I hereby withdraw my call to draft John Edwards at the upcoming Democratic National Convention. I felt safe in ignoring the rumors of his having had an affair back in 2006, so long as the only media outlets "reporting" said rumors were bird cage liners like The National Enquirer. Now that both Edwards and his wife have confirmed the affair, however, I can ignore the rumors no more.
Do all our heroes have feet of clay? Is this an illustration of the "power corrupts" hypothesis? Why does it even matter?
To answer in reverse order: it matters because it goes straight to the issue of Edwards' integrity, which was one of his most important "selling points" as a potential presidential nominee. It does illustrate almost perfectly that even the potential for power corrupts. Edwards' own admission was that he became increasingly narcissistic as his efforts to become the Democratic nominee progressed. The potential for power increased his attractiveness to himself AND others; it also increased his interest in responding to the attraction others felt for him. All our heroes must have feet of clay, therefore. I can't think of a single person for whom I've ever expressed admiration who hasn't disappointed or shocked me at some point. [And I am sure anyone who has ever expressed admiration for me has been disappointed in or shocked by me at some point. If anyone ever has expressed any admiration for me, that is!--Ed]
The real tragedy of Edwards' dalliance is manifold. (1) Though his affair has little to do with his stand on public policy issues, his stand no longer has any credibility . . . at least, not when coming from him.
(2) Edwards' political rivals--indeed, rivals of all Democrats--now have an additional smokescreen issue to divert attention and energy from the genuinely important issues of the upcoming election. So what that John McCain regularly lies about his own voting record [let alone Obama's--Ed.] and about where he stands on the issues? So what that McCain can't get straight the most basic facts about foreign policy issues--allegedly his area of greatest advantage and expertise over Obama? So what that his own campaign staffers have said that McCain doesn't necessarily speak for the McCain campaign? Look at those nasty Democrats who can't keep their zippers zipped! [If you think the rabid right wing of the GOP isn't going to raise the spectre of Bill Clinton's shenanigans again, you are way too naive to be involved in politics.--Ed]
Hmm . . . that last reminds me of my ex-husband's take on Nixon's "Checkers" speech: "I may be a crook, but look at this dog." [Gotta give credit where credit is due. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day, per Ann Landers.--Ed.]
(3) Elizabeth Edwards' voice has been stilled. Because of her personal experiences, she was a powerful advocate for (among other things) better health care for all Americans. Now, not only has her speech at the upcoming convention been cancelled, neither she nor her husband will even attend.
(4) Most personally, the toll it has taken on the entire Edwards family. How much energy did it take away from Elizabeth Edwards' efforts to combat her recurrent breast cancer? She has forgiven her husband, but how much of her trust in him remains broken? And their children's trust, too?
(5) The potential harm to the country. Edwards was being considered for a Cabinet post, most probably Attorney General. It is impossible, however, for someone whose personal integrity is now so tarnished to take on the task of returning the Dubya administration's politically-infected Justice Department to a state of politically-neutral respectability. Contrary to what some of Dubya's minions think, career attorneys at Justice do not serve a particular president or administration. They serve the American people. All of us. All the time. No matter who's in the Oval Office. At the moment, however, I can't think of any other Democrat who has the practical trial attorney experience and the national reputation to bring credibility back to the DOJ. And Edwards simply will no longer do.
I'd go cry in my beer, except I don't drink beer. Somehow, "crying into my Coca Cola" doesn't have the same cachet.
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