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Edwards Back in the Spotlight; Affair Remains in the Dark
November 11, 2008 10:51 PM
ABC News' Raelyn Johnson reports: Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards returned to the political stage this evening in his first public appearance after admitting he had an extramarital affair.
Edwards delivered an address to students at Indiana University. In prepared remarks he spoke about the 2008 presidential race, but made no mention of his headline-grabbing admission that sent him into seclusion for past three months.
"The result of last Tuesday was not an accident," said Edwards speaking of President-elect Barack Obama. "Americans want change and they wanted something different."
He reaffirmed praise for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and noted that Obama was a more formidable opponent for Republican John McCain because of the long primary battle he fought with her.
In a lighthearted moment, Edwards said McCain "came back from the dead to win the Republican nomination." As the audience laughed, he quickly noted his comment was not a joke about the 72-year-old senator.
Following his remarks, Edwards answered presubmitted questions from students. He was reportedly paid $35,000 for his speech.
The event marks Edwards’ first foray back into the public spotlight, after admitting exclusively to ABC News in August that he had an affair with Rielle Hunter, a videographer who was hired to work on his 2008 presidential campaign.
Edwards has since kept a low profile, canceling all speaking engagements during the general election season, in order to avoid distracting attention from Obama. The former senator and vice presidential candidate played no role in his party’s nominating convention, this past August in Denver.
Edwards left students with the very message he left voters with during this campaign—that ending poverty is the central cause of his life, and will remain his life’s work.
Ben Phelps of the Indiana Daily Student contributed to this report.
November 11, 2008 in Edwards, John | Permalink | User Comments (59)
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Between his multi-million dollar mansion, 600$ hair cuts and his hedge fund consultant job, Edwards like all other liberal democrats is serious about tackling the issue of poverty.
Posted by: Greg h | Nov 11, 2008 11:06:12 PM
The wonderful thing about America is that our memory is so short that even the most despicable of our leaders can ALWAYS make a comeback.
Posted by: Ben Williams | Nov 11, 2008 11:14:39 PM
who would pay a liar this much money to speak to students?
Posted by: happy | Nov 11, 2008 11:17:33 PM
Between his multi-million dollar mansion, 600$ hair cuts and his hedge fund consultant job, Edwards like all other liberal democrats is serious about tackling the issue of poverty. XXX GEE GREG, ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO TAKE A VOW OF POVERTY TO WANT TO HELP PEOPLE IN POVERTY. XXX
Posted by: JameyCarothers | Nov 11, 2008 11:26:03 PM
his pathetic need for the spotlight is sickening - he needs to crawl back under whichever slimy rock he's been hiding under these last few months!
no, John, you're not forgiven, you're not getting a second chance ... buh-bye!
Posted by: Bernard Profitendieu | Nov 11, 2008 11:29:56 PM
Any of you ever hear about forgiveness? what he did was dispicable, especially in light of his wife's health problems, but he still has a good message. Who can help the poor if not the well heeled? As far as paying liars to speak to students, I believe Newt Gingrich not only got paid to speak to students, he was paid to teach them.
Posted by: Rodney Dickerson | Nov 11, 2008 11:32:05 PM
edwards paid for his own stuff.
Palin had republican donors pay for herstuff,,, and pay, and pay, and pay.
Posted by: mr sleepy | Nov 11, 2008 11:38:07 PM
that's $400 haircuts sir.
Posted by: bob | Nov 11, 2008 11:39:57 PM
Ugh. How creepy.
Posted by: louise | Nov 11, 2008 11:41:42 PM
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone - you know who.
Posted by: Jesus | Nov 11, 2008 11:46:58 PM
John Edwards (unlike many of the others who are now trying to scratch and claw there way into a Presidential Cabinet post) has over the last two years shown that he understands the problems that lay ahead for this country, and he would be an intelligent and competent
addition to the President Obama's Administration.
Posted by: Cherubim | Nov 11, 2008 11:57:11 PM
Indiana university is better off donating $35000 to the charity as this man always has used poverty to his political enrichment, has lived and enjoyed lavish life-style not to mention his house and his " Hair cut"
Democrat should stay away from such politicians.
Posted by: Ed | Nov 12, 2008 12:06:16 AM
Edwards probably would be a competent member of the President' staff, but I don't think it would be a wise move on Abama's part to include him. There are too many other bright and capable people out there without the baggage. I think Edwards is starting to take the right path for him: get into anti poverty work through private and non-profits, help raise awareness and money, but stay out of politcs.
Posted by: Rodney Dickerson | Nov 12, 2008 12:12:37 AM
As a VP candidate in 2004, he did not win his own state . It means they knew him up-close...what we have found out now about him.
As a crusader for poverty do not run around the campuses for the hand out, with rising tuition cost, Indiana university should have better sense before doling out $35000 check.
Posted by: Ed | Nov 12, 2008 12:15:44 AM
Loser!!!!
Posted by: sisterdearest09 | Nov 12, 2008 12:15:49 AM
John Edwards, crawl back under your rock.
Posted by: June in Oregon | Nov 12, 2008 12:22:03 AM
Paid $35,000 for his speech ? Wonder how much Palin is paid for all the interviews ? She may as well hit while the iron is still hot.
Posted by: Sue | Nov 12, 2008 12:22:18 AM
Living here in NC, I can tell you that John Edwards has done very little for anyone, unless it is profitable for him. They set up a scholarship fund in Greene County and then shut it down also. I guess he's just too busy trying to keep up with his wife and mistress.
Posted by: Melanie | Nov 12, 2008 12:24:40 AM
What else do we want to know about his affair?
It's his business. Mind your own!!
Posted by: Rubyred Republican | Nov 12, 2008 12:39:29 AM
I'm never surprised anymore when someone is found to have an affair. It seems to be the norm and not the exception. I tend to think lot of this is investigated initially by a political adversary's aide or employee and then leaked to the press.
Posted by: Barb | Nov 12, 2008 12:50:34 AM
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