Edwards 'Love Child' Story Shows Press Double Standard

saltwn · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 04:10 AM

Quote:

The press jumped all over Larry Craig’s bathroom dalliance not because he was gay, it was claimed, but because he was a hypocrite with an anti-gay voting record. But no one is piling on John Edwards, whom the National Enquirer says it caught visiting his mistress and love child this week

The stories aren’t identical—Craig was in the police blotter, while "Edwards, as far as we know, is guilty of nothing beyond running away from tabloid reporters in a Beverly Hills hotel stairway

But doesn't Edwards, who made his marriage a key part of his campaign, also deserve the same scrutiny as Craig? Edwards 'Love Child' Story Shows Press Double Standard - Politics news | Newser: Know More. Search Less.

I think it has less to do with gay/straight than it does Republican/Democrat as far as the main stream following this up.

dga · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

I think it has less to do with gay/straight than it does Republican/Democrat as far as the main stream following this up.

This is a photographer of the National Enquirer, who hasn't even produced a photo. The man was in the stairway of a hotel and the source is anonymous. What are they gonna report? "An anonymous source tells us that Edwards, pictured here going down these stairs, had just come from a hotel room visiting his alleged mistress and love child". There are no facts, no witnesses, not even an incriminating photograph. Give me a break.

As opposed to... a police report, an arrest, indecent exposure, officials as witnesses, etc. etc. The Larry Craig situation could be more easily compared to the Elliott Spitzer scandal, and we all know how that turned out,

Geez!

Furthermore, Spitzer's replacement Gov. Paterson (also a Dem) got more than his fair share of media coverage when it was exposed that he had had an extramarital affair for years. I am sure that if they ever find their "gotcha!" moment with Edwards, it'll be splayed all over the news.

tristanrobin · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dga

As opposed to... a police report, an arrest, indecent exposure, officials as witnesses, etc. etc.

don't forget - A GUILTY PLEA!!!!!!

faithful_servant · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 03:17 PM

Back to the subject of the OP...

An update on the story:

Quote:

Breaking: Edwards admits lying about affair

John Edwards said Friday he had lied about his affair with a film-maker throughout his presidential campaign, according to ABC News.

He also said he had not fathered the 5-month-old child of Rielle Hunter, 42, although he also said he had not taken a paternity test.

In a Nightline interview set to air tonight, Edwards said he knew he was not the father because of the timing of the birth. His former aide Andrew Young has claimed paternity.

Last month, he told reporters that he had not been lying during his presidential bid when he denied having a relationship with Hunter. "I have no idea what you are asking about I have responded to consistently to these tabloid allegations by saying I don't respond to these lies," said Edwards.

link

Sounds like there's a small problem with someone's integrity. Of course this should lock in the VP slot for Edwards. As long as his wife forgives him, he'll be a hero to Dems. everywhere for some screwed-up reason....

dga · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithful_servant

Back to the subject of the OP...

An update on the story:

link

Sounds like there's a small problem with someone's integrity. Of course this should lock in the VP slot for Edwards. As long as his wife forgives him, he'll be a hero to Dems. everywhere for some screwed-up reason....

And there goes that self righteousness,

Eventually he will probably continue with his career, but for now the proverbial shit is about to hit the fan, and it won't clear in time for him to be a VP nominee.

saltwn · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dga

And there goes that self righteousness,

Eventually he will probably continue with his career, but for now the proverbial shit is about to hit the fan, and it won't clear in time for him to be a VP nominee.

And it is kind of like L. Craig. Instead of running for "one more term" as so many Senators decide to do, or retiring in good standing for all the work he has done--His (not even an affair--not even a bath room trist--but) supposed high sign that he was on the make

hit him in time to leave the area he represents back to square one in relation to power.

The article and I admit there are differences (at this point), but Senator Craig hardly qualifies as a Spitzer case.
Besides, if Edwards was a Republican who was running on "high moral ground", the regular press core would be in cahoots with every body from the Enquirer to his first grade school teacher to "get something on him".

tristanrobin · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 04:34 PM

It is NOT THE SAME AS SPITZER.

CRAIG PLEADED GUILTY

and - to the best of my knowledge - Edwards has never introduced legislature to keep rights away from people who have broken their marriage vows.

is what Edwards did any different than what Reagan did with Nancy?

saltwn · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristanrobin

It is NOT THE SAME AS SPITZER.

CRAIG PLEADED GUILTY

and - to the best of my knowledge - Edwards has never introduced legislature to keep rights away from people who have broken their marriage vows.

is what Edwards did any different than what Reagan did with Nancy?

He comes from the Bible belt. His constituents include people who think he is a champion for the rights of the oppressed. He presents himself as one of them. I'm not saying he is any different from a lot of politicians. I just agree (to a point) with the article that there is a double standard.
Would you have been more on my side if I had agreed with the article fully? That it is a gay/straight thing? I don't see it as that. As I indicated, I believe the main stream media are more lenient towards the Democrats right now.

And I assume you are saying Regan cheated on his wife with Nancy? I didn't know that. He was so old when he got to the White House. I'm kind of glad he at least had something to look back on.

But yes, I think for a long time the press -for whatever reason- cut Regan some slack. He had a mandate and therefore, you didn't want to brow beat him too much I guess.

But this race and all that surrounds it should start and continue on equal footing.
I see Edwards as a Romney counterpart. Call them the "squeaky cleaners"

If Romney has something going on like this no matter the source, the press is definitely going to follow up on it. It truly wouldn't surprise me to see it on the front page of the NYT.

cnredd · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

I think it has less to do with gay/straight than it does Republican/Democrat as far as the main stream following this up.

Pretty much...SOP...

The admission may end up a circus which will take time away from the campaigns for a bit...

But the National Enquirer now has more credibility than the MSM who didn't even bother to run checkups...

cnredd · #10 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dga

The man was in the stairway of a hotel and the source is anonymous...There are no facts, no witnesses, not even an incriminating photograph. Give me a break.

nah...They had a witness for a couple of weeks now...Not only a witness, but a guy who actually helped Edwards escape the reporters...

Guard Confirms Late-Night Hotel Encounter Between Ex-Sen. John Edwards, Tabloid Reporters

Quote:

A Beverly Hills hotel security guard told FOXNews.com he intervened this week between a man he identified as former Sen. John Edwards and tabloid reporters who chased down the former presidential hopeful after what they're calling a rendezvous with his mistress and love child.

The Beverly Hilton Hotel guard said he encountered a shaken and ashen-faced Edwards — whom he did not immediately recognize — in a hotel men's room early Tuesday morning in a literal tug-of-war with reporters on the other side of the door.

"What are they saying about me?" the guard said Edwards asked.

"His face just went totally white," the guard said, when Edwards was told the reporters were shouting out questions about Edwards and Rielle Hunter, a woman the National Enquirer says is the mother of his child.

The guard said he escorted Edwards, who was not a registered guest at the hotel, out of the building after 2 a.m. Edwards did not say anything while he was escorted out, said the guard, adding that at times the reporters on the scene were "rough on him," sticking a camera in his face and shouting questions.

The guard did not recognize Edwards at the time of the incident, but said he concluded it was the 2008 presidential hopeful after hearing reports about the incident and finding an Enquirer reporter's notebook at the scene.

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