Changes

On December 28, 2005, John Edwards officially announced that he would again seek the Democratic nomination for president for the 2008 election.

On December 28, 2005, John Edwards officially announced that he would again seek the Democratic nomination for president for the 2008 election.

Edwards is reported to be miffed over having been branded "the Breck Girl" <ref>[http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-edwardsbreckgirl.htm John Edwards the Breck Girl] ''"Sometimes another pretty face is just another pretty face."''</ref> in the 2004 Vice Presidential contest. Columnist Joan Vennochi characterized Edwards problem, "Usually, women are forced to ward off stereotypical thinking that equates beauty with brainlessness. But Edwards is not the first male politician to feel the double-edged sword that comes with being too pretty to be taken seriously." <ref>[http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/vote/5289.php Edwards' obstacle: 'Breck girl' good looks], Joan Vennochi, ''The Boston Globe'', 01.10.2004.</ref> In the spring of 2007, Edwards was ridiculed for getting $400 haircuts and charging his political campaign for them. He later said that he reimbursed his campaign $800.<ref>CBS News, [https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/04/24/publiceye/entry2722181.shtml ''John Edwards And The Case Of The "Breck Girl" Comment''], April 24, 2007.</ref>

Edwards is reported to be miffed over having been branded "the Breck Girl" <ref>[https://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-edwardsbreckgirl.htm John Edwards the Breck Girl] ''"Sometimes another pretty face is just another pretty face."''</ref> in the 2004 Vice Presidential contest. Columnist Joan Vennochi characterized Edwards problem, "Usually, women are forced to ward off stereotypical thinking that equates beauty with brainlessness. But Edwards is not the first male politician to feel the double-edged sword that comes with being too pretty to be taken seriously." <ref>[http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/vote/5289.php Edwards' obstacle: 'Breck girl' good looks], Joan Vennochi, ''The Boston Globe'', 01.10.2004.</ref> In the spring of 2007, Edwards was ridiculed for getting $400 haircuts and charging his political campaign for them. He later said that he reimbursed his campaign $800.<ref>CBS News, [https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/04/24/publiceye/entry2722181.shtml ''John Edwards And The Case Of The "Breck Girl" Comment''], April 24, 2007.</ref>

On [[Memorial Day]] 2007 Edwards was accused of using the National Holiday to "trash the sacrifice, honor and glory of American soldiers."

On [[Memorial Day]] 2007 Edwards was accused of using the National Holiday to "trash the sacrifice, honor and glory of American soldiers."

<ref>[https://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/05/john_edwards_criticized_for_en.php John Edwards criticized for 'trashing' troops on Memorial Day], Jim Brown, ''OneNewsNow.com'', May 30, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May26/0,4670,EdwardsInterview,00.html Edwards Defends Stepped-Up War Opposition], By Mike Glover, Associated Press, May 26, 2007.</ref>

<ref>[https://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/05/john_edwards_criticized_for_en.php John Edwards criticized for 'trashing' troops on Memorial Day], Jim Brown, ''OneNewsNow.com'', May 30, 2007.</ref><ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May26/0,4670,EdwardsInterview,00.html Edwards Defends Stepped-Up War Opposition], By Mike Glover, Associated Press, May 26, 2007.</ref>

The ''New York Times'' reported  Edwards created a nonprofit organization with the stated mission of fighting poverty. The organization, the Center for Promise and Opportunity, raised $1.3 million in 2005, and — unlike a sister charity he created to raise scholarship money for poor students — the main beneficiary of the center’s fund-raising was Mr. Edwards himself, according to tax filings. The organization became a big part of a shadow political apparatus. Its officers were members of his political staff, and it helped pay for his nearly constant travel, including to early primary states.

The ''New York Times'' reported  Edwards created a nonprofit organization with the stated mission of fighting poverty. The organization, the Center for Promise and Opportunity, raised $1.3 million in 2005, and — unlike a sister charity he created to raise scholarship money for poor students — the main beneficiary of the center’s fund-raising was Mr. Edwards himself, according to tax filings. The organization became a big part of a shadow political apparatus. Its officers were members of his political staff, and it helped pay for his nearly constant travel, including to early primary states.

===Criticism===

===Criticism===

Edwards came under fire for not firing two of his campaign workers who made bigoted and hateful statements on their blogs.  Statements included calling Christian supporters of President Bush his "wingnut Christofascist base", asking what would have happened if the Virgin Mary had taken an emergency contraceptive,<ref>https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/02/13/politics/p171426S05.DTL&type=politics</ref> and asking religious conservatives "What don't you lousy motherf——ers understand about keeping your noses out of our britches, our beds and our families?".<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251620,00.html</ref><ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251009,00.html</ref>  These incidents were largely ignored by the mainstream media.<ref>http://www.mediaresearch.org/realitycheck/2007/fax20070222.asp</ref> Edwards was criticized for not firing the employees, but they later resigned themselves.

Edwards came under fire for not firing two of his campaign workers who made bigoted and hateful statements on their blogs.  Statements included calling Christian supporters of President Bush his "wingnut Christofascist base", asking what would have happened if the Virgin Mary had taken an emergency contraceptive,<ref>https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/02/13/politics/p171426S05.DTL&type=politics</ref> and asking religious conservatives "What don't you lousy motherf——ers understand about keeping your noses out of our britches, our beds and our families?".<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251620,00.html</ref><ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251009,00.html</ref>  These incidents were largely ignored by the mainstream media.<ref>http://www.mediaresearch.org/realitycheck/2007/fax20070222.asp</ref> Edwards was criticized for not firing the employees, but they later resigned themselves.

Critics also cite Edwards lack of government experience.  One often heard criticism is that, other than the fact he has a full head of hair, there is little else to qualify him as a candidate.

Critics also cite Edwards lack of government experience.  One often heard criticism is that, other than the fact he has a full head of hair, there is little else to qualify him as a candidate.

In October 2007 the ''[[National Enquirer]]'' accused Edwards of having an extramarital affair with [[Rielle Hunter]], a claim that Edwards repeatedly denied even while running for [[President]].  Armed with knowledge that Edwards planned to visit Rielle at her hotel on July 22, 2008, the ''Enquirer'' confronted Edwards at 2 A.M. when he left her room after being there for a considerable time.  Edwards ran, hid in a bathroom and security was called to escort him out.

In October 2007 the ''[[National Enquirer]]'' accused Edwards of having an extramarital affair with [[Rielle Hunter]], a claim that Edwards repeatedly denied even while running for [[President]].  Armed with knowledge that Edwards planned to visit Rielle at her hotel on July 22, 2008, the ''Enquirer'' confronted Edwards at 2 A.M. when he left her room after being there for a considerable time.  Edwards ran, hid in a bathroom and security was called to escort him out.

With a few exceptions, [[liberal bias]] ensured the silence of the major Internet and television news organizations. Edwards disavowed the allegations in a brief statement, saying that he would not dignify lies with responses. He asserted that he was telling “99 percent” of the truth before coming clean.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401462,00.html Inconsistencies Raise Concerns Edwards May Still Be Lying About Affair] Fox News,  August 11, 2008</ref> Most liberal-owned networks and Internet sites were still silent.

With a few exceptions, [[liberal bias]] ensured the silence of the major Internet and television news organizations. Edwards disavowed the allegations in a brief statement, saying that he would not dignify lies with responses. He asserted that he was telling “99 percent” of the truth before coming clean.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401462,00.html Inconsistencies Raise Concerns Edwards May Still Be Lying About Affair] Fox News,  August 11, 2008</ref> Most liberal-owned networks and Internet sites were still silent.

[[File:Edwards-lies.jpg|thumb|280px|Edwards was notorious for fathering many lies]]

[[File:Edwards-lies.jpg|thumb|280px|Edwards was notorious for fathering many lies]]

The [[conservative]] media's pursuit of the truth forced the issue into the public eye and further raised serious questions about Edwards. Edwards chose to give an interview to [[ABC News]] less than two weeks after being caught with his mistress yet again. He claimed that some elements of the story were false, including the allegation that he was the father of Rielle's child.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5441195&page=1 Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential Candidate] ABC News, August 8, 2008</ref>  At that point, the [[mainstream media]] finally began to give the story serious coverage.

The [[conservative]] media's pursuit of the truth forced the issue into the public eye and further raised serious questions about Edwards. Edwards chose to give an interview to [[ABC News]] less than two weeks after being caught with his mistress yet again. He claimed that some elements of the story were false, including the allegation that he was the father of Rielle's child.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5441195&page=1 Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential Candidate] ABC News, August 8, 2008</ref>  At that point, the [[mainstream media]] finally began to give the story serious coverage.

There may be elements of the scandal that are still being glossed over.  Apparently, a close political friend of Edwards had been sending Hunter $15,000 a month, something that Edwards says he knew nothing about, and that he attempts to explain away by speculating that it might simply be a case of a friend helping out a person in distress.  Fox News has also pointed out that elements of Edwards story and the timeline are inconsistent <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401462,00.html Inconsistencies Raise Concerns Edwards May Still Be Lying About Affair] Fox News, August 11, 2008</ref>

There may be elements of the scandal that are still being glossed over.  Apparently, a close political friend of Edwards had been sending Hunter $15,000 a month, something that Edwards says he knew nothing about, and that he attempts to explain away by speculating that it might simply be a case of a friend helping out a person in distress.  Fox News has also pointed out that elements of Edwards story and the timeline are inconsistent <ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401462,00.html Inconsistencies Raise Concerns Edwards May Still Be Lying About Affair] Fox News, August 11, 2008</ref>

The seriousness of the allegations led Edwards to cancel all public appearances during the election campaign, recognizing that his presence could only be a detriment to his party.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,417042,00.html</ref> Beyond the 2008 election, the gravity of the situation, which was compounded by the fact that these events took place as Elizabeth was being treated for cancer, the scandal has in all likelihood derailed Edwards' future political prospects.  

The seriousness of the allegations led Edwards to cancel all public appearances during the election campaign, recognizing that his presence could only be a detriment to his party.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,417042,00.html</ref> Beyond the 2008 election, the gravity of the situation, which was compounded by the fact that these events took place as Elizabeth was being treated for cancer, the scandal has in all likelihood derailed Edwards' future political prospects.  

The ''Enquirer'' reported that a DNA test confirmed that Rielle's son was fathered by Edwards. In January 2010, Edwards admitted that the child is his and that he has separated from his wife.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/12/report-dna-tests-proves-edwards-fathered-videographers-daughter/?test=latestnews DNA Test Proves Edwards Fathered Videographer's Daughter, Fox News, August 13, 2009]</ref>

The ''Enquirer'' reported that a DNA test confirmed that Rielle's son was fathered by Edwards. In January 2010, Edwards admitted that the child is his and that he has separated from his wife.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/12/report-dna-tests-proves-edwards-fathered-videographers-daughter/?test=latestnews DNA Test Proves Edwards Fathered Videographer's Daughter, Fox News, August 13, 2009]</ref>

If there was any doubt before as to Edwards's honesty, the facts now prove he is one of the most pathetic liars to have ever served in American politics.

If there was any doubt before as to Edwards's honesty, the facts now prove he is one of the most pathetic liars to have ever served in American politics.