The Edwards Syndrome

The new revelations about John Edwards’ 2008 campaign – from the book Game Change by John Heilemann & Mark Halperin – raise this question: Didn’t he learn anything in his Senate race?
 
When Edwards ran in 1998 – and I was one of his strategists – we struggled with how to handle the firestorm over Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky.
 
And the very first thing Edwards did in the Senate was participate in Clinton’s impeachment trial.
 
Didn’t he learn that – when you’re President, or run for President – there are no secrets?
 
I won’t judge Edwards’ personal behavior. To err – and to sin – is human.
 
But his political behavior is another matter.
 
What he did in 2008 was politically reckless. And Elizabeth was complicit by letting him run when she knew he had a secret that could destroy the campaign.
 
Suppose he had won the nomination in 2008 – or been on the ticket. Suppose his affair had come out in the fall.
 
Sarah Palin could be a heartbeat away from the Presidency today.
 
That’s irresponsible.
 
He betrayed the people who voted for him, gave him money, worked for him and believed in him.
 
That is his political sin.
 
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Gary Pearce

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The Edwards Syndrome

The new revelations about John Edwards’ 2008 campaign – from the book Game Change by John Heilemann & Mark Halperin – raise this question: Didn’t he learn anything in his Senate race?
 
When Edwards ran in 1998 – and I was one of his strategists – we struggled with how to handle the firestorm over Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky.
 
And the very first thing Edwards did in the Senate was participate in Clinton’s impeachment trial.
 
Didn’t he learn that – when you’re President, or run for President – there are no secrets?
 
I won’t judge Edwards’ personal behavior. To err – and to sin – is human.
 
But his political behavior is another matter.
 
What he did in 2008 was politically reckless. And Elizabeth was complicit by letting him run when she knew he had a secret that could destroy the campaign.
 
Suppose he had won the nomination in 2008 – or been on the ticket. Suppose his affair had come out in the fall.
 
Sarah Palin could be a heartbeat away from the Presidency today.
 
That’s irresponsible.
 
He betrayed the people who voted for him, gave him money, worked for him and believed in him.
 
That is his political sin.
 
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Gary Pearce

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Archives