September 5, 2008

Edwards Drops All Appearances Before Election Day

@ 12:51 pm by Walter Alarkon

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) has cancelled all his public appearances before Election Day, saying that he didn't want to distract from Barack Obama's campaign.

Edwards had committed to at least three events on universities. He hasn't made any public appearances since admitting to an extramarital affair last month.

"Nothing is more important than electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden," Edwards said in a statement. "I don't want my appearance at these events to be a distraction from the important issues of the election, or from the important purpose of these meetings."

Edwards was scheduled to speak at Hofstra University Monday, at the University at Buffalo in an event with former White House aide Karl Rove on Sept. 26, and at the University of Illinois Oct. 14.

Edwards would have been paid $65,000 for his Illinois appearance, reports The News-Gazette in central Illinois.

Archived under: News, Other
Tags: John Edwards

44 Comments »

1. Smart move,John. I couldn't believe you were even contemplating these appearances but methinks you are addicted to the limelight. Sounds like Howard Dean had a little talk with you…

   Comment by Alison — September 5, 2008 @ 1:54 pm

2. I think this is a very good idea, both for the current, very tense campaign and for the respect some would still like to feel for Sen. Edwards. What a loss. If they had stepped out of the campaign, for the most understandable of reasons, when Mrs. Edwards' cancer re-appeared, how very different things would be. —- It's important to know, I think, for each of these people what would be *more* important for them than not running for Pres. Joe Biden told us in one of the debates: when he (alone of the candidates) voted for the war appropriation bill in order to get better-armored vehicles to the troops as quickly as possible. Sen Obama has suggested that he would not run for office (at least for the first time) when his children are teenagers. I think it's important to know the point at which, with each of these people, ambition would give way to the person's own priorities. Especially after the Edwards 'affair,' I'm more comfortable with those who have something bigger or more important in their lives.

   Comment by Elizabeth — September 5, 2008 @ 2:12 pm

3. it could not have happened to a more deserving man. It also could not be more tragic to a great woman. Nice work Johnny boy.

   Comment by tony — September 5, 2008 @ 2:53 pm

4. I hear he is checking into a sex addiction clinic with David Duchovney.

   Comment by Tom — September 5, 2008 @ 2:55 pm

5. Looks like the dapper cadet has received his orders directly from the head commandant of the movement: Obama. Heaven forbid that this self described arrogant ambulance chaser's three ring circus of a life should cause any collateral damage to Messiah Obama's dream of moving the US towards Marxism

   Comment by Alfredo — September 5, 2008 @ 2:58 pm

6. Edwards….who cares anymore?

   Comment by benjamin — September 5, 2008 @ 3:00 pm

7. My, but doesn't John have a high opinion of himself! What an ego!

   Take a lesson from the Clinton playbook: don't let a little hanky panky get in the way of your attempt to pad that bank account! Fooling around, lying about it, denying it - what badges of honor! Bill and Hillary had no qualms about being in the public spotlight no matter what the charges.

   No conscience, no character, no class, no clue.

   Comment by Yvonne — September 5, 2008 @ 3:02 pm

8. Great idea on cancelling his appearances before election day. Now he should cancel all his appearances after election day as well.

   Comment by James W. Smith — September 5, 2008 @ 3:02 pm

9. Epitomizes the character of the Democratic elite. Arrogance to no end. And, no shame in shaming their wives. Kennedy, Clinton, Edwards. Dirtbags, but yet, for some strange reason, women still vote for them. So full of themselves you'd think women on the left would have more sense than those small-town women they think are incapable of running the show.

   Comment by JOE BLOW — September 5, 2008 @ 3:05 pm

10. This is all Mrs. Edwards' fault. If she had not contracted cancer, John would not have been forced into the wily arms of another woman.

    Comment by driveby_poster — September 5, 2008 @ 3:05 pm

11. Say it ain't so. The Breck Girl cow-tows to his liberal Dem party. What else is new?

    Barry and Biden are having enough problems getting their socks "knocked off" by Gov. Palin. They don't need loverboy to make it tougher for them.

    Comment by CAREY, U.S. ARMY — September 5, 2008 @ 3:06 pm

12. How magnanimous of Mr. Edwards! I am sure the fact that he is a dishonorable fraud would have distracted from Obama's chances of winning the election. Can't he come up with a better one than that? He could spill his guts on national tv and it wouldn't affect Obama's chances one way or the other. He is a lowlife and Obama is not. There are people who believed he was a great guy. I laughed at those people and I still am laughing. He was a fraud from birth.

    Comment by Pete NYC — September 5, 2008 @ 3:08 pm

13. John Dean prolly paid Edwards the money to stay home. And if he did not, 65k is nothing to the Edward's family.

    Comment by gert — September 5, 2008 @ 3:10 pm

14. This is probably the best decision for now. We pray for John, Elizabeth, and family. Only true repentence and time in this instance will bring a lasting healing.

    Comment by Doug — September 5, 2008 @ 3:10 pm

15. What could he POSSIBLY have left to say that'd anyone would want to hear?

    Comment by gutsygirl — September 5, 2008 @ 3:14 pm

16. If Edwards was a Republican, the media would be following him like a shadow. They don't want it to be a distraction or embarrassment to Obama.

    Comment by Gayle — September 5, 2008 @ 3:18 pm

17. or was he just unable to get speaking engagements??? ……… who would pay to hear a snake??? …….. he would be blabbing 100 mph if an idiot would pay him!!!!!

    Comment by lwayne — September 5, 2008 @ 3:20 pm

18. Word to John Edwards - You and your affair are a bore. I doubt that anyone much cares what you have to say these days.

    Comment by Keith B. — September 5, 2008 @ 3:27 pm

19. John - Nobody cares.

    Comment by mariner — September 5, 2008 @ 3:28 pm

20. The speech was probably cancelled by the university, not Edwards.

    Comment by morgan — September 5, 2008 @ 3:32 pm

21. Poor John. Now he'll have to make do without that income. And he has his families to support.

    Comment by Dave — September 5, 2008 @ 3:33 pm

22. "Nothing is more important than electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden"…This, in a nutshell, is what is exactly wrong with many politicians (mostly Democrats). Really? "Nothing" is more important? Compare that to McCains message from last night. Very interesting.

    Comment by Mike B — September 5, 2008 @ 3:33 pm

23. Hey, John, I'm not sure if you're here lurking but I tried your cell phone 3 times and you're not picking up.

    Anywho, I'm just wondering if you're coming over tonight like you promised? Our child misses you, you know and I do too. Is Elizabeth OK or is she getting worse? Oops, maybe I shouldn't be so straight forward in a comments section. I just miss you, Johnny. Please call me back. You remember the number, right?

    Comment by Rielle Hunter — September 5, 2008 @ 3:37 pm

24. On one hand, I';m disgusted at his actions, and on the other hand, I feel nothing but pity for them all. He was smart to cancel those appearances…I'd hate to play a clip and hear nothing but boos and catcalls.

    Comment by MizLiz — September 5, 2008 @ 3:37 pm

25. John, John, surely you can work me into your busy schedule now. Love, Rielle

    Comment by MJ DAVIS — September 5, 2008 @ 3:39 pm

26. HAHAHAHAHA! It's just about complete. The John "Breck Girl" Edwards flame out is just about complete. I got a news flash for ya John, nothing is more important than making sure Obama Wan Kanobe and Bitter Boy Biden DON'T get elected. HAHAHAHA! See ya Beck Girl!

    Comment by Ping2007 — September 5, 2008 @ 3:39 pm

27. Funny that a guy who made the outrageous costs of college education a central platform of his campaign charges students (through fees) close to six figures for the privilege to hear him speak.

    Comment by Geoff — September 5, 2008 @ 3:40 pm

28. I think he was just afraid his pants would suddenly fall off with all those fawning liberal coeds running around. What a nobile jesture on his part.

    Comment by bRIAN — September 5, 2008 @ 3:41 pm

29. Come on, having affairs is a resume enhancer in the Democratic party. I'm waiting for the video to come out, or at least the dry cleaner bill.

    Comment by Carl R. — September 5, 2008 @ 3:42 pm

30. John? Are you out there? Please call me. I miss you.

    Comment by Rielle Hunter — September 5, 2008 @ 3:46 pm

31. Hofstra,Buffalo and Illinois.
    That's three schools my kids will NOT attend.

    Paying thou$and$ for a speaker with the morals of a sewer rat.

    Comment by Burke — September 5, 2008 @ 3:47 pm

32. Just think: 30 years from now, Johnny's love child will be on the 2040's version of Jerry Springer talking about growing up with a former Presidential candidate and his videographer!

    Comment by Carl R. — September 5, 2008 @ 3:52 pm

33. SNAKE OIL SALESMAN!!!

    He should be stoked that there is a (D) instead of an (R) after his name. Otherwise he would be nailed to the cross instead of hiding in a castle built by unethical lawsuits.

    Comment by David Rooney — September 5, 2008 @ 3:54 pm

34. Little Johnny "Love Lips": You might consider a spiritual 'regroup' retreat with B.J. "Slick Willy" Clinton and the official marriage counselor of the Social Democrat party, the Reverend Jackson. What could describe karma better than a lying, thieving, arrogant, overly-politically ambitious, snake-in-the-grass, bottom-feeding trial lawyer getting not only caught but getting what he deserves. I'm surprised you and the next Mrs. Edwards didn't partake in that highest sacrament of the Church of Liberalism and abort the little inconvenience, er, baby. And as a bonus, you could probably find something to sue the abotionist for. If your Messiah, the Lord Barack Obama, the most merciful, gets elected, he might legalize infanticide so ya'll might still have a chance to get rid of the kid. I did feel some sympathy for Elizabeth, but since she has shown what a real "liberated" woman she is and just did the Hillary stand-by-your-man routine, she isn't worthy of much. I was hoping that Elizabeth would take you for all she could get and when she got through, the next Mrs. Edwards could take whatever was left. Then all your duped campaign contributors and sycophants could win a class action suit against you and what ever might remain of your campaign fund. That would indeed be trial lawyer karma.

    Comment by Jack — September 5, 2008 @ 4:32 pm

35. YO EDDIE !
    GIVE BILL CLINTON A CALL ! HE HAS THE REAL YOUNG INTERNS. BRING YOUR OWN TIDE STAIN REMOVER STICK.AND LEAVE THE PRESS OUT THIS TIME STUPID.OH THAT'S RIGHT! THEY DON'T REPORT DEMOCRAT NEWS. IT GETS BURIED. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF IT WAS A REPUBLICAN? WE WOULDN'T HAVE ANY TREES LEFT.SORT OF LIKE COMMUNIST COUNTRIES.

    Comment by Michaelp — September 5, 2008 @ 5:37 pm

36. Gayle said -

    "If Edwards was a Republican, the media would be following him like a shadow."

    Suuuuuuuuuure they would. I'll believe that when the media starts really talking about how John McCain was, un, engaging in some X-rated extracurriculars with Cindy while he was still married to his first wife.

    Comment by spencer — September 5, 2008 @ 5:38 pm

37. Maybe Edwards can consult Wacko Jacko on how to recover your image in the media after throwing your devoted first wife under the bus after she gets sick and getting into a newer, younger, blonder model. Seriously, the arrogance of the right wing dead-enders is amazing.

    Comment by DBX — September 5, 2008 @ 6:11 pm

38. Look at all the folks attacking Edwards. Attack attack attack.

    Certainly he's a juicy target, but just remember, he did NOTHING as vulgar as the golden child John McCain, who was dating a rich heiress while his injured wife was home waiting on the divorce to process.

    Oh, but I forget! McCain is a Republican, so he gets the Double Standard Shield like Palin and her hoochie mamma daughter. Nothing to see here, folks, PRIVATE, PERSONAL MATTERS.

    Comment by Chris — September 5, 2008 @ 6:14 pm

39. To hell with Edwards where is the little worm Harry Reid?I kind of miss the little twit. His sad face his I,m having a bad bowel movement growling.
    And of course there,s Pelosi who just needs to get laid.Hey Dem,s where do you find these people?
    John Edwards laying low is a joke.Isn,t that what got him in trouble at the hotel?
    I think things are coming unone for the dem,s.

    Comment by Terry Gee — September 5, 2008 @ 6:50 pm

40. "The Hill welcomes comment from anyone and will almost always post it whether it is favorable or critical, as long as it is substantive and advances debate."

    Please tell me how Alfredo in comment #5 is abiding by these rules/guidelines?

    Comment by Heart — September 6, 2008 @ 12:15 am

41. Boy are there some really stupid and immature people in these comments. Name the number of recent sex scandals the [D] after their name…few. On the other hand you have two men on the Dem ticket without a whiff of that. Meanwhile Sarah has the Enquire types after her and we already know what a gem of a human being John McSame was to his first wife. Enjoy casting stones Repugs because you have a long list of sinners in your ranks.

    Comment by Neroon — September 6, 2008 @ 1:05 am

42. I don't know what he was thinking by actually comtemplating these public speaking engagements so soon after a sex scandal. Someone must have talked some sense into him.

    If I were him, I would look up Jimmy Carter and get involved in some actual work with the poor, not just giving well-paid speeches about it. He needs to really work for his redemption.

    If the baby girl is his, I hope he has a relationship with her. But I hope he doesn't marry that New Age wacko. His reputation will be totally shot if he does marry her after poor Elizabeth passes away.

    Comment by Allison — September 6, 2008 @ 1:49 am

43. I am amazed at the amount of puerile vitriol that comes from some of these (always anonymous) commenters. Yet, doubtless they feel morally superior. Did it occur to anyone that these engagements may have been made before the news of the affair had broken? I also note, those who are so quick to condemn Edwards don't seem to express the same opprobrium towards Gingrich or Senators Craig and Vittner. Bitter Much? As was pointed out above, McCain cheated on his first wife who had been in an horrific car accident, should he also now be disqualified from speaking? The double standard on the right is breathtaking.

    Comment by Christopher — September 6, 2008 @ 5:08 pm

44. Breck Girl is lowest of the low. Despicable.
    Wife gave you 30 years and four children. You gave her sorrow and humiliation.
    Hope you do marry skanky-ho.
    Did it ever occur to you that a female in her mid-forties–never having had a baby, could be so fertile? She set you up, she is far smarter than you! She is set for life.
    You dumb, dumb turd.

    Comment by Elaine(Dori) Irvin — September 7, 2008 @ 4:29 pm

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