HONOLULU - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says his former rival John Edwards, who disclosed on Friday that he had an extramarital affair in 2006, would likely not be attending the party’s convention later this month.
Edwards, a former vice presidential candidate who bowed out of the ra
ce for the Democratic presidential nomination earlier this year, was said to be in the running for a high-level position in a potential Obama administration, including attorney general.
Probably not anymore.
The Illinois senator, when asked about Edwards, told reporters in Hawaii he thought the former North Carolina senator and his wife, Elizabeth, had already decided not to attend the Democratic convention in Denver in late August.
“If I’m not mistaken I think that … the Edwards family indicated that they probably wouldn’t be attending the convention,” Obama told reporters.
Healing, yes. But Obama no doubt also wants to avoid another distraction at an event that he hopes will emphasize his campaign message of change and party unity.
Edwards endorsed Obama in May while the primary contest against Hillary Clinton was still running. He told television network ABC on Friday that he didn’t think he had a political career in his future.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
Photo credit: Reuters/Jeff Haynes (John Edwards and Barack Obama at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 14, 2008)
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I can agree, if in fact, John Edwards made his own decision to NOT attend the Democratic convention for personal reasons. However, if was presured by the Democratic National Committee toward that decision in order to not detract from the NObama image that I think Bill Clinton should be asked to NOT attend either. Edwards only had one affair (not that I’m excusing it) but, slick Willie had MANY that he lied about and tried to cover up. He even had one while behind his desk in the oval office which, in my opinion, was a real discrace to our country and lied under oath to a congressional hearing. He was very close to being impeached becasue of it. If anyone is going to detract from the NObama image it’s WJC. Now, I don’t want to be accussed of being a REPUB. I’m a registered Democrat with a lot of heart burn.
- Posted by Warsaw WizardIf the Edwards are being asked not to attend the convention so should the Clintons. Obama will change his mind 10 times before the election.
- Posted by CarlP.S……I DARE JOHN MCCAIN TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT EDWARDS…DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH !!
- Posted by PETER IGNAGNIDON’T FORGET JOHN MCCAIN WHO THREW HIS FIRST WIFE, CAROL SCHEPP ‘UNDER THE BUS’ AFTER SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS AUTO WRECK AND FLEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD….WHAT A ‘HERO’, AS WELL AS NO.VIETNAMESE COLLABORATOR.
- Posted by PETER IGNAGNIThis is not a democratic party issue. This is a politician issue, and has been since politics began. If we didn’t give so much power to individual personalities, this kind of egomaniacal flandering wouldn’t be so bad.
- Posted by GinaRead Plato’s Republic.
“Obviously Obama knew about the allegations against Edwards for a long time.”
Of course he knew about the allegations, but he couldn’t know if they were true until Edwards told him.
On the other hand there is one man running for president who is a _confirmed_ serial adulterer: John McCain. Not only did he cheat on his wife, he dumped her for one of his concubines; a twenty-something, filthy rich heiress young enough to be his daughter. That’s character you can count on my friends.
- Posted by Itchy BrotherLooks to me like the Edwards-Hunter affair had not ended! (This is a big problem if the wife had been told it was over.) …Then, following this thread, the paternity impossibility might be ANOTHER LIE! And,today- privacy issues prevent a DNA test…Oh, what will happen to the money pay-outs? This is like a soap opera plot synopsis. How insulting to the American people! I want the truth to come out now more than ever. Disgusting.
- Posted by Ruth CThis is a very sad situation, particularly for his wife of some 30 years. But he has attempted to get out in front of this and come clean, and it should be noted he brought this to his wife. What really concerns me is the monies given to this woman, where they from the campaign, or Mr. Edwards pesonal money? I think this might be the bigger story. And finally, candidate Obama again shows his lack of experience and expterise in this situation, maybe he also should stay away from the convention.
- Posted by Ray ShieldsI just can’t believe that anyone is surprised about a democrat lying about sex.
- Posted by Tom PHow come Bill Clinton gets to speak at the Dem Convention, but John Edwards can’t even show up?
- Posted by kitty hoganThe person that I saw yesterday was not the person that I had come to know over 20 years. Uh, wait - why does that sound familiar?
- Posted by Barak Obama Impersonatorobqama if you won’t let johnny edwards speak, how come billy bj gets to speak. we didn’t even have to have a blue stained dress an impeachment for johnny to admit the cheating. billy bj still trying to blame somebody else. throw the bum off the convention.
- Posted by jakeMaybe Obama is trying to protect Hillary Clinton from being embarrassed. After all, any time anybody thinks of a man cheating on his wife, it is still Bill Clinton who come to mind.
- Posted by CCElizabeth knew in 2006 about John’s sexual affair. Thanks for being such a great enabler, Elizabeth. John would be paying off blackmail to the Iranians next if he’d been elected!
- Posted by TryWhy did the mainstream media suddenly stop reporting the story about McCain’s infidelity with a reporter.
- Posted by RonWhere are the tabloids when you need them ? It’s not like we don’t know that John McCain screws around.
The issues are too BIG….. vote OBAMA
- Posted by RonJohn and Elizabeth Edwards tell Obama they will not be coming to the DNC Convention. Obama repeats their intent. And THIS is throwing them under the bus? What logic is this? For pity’s sake.
- Posted by PavaneObama… remember, Jesus said you may not be the judge and jury. Don’t hate. Don’t hate. Don’t be a hater. John Edwards was just looking for some comfort at a sad time in his life. Jesus has already forgiven Edwards, and we all must as well. Even his wife has forgiven him.
- Posted by JEsusI think Edwards and his wife should go to the Convention. People get real. this is life in living color. People boink and people do things behind closed doors, and we all know people do these things - but as long as we don’t know it ‘must’ be ok. So if it’s ok when it’s behind closed doors, and we know it’s happening, why is it not ok when it comes out. Don’t be hater. Don’t Judge. Jesus can judge…
Let’s diagnose this quote:
“If I’m not mistaken I think that … the Edwards family indicated that they probably wouldn’t be attending the convention,” Obama told reporters.
If I’m not mistaken (questionable) I think (speculation)
probably (based on what) wouldn’t (opinion based on wouldn’t, shouldn’t or couldn’t)
This is the type of comment that is made by an amateur politician, not a professional.
- Posted by notaregularposterI’m sure it went like this; “That is not the John Edwards that I know.” Once again, Obama shows himself to be an exalted leader in judgment; actually considering Edwards to be either VP or Attorney General. At what point will everyone realize that Obama is EXACTLY like ALL the people he has thrown under what has become a fleet of buses?
- Posted by RIChris