"I think this President has shown a remarkable disrespect for his office, for the moral dimensions of leadership, for his friends, for his wife, for his precious daughter. It is breathtaking to me the level to which that disrespect has risen,"

And I agree with you completely.

I could care less that he had an affair.

...should read I couldn't care less. Sorry, but its a major pet peeve of mine that so many people get this saying wrong.

I don't know anyone who thinks having an affair should disqualify one from public office, even the presidency. Certainly no one in my social circles.

Bill Clinton survived public scrutiny. His wife was not chastised for still being married to him and almost became president. Giuliani, Gingrich,  Ted Kennedy, LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and on and on. Even prominent women in the public eye have survived affairs. Barbra Walters in not taking ahit for her expose'.

The Edwards' marriage was part of the candidate's whole campaign narrative, i.e., I bravely stood by my wife's side while she battled cancer so that the two of us could bring you better health care, etc.

• Edwards met the woman in 2006 and hired her for his upcoming campaign.
• He declared his candidacy right after Christmas 2006.
• He ended "the affair" with the woman prior to June, 2007.
• June 2007: baby was concieved.
• Tabloid newspaper reported the affair on October 11, 2007.
• After looking like a front-runner for a while in 2007, he dropped out on Jan 30, 2008.
• Baby was born on Feb 27th, a month later.
• He visited the woman in Beverly Hills in July, 2008.

what do you think jeralyn, would that fly? lol

of course, if you want to talk narcissim, let's talk sen. mccain. his current wife is the consequence of an affair. remember, he dumped his first wife, after returning home and discovering she was a tad different than when he'd left (and i don't mean she gained a few lbs.), after having started an affair with his current wife.

"...if you lie and get called on it, you may as well have shot heroin. You're history."

If you're BushCo, you're reelected and protected by not only the MCM* but the Democratic leadership as well. Impeachment is off the table.

Alas.

I'm with the crowd who hopes all candidates relearn the lesson of old, "it's not the deed, it's the lie and the coverup"  (or rather the inept attempt since the coverup never seems very effective).

What ticks me off is that he lied in October. Yeah, I agree, the question should never have been asked, but it was. He should have said that yes, he had, it was over and private matter between consenting adults or whatever the current lingo is. Personally? Over and done with and I'd have sent him an other donation.

But he didn't. He chose to stay in the race. He took support, I'm sure, from Clinton. He ganged up on her with Obama. My tinfoil hatted self thinks Axelrod had the dirt and used it. My more logical self is angry that he exacted trust from those of us who beleived in him, sent him $$, and caucaused for him. I stood up in front of my neighbours, even though he'd dropped out of the race and refused to change my vote, because I thought he was a populist blah blah blah. I'd have stood up for him the same way knowing he'd had an affair, again, not my business.... but finding out, after the fact that he'd lied... hurts.

We knew about Genefer (sp?) Flowers. We knew what we were getting when we elected Clinton. I don't care.

1. When you build a campaign team for a Presidental run, you are bringing in people who are going to work  hard for you, many long hours, and are going to put their own good names on the line in support of your candidacy. They deserve to know, upfront, if there is anything in your past that could become an issue, if disclosed. It is only fair to them, so they are making an informed decision.

2. Donors put up some significant amounts for the Edwards candidacy. Again, full disclosure is required. If there is something that, fairly or unfairly, could derail your candidacy, they have a right to know. They can decide if a personal lapse affects their decision to support you or not. If fact, it may not have deterred many, had they known, but it would have been out there.

3. Supporters are often the most fervent front-line soldiers for any candidate, even if they have not contributed a dime. They believe in a candidate. They will argue, cajole, urge, and explain to others why their candidate is the best choice. They put their hearts & souls into support on an almost 24/7 basis. Again, they deserved to know the truth as early as possible.