August 10, 2008
John Edwards' narcissism finally does him in
By now I'm sure you've heard what the media was so desperate not to tell you, because the National Enquirer's story on John Edwards late-night visit to his mistress and the mystery infant was based on ... well, reporting that made a Democrat look bad.
This is the same media that ran a rumor about McCain allegedly having an affair with a lobbyist on page 1 (yeah, I'm talking 'bout you, New York Times!), a rumor that has since disappeared, as there seems to be nothing behind it, other than a visceral need to slime Republicans.
As to the late, unlamented end to Edwards' presidential aspirations, I think I'll let liberal diva Maureen Dowd make the case about the man's repellent personality, rather than go with another conservative piling on.
The stunning admission Edwards made to ABC’s Bob Woodruff, and in a written statement from Chapel Hill on Friday afternoon, was that he’s a narcissist.
[...]
Even in confessing to preening, Edwards was preening. His diagnosis of narcissism was weirdly narcissistic, or was it self-narcissistic? Given his diagnosis, I’m sure his H.M.O. would pay.
The creepiest part of his creepy confession was when he stressed to Woodruff that he cheated on Elizabeth in 2006 when her cancer was in remission. His infidelity was oncologically correct.
[...]
But the Breck Girl wants a gold star for the fact that he sent his marriage into remission when his wife was in remission. That’s special.
In his statement, he bleats: “You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I have been stripped bare.” Isn’t stripping bare how he got into this mess?
It isn’t like we didn’t know that the son of a millworker was a little enraptured by himself, radiating self-love from his smile and his man-in-a-hurry airs and the notorious $800 bill for a pair of haircuts and his two-minute YouTube hair primping to the tune of “I Feel Pretty.”
[...]
Back in 2002, Edwards sent me a Ken doll dressed in bathing trunks, Rio de Janeiro Ken, with a teasing note, because he didn’t like my reference to him as a Ken doll in a column.
In retrospect, the comparison was not fair — to Ken.
But there's more to come, given Edwards' wide-eyed declaration that he was prepared to take a paternity test, with the caveat that he's only one of the people needed to do that. Just yesterday, the mother of the love child said she wouldn't be participating in that test.
Well, whattaya know? It's almost as if they had worked that one out beforehand ....
What a mess. To call Edwards a typical, sleazy politician is an insult to sleazy pols everywhere.
Posted by Mike Lief at August 10, 2008 07:19 AM
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Comments
I am convinced that this entire story is a right-wing hit piece on a man who has dedicated his life to public service. In Europe, an extra-martial affair just doesn't amount to much. The question is whether the leader has the vision and capability of leading the country. It doesn't matter who he beds down with.
Posted by: John Martin at August 10, 2008 10:59 PM
Where to begin?
"Right-wing hit piece? "
If that were all that it was, Edwards would continue to fight back, assisted by his supporters. However, it would appear that you are his last defender; even Edwards has admitted lying about the affair. So, if by "right-wing hit piece" you mean a factual account of a candidate's behaviors and pathologies, then I'll agree with you.
"A man who dedicated his life to public service?"
We are talking about John Edwards, aren't we? A man who has dedicated his life to suing people -- and coincidentally amassing a fortune in the process -- before deciding that politics was just the ticket to ... greater fame (and perhaps fortune).
"In Europe, an extra-marital affair doesn't amount to much."
Which is why, if Edwards agrees with you, he should move to Europe and run for office.
On the other hand, Americans have a rather different view of a politician who uses his wife's cancer to score sympathy points and build his credibility as a loving, caring family man, before being forced to admit that he cheated on her.
And, I dare say, Americans take a rather dim view of a politician who says that he waited until his wife's cancer was in remission before starting the affair as proof that he's actually a decent fellow.
Now, you may scoff at the rubes and yokels that find his behavior repellent, but you might be interested that a large number of those who are appalled happen to be Democrats, stunned that this man -- and his wife -- would have jeopardized their party's chance at winning back the White House, just to satisfy his (their?) lust for power.
Say what you will about the greater sophistication of the Euro-weenies, but I suspect that l'affair de Edwards has provided great insight into the man, his character and judgement.
Hell, even Edwards himself disagrees with your assessment, else he'd have told the press to bugger off and mind its own business, rather than lied about it all.
Posted by: Mike Lief at August 10, 2008 11:40 PM
I have a question, maybe Mr. Martin can help me out. Why is it that whenever we have a debate about anything related to politics, foreign policy or social policy, it seems that people are inclined to point out how things are done in Europe? It's as if these people have all decided that somehow Europe is more refined than the United States. They are a further evolved culture.
Its been a few years since I have studied history, but I am pretty sure that we fought a war to distance ourselves from the Europeans. The statement "in Europe they..." is of absolutely no moment in a debate regarding American politics.
Posted by: RW at August 11, 2008 08:45 AM
His continued arrogance should not surprise me, but it does. Does Edwards really expect we are so stupid as to believe the b.s. he spews? She is sooooo bought and paid for now it's a joke. Oh, I do have a theory that it is her leaking the info to try and break up the marriage and keep him to herself. I hope they have a great life together.
Great video!
Posted by: Thin Ice at August 11, 2008 12:55 PM
Well now JOHN EDWARDS slut has him exaactly where she wants him. She is living in a gated community in a $3,000,000 house, drives a brand new vehicle and gets $15,000 a month to throw away.
Where has his wife, Elizabeth been in all this? Has she been covering for him? She always seemed intellectually superior to him and could make a career for herself in her own right. EDWARDS IS A ZERO; HE HAS USED HIS WIFE, CHILDREN AND PARENTS TO BRAG ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL HE IS! HE IS THE LOWEST OF THE LOW !
Posted by: ELAINE N. RAMEY at August 12, 2008 08:36 PM