In John Edwards' Country

So I'm driving along Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, whizzing past the array of yard signs, and I'm thinking about John Edwards, whose name of course is nowhere in sight.

Exactly six years ago, I spent my days tooling around with Edwards, having signed on as a hired gunslinger to write his memoir. The 2002 midterm campaign was nearing its end, and Edwards' party was about to get its butt kicked. The North Carolina senator dutifully campaigned for Erskine Bowles and other doomed candidates, and I remember him calling several of them the night before election day to say, "Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about you." ("That's a trick I learned from Ted Kennedy," he told me after hanging up from a call. "Everybody calls you when you've won. What they'll remember is the ones who call you beforehand.")

Mostly, though, Edwards was looking ahead, and with good reason. No Southern politician seemed to have a more glorious future. Myself, I never had any emotional investment in John Edwards as America's impending savior. He had an agile mind and a charming disposition, along with a lawyer's gift for storytelling. But he was not big on policy briefings, and during the six months I was in his orbit, I am absolutely certain that I never once heard him utter a syllable about what, by 2008, he would term "the cause of my life" -- namely, erasing poverty in America. Edwards did have a lifelong cause: to not be stuck in a textile mill the way his dad and neighbors had been. One could sympathize. But a champion of the proletariat he was not.

Things didn't end too well with our little book project. I turned in the manuscript, Elizabeth Edwards declared it substandard ("My John deserves a memoir at least as stirring as Mark Salter's John," is the quote I'll always remember, to which the obvious reply -- "Your John spent his life making millions as a personal injury attorney, not in the Hanoi Hilton" -- went unarticulated). I did a second draft for which I was paid in full, and the Edwardses brought in a pal to write a final draft. I saw the additional co-author's name on the galleys and demanded that my name be removed from the final product, and Four Trials ended up selling about four copies < http://www.amazon.com/Four-Trials-John-Edwards/dp/0743244974>. Still, the experience of watching a nascent candidacy up close was a net-plus for me, and I was glad to see Cate Edwards show up to a GQ party in 2004 at my invitation. In other words, bygones were bygones, or so I thought.

In early 2007, GQ asked me to do a Q&A with Edwards. His campaign arranged for it to happen in a Manhattan hotel on a particular spring morning. I was just checking into this hotel the night before the interview when one of his handlers called me. The senator would have to postpone -- no reason given. Two days later, the magazine got the explanation: the Edwardses had just learned that yours truly would be the GQ writer doing the Q&A, and they weren't "comfortable" with that. The Edwards' handler then inquired whether GQ was intending to put Edwards on the cover. (Esquire and Men's Vogue were obliging Edwards thus; apparently they were going for the hat trick.) A few months later, I ran into one of the Edwards' closest supporters, who was fully aware of what had transpired. "Don't you know by now?" this individual laughed. "Those two are insane!"

All of this by way of fully disclosing the backstory for my current opinion of John Edwards, which is not high. But I'm leaving something out. When I spent my time six years ago reading all of Edwards' legal files for book research -- though in the process also receiving a crash course in how personal injury lawsuits are litigated (Karl Rove, we now agree on something) -- I spent my nights at the Raleigh home of two very fine people, Andrew and Cheri Young. Andrew at the time was John Edwards' right-hand man. He raised funds, organized events, procured their Christmas trees and fretted over every detail of the senator's comings and goings. Above the bed where I slept in the Young residence, there was a gigantic poster of John F. Kennedy. Andrew told me that he had grown up idolizing JFK, and that in JRE, he heard a distinct echo of Camelot. One night over bottles of wine, I remember -- and I'll never forget -- Andrew Young telling me, "I'd take a bullet for John."

I don't even have to say it, do I?

Flash forward to May 14, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Obama's reeling from the Jeremiah Wright blowback. Hillary has marched through Appalachia with a stunning set of victories, culminating in a bloodbath in West Virginia. Now comes John Edwards to stop the bleeding -- and, in the process, set himself up for a plum appointment in an Obama administration. His speech that evening in Grand Rapids can only be termed an endorsement in the sense that Obama's name is mentioned a couple of times -- in a halfhearted, your-candidate's-name-here manner that makes the Clintons look like the Obama Girl by comparison. Obama's so grateful he doesn't seem to care.

The kingmaker basks and the future gleams brightly as before.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Santa Barbara is a ten week-old baby named Frances Quinn Hunter. Andrew Young, through an attorney, has stepped forward to say that he is the father. But the birth certificate lists no progenitor.

Now, five months later, a friend of mine, North Carolina columnist Hal Crowther, has just written in The Independent that "Edwards' career is over, and all his virtues obliterated." Crowther makes this pronouncement in sorrow rather than in anger. But in the coffee shop in
Hillsborough, N.C. where I'm finishing writing this, I'm overhearing a couple as they pore over my friend's column. One of them snarls, "Edwards -- what a disappointment. He betrayed so many people." The other, more wistful, replies, "And he was from right around here! He was going to be great."

In the neighborhood of John Edwards' old Raleigh law office, the yard signs literally alternate: McCain/Palin, then Obama/Biden, then McCain/Palin, on and on. The state is, in all ways demonstrable, a toss-up. And John Edwards, who so many thought would make a difference, is just another guy with a ballot.

For more reported insights from the 2008 campaign trail visit my blog, The Home Stretch, at GQ.com.

Comments

[JohnAuchard]

I was the writer called in for a very substantial revision of a manuscript that left enormous things out and was often badly written (e.g. "An attorney’s responsibility to his client throbbed inside my gut like a prehistoric egg about to hatch"). The John Edwards that I first got to know in 2003 was genuinely "stirred" by the tales of the people in his book, and both he and Elizabeth believed those people deserved to have their struggles and courage come alive. Draper's work had failed in that. I never once recall their suggesting that the reader needed to be "stirred" by the story of John Edwards himself–and the idea that he should come across as someone like John McCain the genuine war hero, that seems nonsense. Although I admired Mark Salter’s work, I never heard Elizabeth mention his name–and we frequently spoke about models for the book. If Draper rarely heard Edwards speak about "poverty" during that period, that may have been because "Four Trial" was not about poverty but instead about how lives can be destroyed at every level of society when shortcuts are taken with safety and when corporate greed goes unchecked. John Edwards and I have not been in touch since 2006. I continue to remember the sincere and impassioned man who sat up after midnight and talked about the four fine people who were the subjects of "Four Trials."

[Cherubim]

Without the courage and patriotism John and Elizabeth Edwards, exhibited throughout the cold and snowy Iowa Primary there would not be a President Barack Obama. Inaddition, at a very crucial
point, during the Democratic Presidential campaign, John Edwards defied the Clinton machine (apparently at great risk to himself) endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.
I think John Edwardsh as earned the U.S. Attorney General position.

[PattyElle]

Although the affair is indeed a personal thing, I cannot help but to continue to question his poor judgment, arrogance and audacity.... Why would somebody with this much promise destroy it all for momentary thrills? Especially after Clinton's enormous debacle! It's all about the principle of the matter for me. After Kuchinich, Edwards was my candidate but even though I still respect what he has accomplished, I don't have the same emotional respect for him.

[venable]

This is what I know about the subject at hand, and I know this based on personal experience with the Edwards:

Rightly or wrongly (rightly from what I've actually seen) Draper's work on the book was considered shoddy, accuracy-challenged, and a bit lazy...that was the opinion of the Edwards at the time. This judgement was arrived at more in sorrow and disappointment than in anger. He was let go, and a very skilled person came on and finished the book with John.

I also recall hearing, anecdotally again, that Draper intended to make John Edwards pay for putting the name of the real collaborator, John Auchard, on the book. I'm guessing that this is that threatened payback.

The Edwards are working together to come to terms with the things that have happened in their family. The press has been, up until the election approached it's glorious culmination, savage with them, giving them no time or peace to work together to heal their family and to raise their young children with some sense of the purpose to which they have devoted their lives. As astute a mind as Joe Trippi can write about how Edwards presence and voice have brought the Democratic Party to the strong position it now holds. This seems like a proper way to discuss the Edwards now.

What is the point of Mr. Draper's column?

[RoloTomassi]

I have no doubt that you give a far assessment, but every form of interaction merely gives us a few facets to work with, and it's still impossible to judge fairly when the exposure is limited.

That said, he's certainly sh*t in his mess kit, and the smell will not abate anytime soon. He can be a talented politician once again...but it will take time, and he will have to undertake the difficult effort of transforming himself in the public eye.

It's not too late for John Edwards...but it's certainly too early.

[flanardiente]

JFK committed adultery and wasn't especially strong on civil rights until it served him politically to be so. FDR committed adultery and had never demonstrated any kind of compassion for the working class until he was elected. LBJ committed adultery but managed to pass the Civil Rights Act and the bulk of his Great Society program--including Medicare--before he went nuts over Vietnam. And we know more about Bill Clinton than we wanted to. I'm sure John Edwards has character flaws and his share of the common vices. Still I like him and I'd like to see him involved somehow in an Obama administration.

[Cherubim]

Please spread this message:
John and Elizabeth Edwards "Black America has your back."

[Cherubim]

Edwards Among Mourners for Fundraiser Baron
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6092766.html
By PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press Writer © 2008 The Associated Press

Nov. 3, 2008, 7:03PM DALLAS — Former presidential hopeful John Edwards and cyclist Lance Armstrong joined hundreds Monday to mourn prolific Democratic fundraiser Frederick Baron, who died just days before a possibly momentous election for the party he lavishly helped finance.

Edwards sat among Baron's family but did not speak at a crowded memorial service, which at times sounded like a hushed political pep rally and included Iowa Gov. Chet Culver predicting Democratic victories Tuesday.

Baron, a wealthy Texas trial lawyer who raised millions for Democratic candidates and causes, died Thursday following a battle with cancer that became a public fight in his final weeks. He was 61.

"Fred actually thought it was fun to spend hour after hour raising money on the phone," said Culver, one of Baron's many benefactors who made the trip from Baron's home state.

Culver told Edwards, seated in one of the front pews, that Baron was "your biggest fan."

[Cherubim]

Edwards plans IU speech after election

Lecture Notes: IU News Room
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/tips/page/normal/9160.html

John Edwards
Nov. 11, 7 p.m., IU Auditorium, Bloomington -- Former U.S. senator and presidential candidate John Edwards will speak about the Nov. 4 presidential election, focusing on what the results mean for America's political and economic future. Sen. Edwards will dissect the general election results and forecast how they will affect the state of political discourse, the American economy and the plight of working families. He will also weave stories from his experience running for president into his analysis, describing what it's like to be a major presidential candidate in today's accelerated political and media environment. A question-and-answer session will follow the lecture. For more information, contact indiana.edua.edu.

[georgia]

John Edwards deserves a whole lot of credit, and nobody is giving it to him. He changed this race in a way everyone fails to comprehend. Had Edwards not dropped out prior to Super Tuesday, it's quite likely that Obama would not have taken 11 straight primaries. Without a doubt, Hillary Clinton would have been the party's nominee, with more left-leaning voters split between Obama and Edwards. Had that happened, the Republicans would have been handed the candidate they'd been preparing to face for years. Turnout would be high in their favor, and the Democrats would be facing a tough night tomorrow.

We owe John Edwards a debt of gratitude. I don't regret casting my ballot for him in early voting, before he dropped out, and I certainly do hope we see more of him in the years to come.

[Cherubim]

As an African American, from the South, I want to say thank you John and Elizabeth Edwards
without your courage and patriotism there could not have been a Barack Obama.
You are both two of the greatest American patriots who have ever lived.
Sometimes I wonder John and Elizabeth if you are Angels in disguise.
God Bless You. Black Americas will always love you. You can count on us.

[susanra]

I want John Edwards to come back to the public arena. We need his strong voice on progressive issues.

I think you are demonizing John Edwards way too much. John McCain while married carried on a similar affair with his now wife, Cindy, and everyone forgives John McCain.

Let bygones be bygones, and let John Edwards return on the scene and serve in some sort of appointed position in the new Obama administration if he wishes. Let John Edwards serve the public interest and public welfare where he desires.......either as an advocate for progressive issues under the auspices of a progressive organization or in an appointed position in the new Democratic administration. Or even run for public office again.

John Edwards has talent which can serve the public interest. No need to punish him.

I'm looking forward to his return.

[bronceye]

The repitition of his Two Americas for 4 yrs. left me with the thought that he was pretty shallow for not building more into or onto that in 4 yrs. He lost a lot by getting $400 haircuts. That certainly isn't a big deal this year, though. $12,000/wk for make up certainly is sexist.

[OklahomaGirl]

I did like his policy and focus on the poor. I did support him. I gave him $325.00. This was my first time giving money to a national candidate. I called his office in Chapel Hill and asked for my money back. Of course they said no and had multiple reasons why not. I told them if I had known what he was up to I wouldn't have given him the time of day much less my money. My husband and dad think this is funny. I DON'T. I WANT MY MONEY BACK NOW.

[livesimply]

I am also greatly disappointed in John Edwards. He was my second choice (after Biden.) The affair thing is/was not a pretty business, but it is a family issue now. We got the best candidate who will most likely be president now. The Edwards have enough to contend with. Maybe you could let it go.

[OklahomaGirl]

It would be easier to let it go if I was able to get my $325.00 back. I'm tired of my Dad laughing at me. The last time it was Bill Clinton. "MUD CAT" IF YOUR OUT THERE TELL YOU FRIEND JOHN EDWARDS I WANT MY MONEY BACK.

[Count1]

Great story. Early on I identified with Edwards' message that there were clearly "two Americas" living side by side, unaware of each other's existence and in many cases mutually hostile. I guess experience proved that Edwards wasn't the one to to bring those concerns forward to effect meaningful public change. I hope Obama can do it.