As a lifelong resident of Chapel Hill and John Edward's neighbor, I think his general fall from grace had much more to do with his potential bid presidency than his personal failings.
While Chapel Hillians may be smug, liberal, assholes to the rest of North Carolina proper, we aren't (or at least try not to be) enormously hypocritical.
We criticized republicans and the media for harping about the morality of Clinton's actions, so it would be unseemly to critique Edward's character for cheating on his wife (even though it was an incredibly douchy move).
However, the fact that he ran for president and could have become the democratic nominee, thereby actually making it possible for McCain/Palin to win, is absolutely inexcusable.
I love that last bit with the bible. I'm currently perusing my bible to find additional "This reminds me of you. Oh, on second thought, now that I've read it aloud, I realize I meant something else" passages for use in my personal life. Bible passages just sound so much better than, "You suck & everyone hates you!"
The Book of Job's "My breath is strange to my wife, and I am a stench to the children of my own mother. Even young children despise me; when I rise they talk against me" seems promising.
When I first met Edwards in 2004, he seemed incredibly charismatic and authetic - despite his dreadful Senate record. When I saw him again in 2007, he was clearly uncomfortable, and rather unpleasant at the gathering I attended.
In 3 years he went from being Mr. Patriot Act to being Dennis Kucinich. No wonder he was uncomfortable. As egotistical as he obviously is, he must have realized that his phoniness (on every level) could be exposed at any minute.
I go to UNC and saw John Edwards in a restaurant in Chapel Hill a couple weeks ago. The few people who recognized him were snickering. Oh and as for his infamous hair-- it looks just as perfect in real life. My dad grew up in the same town as Johnny and said he's had the same hair since high school.
I live in Chapel Hill, but fortunately I never run into him at the grocery store. I would probably just glare at him behind his back, because I'm a wimp.
My bible doesn't really speak to forgiveness, so if I ever saw John Edwards I would audibly hiss and boo. No one gets a good hissing nowadays. I want to bring hissing back. HISSSSSSSS! BOOOOO! Hey John! Hey John, is that you? I have something I want to tell you! YOU SUCK! Team Elizabeth!
He's damned no matter what. The decision to keep running for President when he knew there was dirt (and a KID) just sitting out there, waiting to be an October Surprise, pissed off lots of liberals here in the Carolinas.
Then there's the lying about adultery and not acknowledging the kid who, quite frankly, looks exactly like him. That's going to make the Christian set pretty irate. They'll forgive if you admit your sin and ask for forgiveness. But keep lying? Forget it.
I was in Raleigh when the news broke about the affair last year and many of the people I was working with had worked on his Senate and/or 2004 Presidential campaigns. Some were heartbroken, others just downright pissed.
(a) Chapel Hill isn't his hometown, but it is where he lives.(b) I think that North Carolinians, even those that are Democrats, had an uneasy peace with Edwards. He came from outside of politics to win his Senate seat, and then - to many, including my mother - he began politicking almost immediately for the presidency, and ignoring why he'd been elected to the Senate. They warmed to him as a VP candidate, and did not hold his second presidential run in such low esteem, loving the Kennedy-esque quality, the tragic family stories, the populism, etc. They learned to love him, and there was much that was lovable about him and his family. And then it was revealed that it wasn't nearly so idyllic; that Elizabeth (almost sainted by this point) knew, and that he was just like every other pretty politician.
And NC is racked by political scandal and witchhunts. So many former state politicians are in jail or facing ethics charges, that this just adds massive, nationally-televised fuel to the fire.
@kungfutoday: He really is just another stick in that whole fire, and I wish he would disappear from the Triangle for good. For me, when I was growing up (in Raleigh), I always felt like people either really loved him or they flat out didn't trust him. I feel so bad for his wife and family.
10/12/09
While Chapel Hillians may be smug, liberal, assholes to the rest of North Carolina proper, we aren't (or at least try not to be) enormously hypocritical.
We criticized republicans and the media for harping about the morality of Clinton's actions, so it would be unseemly to critique Edward's character for cheating on his wife (even though it was an incredibly douchy move).
However, the fact that he ran for president and could have become the democratic nominee, thereby actually making it possible for McCain/Palin to win, is absolutely inexcusable.
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The Book of Job's "My breath is strange to my wife, and I am a stench to the children of my own mother. Even young children despise me; when I rise they talk against me" seems promising.
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In 3 years he went from being Mr. Patriot Act to being Dennis Kucinich. No wonder he was uncomfortable. As egotistical as he obviously is, he must have realized that his phoniness (on every level) could be exposed at any minute.
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They go out to dinner and eyes are averted. It's very sad.
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I can't imagine what the kids, especially the younger ones, are feeling right now. I would constantly have a stomachache.
10/12/09
Then there's the lying about adultery and not acknowledging the kid who, quite frankly, looks exactly like him. That's going to make the Christian set pretty irate. They'll forgive if you admit your sin and ask for forgiveness. But keep lying? Forget it.
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And NC is racked by political scandal and witchhunts. So many former state politicians are in jail or facing ethics charges, that this just adds massive, nationally-televised fuel to the fire.
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I love WASPs. They're so deliciously passive-aggressive.
10/12/09