, with the child of a single woman who had a brief affair with her husband. There is no way to be certain except DNA.

The only question I would have, is why John Edwards would admit the child was his unless he'd already had a DNA test. Maybe he has.

[talkingdog]

Elizabeth,...............

Then what?

His DNA, Her DNA,.......none of your DNA.

Then what?

You should have kicked him to the curb.

[astheworldturns]

It has to be her decision, not yours.