By Judith Gayle | Political Waves
I was an Edwards fan in early 2008. I applauded his Two Americas message, approved his aggressive stance against insane money and ruthless corporations. I hoped his record on litigation suggested a presidency willing to take on the previous administration, along with the contractors and cronies who had robbed the nation’s coffers. I imagined the Department of Justice fully engaged during an Edwards presidency, putting Halliburton on alert and combing through Pentagon records. By the time the Democratic pool had narrowed itself down to three establishment candidates — Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards — the ex-Senator from North Carolina was the darling of progressives looking for a crusader and a brawl. I confess I wanted both then, and on some level I still do. Edwards was an attractive, well-spoken, high-profile populist warrior in a growing class war. He was my guy.
Just one day before Edwards pulled his name from nomination, my friend Fishin’ Jim and I went to see him speak at a local Springfield, Missouri union hall. He seemed frazzled and his stump speech rote, but the audience was enthusiastic. The essential humanity of his message spoke directly to their populist yearnings, and even the press in this culturally-conservative city seemed charmed. On the way home, Jim and I discussed his chances against Hillary, who was odds-on favorite. Pre-TARP, Jim thought Edwards might not survive the corporate backlash to his candidacy. Me, I was worried about what seemed a puzzling lethargy where the fire in Edwards’ belly had once been. My guy seemed out of gas, but I chalked it up to fatigue.
The next day’s announcement that he was pulling out confirmed my instincts. Months later, news of a clandestine tryst sparked more speculation. The death of Elizabeth Edwards renewed our interest in the situation late last year, and yesterday, the whole dismal affair came full circle with a federal indictment over possible campaign finance abuse. Edwards will defend himself against a charge that private contributions funneled to his secret paramour and mother of his love-child were intended to help him achieve the presidency; if he is convicted, real jail time looms.