Kaus: Why won’t big media write about the Edwards story?
posted at 9:37 pm on July 23, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Behold, new rules in formation. Our commenters have their own pet theory, of course, but I’m skeptical that ideology matters much. It was the Times, remember, that revealed the secret identity of Client Number Nine in March. Jack Shafer detects “homo-hypocrisy” in the saturation coverage of Larry Craig vis-a-vis the pass for Silky, but there’s a less nefarious explanation available. The press is probably laying off of this for the same reason we laid off of it last night and why I debated whether even to write this meta-post about the coverage (before deciding that given how the story was at the top of Drudge for 12 hours, the genie’s already safely out of the bottle): It’s simply too thin and Edwards, for the moment at least, isn’t a public official. The allegations against Spitzer and Larry Craig, sitting office-holders both, came from cops; this is coming from the Enquirer aimed at someone who may or may not end up back in government but isn’t there yet. If he becomes the nominee for AG, then the gossip becomes news. Until then, why pry?
Exit question: Hasn’t the damage already been done? Obama’s not going to risk sidetracking the Hopenchange Express in the first few months with a confirmation battle as tawdry as this could be, even if he thinks Edwards is innocent.
Update (Ed): I’d agree with most of what AP writes here, except that I consider Edwards a public figure, especially to the extent that he continues to participate in this race. I didn’t write about this because I consider the National Enquirer a very unreliable news outlet, and the actual news value of this story is far outweighed by its salaciousness, if true at all.
We ripped the New York Times for making these kind of allegations about McCain with no evidence at all. I think that standard applies to Edwards, perhaps more so given that he’s no longer a candidate for office, as AP says.
Update: Amerpundit notes in the comments that the Times didn’t give this same benefit of the doubt to McCain vis-a-vis Vicki Iseman. True, but McCain’s still in office and he’s a major party nominee. And before you ask — no, of course they wouldn’t treat Obama the same way. I said ideology didn’t matter much, I didn’t say it didn’t matter.
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The NYT needed less evidence to lay accusations of an affair against McCain.
amerpundit on July 23, 2008 at 9:42 PM
With a bullet proof majority? What battle would that be?
Limerick on July 23, 2008 at 9:42 PM
I’ll be good until the photos or video is/are released. Then I’m laughing my ass off.
Marcus on July 23, 2008 at 9:43 PM
ameri, i agree completely. Allah is pretending like he doesn’t know about the Times. If this was a republican, it would be front page news.
Chudi on July 23, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Read the update. I’m not pretending about anything.
Allahpundit on July 23, 2008 at 9:48 PM
If John Edwards would have seen “The Birdcage” with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, he would have known when you’re a politician trapped in a building by The National Enquirer, one exits discreetly in a silver sequined dress, blonde wig, and high heels.
(back to being good)
Marcus on July 23, 2008 at 9:50 PM
I just worry about how all this will fly at “the mill”.
carbon_footprint on July 23, 2008 at 9:52 PM
When will we get see the video of John Edwards talking about “Whitey?”
EJDolbow on July 23, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Oh, sorry-must elaborate; see John Edwards’ father worked long and hard hours at “the mill” so his pretty boy son could go to college and learn how to chase ambulances and shake down the medical profession so he could afford his “two Americas” life of luxury.
carbon_footprint on July 23, 2008 at 9:53 PM
National Enquirer should pay an impersonator, reenact the cornering scene, and upload it to youtube.
ninjapirate on July 23, 2008 at 9:57 PM
This is a bit interesting,for liberal’s,ever since
Bill Clinton was serviced,and had an oil and filter
change in the Oval office,it would appear that for
Silky,it would bolster,and be a plus for his resume’!
So,on one hand,the women voters,would know that he is
of stud quality,and for the voting Democratic women,and
yes,even the Femenazi’s,obvious to them it would be a win/
win!
But for Obama,to pick *Silky(*Their are two America’s),I’m
a tad miffed,will Obama flip/flop on family values,or
after a few days in the media,would anybody truly know
what position Barack will take on Edwards!
*(Silky’s viewpoint of America!)
canopfor on July 23, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Dude, wadr, you’ve got it bassackwards. You treat them the way they treat you. That’s how you get them to stop.
TheBigOldDog on July 23, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Oops women voters,I mean the liberal women voters!
canopfor on July 23, 2008 at 9:59 PM
I feel I should say just once more and remind everyone that John Edwards’ father worked at “the mill”.
carbon_footprint on July 23, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Well if something like this happened to Mitt Romney, does anyone here believe the media would keep it on the down low like they did with John Edwards?
SoulGlo on July 23, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Ummm,there’s an election on the go,
Liberals,including the Times or New
Yorker,ain’t playing nice,and the media
are in the tank,so Edwards is fair game!
The rumour,or story didn’t originate
from Hot Air!
canopfor on July 23, 2008 at 10:03 PM
No need for $500 haircuts anymore, he might be cut off for a while.
infidel on July 23, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I can’t believe the NE would even consider running a story like this without having absolute proof that Edwards (the trial lawyer) AND Hunter were in that hotel. But if they do have pictures, why aren’t they teasing them yet?
Infidoll on July 23, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Is the bastard child’s hair silky?
D2Boston on July 23, 2008 at 10:15 PM
………….. because he’s a Democrat?
Seven Percent Solution on July 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM
John Edwards not so secret MySpace entry:
*
Hi. My name is Johnny Reid Edwards former Senator from the Great State of North Carolina. Actually I don’t think North Carolina is so great and never did, but my advisers have said that I should say that. You can just call me John if you want. I was born on June 10, 1953, although people tell me that I look at least 25 years younger.
I was the very first person in my dirt poor family to attend college. I earned my law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was a great accomplishment as I was so poor that I had to work 12 different part time jobs to pay for my tuition and just barely enough food to survive.
After getting my law degree I immediately went on my noble mission to save hundreds of victims of gross corporate negligence and gross medical malpractice. When necessary to win a case to help the poor victim that I was representing I would even feel the presence of dead people inside me, talking to me and through me to the members of the jury. If you don’t think that takes a lot out of a man, just try it sometime. I also split the settlement very fairly with my clients. I was VERY generous to them - 5% for them, 95% for me. More than fair. I mean I was the one who had to channel the dead, wasn’t I!!!
If I do say so myself I am so cute that you just can’t believe it! I can hardly believe it myself! I have such great hair! I am also very boyish looking in a good way, not in a gay way at all. Did I mention that I have GREAT HAIR!!! Sometimes I think my great looks are almost a curse.
I sometimes like to chill out after a long day of campaigning to save America by eating at Wendy’s. I also like to spend some time at home sprucing up around my small modest and humble house. I also like to spend hours in front of the mirror combing my hair. Wouldn’t you too if you had such great hair!!! Contrary to what some of my very few enemies say I never spend more than $395 on haircuts. That $400 on a haircut is a damn lie, as it included a very generous $5 tip.
I have even decided to have my various campaign headquarters in poverty stricken parts of America such as that low rent Southern Village shopping center in Chapel Hill. It is way beneath me of course but I have to show my simpatico to the
white trashless fortunate.I would like to think that I am open minded, honest, polite and a real man of the peoples. And I appreciate the same qualities in others.
Who I’d like to meet:
…other bloggers who grew up in poverty. Other people who like to
take advantage ofhelp thelow lifepoor. People with great hair so that I can comb your hair and you can comb mine. It’s going to be great!!!MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 10:20 PM
And Sily was only a candidate for the Presidency of the United States of America knowing he had a love child on the way. Oh, and until this, was considered a contender for the Veep slot. But other than that, he’s just like a private citizen.
TheBigOldDog on July 23, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Well now Ms.Hunter has set herself up pretty fine, I wonder how much hush money Mr. ambulance chaser is willing to pay?
Love child prefer Harvard or Yale, or maybe not work at all.
And shes’ no relative of mine…. er wait a minute…. maybe she is my sister…John I need an offshore bank can your buddy Obammy crank up his banking committee and find me one with some money in my name?
dhunter on July 23, 2008 at 10:24 PM
A journalist asked him today if getting busted would kill his chances on a position in an Obama Administration. He refused to comment but you should have seen the smirk on his face. Priceless!
TheBigOldDog on July 23, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Yeah, I think that this is being blown all out of proportion. I mean, why shouldn’t we think anything bad about a former senator caught leaving a hotel at two in the morning when his wife is nowhere to be seen.
What is wrong with you people. After all, Edwards isn’t in office anymore like McCain is.
wise_man on July 23, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Rush Limbaugh’s not a public official. Neither is Jesse Jackson. And I don’t remember ever voting for Dog the Bounty Hunter. But the Enquirer broke stories about all of them, and the rest of the news media followed.
During the last cycle on this story that most of the press ignored, the Edwards camp was so rattled, they pushed that Andrew Young guy out front as the father. The guy who Hunter’s BMW was registered to, and who was renting the million-dollar house in his own gated community in NC for her. And who he had over for dinner with his family. That sure does sound like something a married man could get away with doing for his pregnant mistress, doesn’t it?
Jim Treacher on July 23, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Why doesn’t the Enquirer just try to get a picture of the baby, instead of trying to catch Edwards with the woman? If Andrew Young really is the father, it should be apparent. If, on the other hand, the baby is lily-white (with silky hair), then Edwards has got some ’splaining to do.
AZCoyote on July 23, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Are we sure it wasn’t just a Avon party?
Limerick on July 23, 2008 at 10:31 PM
So if he’s the VP candidate, you think the Times won’t mention this? I’m betting they will.
Although fair point re: Edwards knowing this was ready to burst. Imagine if he’d been the nominee. Think the nutroots would still love him with this crashing down on their chances?
Allahpundit on July 23, 2008 at 10:31 PM
The MSM is extraordinarily biased - in the manner that they report the news and in the decisions they make on whether or not to report a story.
Also, the NE is quite often wrong. When exactly is Dr Phil getting divorced from Robin? When is Regis going to quit his show because he hates Kelly so much?
So it goes. Let’s not waste too much of our precious time worrying over people and institutions will never change.
Pointless.
Dorvillian on July 23, 2008 at 10:31 PM
*scratches my chin*
…. could be, could be.
wise_man on July 23, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Marcus on July 23, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Im with you…I’ll wait for the video to be released.
becki51758 on July 23, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Two words: “the mill”
carbon_footprint on July 23, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I was so hoping Ann wouldn’t have to spend time in rehab.
Some liberals will go to any length to prove Ms Coulter wrong.
One wonders though, what woman could want get that close a man so silky or maybe he just Fed Ex’d his g material in (so to speak).
Maybe Ann can get out of rehab by just calling silky a wienie (albeit adulterously hidden(maybe).
Speakup on July 23, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Edwards may not be a public official, but he is certainly a public figure. Once you’ve run for President and been nominated as your party’s VP pick, you’ve lost your status as “private citizen.” As a public figure, Edwards would have to show actual malice by the Enquirer in order to win a libel suit. Another minor detail: Edwards would also have to show that the allegations were not true, since truth is a defense to libel.
AZCoyote on July 23, 2008 at 10:43 PM
I don’t know why you would consider the NE unreliable in this instance. This wasn’t a story where the NE said they had an unnamed source. Instead, their reporters caught him leaving the hotel early in the morning and Edwards has not really denied it.
Blake on July 23, 2008 at 10:43 PM
According to the first Slate commenter:
The glaring reason why there is no double standard at work in the Edwards affair is because the Dems don’t seek to legislate morality & behavior in the same fashion that the GOP does. Not to mention, taking to the airwaves and wagging their proverbial finger at us as Newt, Bill Bennett, and Bob Livingston did etc.
Why, that one paragraph, + two quarts of whiskey, three bong hits,four Forties of Ole English,and five roofies, was enough to convince me of the thirty year error of my ways.
soundingboard on July 23, 2008 at 10:46 PM
We don’t go for the jugular the way Democrats do on a whim. It’s one more thing along with opposable thumbs that separates us from the animals.
Liberals shout to the heavens to stay out of their private lives but they think ours are fair game.
I think we should have a more practical way of identifying liberals. Maybe we can start with getting rid of their opposable thumbs.
All we have to do is hit them with Walnuts. They will lose their thumbs and the gay ones will come sliding out of closets full of walnuts.
(I really hope someone here knows my reference lol.)
GoodBoy on July 23, 2008 at 10:47 PM
I’ll still maintain my usual skepticism (especially given that it’s the Enquirer) until more evidence or a tearful confession comes out, but after reading their article I don’t see any ambiguity in it at all- if they got it wrong, they got it VERY wrong. No “alledged” sort of language, they state the affair and “love child” as being matters of fact rather than rumor.
And it seems a bit odd that Edwards of all people wouldn’t have sued after their last article, which wasn’t written quite as conclusively.
Hollowpoint on July 23, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Not just “early in the morning.” At 2:40 in the morning. After being there since 9:45 that evening. That’s the sort of specificity we want in our media, I thought.
If he wasn’t there between 9:45 PM and 2:40 AM PST, where was he?
Jim Treacher on July 23, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Oh, and they’ve named the guy who rented the two hotel rooms, who was the same guy who drove Hunter and Edwards there separately.
“Allegedly.”
Jim Treacher on July 23, 2008 at 10:51 PM
He’s toast… no matter how it plays out!
jerrytbg on July 23, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Probably not. But it would have been fun to watch, just the same. (With apologies to Elizabeth Edwards, who does not deserve to have to deal with this kind of crap when she is battling for her life).
AZCoyote on July 23, 2008 at 10:57 PM
1…getting a haircut?
2…Gazing at his reflection in a mirror?
3…The Other America?
soundingboard on July 23, 2008 at 10:59 PM
I sent Jack an e-mail letting him know I understood his satire and thinly veiled criticism of media bias.
peacenprosperity on July 23, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Maybe Edwards could have been with his wife at 2 in the morning, not leaving a hotel room. Maybe there was something more important going on.
wise_man on July 23, 2008 at 11:03 PM
OK, maybe he was there, but perhaps the Lifetime channel was just having a late night marathon, his wife was asleep and he needed a shoulder to cry on.
Hollowpoint on July 23, 2008 at 11:04 PM
If it were one of the republican vp candidates the anchors would have rushed back from the barry world victory tour and revival to camp out on edwards lawn. edwards is a public figure who has annointed himself and climbed up on a pedestal of his own making.
peacenprosperity on July 23, 2008 at 11:06 PM
That’s what I’m saying.
baldilocks on July 23, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Er, who had her over for dinner.
Jim Treacher on July 23, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Nope, it was a tup-her ware party, I’m sure.
Anyway, this story is surely not helping that little girl who needed a coat, much less Michelle’s children.
onlineanalyst on July 23, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Baby daddy, dropping a big chunk of change on this deal…
d1carter on July 23, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Tup her where?
In the butt, Bob.
Dan Collins on July 23, 2008 at 11:20 PM
I agree with our hosts, I’d like to see more evidence before I jump all over him. But at the same time, Edwards is one of the most objectionable human beings on the planet, so I don’t feel sorry for him at all.
That all being said, and assuming for just a moment that the story is true, lemme holla at my boy right quick “Two Americans, that’s what I’m talkin’ about? East coast America, and West coast American. Silky got hos in different area codes, ya heard?” (throws up a fist bump to Silky)
RightWinged on July 23, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Now we know what he really meant by the two Americas. Who knew he literally meant two lives?
TheBigOldDog on July 23, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Just watch the Fox News video of him being asked about it today. You’ll have all the confirmation you need.
TheBigOldDog on July 23, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Makes you wonder if in fact that was a Freudian slip…gotta wonder.
jerrytbg on July 23, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Do you think Silky will represent himself in divorce court?
Travis1 on July 23, 2008 at 11:31 PM
And so the exact difference between McCain in the NYTimes and the Silky Phony not in the NYTimes is that more people voted for McCain in the primary. Not a lot more, but more.
Isn’t this a distinction without a difference?
Jaibones on July 23, 2008 at 11:41 PM
How many private figures have delegates to take to the Democratic Convention?
Are you saying Al Gore is a private figure also?
AP, sheesh.
faraway on July 23, 2008 at 11:43 PM
John Edwards has a “D” after his name, therefore, no story here.
Zoltan on July 23, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Where do I find this video?
RightWinged on July 23, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Too bad he has a dying wife who has to swallow this in public.
His embarrassment is not worth the added pain for her.
BL@KBIRD on July 23, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Didn’t the Enquirer get that whole Limbaugh-drug-scandal thingy going?
Good Lt on July 23, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Guys, remember the Enquirer is owned by a few Friends of Bill and Hillary.
Don’t be surprised that they would go after people who had called on them before! Even Edwards.
newton on July 24, 2008 at 12:04 AM
If that’s the case… why now?
Jim Treacher on July 24, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Now we know what he meant by Two Americas.
He was just visiting the other America.
old trooper on July 24, 2008 at 12:10 AM
It’s hard for me to believe living 20 miles from Chapel Hill, NC…where he lives…because if it’s true she didn’t abort the child. Chapel Hill will not be happy about this! I’m not kidding.
SouthernGent on July 24, 2008 at 12:18 AM
One reason. DNA.
a capella on July 24, 2008 at 12:36 AM
Like Mary Katherine said, that boy has no shame bone.
Speakup on July 24, 2008 at 12:42 AM
…shame bone.
heh
TheCulturalist on July 24, 2008 at 1:36 AM
It’s a good thing that Edwards left at 2:40 a.m. He wanted to make sure that he was home in time to get the call at 3:00 a.m.
What a schmuck!
Mojave Mark on July 24, 2008 at 1:40 AM
Something most of the right apparently will never learn.
18-1 on July 24, 2008 at 1:51 AM
I think it has everything to do with him being a Democrat and rabid class warfare agitator, but I could be mistaken…
SuperCool on July 24, 2008 at 4:18 AM
Edwards felt the only way he could fully understand and solve the “Two Americas” problem was to have two families…
rbb on July 24, 2008 at 7:00 AM
Thanks Allah for going with the story. He is indeed fair game as a major politician who preaches us lowlifes. The Enquirer does have photos and as of late their big stories have panned out. 10 years ago, their stories were so outrageous in order to sell copies, but when the celebrities started doing ‘on air’ rebuttals they seemed to back off the fabrication business, albeit they probably embellish here and there.
Edwards is similar to the typical movie roles of a political weasel. When they asked him about this at a speech yesterday, I can swear his wifes eyes looked swollen as if sobbing heavily. He’s a weasel, and unfortunately his wife having cancer, has been burdened with a second battle. Friggin weasel.
malkinmania on July 24, 2008 at 7:28 AM
I heard when he ran into that bathroom he tripped over Larry Craigs foot.
malkinmania on July 24, 2008 at 7:29 AM
Watch…there’s gonna be some woman come out and say she aborted Obama’s baby. You heard it here first.
LtE126 on July 24, 2008 at 7:35 AM
Edwards should be dragged through the mud kicking and screaming. His wife is dying of cancer. Edwards used her struggle as a political prop while all along he was banging a campaign worker. The skank needs to be publicly denigrated, too.
manfriend on July 24, 2008 at 7:35 AM
Doesn’t strike me as out of character.
JiangxiDad on July 24, 2008 at 7:36 AM
And…this should help get Newt off the hook, but it won’t.
LtE126 on July 24, 2008 at 7:37 AM
Who does Edwards think he is anyway??? A Kennedy?
bloggless on July 24, 2008 at 7:46 AM
I did! Dick Van Dyke Show, one of their best episodes.
Ed Morrissey on July 24, 2008 at 7:58 AM
See? Somebody should tell Obama that babies can be good for a girl and her future. I call this the Blank Check benefit.
bloggless on July 24, 2008 at 8:14 AM
.
And you point out the hypocrisy of doing this behind the back of a wife dying of cancer.
.
Also point out that it messed up his hair, to shock his core constituents.
Right_of_Attila on July 24, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Everything about this story, if true, would make Silky the dumbest lawyer on this planet.
In other words, a prime candidate to be Attorney General in a Democrat administration.
fogw on July 24, 2008 at 9:37 AM
You can see that look here.
MrC_5150 on July 24, 2008 at 9:59 AM
For your viewing pleasure:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/media?id=6282721
bloggless on July 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM
To go through all this trouble, she’s either great in the rack or it must be love….
DfDeportation on July 24, 2008 at 10:02 AM
or his wife is bad in the rack
malkinmania on July 24, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Thanks for the link.
I like to think I’m a pretty good judge of people since I’ve been around a long time. That being said, Edwards appeared extremely nervous throughout that entire clip. I would go so far as to say he looked guilty. Too bad he doesn’t have the lying skills of Der Slickmeister.
fogw on July 24, 2008 at 10:16 AM
None of this matters! Silky is a democRAT! They, as a group, are better people that the rest of us! They have higher ideals and stand for better things than we do so what they do in their personal lives should not be discussed! The NY Times knows this. We rubes out here in middle America should sit down and shut the hell up!
sabbott on July 24, 2008 at 10:21 AM
May I suggest: The Center on Honor, Example and Fidelity?
Perhaps UNC has a broom closet they could offer?
bloggless on July 24, 2008 at 10:36 AM
I wonder if part of their reticence to widely cover this story is due to the fact his wife is currently battling cancer…
It’s one thing to bust out a story like this if the spouse is a strong woman (like a Hillary Clinton or Cindy McCain) or at least a healthy woman (like Larry Craig’s wife or Elliot Spitzer’s wife). It’s another thing to harp on this story, with thin evidence and no real reason (since, as of yet, he’s not running for anything) while his wife’s fighting cancer.
Just what that family needs….”Hey, mom might die and dad’s a jackass that cheats on his sick wife!”
If there’s no actual news value to it (and, I mean value beyond the desire to pry into the lives of public figures), I don’t see what purpose the story serves.
JadeNYU on July 24, 2008 at 12:20 PM
From today’s press - “Senator John Edwards (D-SC) paid a visit to Houston Wednesday to push a plan he says would cut poverty in half over the next ten years. Edwards is calling for increases in the minimum wage and an expansion of the earned income tax credit.”
http://www.ktrh.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=121300&article=3997488
He’s still active politically even if not in office and so he remains very much a public figure. Given that and the possibility that he may be considered for the VP or AG slot this is definitely newsworthy material.
Jay Mac on July 24, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Edwards is very much a public figure by his own choice, that’s why. He has twice been a contender for the highest office in the land, that’s why. He spouts all kinds of “better than you themes” in his campaigns, that’s why. Odds are he still wants some high government office, that’s why.
Maxx on July 24, 2008 at 12:50 PM