Politics, dishonesty and adultery

OUR OPINION
Published: August 11, 2008

Word of John Edwards’ affair and “love child” have been percolating on the back burner of the national media for quite a while now.

Finally, all the speculation has driven Edwards to publicly admit that he had an affair, though he denies that he fathered any extramarital children.

But the real issue here is not the affair. Edwards, like all other politicians, is simply a human being, and as such he is subject to the same sins and weaknesses of us all.

He did not commit a crime and so should not be treated as a criminal.

However, Edwards did something much worse in the course of this affair. He lied, and in so doing ruined his credibility.

Everybody expects politicians to fudge, exaggerate and spin, but they are not expected to give outright lies to the public about their behavior. But that is just what Edwards did.

Accusations about the affair have been insistently rebuffed and denied by Edwards up until he finally admitted that he had, in fact, had an affair.

Why does a politician believe that he or she can lie his or her way out of trouble? It is especially silly given the amount of scrutiny politicians receive; the arrogance necessary to think that one can lie
one’s way out of trouble like a child is incredible. But that is exactly what Edwards tried to do.

But like a child, he discovered that a lie cannot last forever, especially in the face of constant inquiry.

And so Edwards must now face the consequences — the possible stifling of his political career.