He wanted to make decisions about how we live our lives. But he lied in the process, telling us he was moral and ethical and caring. He wanted us to believe him.
And I did.
Now I want to know how he lived his life, slinking around in the shadows of an extra-marital affair while his wife suffered from a cancer from which she has little or no escape.
Edwards tried to escape when reporters from a tabloid chased him down in a Beverly Hills hotel hallway.
But he failed to get away.
And now I want to know everything I can find out about him and his mistress and the money that went to pay her to film videos for his website. I want to know how they met, how often they met, and what happened when they met.
I want to know all the sordid details.
I want to know about the baby, too. Edwards says he’s not the father. Prove it.
But, you say, this isn’t any of my business.
Oh yeah it is.
Edwards wanted to tell us how to live our lives. So we deserve to know how he lived his. Public exposure and public disclosure come with the territory. And Edwards knows that as well as anybody.
But he wanted it both ways. He wanted the great wife and the great kids. He was blessed to have both. Then he threw it away.
Maybe he’s sick. Maybe he suffers from a diagnosable ailment that psychiatrists can treat with therapy and d rugs. Maybe he wants to get better, too. But maybe he doesn’t.
Maybe he wants to write a check to the family and head to the Playboy Mansion. Maybe he wants to become a polygamist. Maybe he wants a harem.
I have no idea what he wants.
I know what I want, though. I want powerful elected officials to show the strength of their convictions. I want to trust them. I want them to uphold the public trust.
It’s OK with me if somebody campaigns on a platform of open marriage and gets elected.
But you will suffer the consequences if you campaign and live a public life as a loving, faithful family man and get busted with a woman other than you wife.
If Hell exists, Edwards should head south as soon as he’s ready.
At least he wasn’t the Democratic presidential nominee. At least he didn’t endorse Hillary Clinton. At least Barack Obama didn’t choose him as his vice presidential nominee.
Still, Edwards will now help push already disgusted Democrats to the McCain camp.
Yeah, McCain cheated, too, but that was years ago and is well documented.
And, yes, I read the New York Times story about McCain’s staffers’ concerns that he was getting too cozy with a female lobbyist. But he and the woman denied any improper behavior. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, I give McCain the benefit of the doubt.
So will voters.
So will the press.
But that doesn’t mean that reporters and private eyes shouldn’t keep looking for proof of scandal and smut. I want as many eyes as possible on every aspect of a powerful public official’s behavior. I want more investigative reporting.
It’s too bad if such inquiry drives away qualified candidates.
I’ll take a less than qualified candidate who is honest and disciplined and practices what she or he preaches over a two or three-timing cheat with a wall full of Ivy League degrees.
All public officials are fair game.
You tell us how to live our lives and we’ll watch the way you live yours. I want to know more about you, not less. I want to know if you cheat on your husband or your wife. I want to know if you lie. I want to know the facts however distasteful they are.
The truth will set us free, you know. Even the man who said that is fair game.
Because when it comes to politics, nothing’s sacred.
Rush Limbaugh
