Hiding the Scumbag

So, John Edwards had a brief affair with a woman who is over forty, and it's a scandal. Elizabeth Edwards was ill at the time, and so John is especially naughty for being so callous, and yes I gave money to his campaign, but then, I never thought adultery was a big deal in the abstract, because, as we all know, I am a liberal, and I think denying people healthcare, swindling the taxpayer, starting an unnecessary war by forging documents and lying, and stealing the oil belonging to other nations is a lot worse than adultery. If every working person in America were to be free to join a union and if we had mastered that global warming thing, then I could start worrying about adultery, and be glad of it.

So, John McCain had a lengthy affair with a young rich woman, left his wife for her when she was crippled from a car accident, and went on to live off the new wife, for decades, and it's not a scandal. Why is that? Why is a misstep, followed by anger and reconciliation, a scandal, while actual bona fide betrayal followed by abandonment (and, let's say, a parasitic lifestyle) is just one of those things?

It is said that the first Mrs. McCain has forgiven her former husband. It is said Elizabeth Edwards has forgiven her current husband.

I know, I know, the National Enquirer never went after McCain. Why is that? When there seemed to be a bit of a smoking gun about John McCain and a lobbyist earlier this year, The National Enquirer didn't touch it. The lobbyist was disappeared, the New York Times dropped the story, and shhh. NO scandal. Why is that? Wouldn't I, as a citizen, rather my president slept with a filmmaker than a lobbyist?

Is it just that John Edwards is cuter than John McCain? Is it just that the idea of McCain getting it on makes the press squirm, and so they don't touch that story? Or do they really have a pro-Republican bias that shows up over and over and over? The press seems to be saying, go ahead, Republicans, trash the country, bankrupt the country, drive the country into a economic, moral, ethical, and military abyss. We don't care. We aren't going to hold you responsible for anything, including marital abandonment and cruelty.

Comments

[micmac]

When the National Enquirer catches McCain red handed with his girlfriend, then I think you can make this comparison.

[hlhicks]

I believe the NY Times caught him pretty handily and I don't remember anyone being criticized except the Times for printing the story. So, there is definitely a double standard. If any of the Dems had the history of the McCains we would be reading about it and seeing it on CNN and Fox News at least once a week, and if Michelle Obama had Cindy McCain's past there would be a nightly feature on her issues. Most Americans have heard of Rev. Wright and Tony Rezko but how many know that McCain had an ex-wife that he callously dumped? How many know that Dan Renzi his co-chair in Arizona was indicted on 35 counts? How many know about the association between McCain and Jack Abramoff? So, let's not be naive and suggest that the media has been tough on McCain's peccadilloes and questionable associations because they haven't.

[lisakaz2]

Why was that pic blurry? They didn't catch him red handed. I still don't see the proof he fathered this kid.

[Querent]

It's very simple. One set of rules for the Repigs. Another set for normal people. Because the Repigs are virtuous beyond question, and wear the white hats. They own the corporations. You want a job, don't you? Then shut up and get back in line. The bosses know what's good for you.

[boing007]

Con McCain, anyone?

[boing007]

RRK70

Why should this hurt the Democrats any more than Giulianis's history of sorted relationships? The media assume that Edwards career is over, but somehow McCain, Huckabee, Giuliani get a free pass?

How about assorted sordid relationships instead?

[nk007]

RRK70

Good point. You left David Vitter, who frequented prostitutes, and Larry Craig, both of whom are still in the United States Senate.

[mexicanamerican1948]

If you haven't heard dear. Divorce int he United States is legal and safe and "no fault" in most states. What is better "Abortion legal and safe" or Divorce or infidelity "legal and safe"??t is wrong for Libs and Conservative piling on attacking McCain Sex , that of Bill Clinton, Edward, Obama?(who cares!!)etc, etc, personal sex life . I as a man know I am a dog, 99% of men are that way. No that's gives a bad name to dogs, we are men. The other 1% of "men" have been castrated.Women should deal with it, or become celibate or lesbian. But that's another issue. I am astounded by the puritan ethic, sex hating culture that still in the USA. In Latin countries, Latin America, France, Spain, etc, this mistress of Edwards would be seen a a badge of honor and normal. It's because they accept human sexuality as not wrong , but if anything a Gift of God. I know most men see themselves as not living without a woman as she is the meaning of life!. This shows if anything Edwards is normal, just like a regular man. Deal with it.

[crankiyanki]

Excuse me, but they only "accept human sexuality as not wrong" if it's the man doing the cheating. Let the woman be the one with the "little on the side" and watch what happens when the husband finds out. So spare me the macho BS please.

[Mij13]

I agree with your message. Most men are not made to be monogamous. Lots of women too, but you're right, mostly men. Modern marriage is a distinctly female thing. No man would have dreamed it up. When someone in the public eye gets caught every month or so, it's more a comment on our culture and the ignorance in it than the people involved.

[flatus]

Great title, Jane!

It would seem that there are two types that are immune to serious criticism: war "heroes" and wartime presidents.

Is it not pure irony that luckiest event in McCain's life was his capture in Vietnam? Without it he would never have been able to live up to his families standards and enjoy the life he has lived since leaving Vietnam.

[walkthewalk]

I've been asking myself the same question about the silence on McCain since this acknowledgement of infidelity by Edwards came to the forefront. John Edwards is not a candidate for any office, nor will he be selected to a cabinet position. His behavior has no relevance to Obama's campaign.

If you want to talk about the character issue, let's talk about it. The media pundits who say that the public knows John McCain after his long service to the country, in ways that they don't know Barack Obama are spinning. The public does not know John McCain the man, only McCain the legend fostered by the media for 26 years.

Now that Obama has taken a long overdue vacation, let the media focus on McCain with a laser. Let's examine his character as defined by his past behavior (after all, he was a POW for only 5 of his 71 years), his academic performance, his lobbyist friends and associates and his ever-changing and misrepresented positions on the issues. Let's ask the question, "Is he qualified to lead our country in the 21st century?" Surely, this is not a given.

If the media finally does its job, the answer will be "No."

[diogeron]

Why hasn't the National Enquirer gone after McSame? Two words. Rupert Murdoch.

[cassidynj]

It's clear that John McCain is a train wreck waiting to happen. John McCain has carefully cultivated media exposure, and now he acts resentful if the press don't stand on his chalk marks.

Given the current White House press manipulation and obfuscation, what does this say about a McCain White House?

What is truly maddening is that these McCain facts are out there in plain sight, but if the press goes there it is "left wing" or some other label. McCain is employing his right-wing "wing men" to run knee-jerk defenses, and all this time his character flaws go uncovered.

It is cynical to have it both ways -- the tale of the two Johns has John McCain and John Edwards being adultrous creeps taking advantage of trusting wives suffering serious, life-threatening medical issues. How can one situation represent a character flaw that prohibits him from being a trustworthy President, and one situation NOT represent such character flaws?

[jsinclair]

Adding, after reading more comments here,

Vicki Iseman's whereabouts SHOULD be a question for McCain to answer.

Why? Because allegations were made and then, without comment or response, she disappeared.

Are the Republicans paying her big bucks to hide out in Europe? On a remote Caribbean island?

If Edwards private affair is important (and HE'S not even RUNNING for national office!), then McCain's most definitely should be. As should his (and Cindy's) past adulteries.

I'm really curious where Vicki Iseman is. It seems weird that the NYT story came out and she just....vanished.

[lisakaz2]

Exactly. Don't expect the Enquirer to find out, either.

[VeggieVeal]

Yep, I could agree with you except for the glaring fact that McCain *never* tried to come across as a virtuous "family man", building an entire campaign on that image, as did the scheming Edwards couple.

[dawlishgal]

Oh baloney....McCain is going to be the presidential candidate of (have you forgotten after all of the other evidence of their hypocrisy?) the *family values*;arty.

[robynuva]

Really? Johnnie told ABC that my daughter and her partner shouldn't be allowed to get married because he supports "traditional family values". I guess that's the kind that allows for adultery and abandonment, but not for committed same-sex couples.

That's what he should be asked about.

[jsinclair]

I agree with you about adultery and the double standard here. (But one factual correction: Edwards' doesn't appear to be a "brief" affair--it seems to be ongoing from 2006. Also, complicated by the likelihood he is the baby's father AND has been paying money to Young and Hunter through a third party. Sadly, this will all eventually come out, too, now the media is interested).

But I agree about the double-standard. McCain AND would-be First Lady Cindy are BOTH adulterers. But the Republicans and the press couldn't care less.

Why is what Edwards did so morally reprehensible but the McCains' actions aren't?

Beyond that, the Vicki Iseman story was in the NYT but was hushed up as if it was printed in a tabloid--no, wait. Even more so.

Where IS Iseman? Was their relationship improper as it seems? (Either as lobbyist or "lobbyist with benefits").

Why does Edwards become the national villain and McCain gets a "pass"--with no questions asked about where the lobbyist has disappeared to?

As for your question, yes, I think it's a pro-McCain, pro-conservative bias in the broadcast press in particular.

[castlerider]

Jane, will you PLEASE
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE....

Go on a Sunday Morning news talk show, find your way on one, make the call, ask- tell them you're available, goodness, whatever it takes, and let us hear your down to earth, straight ahead, common-sense-is-not-so-common intelligence, and put the idiots who keep us spinning with their proud ignorance in their place?!!?

I always go straight to your post whenever I see your face with an article on this blog, and you never let me down because you always put in words what my mind in my search to become smarter and more informed is feeling. Thanks so much, and please do make the call. You're the best. We need you.

[MissLouise]

All Democrats should be asking, over and over again, Where's Vicki Iseman?

[bayside]

You are right. ..absolutely............

[cariintexas]

Yes, and we should be emailing CNN and MSNBC every time we get a chance. Put pressure on them to give us all the facts. It is a shame the way MC cain did his first wife carol and now trotting Cindy Mc Cain around to stand before the people and say " my husband would never do this to his family "when speaking about Iseman.

[c3pachman]

Right on, Ms. Smiley. Thank you. It seems our Victorian sensibilites just won't go away. Maybe when the globe warms and humans are toast, we'll quit worrying about affairs and people's sex lives. Or will the last human be a tabloid reporter, cockroach-like?

[cordier]

I too gave money to the Edward's campaign and was disappointed when he withdrew. Whatever his human frailties, his devotion to the working class, the plight of the under-paid and under-represented members of our country have had a tremendous impact on the democratic platform.

Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image ... his feet part of iron and part of clay. ... And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken."

[dawlishgal]

Besides the turmoil this mess must be causing Elizabeth, the big tragedy of this affair is that Republicans will use it to discredit Edwards's policies.