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John Edwards And Our Rovian Politics
If I were one of these conspiracy nuts which, of course, I'm not, I might almost think I smell the thorny hand of Karl Rove behind the Enquirer's dogged, intrepid stalking of former senator, and presidential hopeful, John Edwards, but the only other public figure to have an adjective made out of his name since Machiavelli , Rove, has had way too much on his plate lately sabotaging the careers of governors like Don Siegelman, and skirting congressional subpoenas, to dabble in destroying a potential president's career.
That said, the timing of the Edwards revelation can only be described as Rovian.
That it's taken more than a year for a national press that now grovels more than diehard paparazzi to declare the adultery witch hunt over proves that the technological revolution isn't all it's cracked up to be. After all, how long did it take to destroy the careers of other prospective presidential candidates like Gary Hart, Ted Kennedy and, better still, a sitting president, Bill Clinton? And, anyone who doesn't see parallels between John Edward's forced confession of adultery and those other chaps needs to have their eyes checked.
But, the larger question here is why we don't force our presidents to confess their sins in shame when they lie about the number of troops in Vietnam (LBJ), and why we invaded Iraq (GWB)? Maybe because that doesn't sell as many papers, or as much advertising, as anything having to do with sex. And, if that's the case, shame on you, America, for bringing down another good man for the crime of being human, and being flawed.
When asked whether John Edwards can forget about his future in politics, even his former campaign manager, David Bonior, turned against him: "You can't lie in politics and expect to have people's confidence."
Excuse me, but what do you call what a former Republican president did, while vice president under Ronald Reagan? What do you call it when George H.W. Bush looked a CBS anchor, and camera, indeed, looked America, straight in the eye and said he knew nothing about the illegal sale of arms to the Contras in exchange for release of hostages in Iran?
And, what do you call it when, a couple of decades later, another president lied to Congress, and the American people, about the existence of weapons of mass destruction, took us to war without a formal declaration of war, and one that has cost the lives of many thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians?
To the contrary, one can lie in politics and have the people's confidence, but that one must choose one's lies carefully. In this country of the Puritans, by the Puritans, and for the Puritans, a nation that has shown the World Health Organization, and HIV/AIDS clinics in Africa and Asia, that ideology comes before survival by requiring abstinence-only sex education in order to receive funding, a country that countenances "ghost ships," and the suspension of habeas corpus is appalled because a candidate who could talk about "morals" is a man, after all, and not a god.
But, if we're going to talk about morals, let's start with what kind of morals it takes to knowingly, willfully, and deliberately send more than 4100 service men and women to their death while lying about the pretext for battle. Yes, how can one not feel for Elizabeth Edwards but, more importantly, how can one not feel for our country with yet another promising political career dashed by the "dangerous liaison" mindset that has come to be characteristic of Rovian politics.
John Edwards now joins the lofty company of Teddy Kennedy and Gary Hart, both of whom outspoken advocates of the rights of working people, and subjected to excoriation by the mainstream media because they made the mistake of being human. Would anybody even know where Chappaquiddick is if Ted Kennedy happened to have been alone in the car? What's more, why should anybody care? Why is it anybody's damn business what a public figure does in his or her private time?
We may not be sure of much, but you can bet on one thing -- if there is a planet 200 years from now, and America is still an independent country and not annexed to China, we're going to look awfully silly to posterity for impeaching a president who lied to a grand jury about an act of adultery on taxpayer's time while giving a president like George W. Bush an honorable discharge from public service at taxpayer expense.
What's tragic here is not marital infidelity, but that we've so trivialized government by our puritanical preoccupation with the private lives of public figures that presidents like Thomas Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy wouldn't run to Canada before running for office. And, the only "cheating" we need concern ourselves with is the fact that we're cheating ourselves.
Of course, it would be unthinkable, and glib not to suggest that those in high profile positions recognize that they are held, by choice, to a higher standard, and greater scrutiny than the rest of us, but to witness men like Eliot Spitzer, former governor of New York, who, apart from his dubious business transactions, also had his finger on the pulse of Wall Street corruption, and credit card fraud, reduced to rubble, and humiliated, is a disgrace to the foundation upon which this great country was built.
To think that the importance of John Edwards' message about eradicating poverty, special interests, working toward economic equity, and restoring dignity to the working man and woman, in this country, has been systematically disabled by the predators of prurience who pretend to trade in virtue, is an insult to the American dream.
An extramarital dalliance never stopped a European president from being reelected. Reportedly, one French prime minister's mistress stood only inches away from his wife at his funeral.
It's only in America, home of Salem Bay, witch hunts, and Puritans, that we drag our candidates over the coals for marital infidelity while making them heroes for bombing Libya, and Hiroshima. That shame doesn't accompany high crimes and misdemeanors will make us a source of egregious embarrassment for generations to come.
Oh, and there are some who might argue that this country would be a lot better off today if Richard Nixon could have come up with better things to do at the Watergate Hotel.
http://www.examiner.com/r-1540284~Jayne_Lyn_Stahl__John_Edwards_And_Our_Rovian_Politics.html
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Well said. I think this is another red herring to distract from the real issues that are affecting this country and we fall for it every time. I'm not condoning Edwards's behavior, but also do not understand this preoccupation we have with the sex lives of politicians. We hold them accountable for what they do in the bedroom, but not in our government. An affair doesn't affect our day to day lives. Dead Americans, dead Iraqis, economic instability (including a huge deficit), unemployment, home foreclosures-these things are our daily lives. We need to get off the puritanical bandwagon and stop letting ourselves get sidetracked. Morality is important. We've seen what a lack of morals does to a government, but make sure we're holding politicians accountable for the morality of truth in issues that affect the people of this country and the world and not just in the bedroom.
Yes, Jayne, I am concerned about about the war and the bombing in Libya and AIDS and all that, AND, I am also bothered by Edwards's behavior because I just dont like people who act so callous. There are plenty of politicians and leaders who are not slimy and we dont have to be stuck with the Edwards' of the world. And prey, just what gives you the right to sneer at those millions to Edwards' supporters who feel let down? just what gives you the right to say what we need to pay attention to? Edwards was a mediocre candidate at best, and I never voted for him becuase I just felt "in my gut" that he was a slime ball. Turns out, my gut reaction was correct.
And about your concerns about the war and the so-called larger problems, just imagine what would have happened if Edwards were the nominee? Do you really think a man who squirrels' away his kids' inheritance in covering up his dalliance with a hippy is trustworthy? C'mon. He is a lusty man and if president, his choices will be much prettier than Rielle. This man isnt Clinton.
As for the french presidents' mistress standing next to his wife...what exactly is admirable about that?
Just a small point, Jayne, regarding your saying about Rove, "the only other public figure to have an adjective made out of his name since Machiavelli..." Although I understand your rhetorical parallel between the 2 figures, I can think of half a dozen right off the top of my head (that have been used historically, that I did not just make up) ...Wilsonian, Keynesian, Orwellian, Nixonian, Caesarian(although that was pre Machiavelli, sorry), even Clintonian.
This is the environment in which they live and they all know it and they vitually all play along with this puritanical charade. They get what they deserve when it catches up to them. It's way past time to remove this religion based idiocy from our public life. I won't hold my breath as 0bama is up to his ears in religiosity. He even sounds like a preacher.
This has nothing to do with Rove . . . as for the "timing" . . . This story has been around for over a year and Edwards lied. If he had been honest and said, "I made a mistake, it's over, Elizabeth knows and has forgiven me" there would have been no ammunition. He lied and continued to lie until there was photographic proof. Rove didn't need to do anything . . . Edwards did it to himself AND to his family.
Dead on!!
"Stuart, don't agree with me. It just makes me doubt myself."
-Michael J Fox, SPIN CITY
:D
Michale.....
I think they went after Edwards because he seemed kind of slimy, in a lawyer-like way.
Sorry, but your stereotype of lawyers is faulty. Most lawyers are not "slimy." You're basing your opinion on a very small minority of lawyers and the very bizarre and wrong assumption that it's the lawyers who grant damage awards to their own clients. A lawyer can ask for whatever damages he wants, but ultimately, its the judges and juries who award damages, not attorneys. If a case is truly "frivolous," it is dismissed or it is given "0" award by the jury/judge.
Like so many political "scandals", this has little to do with sex, and everything to do with the lying and the cover-up.
For John Edwards to break his marriage vows in 2006 with an adulterous affair, then start running for President in 2007, and then, even after the media (yes, the National Enquirer counts as the media) discovered it, to continue to campaign, all the while lying and covering up, is outrageous.
I supported Edwards from the day he announced until the day he dropped out. And I am furious!
What if this scandal had broken while he was the nominee? Or the "nominee designate"? Or the VP running mate? His incredibly reckless narcissism was not only a "personal" matter, it threatened to wreck the Democratic Party, and damage or destroy its chances to re-take the White House.
And I'm sorry to say this, but if Elizabeth Edwards knew about this, and allowed and encouraged him to run anyway, then she too is a "co-conspirator" in the coverup, and must share part of the blame. We believed in her too, as much (or more), than John, and they betrayed their supporters, their volunteer workers, and their financial contributors, with their candidacy built on a lie.
Thank you Jayne! Michale, I don't care what party a politician is from, the media and American public's interest in these types of stories is as shallow as it gets. I don't care about Larry Craig's apparently sucky behavior. It is his politics that really suck. I would actually think Bush was a more human monster if he got caught cheating on his wife instead of being a war criminal.
John
Fair enough...
But, are you telling me that you don't care that Edwards might have embezzled campaign funds to pay for his mistress??
Even if you were not an Edwards supporter, I am sure you can understand how those who DID support Edwards with money and time would feel cheated and demand full disclosure...
Michale.....
If so, he should be prosecuted, but first lets take care of the war criminals, and war profiteers. Those who have wasted billions in tax payers dollars, and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Those who have used torture, deceit, and law breaking to conduct the corrupt business of war. Those who have racked up the massive debt that we will all be paying off for decades to come. Those who have turned government agencies into a refuge for their political cronies. Those who spy on us. Those who pay "reporters" to spin the news. Those who use government as a political tool to stay in power instead of doing the business of the people.
John
This is why I have always loved your blogs Jayne and why I keep you on my "must read" list.
You speak for millions of us
@ceti
Would you feel the same way if Edwards had been a Republican??
Michale.....
The Edwards issue has nothing to do with sex..
It has EVERYTHING to do with trust...
It has EVERYTHING to do with hypocrisy..
It has EVERYTHING to do with criminal activities and fraud..
I am not into conspiracy theories either.. (well, not in THIS case anyways.. :D )
But if one assumes a conspiracy, evidence surely points to someone closer to Edwards.. Someone maybe hoping that the Edwards slime will splash on a certain Presidential Nominee and that said Nominee might have his nomination usurped at a certain convention. I am not going to point fingers. Let's just call this person, H. Clinton... no no no, that's too easy.. Let's call this person. Hillary C....
Michale.....
It would make you think that this is a deliberate targeting, when the kid gloves are used for crimes of high treason. However, this is a fair indication of how far the media, HuffPo included, as well as the citizenry have fallen into somnolent decadence, while the Republic crumbles around them. It's the like last generation before the wealthiest of the human race leaves on the Axiom for the 700 year sojourn in space, leaving only WALL-E robots to clean up the mess on Earth.
Good post, Jayne. I find those who are ranting and raving about this far more sickening than the Edwards. This a private matter than happens to many families and to rake them over the coals publicly is reprehensible. And as for those who claim to care about Elizabeth Edwards, this media circus is most likely far more hurtful to her than was the actual adultery itself. Considering that John McCain has an uglier adultery in his past and he is running for President with no criticism from the MSM regarding this says it all about what our media has become. I no longer watch or listen to them.
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This a private matter than happens to many families and to rake them over the coals publicly is reprehensible
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The "private" matter was simply the catalyst.. Now there are allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation.. These are not "private" matters. These are criminal matters...
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Considering that John McCain has an uglier adultery in his past and he is running for President with no criticism from the MSM regarding this says it all about what our media has become.
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There is no criticism because it happened 30+ years ago and it has already been thoroughly vetted and discussed by McCain himself.. In short, it's NOT news...
Michale.....
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Posted August 12, 2008 | 09:30 AM (EST)