Edwards admits affair in statement

Posted: Friday, August 08, 2008 5:09 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Domenico Montanaro
John Edwards admitted in a statement that he had an affair and that he "made a serious error in judgment" but denied he fathered a child or that he'd paid her off. In fact, Edwards went further, saying, "I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby."

Full statement below:
STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS
August 8, 2008

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public. When a supermarket tabloid told a version of the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it. But being 99% honest is no longer enough.

I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices, and I had hoped that it would never become public. With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006 and today I take full responsibility publicly. But that misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby. I also have not been engaged in any activity of any description that requested, agreed to or supported payments of any kind to the woman or to the apparent father of the baby.

It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am sorry. In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic. If you want to beat me up -- feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my family and others who need my help.

I have given a complete interview on this matter and having done so, will have nothing more to say.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

A politician admits to being "egocentric and narcissistic". What a shock. Who knew?

Billy G., Oak Brook, IL (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:23 PM)

This is very sad for the family. PERIOD.

As far as political fallout, this shouldn't have any effect, since everyone knows John McCain screwed around on his disfigured wife, Carol, for years before he met his meal ticket, Cindy.

Carrie in TX (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:23 PM)

Dude, if you are not a celebrity inside the Beltway, you have no mojo at all.

That's the deal with the devil: "I'll make you a star, and even you will believe it!"

Mark Thieme (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:23 PM)

Dems and Repubs all the same. McCain ditches wife while she is ill - Edwards starts affair while his wife is battling cancer. Maybe we DO need a female president (but NOT Hillary)

Disgusted with politicians (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:24 PM)

Glad he is not our nominee. I suspect many others who were running have had affairs. Many whose affairs have become public have gone on to make useful contributions in public service - Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, the late Henry Hyde, many others.

Sue, Chicago (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:24 PM)

Again McCain.... foot, meet mouth!

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/08/mccain-hamdan-facts/

ya know (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:25 PM)

It will be interesting to see how this is handled by the press and each political party. John McCain cheated on his first wife, Carol Shepp, numerous times and with his current wife Cindy. If the press or anyone jumps on Edwards negatively about this they must do the same against McCain. We will see...I bet they give McCain a pass, but not Edwards. I feel for the wives and kids in both situations. The McCains had three children at the time of their divorce. Obama seems devoted to his family. GO OBAMA!!

Bee in TN (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:26 PM)

This is the best apology I've seen. Why John McCain, Bill Clinton, Larry Craig, Ted Haggart or Mark Foley or any of the rest of them didn't do it is beyond me. This topic is closed to me, as it should be for the rest of us. It is simply not our business.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:27 PM)

In light of the Edwards revelation should we now discuss McCain's many affairs while married to wife #1

Dolly Harvey. North Richland Hills, Tx (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:27 PM)

"I have given a complete interview on this matter and having done so, will have nothing more to say."

Promise?

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:27 PM)

NE -->Rielle had driven to Los Angeles from Santa Barbara with a male friend for the rendezvous with Edwards. The former senator attended a press event Monday afternoon with L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the topic of how to combat homelessness.

Lots of stuff here to deal with. First, Villaraigosa is no stranger to affairs, he's had many of his own. And how to combat homelessness? How about not having children out of wedlock? That would be a good start.

Homeless Ike (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:28 PM)

Could we please just let him get on with his life?

He is a private citizen, he wasn't an elected official in 2006 and he's not one now. His run for the Presidency failed.

It's time for the NE and the MSM to move on...

Obama 08

Carol, Long Valley, NJ (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:28 PM)

Everyone is so upset with John Edwards for his affair: admittedly a low point in his life. Yet nobody on air has remarked at the similarity of John McCain and his affair with Cindy while he was still married to Carol. She, by the way, was suffering from the after effects of an accident. Let's play "Hardball" on both sides of the aisle!

Carol Coulter (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:29 PM)

Two Americas all right. One is where people do the right thing. The other is where you bang the help.

Two For One (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:29 PM)

How much more can Liz be put through? What a tragedy for her.

CB Powers (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:30 PM)

He's a good man.

Ken, Portland, ME (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:31 PM)

My prayers go out to his wife and children, who will now be mobbed to face this private and painful ordeal every time they walk out the door.

Dennis (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:31 PM)

FR - could we get a story cutting down the Republicans? It's been an hour or so at least.

Donna (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:31 PM)

Why all the coverage of John Edwards afair when he is not the Democratic nominee, but there is no coverage or discussion of the facts behind John McCain's affair while he was married to Carol McCain? There is no discussion regarding how he pursued the young and pretty Cindy McCain after Carol was disfigured in an automobile accident. Isn't this more relevant than what is happening with John Edwards who does not currently hold any political office?

Brian, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:31 PM)

Elizabeth Edwards puts her life in further jeopardy by campaigning on her husband's behalf. She worked as hard as anybody during the primaries. He rewards her this way.

To me this story is about her, not him. Who cares about him at this point.

He was running for President of the United States. When are these politicians going to freakin' grow up? So stupid & arrogant. Don't they realize they have enemies out there, dying to catch them?

Just one more wife & children being put through the coals publicly through no fault of their own.

Thank goodness he lost.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:32 PM)

Let’s get a grip on reality! I too am enormously saddened about the statement by John Edwards that he had an adulterous affair in 2006. He used to be one of the good guys in my mind. For this to be revealed now, does cause me to mistrust politicians. However, I am far more negatively influenced by the likely lies of the elected officials who are the current administration about the lead-up to the war in Iraq. Clearly, lies are lies. But a lie that effects a well known family and one that effects million of lives and causes deaths… now that’s something to go over the top about in hyperbole and judgment.

Judy Weesner, Columbia, South Carolina (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:32 PM)

everybody wants to make a huge issue of Edward's infidelity, which I suppose is news considering his prominence on the political scene, still, he is not a current nominee for either party. McCain is, and cheated on his first wife in just as dastardly fashion. You would think that for the sake of fairness and thoroughness, MSNBC would take this opportunity to discuss McCain's infidelity, the details of which are heartbreaking and give a great deal of insight into McCain's character.

H. (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:32 PM)

First Read: John Edwards admitted in a statement that he had an affair and that he "made a serious error in judgment".

No kidding. And is that what they call it now? Back in my day we called it bonking the help.

Eltron Fields, NY (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:34 PM)

What if he had become the Democratic nominee? How could he possibly think this would not have come out? Is that why he dropped out in January? Why do public figures who commit adultery think they will never be found out? What a shame for his family!

Marilyn Gordon (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:34 PM)

OMG! To listen to the team of Hardball, you would think that Edwards was the most despicable man on the face of the earth. Yes, he cheated on his wife and lied to the public. Yes, it was a moral lapse. But if I have to make a choice between a politician who's been in bed with a woman and one who's been in bed with big oil, big business then the choice becomes obvious. The man in bed with big business is screwing the rest of the country,that is the bigger sin. The man or men leading us into a war of choice with no basis in fact, who has bent over backward to shred our Constitution, who lies to us over and over while wearing a smirk--that man has no morals, has no conscience and will never be punished. That is the greater sin that we should be discussing

Pat Schildmeier (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:35 PM)

I fully accept his apology, but I'm just that kind of person. Forgiveness IS a virtue (though I'm not religious). This letter is really well-phrased and appears to be very sincere.

To those people who call him sick, he's only human, and most everyone has done something they are ashamed of later, and most people who haven't are egotistical about their so-called "perfection." Therefore, they are beneath those of us who have erred and learned because they are making the biggest mistake of idolizing themselves.

To those people who try to show this as being typical of a politician, a democrat, etc., you have something to learn about humility, respect, and humanity. I hope you learn these things before you make another spammy blog post.

I really hope this doesn't dominate the airwaves for too long. He doesn't deserve it, and his wife DEFINITELY doesn't. Show some respect, and don't turn this into some kind of "Days of our Lives" BS.

Gossip is for people bored or upset with their own lives. It's easier to talk than to rise above.

P, CA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:36 PM)

John Edwards: "But being 99% honest is no longer enough."

Edwards thinks he's 99% honest? At best, more like 1%. But hey, why should we waste time and quibble over a few percentage points?

Democrats Unite (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:36 PM)

Okay, FR, we get it, okay? The 4th post this afternoon?

And tell Mike Barnicle how to pronounce Obama...
It's OBAMA, not Obammer... One would think that would be a prerequisite to the job...

Annoyed (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:36 PM)

Am I wrong but is Mr.Plagiarism calling the kettle black. Grow up Mikey.

Jeff Skinner, Fishers Indiana (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:37 PM)

Really sad ... A man with a good heart of John Edwards' has the courage to admit a struggle in his life...
It's to bad he lied about so long...
Have a happy life out of politics..

BJ, CA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:37 PM)

My question is why is this anyone's business other than his wife's?

Just like Clinton, why is this the worlds business?

It is not like they were Republicans who just love to preach morals all the while having none.

Donna, Albany NY (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:37 PM)

Liz should divorce him, take everything he owns, and find some nice body parts of John's to hang on the review mirror she'll see him in as she drives away.

Linsey H. Dover NH (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:38 PM)

Wow..not the first one to cheat on his wife while gravely ill is he? Only one is in contention for the white house. I said it before, I will anticipate Obama's Family Values speech because the repubs and the MSM will twist it and turn it and make it seem like Obama was patting his shoulder and encouraging him. Not that the Republican party can throw stones though..

Kim W Virginia Beach, VA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:39 PM)

sex is stronger than career...
or something about which head was in control...

BJ, CA (Sent Friday, August 08, 2008 5:42 PM)

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