Friday, August 08, 2008

Edwards Admits Affair, Cont'd   [Byron York]

The question now that Edwards has admitted the Rielle Hunter affair is whether the big media outlets that ignored the story will now report it.  If it wasn't news because Edwards is finished on the national political stage, why would it be news now?  If it wasn't news because it would be painful for Edwards' ailing wife, why would it be news now?  If it wasn't news because it was "tabloid trash," in Edwards' words, why would it be news now?  ABC News, which did not report the story previously, has obviously made its decision.

On another front, Edwards' denial of paternity will surely have repercussions.  It's an issue that involves money for child support, and, given Edwards' wealth, it is the sort of thing people go to court over — and that courts demand proof, like paternity tests, before deciding.  Edwards is an accomplished trial lawyer; surely, he is confident of his position.

Finally, ABC reports Edwards said his wife and other family members learned about the affair in 2006.  "Edwards made a point of telling [ABC] that his wife's cancer was in remission when he began the affair with Hunter," ABC News says.  "Elizabeth Edwards has since been diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease."

08/08 03:24 PMShare