TresSugar

John Edwards's Affair Could Cost Him More Than His Reputation

Annie Scudder — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:40:41 PDT

When it comes to sex scandals, politicians like Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Edwards really outdid themselves. Edwards carried on an affair that produced a child while his longtime wife was dying of cancer, and Schwarzenegger fathered a child with his housekeeper, who continued to work for him and his wife for another decade. These contemptible details guarantee little sympathy from the public, and now for Edwards some serious karma in the form of a grand jury indictment and possible jail time.

This morning, the former senator, vice presidential candidate, and progressive sweetheart was indicted on charges that he violated campaign finance law while trying to hide his mistress Rielle Hunter and her pregnancy from the public while running for president. He's charged with illegally using almost $1 million of donor money for Hunter's housing, medical care, and travel in order to protect his campaign.

Edwards's defense is that he used the money for private purposes, namely to keep his late wife, Elizabeth, from finding out about Hunter, therefore he wasn't required to report the donations. But since the affair would have harmed his campaign, it's hard to argue the cover-up was not part of his political strategy. If American presidential campaigns focused less on personal scandals and more on policies, maybe Edwards wouldn't have had to worry about his infidelity being exposed. But we all know that's not the America we live in.

Are you surprised Edwards is facing serious consequences?

Aaron Sorkin's Next Project: A John Edwards Biopic

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:45:08 PDT

Aaron Sorkin's latest film, The Social Network, made a splash this week with its new intense trailer, but for his next project, The West Wing creator is staying with current events and going back to the political. He'll write and direct a biopic about John Edwards and the scandal surrounding his 2008 run for president.

Sorkin has optioned the rights to The Politician, which recounts the road of the former Democratic candidate as he was accused of fathering an illegitimate child, then admitted his guilt to the shock of the nation and his wife. At the time, I definitely thought about what a dramatic roller-coaster ride that news was, so it's almost tailor-made for a movie. The only question now is: who should play Edwards?

Speed Read! Wonder Woman Grows Up

TresSugar — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:30:18 PDT

Wonder Woman turns 69, gets a conservative makeover - New York Times
John Edwards living a life of drinking and flirting - Daily Beast
Third time might charm for new Twilight, out today - BuzzSugar
Meanwhile, producer outs Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's relationship - PopSugar
Should libraries expose people who watch porn on public computers? - Gawker
VA hospital may have infected 1,800 veterans with HIV - CNN
Lessons to learn from celebrity drunk driving arrests - Salon
Mike "The Situation" celebrates his birthday - People

Have Your Parents Ever Disappointed You?

TresSugar — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:00:14 PDT

As details about John Edwards's affair continued to emerge, along with pants-less pictures of his mistress, I always felt sad for Elizabeth Edwards. But I never really stopped to think about his kids. Well in this week's issue of People, John's 28-year-old daughter Cate opens up about her father's scandal in a full-length essay, making me consider what it must be like for them. Writing about how her mother's example helps her deal with the drama, Cate explains:

There are the things she taught without words, [like] how to continue to live your life on your own terms when it somehow becomes savaged by people you never invited into it.

I'm sure Chelsea Clinton can relate. As an adult child or as a kid, did your parents ever do anything that disappointed you?

Elizabeth Edwards Doesn't Want John to Raise Kids; Do You?

LilSugar — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:00:01 PDT

When a family falls apart in the public eye, things tend to unravel quickly. Though Elizabeth Edwards once admitted to creating the image of a father she wanted her children to have, now she doesn't see John Edwards fit to raise their two minors. According to a CBS report, "Elizabeth is looking into whether the couple's 28-year-old daughter, Cate, can assume legal guardianship over their two youngest children, Jack and Emma." The mom of three (the Edwards lost their oldest son, Wade, in a 1996 car accident) is said to be making preparations in case she loses her battle with breast cancer. Do you think Elizabeth's custody wish should be granted, or does John as the dad have a right to raise his 10- and 12-year-old children?

Baby Shifted Rielle Hunter and John Edwards's Relationship

LilSugar — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:14:10 PDT

Last month, Rielle Hunter posed suggestively in GQ, and today, the self-described "private" woman's chat with Oprah aired. When the talk show queen inquired as to how Hunter could stand by John Edwards when he renewed his wedding vows with his wife Elizabeth, Hunter admitted she was hurt. She said:

"No. I didn't get out. I was pregnant. Now he's turned into the father of my child. He's no longer the married boyfriend. He is now the father of my child and that shifts you. That changes things."

Are you lenient with your baby's father because he has biological ties to your child?

Rielle Hunter: I'm Not a Homewrecker - Well Said or Say What?

TresSugar — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:45:03 PDT

We typically present quotes here that either make us think "say what?" when they're outrageous, or "well said" when they speak the truth. But we just came across one that stumps us. Speaking on Oprah today, John Edwards's infamous mistress Rielle Hunter said she's not a homewrecker. Here's the quote:

"It’s not my experience that a third party can wreck a home. A home is wrecked before a third party comes into the picture."

What do you make of this?

Speed Read! Elizabeth Edwards Disgusted, But Moving On

TresSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:30:45 PDT

Elizabeth Edwards responds to Rielle's GQ interview - People
Sandra Bullock reportedly moves out - PopSugar
Democrats getting closer to passing health care reform - Huffington Post
Larry King asks Betty White if she was easy - The Frisky
New book recalls memories of Anne Frank at concentration camp - AP
California lawmakers to vote on requirement that porn stars wear condoms - LA Times
Important lessons to learn from sex scandals - New York Times

Do John Edwards' Actions Make Him Less of a Daddy?

LilSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:01 PDT

To say that John Edwards surrounded himself by loyal women is an understatement. He recently added one more to the mix by acknowledging his paternity of 2-year-old daughter Quinn with Rielle Hunter. The former vice presidential candidate who rode largely on the ticket of being a "family man" had the public support of both his wife and mistress when news of the love child surfaced. Elizabeth Edwards went so far as to say that she creates a picture of him for their three children - Cate, Emma Claire and Jack. The couple has since separated.

Now, in a recent and eye-opening interview with GQ, Rielle Hunter (who John initially denied involvement with) is singing his praises as she speaks out for the first time. When asked why she remained silent until now, Rielle said:

I feel comfortable talking now, because Johnny went public and made a statement admitting paternity. I didn't feel like I could ever speak until he did that. Because had I spoken, I would have emasculated him. And I could not emasculate him. Also, it is not my desire to teach my daughter that when Mommy's upset with Daddy, you take matters into your own hands and fix Daddy's mistakes. Which I view as one of the biggest problems in all female-and-male relationships.

Despite the chaos of the last few years, Rielle is committed to loving John. This begs the question does a man's actions (however dishonorable), affect his abilities as a dad?

Photo Credit: Mark Seliger/GQ

Rielle Hunter Shares Her Real Love For Johnny Edwards in GQ

TresSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:15:12 PDT

In her photos shoot with GQ, John Edwards' ex-mistress Rielle Hunter scandalizes purple dinosaur Barney who appears to catch a glance of her underwear. While Rielle told Barbara Walters this morning that she was "repulsed" by the photos GQ ran, the words that came out of her mouth during the interview with the magazine only confirm her questionable judgment. Referring to John Edwards as "Johnny" throughout, she uses her experience to offer relationship-advice gems. Some highlights:

On Elizabeth: I watched my father die of cancer. It's heart-wrenching to me. But it's also sad to me, her unwillingness to take responsibility for her part in the marriage. And her unwillingness to face the truth. We're all slaves to our unconscious, but she really believes that it's everyone else's fault.
On female-male relationships: Had I spoken, I would have emasculated him. And I could not emasculate him. Also, it is not my desire to teach my daughter that when Mommy's upset with Daddy, you take matters into your own hands and fix Daddy's mistakes. Which I view as one of the biggest problems in all female-and-male relationships.
On knowing it was special the first night: He in fact did say to me the first night, "Falling in love with you could really f*ck up my plans for becoming President." And of course I said, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."
On the man's role: He drives our relationship. He's the man. [laughs] He's in the driver's seat.

I'm sure Elizabeth Edwards is pleased, no?