ABC calls this admission a “bombshell statement,” but if so, it’s the first bombshell that ever came from a dud:

Former presidential candidate John Edwards abandoned his long denial that he had fathered a child during an affair with a campaign aide and admitted today that he is the father of the almost 2-year-old girl.

“I am Quinn’s father,” Edwards said in the bombshell statement this morning. “I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves.

The former senator and presidential hopeful had an affair with campaign cinematographer, Rielle Hunter, 42, and she later give birth to Frances Quinn.

“I have been able to spend time with her during the past year and trust that future efforts to show her the love and affection she deserves can be done privately and in peace,” Edwards statement said, referring to the little girl.

“It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me,” the statement said.

“To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry,” he said.

Well, there are two Americas.  There is the one where people acknowledge the obvious immediately, and there is the other where they hire lawyers and lie like crazy about the obvious.  In that sense, Edwards became a bridge between the two today.

“I am Quinn’s father” is a statement that is the intellectual equivalent of “Voters sure are angry.”  Who didn’t already know this?  Just making this big production out of it is an insult to everyone’s intelligence.  As for announcing that he’s showing her “love and affection,” well, good for you, pal.  What a champ.  Give yourself an extra pat on the back from me.

Here’s a thought: maybe Edwards should just shut up and take care of his very ill and long-suffering wife and the toddler he fathered out of wedlock, rather than publicly congratulating himself on taking two years to be honest about his paternity and finally acting like Quinn’s father.

Update: Michelle calls this “as calculated as an algebra exam,” and points out that former Edwards aide Andrew Young has a tell-all book coming out in February.  Edwards is just getting ahead of the curve, not engaging in the least bit of courage.

Here’s the video, if you can stomach it:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy