Work with me as we examine the indiscretions of past Presidents. Andrew Jackson was known to have had a mistress. In fact I believe she was called the first mistress. Of course that was before the time of anyone who is reading this column. It was even before the time of the writer… by a lot of years and I cannot say that about many things so I need to get that on the record.
Fast forward to a time many of us remember, to John F. Kennedy. He had several liaisons, not the least of which was Marilyn Monroe. History records him as one of our most beloved Presidents. He was married and historians record that he had had multiple affairs while living serving as President.
Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, was rumored to have been a philanderer also. In fact a man claimed not too many years ago to be the illegitimate son of Johnson. I am not sure if that was ever proven with a DNA test, but he certainly did look a lot like the man he said was his father and his mother was definitely linked romantically by historians to the former President.
Finally, let's mention another past occupant of the government housing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bill Clinton. He managed to serve two terms and avoided being thrown out of office after leaving his DNA on the dress of an intern. I believe it was determined that he donated that historical DNA while his wife was asleep down the hall in the White House. He also pointed his finger at us and vehemently denied the affair with the intern whose dress he stained?
Now let's chat a bit about John Edwards, the man who claims 99% truthfulness, which is akin to determining what the definition of “is” is. John lied about an affair and he may have lied about fathering a child with her. I doubt Edwards will ever take that magical DNA test he says he welcomes. The child's mother will never allow it. He will take care of her monetary needs as long as she covers his backside, even though his backside is not the source of his problems; that is another matter.
For a moment and consider that Barack Obama took a vacation this week. I know that because the news channels cut to him in Hawaii for his comment on the Edwards' affair. As for McCain, no one seems to care where he went this week or his feelings about the affair. That is because no one has time to remind McCain where he is, who John Edwards is or that he (McCain) is running for President.
Other news this week; the Olympics started, an American couple was brutally attacked there and one of them is dead, the country of Georgia is under attack by Russia and a beautiful little three year old girl in Florida is still missing after a couple of months. John Edwards' affair is the news?
Let's apply a little common sense with respect John Edwards. When he entered the Presidential primaries he was a loser from 2004 and no longer in the Senate. He was out of political office when he entered the race and performed poorly in the primaries. He made an early withdrawal (something he should have done on one other occasion) from the primaries. John Edwards is a non-issue in politics.
So, why do the tabloids and the mainstream news channels care about his affair with an unknown? Because he denied the affair to reporters, they feel obligated to out him now. They got their man, something that should be back page news.
Front page news should be gathered by following Barack Obama to Hawaii and hounding him about what he is going to do to fix healthcare, the economy and guarantee our homeland security. I am bravely volunteering to search throughout Hawaii for Barack and the love of my life, Deborah, has graciously agreed to accompany me on this hazardous assignment.
One final point, raise your hand if you voted for John Edwards in the primaries. Look around if your hand is in the air; you are in a very small group of people. If you count the people who voted for him in the primaries perhaps a light will go on; he lost and he did it because of his position on the issues. He had no plan and could not get enough votes to make a decent showing, so he dropped out.
The reason his affair is news is to remind other candidates that the press they try to push around does have the last word in most cases. That is definitely an accomplishment but it is giving Obama and McCain a free pass on discussions of the issues. I wonder how many of the mainstream media knows what questions to ask?
As for John Edwards, he should assume his place in history alongside Bill Clinton and others as one more politician whose pants came off in the wrong bedroom. That statement sounds 99% truthful which is politically correct! Close enough?
