Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
We just found something interesting on the 2008 John Edwards for President web site. The campaign posted a clip of Senator Edwards on June 7, 2007 accepting the “National Father of the Year” award in New York from Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, Inc..
That’s almost nine months before Rielle Hunter had a baby. Edwards admits to ABC News that he had an affair with Hunter in 2006. But he denies being the father of the baby.
In a statement released this evening Edwards says, “With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006 and today I take full responsibility publicly. But that misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. I am and have been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said publicly that he is the father of the baby.”
That’s Edwards today.
Now, I want to take you to that June night last year when Edwards accepted his award for “Father of the Year”.
Here’s the clip:
At the beginning of his acceptance speech, Edwards told the crowd, “I hate to admit it, but I’m not the best parent in my family. The best parent in my family is my wife Elizabeth, who is with me today.”
By the way, the council says on its web site it presents the Father of the Year/ Outstanding Mother Awards to deserving mothers and fathers of high accomplishment in their chosen fields who have also exhibited enormous achievement as parents.”
| Cindy |
August 8th, 2008 7:02 pm ET OK...I think you all are grasping for straws here! Any man who wins an award like this and his wife is there will no doubt try to give his wife the credit instead of himself seeing as the mom in most cases is the one that does the most for the children. I don't see this in any way having anything to do with the affair. But he is right...she is the better parent. Cindy...Ga. |
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| Missy |
August 8th, 2008 7:51 pm ET John Edwards, father of five. And I am willing to bet that he just recently told Elizabeth about the affair, not two years ago. |
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| Janice McAllister |
August 8th, 2008 8:08 pm ET I am listening to the political pundits on CNN commenting today on John Edward's lying about the affair. Ed Rollins commented that as a presidential candidate and possible vice presidential candidate, this man has no character. He lied, he betrayed his famiily and he showed very poor judgment. My question is, how is his behavior any different than that of President Bill Clinton's when he was in office? Why do we not hold President Clinton to the same standard that we are now holding Mr. Edwards? President Clinton lied to his family and to all of the American people and he definitely showed poor judgment. Why do we view him with such admiration now? He disgraced the office of President, he disgraced his family, and he disgraced all of us. He is not a Statesman, he is interested in his own ambitions and agenda and he and Hilary are trying to bully their way into the office of Vice President and status treatment at the convention. Why do we not shun him as we are now shunning Mr. Edwards? The standard should be the same |
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| EJ (USA) |
August 8th, 2008 8:42 pm ET Why do we not hold President Clinton to the same standard that we are now holding Mr. Edwards? President Clinton lied to his family and to all of the American people and he definitely showed poor judgment. Why do we view him with such admiration now? He disgraced the office of President, he disgraced his family, and he disgraced all of us. He is not a Statesman, he is interested in his own ambitions and agenda Not only was Clinton (wrongfully) IMPEACHED, there isn't one person who believed that Clinton had been faithful to Hillary. Edwards did put forth a much different persona. Loving dedicated husband & father – almost perfect if not perfect (this is the image we saw) Also, Hillary was not dying of cancer. Say what you will but that makes the story & situation so much more heartbreaking to so many people. I'm not saying that we all should hate Edwards – I don't hate him at all, but I am definitely disappointed and feel sooooo badly for Elizabeth and his children. |
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| Larry |
August 8th, 2008 9:29 pm ET Yep, she is the better parent and human being at that. I don't hate John Edwards, I pity him for not appreciating what he already had, unconditional love. |
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| Annie Kate |
August 8th, 2008 9:58 pm ET I agree with Edwards – he's not the best parent in the world – he has set a horrible example with this affair for his children. Annie Kate |
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| Jo Anne Cummings |
August 8th, 2008 9:59 pm ET I think I remember a tear in the eye of John Edwards when speaking of his ill wife. How he "must go on" for her and his children. Preaching "family values". He makes ME ill. |
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| te |
August 8th, 2008 11:00 pm ET The media needs to let them heal because this just raises questions about John McCains past too and other previous Presidents. |
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| Pat |
August 8th, 2008 11:02 pm ET What I am most disappointed about regarding Edwards' infidelity is that being unfaithful to one's wife has become so common that we, the public, are no longer shocked, or appalled by such behaviour. In fact, we have become complacent. It's just another man cheating on his wife! How sad it is that our society as a whole has apparently become so desensitized to immoral behaviour that even those running for the Highest Office in the Land are considered just another unfaithful spouse! John spoke the truth when he said he is not a good parent. I will go even further, he is not a good role model for our children. I am saddened that we the public no longer expect that our Politicians, National Leaders, Religious Leaders, Social Leaders, set an example that our Nation and it's children can look up to. Not only did he fail morally but he lied about his weakness on several occassions. If John Edwards had won the Nomination and this story had surfaced how would we feel? Should we not expect more from those running for President of our Nation? How much trust can one put in a man who would vye for the Presidency, cheat on his wife and blantantly lie about it for two years? |
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| Sylvia Murphy |
August 8th, 2008 11:19 pm ET John Edwards should be bashed – his behavior is unacceptable. I do hope that the media will now give some details about John McCain's past infidelity – that story definitely should be published in detail. |
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| Janet |
August 9th, 2008 12:29 am ET Sometimes is not ringing true about Edwards' comments on this matter. I'm waiting for more to come out - finally. |
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| diane snow |
August 9th, 2008 1:12 am ET John Edwards is NOT running for president. What he does in his personal life is none of our ^^%& business. Just as President Clinton's sexual life was NONE of our or the government's business, neither do we nor the government have the right to demand explanations from the Clintons OR the Edwards families. It makes me sick and furious that so much time, energy and taxpayer money is spent "investigating" and reporting private details of peoples' lives. Americans need to stay the hell out of the private lives of our leaders. We have become a very hypocritical and judgmental people. |
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| scott |
August 9th, 2008 5:48 am ET Doy! |
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| G. Willikers |
August 9th, 2008 7:50 am ET Why don't we hold President Clinton to the same standards someone asks. Why didn't we hold Ike to the same standards? Why given Clinton's Impeachment for a "John error" was John offering his backing and support to a Presidential Nominee? Why given Clinton's Impeachment was John running for President knowing he had committed adultry and if uncovered it would destroy the Democratics chance for the White House? John is Unpatriot, Narcisstic? You Bet! John is Pompous? You Bet! John is Dishonest? You Bet! John is Untruthful? You Bet! John cares about his wife, family and Country? Not a Chance! John is only sorry that he got caught. Now he's trying to play the Victim even! John is Nauseating? Very. Elizabeth Edwards in her time of need deserved much more. Every woman deserves much more. America deserved much more. John deserves every ounce of criticism he gets and more for putting a Nation in Peril, for causing his wife and famly heartache and embarassment all due to his own selfish needs, and inflated sense of self worth! The lack of concern and respect he showed towards his family and Nation is shameful! |
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| Anne |
August 10th, 2008 9:25 pm ET I assumed John Edwards was long ago committed to the upcoming historical 2008 Democratic Convention; with participation a coveted moral responsibility. It was appalling to hear him say he was not attending. Personal shame should not estrange him. His derailment though heartbreaking, pales in comparison to prioritizing public service and leadership. Non-participation adds heaps of shame. |
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| J.V.hodgson |
August 11th, 2008 12:05 am ET Morally he should have declined the offer, but since when anywhere in the world have the individual personal morals been the highest item on the agenda of any politician? |
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| Lou (Canada) |
August 11th, 2008 8:23 am ET I would tend to agree with others on this site that Elizabeth Edwards did not know about this two years ago and that he only recently told his wife as he knew it was about to come out to the public. |
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