Are you seriously suggesting that it would have been anything even faintly resembling appropriate or respectful to his wife and his family for Edwards to have blurted out at a campaign event that he'd had an affair? Of course he was thinking about it. He didn't claim to be without sin, he simply noted the fact that this was a public forum (thus pointing out that this was a completely stupid question to be asking anyone), and said that he wouldn't talk specifically about the many sins for which he held himself responsible. He was perfectly candid -- he just wasn't a total idiot, unlike anyone who suggests that he should have been forthcoming with every detail of his and his family's private lives just because some unbright pundit asked him for them.

John Edwards should have done one of two things prior to seeking the Presidency.

1. Publicly confess to the illicit affair and ask for forgiveness for his indiscretion.

2. Withdraw his candidacy.

It was foolish of him to believe that he could keep this out of the news. You could argue that this was a personal problem between him and his family, but he is politically astute enough to know that being caught in this affair would be political suicide. He endangered his political party's chances for victory in the upcoming election by attempting to hide this issue and hoping that he wouldn't be found out.

burymyheart@jerkingknee:

Are you seriously suggesting that it would have been anything even faintly resembling appropriate or respectful to his wife and his family for Edwards to have blurted out at a campaign event that he'd had an affair?

Yeah, it does seem a little stupid to imply that he had to answer that way. Can you imagine the Trailhead entry if the exchange had gone something like this?

MODERATOR: What's your biggest sin?

EDWARDS: Well, I humped my campaign videographer. Also, sometimes I sneak out of bed and eat cookies when Elizabeth thinks I'm sleeping!

NightSwimmer:

John Edwards should have done one of two things prior to seeking the Presidency.

1. Publicly confess to the illicit affair and ask for forgiveness for his indiscretion.

2. Withdraw his candidacy.

He should have withdrawn his candidacy prior to seeking the Presidency?

I pretty much agree with your basic point, though. Nonetheless, I'd still argue that a) the question was idiotic, and b) the venue was not the appropriate one for making that announcement.

Yes. He should have quit before he started.

I am of the opinion that the secong option that I offered would have been the most wise decision.

NightSwimmer:

I am of the opinion that the secong option that I offered would have been the most wise decision.

Dude, quit while you're ahead.

NightSwimmer:

I'm always ahead and I have never been a quitter. Deal with it.

WTF? I said I largely agreed with you, and merely twitted you for a couple of gaffes you made. If you want to make yourself look humorless and touchy, fine, no skin off my nose.