This is my first post, and since I couldn't decide how to begin, I'll start with my recent disappointment with John Edwards' recent disclosure about his extra-marital affair. I have hoped for years he would be a real leader in the fight against poverty and justice in that arena, someone who could inspire real participation and change. He has that Kennedy-like looks and presence, and the fact that he started an organization dedicated to eradicating poverty impressed me.
So this recent revelation about his affair is very disconcerting to me. Besides the obvious moral issue of adultery, there are so many other issues that disturb me. Of course, since his wife had been suffering from a life-threatening disease, the betrayal was especially shocking and harmful. And I have to say, even though I'm more concerned about a candidate's values and positions on important issues than on his party affiliation, I feel betrayed as a citizen by this man's lying and lack of control when it comes to his personal fulfillment. I strongly feel if you are representing the public or in a position of control over resources that impact a certain community significantly (like a major corporation or community organization), that you owe that constituency a certain basic level of respect and loyalty. If that means maintaining a standard of honesty, morality, and even making sacrifices to uphold the public trust, than that's the way it is. I felt this way when Bill Clinton revealed his stupid little affair. It's the lying, the misleading the public, those who vote for you and look to you for leadership that hurts the most.
I read Ruth Marcus' editorial today in my local paper. It seems some of Edwards words have come back to haunt him. He made some remarks after Clinton's debacle about how "breathtaking" the "level to which that disrespect has risen." Does Edwards think he has disrespected the American people?
He also said in an interview with Katie Couric that the American people have the right to know "what kind of human beings each of us are, and what kind of president we'd make." His actions DO make me wonder what kind of president he'd make. Could I ever trust him totally, to tell the truth or represent the issues plainly, honestly? I'm not sure.
I am not a prude that thinks politicians don't or shouldn't have extramarital affairs. I believe we are all human, and these things can happen, and that if there's true love in a marriage, the betrayed one should try and forgive. That depends on the circumstances too. But John Edwards is not just any man, betraying his wife and family with another woman. He is a very public figure, who squandered the trust and admiration of people in this country and the world who could have made a difference with his leadership.
As I try to come to terms with this fiasco, avoiding the media hype of the facts or possible facts, I will try to remain hopeful that the ideals I thought this man stood for in the world arena will be preserved in some way, and that we who believe in justice and parity for the poor and disenfranchised can find others to fulfill the mission and lead us to a more peaceful world.
