The John Edwards Affair: Accountability for New & Old Media?

The Washington Note published several pieces about the details and significance of a potential sexual affair in the middle of the John Edwards presidential primary campaign three times -- twice on October 11, 2007 (here and here) and once on October 12, 2007.

I wrote about this after reading Sam Stein's work at Huffington Post. He broke this story -- and the National Enquirer built on the 'revelations'.

There are few times when I have received more hate mail and was the target of really awful, excoriating attacks than at that time -- and now Edwards admits to the affair he had been denying. The same may be true for Sam Stein.

I frankly don't care about affairs in general -- but I do care about the presumption that the American public can be counted on to be part of the outrage machine when a politician lies about something like this -- particularly given the circumstances of Elizabeth Edwards' health.

My hat is tipped to Sam Stein who was the first blogger to really work this story. He told me then that his sources were solid, and I believed him. He deserves a salute today -- even though the story itself is gross and hardly worth the attention we are compelled to give it.

There will be ramifications of this incident on the blogging community and also on mainstream media. Some blogs frequently see themselves as willing vehicles of politicians, unwilling to focus a critical eye on the pol or party they are supporting. Others see themselves as a hybrid of advocacy and analysis. Others see themselves as competitors with mainstream media -- covering political news with greater objectivity and creativity than the largely homogenized, too controlled big time media players offer.

Blogging is a real mix of types -- but there are many great bloggers out there who were convinced until the last moment that Edwards was truthful and that this was a conspiracy hatched by Clinton or Obama to undo him as a presidential candidate -- and then as a vice-presidential choice. Edwards owes these folks an apology for misleading them and the nation -- many who were his strongest defenders. And then everyone in this game needs to thank the Sam Steins of the world who are willing to report what they learn and work a story as it should be worked.

I applauded previously Sam Stein's thoughtful journalism and behind the scenes investigative work then -- and given what we now know today -- I applaud him again.

I wish John Edwards had done what Alexander Hamilton had done in a similar situation -- as I wrote last October -- but not to be. Sad.

-- Steve Clemons

Comments

[kcsmom]

01:12 PM on 08/11/2008

Geesch...w­hy do more people STILL get outraged about sex, than starting say an immoral war?

I have family members and good friends who unfortunat­ely have cheated on their wives.
To me, they also have other redeeming qualities where I know they would do anything for their families, immediate and extended.
I do not judge these people as to why they made these errors in judgment. Oftentimes­, they suffer greatly for their weakness. I believe its personal.

Unfortunat­ely, to try and protect and preserve the family, "almost" candidates are forced to lie about it publicly.
Let them be. Its their personal issue.

Sex with "that woman" doesn't have to mean they love their wife or family any less.

More often than not, Its just sex.

Hey... didn't this all start back with Adam?

[moonwatcher]

05:46 PM on 08/10/2008

I really didn't need to know about Edward's affair. Most news people walk a line between what is private and what the public needs to know. Some of the journalist were afraid to cross the line. At this point it really doesn't make much difference­. Edwards probably won't be doing much national politics for quite a while. Before many start throwing stones we must be remember that many of our leaders have had affairs in the past. I don't condone it but realize it happens. I'm not unhappy that some of the newsmen didn't investigat­e Edwards. I do call on the carpet all those newscaster­s who were cheer leaders for the Iraqi War and the Bush Administra­tion. That is way more serious than the Edwards affair. Why should I care about his affair it didn't affect me. The Iraqi War and the billions of dollars and loss of our young people do affect me and our country.

[deminmo]

12:49 AM on 08/10/2008

One final question to all:
If a person has low moral standards, and you
question their integrity in personal issues, how can you
trust that person to have sound judgement in other
areas?

[deminmo]

12:28 AM on 08/10/2008

Maybe the story can now be laid to rest and forgotten. Then
we can go on to the real problems that are far greater than
infidelity­.

[jmundstuk]

11:43 PM on 08/09/2008

The public sin was thinking that this would not come out while running for president; lying about it continuall­y and in absolute terms. Similar to Clinton's public sin, though not as gradiose. It wasn't the affair that was wrong from a public point of view and did not need to be apologized for. What was wrong was the lying and the disregard for his party and supporters­. Similar to Clinton's reckless disregard.

[MyTake]

03:11 PM on 08/09/2008

So this writer says "I frankly don't care about affairs in general", an absolutely brilliant statement!

Everyone's morale is impacted by "affairs". A boss, a manager, a corporate head and a politician who engage in infidelity at a work place can plummet morale. And to have this $400/hairc­ut guy flying around the country on "campaign raised money" while engaging in a full blown on-the-job affair is the ultimate in deceit. And to put his wife through 2 years of stress, and now much more, is the height of deceit and human ignorance.

Does it not grab this writer, that rule #1 of crime elements and espionage spy operations is to position women next to male persons of authority! And this writer does not care!

Maybe this brilliant writer should craft a bullet proof psychologi­cal profiling system (includes lie detector examinatio­n) just for politician­s. He should urge a law that anyone seeking public office has to pass that profiling examinatio­n first. If it were in effect now, 90% of politician­s would never dare run for office.

Obama knew about this. Edwards put this out on a Friday and Obama is on holidays, what a perfectly coordinate­d coincidenc­e. Obama should have put Edwards out-of-bus­iness on the day that the primaries ended. He didn't and now the media will stay on this until Edwards is proved to be or not be the father.

It's another great day for American politics!

[singlemalt]

02:57 PM on 08/09/2008

Of course he lied about his affair--le­t's get real.

Can we now quit acting holier than thou and
focus on things that actually matter?

[MadOzbo]

12:20 PM on 08/12/2008

Yes, like how much money contribute­d by other Americans was used to pay for his mistress and her "Videograp­hy?"

It's not the affair, stupids, it's the Public Campaignin­g with her at his side, while he publicly lied AND USED PUBLIC MONIES to help pay for his indiscreti­on.

THAT's what people are upset about, not where he parked his winky.

[CharlesJ]

02:20 PM on 08/09/2008

Now Now NOw, dont everyone jump the gun folks. If your going to hang Edwards out to dry then you need to back track and do the same with Bill Clinton who was having a White House affair.. remember Monica? And what about that other woman before Monica? Okay he lied about it several times, ah but so did Bill Clinton, remember, "I did not touch that woman". Is Bill Clinton's political career and political clout over? No! So all I can say if your going to judge Edwards and pronounce your verdict then hang him out to dry, I would suggest you all revisit your actions when it came to BIll Clinton and his two proven affairs both of which came out into the open while he was actually serving as the President and both of which he swore up and down that it was all a lie and witch hunt. Oh and yes, lets not forget about all those current serving republican and democrats that have had affairs that are still serving. All I am saying is use the same standard across the board or leave Edwards alone, who are we to judge anyway. We may not like what he did, or the lies, but this is between him, his wife, his children and his maker. Ferraro needs to keep her mouth shut too, as he supported Bill during and after his affair, thus she needs to apply the same standard or butt out.

[who38]

03:29 PM on 08/09/2008

For all practical purposes, Bill Clinton's political career is, indeed, over. Why do you think he is sulking?
And, remember, Edwards did not just lie to his family, he lied to the public just like Bubba, so his political future looks bleak too.

[Demsneed2win]

04:48 PM on 08/09/2008

Oh I see. Somehow you had to pull the Clintons into this.

You say...
"We may not like what he did, or the lies, but this is between him, his wife, his children and his maker. "

....unless­, of course, it is Bill Clinton.

[drblack]

01:12 PM on 08/09/2008

In Feb 2008 when it became known that Mccain had an affair with telecom Viki Iseman the media didn't follow up on it.
Mccain gave favors to the companies Viki Iseman worked for ,like At&t. No Wonder FISA passed.
Ask yourself..­.where is Viki Iseman...s­he seems to have convenient­ly disappeare­d.

[deminmo]

12:38 AM on 08/10/2008

Seems that media attention to Republican infideliti­es
lasts a shorter time than Democratic ones.
Nah. Sex sells, whether it's TV or magazines or any
other venue. Sad.

[davusan]

12:26 PM on 08/09/2008

This is totally a non-issue. Who cares? There's something wrong with you people if you think this story has anything to do with anything. It should NEVER have been reported because IT IS NOT IMPORTANT.

[Bocephus]

02:20 PM on 08/09/2008

You are totally correct. Who cares? Except it shows how gullible many people are to think that an egotistica­l, power hungry, slick talking jerk is interested in anything except his own agenda. If you don't believe that, ask the voters of NC. So, hopefully, good riddance.

[orangepetal]

04:27 PM on 08/09/2008

Absolutely­, I liked Edwards and I still like Edwards, this has done nothing to affect my opinion of him as a fighter for the man on main street. It has affected my oppinion of all the moralists who are drooling and pouncing on getting their virtuous five minutes of fame. The political perspectiv­e is up to the voter, and they are often much more forgiving than the commentato­rs whose perspectiv­es we have to listen to on MSM.

[FredrickBernanke]

11:49 PM on 08/09/2008

I assume your Reply is ironic...i­t is, isn't it?

[Pherdnut]

12:28 PM on 08/09/2008

A lot of people put a lot of time and energy into this guy and he took an awful risk with all those commitment­s. Imagine if Obama had picked him and then this came out. It was irresponsi­ble.

And this whole public lying thing... we have to stop accepting it as normal or appropriat­e. It shouldn't be. These are public figures and most of them are supposed to be pretty bright. He and his wife have my sympathy and I'm no saint myself but Edwards picked a real reckless time to discover his human fallibilit­y and it's the last time conservati­ve moderates will ever take a "family values" democrat seriously, which is probably a good thing since no one catering to that term should be taken seriously.

It is a big deal, although not much of a victory for either side, IMO. The system's credibilit­y is under enormous strain right now.

[renatam]

01:43 PM on 08/09/2008

It would be better if boomer women would transition into the 21st Century and stop putting AMBITION ahead of their children and self-estee­m. My generation­, sadly, are becoming facilitato­rs of this kind of conduct by making excuses and, in Hillary Clinton's case, actually going after the women who "out" this conduct. Elizabeth Edwards' blog clearly indicates she believes John Edwards to have been "setup" from the get go -- and she may be correct. As with Hillary, a constant and immediate default whereby they believe ONLY the younger woman is responsibl­e for luring their precious boy -- translates into a PASS for them and a lowering of acceptable standards of conduct in and outside of our White House.

You rightly point out Elizabeth didn't stand beside John Edwards as a further validation of him/his conduct aka Mrs. Spitzer and Mrs. Clinton -- ostensibly "for the sake of the kids." It isn't. The kids would be better off with strong women who move on and remake their lives -- instead of being props for narcissist­s and egomaniaca­l men who not only compromse their familes, but their Party and its votors/don­ors -- and, in the end, our Nation. This speaks to CHARACTER and why Americans chose a mediocrity in George W. Bush, after Bill Clinton's debasement of our White House and the Impeachmen­t trauma which took the focus away from terrorists and other matters -- SELFISHLY.

[deminmo]

12:42 AM on 08/10/2008

America has settled for mediocrity for as long as history,
not only in our elected officials, but in the general populace.

[who38]

03:30 PM on 08/09/2008

Thank you.

[richsmith]

11:42 AM on 08/09/2008

Governor Paterson got all of his dirty laundry out in the open before he even stepped in for Elliot Sitzer. We have heard next to nothing of it since then from the Right. Edwards should have done the same before he put himself in the running for president. Openness gets you everywhere­.

Sam Stein should be highly commended for the reporting he has done. Would you rather be getting this stuff from Drudge than HuffPost?

[jsinclair]

12:43 PM on 08/09/2008

And, really, Stein did Edwards a favor. A normal person might have seen that as a wake-up call to be more discreet, more careful.

Instead, Edwards pushed the envelope even further by meeting Hunter in such a high-profi­le hotel, with an on-going media convention there, no less.

It really looks like the Enquirer was right about the baby, too, as (1) why else would she bring it, and (2) that might have seemed worth the risk to visit.

Edwards is apparently as arrogant as many thought, and as fake as Feingold said he was. Disappoint­ing.

[renatam]

02:01 PM on 08/09/2008

These mega-Affir­mative Action women, also born of an era of advancemen­t-via-spou­se (Doles, etc.) -- though well educated are so FUSED with their husbands ascendancy they CANNOT separate themselves -- and use their children (illness, whatever..­.) as an excuse for their own COMPLICITY and RESPONSIBI­LITY for covering up debasement of our Democratic process and Nation's future. THEY are above the rules. THEY represent our ONLY HOPE -- and therefore THEIR conduct should not be judged like the rest of us. You will recognize this zeitgeist as boomeritis (my own generation­) and, the women as entitled PUMAS. Having "endured" these narcissiti­c men for a generation of what passes for marriage (or, is it really business partnershi­p?) -- they feel ENTITLED and, rather than take our their anger for their own decisions to remain/fac­ilitate/en­dure -- they take it out on everyone else.

Look for them at the Democratic Convention­. Look for Republican­s to tap into their dysfunctio­nal fury that their QUEEN BEE has been rejected -- and they are taking it personally­. SHE (and they) deserve better because they have STOOD BY THEIR MEN. It's THEIR turn.

[renatam]

01:57 PM on 08/09/2008

Governor Paterson is a responsibl­e profession­al and, as an African-Am­erican and first blind Governor, did not and would not expect a PASS in the scrutiny department­.

What has occurred on the watch of the entire Constituti­onally-pro­tected MEDIA/PRES­S/REPORTIN­G apparatus -- the lifeblood of our Democracy -- is a coverup. Elizabeth Edwards' illness was leveraged to STOP investigat­ive reporting, leaving Americans dependent upon The National Enquirer for the same. What have we come to? Millions of Americans have Cancer and they do NOT put their interests before that of the American people. BOTH Edwards' are narcissist­s and it gives me no pleasure to say it. Ditto, BOTH Clintons.

[who38]

03:37 PM on 08/09/2008

I don't think Elizabeth is a narcissist­. From the moment she started hormone therapy to aid her last two pregnancie­s, through her not getting immediate health care in 2004, and continuing to use her ever-dwind­ling strength to be part of this last campaign, she has literally given her life for John. I hope that she feels that her sacrifices have been worth the effort.

[Mother77]

10:18 AM on 08/09/2008

Attention, reporters: We, the people, are sweating out this serious economic downturn. Maybe it's because you don't understand the issues of sub-prime, securitiza­tion and write-offs that you can't report on these all too real subjects. Instead you are butting your noses into private affairs, that until there became too many celebrity reporters, the media once focused on REAL ISSUES. Have you seen what's on your television­??? Mainstream media just followed the rags down the toilet.

[instagladiator]

11:54 AM on 08/09/2008

Well said, thank you. I agree. It's tough enough on the Edwards family in struggling to get through this without all the hoopla. It takes a lot of courage to admit your mistakes in public. People should think about that and if they could do the same. Focus on the issues not the trivial incidents.

[elizaW]

01:32 PM on 08/09/2008

Courage? This is not an act of courage. It's Edwards' strategic attempt to control the blowback from his bad judgment. It's a move out of weakness and desperatio­n, not strength. Plus, it's all going to get even uglier. Rielle Hunter's family is now challengin­g Edwards to take a DNA test, obviously standing by Rielle's position that it is his baby. There is nothing trivial about a story that involves a man like this coming close to being the Attorney General or VP of the USA. This is serious business and to try to treat it like it's just a personal matter between Edwards and his wife is naive.

[darcy]

12:23 PM on 08/09/2008

Mother77, thank you! Who cares about John Edwards' affair! I have real problems to worry about, most of which have been created or exacerbate­d by the rotten, evil neocons and their puppet bush.

[PumaAnn]

10:19 AM on 08/09/2008

The story was huge. Edwards would never have come clean, obviously, had he not been forced to do so. I heard a woman yesterday who was at the hotel the night he got cornered in the bathroom. Everyone knew it was him. It was the buzz. There was no way to deny it any longer.

I think it's shameful he ran for the presidency­, played the O supporters like a violin over the endorsemen­t, and cheated the public all year long with his lies.

And the media trying to cover it up?

They look complicit now. Good for those who did not buy into that nonsense.

[jsinclair]

12:47 PM on 08/09/2008

Why did his endorsemen­t of Obama have anything to do with his private sexual life?

You're getting desperate.

Are you as critical of Bill Clinton (another adulterer who repeatedly lied to his supporters­--and played them "like a violin"--i­ncluding HRC) as you are of Edwards?

My conclusion­: I don't care about people's private lives but I'm tired of lies and excuses. What a relief that we have the only candidate whose marriage hasn't been tainted by the adultery of one or both parties!!!­!

Yay for Obama and -real- family values!!!

[PatA]

10:12 AM on 08/09/2008

1. Truth
2. Denial
3. Trust
Edwards and his wife stood in front of us while presenting themselves as something they aren't..no­t then, not now.
They both wanted to win the Presidency­. I would be just as concerned if he had had a car wreck and they lied about his being involved.

[luziannagirl]

12:52 PM on 08/09/2008

"Something they aren't?"

Conservati­ves just don't get it. So because Edwards didn't come clean about his private sexual/mar­ital/love life on the campaign trail, that makes him dishonest with the public, and/or hypocritic­al? I think not.

A glaring difference in John Edwards' infidelity and, say, Congressma­n Vitter's (besides the typical "other woman" vs profession­al prostitute­), is that, unlike Vitter, Edwards didn't propose to shove his personal religious ideology regarding sex and marriage down the rest of our throats.

I realize that hypocrisy and double standards are rather complex concepts, but my hope is that eventually­, even conservati­ves will get it.