John Edwards' highly scripted 'Nightline' interview

After an afternoon of minor media frenzy, the John Edwards interview on Friday's "Nightline" seemed strangely anticlimactic. Of course, it followed not only the opening of the controversially situated Summer Olympics in Beijing but also Russia's invasion of Georgia. If the latter could not have been foreseen by Edwards, the former certainly was.

He had spent the last week strenuously denying charges made by the National Enquirer that he cheated on Elizabeth, his cancer-stricken wife of 30 years. But as it turns out, he did have an affair, with Rielle Hunter, who had filmed Web content for his campaign in 2006, and possibly bore his child. And since mainstream media were beginning to get involved, ABC's Bob Woodruff was invited to the Edwards home for a chat to air on Friday.  A chat that could only appear on "Nightline." Which airs at 11:35. On the day of the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

Not that the interview was about control or anything. Edwards just wanted to come clean, in a highly scripted sort of way. But the talking points -- yes, he did have the affair but it was while Elizabeth was in remission; no, he did not father Hunter's baby; yes, he and Elizabeth remain committed to each other; no, he did not know of any payments to Hunter -- were less telling than the subtext. Which seems to be that discovering that he is not a perfect person has made John Edwards a better, more self-aware man. Thanks for asking.

The word "affair" and any of its synonyms were, for example, consistently avoided. Looking calm, boyish and oddly upbeat, Edwards seemed taken aback when Woodruff jumped right in with questions rather than friendly greetings, going out of his way to thank Woodruff for coming down to talk with him before he answered those questions. Then he carefully explained, as you might to a child, that in 2006, he had made a big mistake. That he had told Elizabeth about the mistake, had asked forgiveness from her and God, and that he took full responsibility for his mistake. When asked how long the affair lasted and when it ended, he declined to answer, explaining that he had made all the details known to his family but beyond that it wasn't anyone's business.

Of the two, Woodruff was so obviously more upset by the situation that it became, at times, just plain weird. "Were you in love with her?" he asked, his voice shaking, and I thought the man would burst into tears. Not Edwards, but Woodruff. Edwards simply shook his head in disbelief, reiterating that he has been in love with only one woman for more than 31 years and that it remains "a deep and abiding love."
Determined to find something approaching emotion in his subject, Woodruff pressed on, asking point-blank: "How could you have done this?" which Edwards used as an opportunity to "explain," with a brief tour through his own life story.

"I went from being a senator, a young senator, to being considered for vice president, running for president, being a vice presidential candidate and becoming a national public figure," he said. "All of which fed a self-focus, an egotism, a narcissism that leads you to believe that you can do whatever you want. You're invincible. And there will be no consequences."

It was an answer he had clearly prepared for; much of the wording was used in a statement made earlier in the day. It also bore a rather unnerving resemblance to the little speech given by the Republican presidential candidate (played so wonderfully by Larry Hagman) in "Primary Colors." That candidate blamed cocaine rather than narcissism but the power-run-amok theme was the same.

Edwards admitted to meeting Hunter last month at the Beverly Hilton hotel, where he was sighted by National Enquirer reporters, but denied that he had fathered her child. He had agreed to meet her and a male friend for the sole purpose of convincing her to keep the affair quiet. "I didn't want the public to know what I had done," he said in what was perhaps the most courageous moment of the interview -- affairs are bad for politicians, but cover-ups are worse.

But then he got a little slippery when asked about the photo the Enquirer had printed, which they claim is Edwards holding Hunter's baby daughter. The picture is blurry and Edwards says he has no idea who it is. Fair enough, but when Woodruff asked him if he remembered holding Hunter's baby, his answer was just plain squirrelly.

"You asked me about that photograph. I don't know anything about that photograph," he said, as if taking his cues from the Watergate hearings. "I don't know who that baby is.... I was not at this meeting holding a child for my photograph to be taken, I can tell you that."

If nothing else, Edwards made it clear to Woodruff, and to us, that he is not looking for sympathy, which is good because he won't be getting any. Any points he might have been awarded for not hauling Elizabeth along to look stoic beside an American flag were deducted by his self-congratulatory explanation of same. "Elizabeth is not here because she did nothing wrong," he said when asked, but could he leave it at that? No, he could not. "I have to be the man, to take responsibility."

Neatly deflecting questions about the impact this will have on his political career by musing that he was not certain he had a political future anyway -- "service" is what he sees as his long-term goal -- he all but laughed when Woodruff, still trying to bring things down a bit, asked if he had ever thought "it would end this way." "I don't think anything has ended," he said. "My Lord and my wife have forgiven me, I'm moving on."

Which I suppose one could see as a certain grace under pressure, or maybe it's just that pesky old narcissism that makes you believe you can do whatever you want. Like give one short scripted interview to "Nightline" and make it all go away.

-- Mary McNamara

Photo: AP / ABC

Comments

[addi west]

It does not matter whether you are a Democrat or a Republican..men that have power and money
have always an advantage to attract women..this is very human..it takes two to tango...a woman
who has self respect could always say NO,but it is another story if she falls under the trap.
Some people are so self-centered that they don't think of the repercussion that would result to hurting their family and friends. My sympathy goes to Mrs. Edwards and those who have been victims of this situation..it is very unfortunate.

[G. Nolan]

I would imagine there is one person who cares if he had an affair and the would be Elizabeth.

[TooLittleTooLate]

Sad how long it took for this story to get going.....

And from LA's own back yard....

Ever think of just reporting the news and letting the chips fall?

The real story here is that LATimes blew the story....

[George]

Don't really care.

At least he has sex with a woman compared with the recent republican gay sex scandals. The gay thing wouldn't be so bad if they were not trying to demonize being gay at the same time. Talk about twisted.

[RJE]

John McCain cheated on an ill wife: "his 1st wife was involved in a car accident and paralized. What did John McCain do? He went and had an affair with a Navy Nurse in Hawaii and divored his paralized wife." - from the Daily Paul (Ron Paul newsletter). The specifics may be challenged, but it is known he cheated on an ill wife.
So- apparently the public does forgive.

[Kelly]

To those making excuses for John Edwards’s affair:

John Edwards built his political life around faith, flag and family. The man has been obnoxiously self-righteous during his time in the political spotlight. Even now, after being caught in his web of deceit - he continues his deception.

[Dan]

A politician being slippery about answering questions about an affair. Who'd have thought? The point is, I don't CARE. I don't know why anybody else does. Why does Edwards' affair (or any other politician's, for that matter) deserve the media scrutiny that it gets? Was he paying for sex and therefore committing a crime? Was he buying his mistress properties in the Hamptons with government money? No? Then what could it possibly have to do with anything regarding his job or his ability to do it.

People say, "Oh well, we need an honest man in office." No, the problem is that the public has a fetishistic need to examine the personal lives of everyone in the public eye like it's some sort of reality TV show. If the world's best brain surgeon had an affair, wouldn't you still let him operate on you?

[God....a nice guy]

ahhhh...John? This is God. You are NOT forgiven. I'll let you know when you are. Oh...and, don't call me, I'll call you.

[Mim]

The wholesome image of Edwards is forever gone by the affair? Hunter did not have any experience in the position, that she was hired as a photographer at a salary of $114000 a year. The contributors were paying her salary for sleeping with Edwards. That is a an extra benefit, that the contributors did not plan. Edwards ego is unbelievable. I am happy that the Enquire reported the affair; however, I am very sad about the wife.

He stated in his own words: " I went from being a senator, a young senator, to being considered for vice president, running for president, being a vice presidential candidate and becoming a national public figure," he said. "All of which fed a self-focus, an egotism, a narcissism that leads you to believe that you can do whatever you want. You're invincible. And there will be no consequences." Well guess what Edwards, you have consequence, but at the expense of your family; but at a time when your wife had breast cancer!.

[xinunus]

How in the hell does this JACKASS EDWARDS get a prime time slot to tell his side of the story? I didnt see the so called mainstream media give Senator Craig this opportunity to tell his side of the story. THE SO CALLED MAINSTREAM MEDIA IS CORRUPT.

[whatnot]

Oh, I don't know, Karanja. Newt Gingrich cheated on his sick wife. So did John McCain. They both seem to be sitting pretty.

[xinunus]

Why is it when a Republican is caught cheating they are painted as EVIL but when a Democrat gets caught we have to forgive then and we all have to start going through a HEALING process. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS BS THE SO CALLED MAINSTREAM MEDIA IS SPOON FEEDING US. We act like a bunch of god damn sheep. Stand up and start by not buying their products (i.e. tv broadcasts, newspapers, online subscribsions). Cut the MSM off at the kneess, THEY ARE CORRUPT AND ONLY REPORT WHAT THEY WANT US TO KNOW. THAT IS NOT NEWS!!!!!111

[Paul in Maryland]

Journalists could raise the stakes for lying once and for all by asking one simple question: "If it turns out you've just lied, will you agree to step down / end your bid / spend a year in jail?" If the politician answers with a convoluted response instead of a straight "Yes," it's a safe bet he's a liar.

[smotherday]

Have you forgotten that Edwards is a personal injury liar..I mean lawyer? Is there really anyone who's surprised that Edwards screwed around on his wife while she was fighting cancer?
Get real and realize he's as big a skanky prettyboy as the rest of them.

[Cyndy]

Great analysis, Mary! The Nighline interview consisted of softball questions and evasive answers. Edwards owes the public more than this tripe!

[Just an Observer]

Well...the huckster finally gets busted. Of course not by the mainstream press, but then again will the MSM ever rat out their own kind?

When will these politicians learn to keep their own sheets clean before trying to impose their own Democratic righteousness on others? Let’s be honest here did anyone really believe Slick Willy II was the sincere, “I’ve never met an insurance company I couldn’t sue for profit”, ever had a chance as presidential contender? This guy is a one trick phony and sadly I’m sure we’ll see him again on the airwaves as soon as the dust settles.

[John]

Edwards makes it clear he is a liar.

He lied to the American people, NOT to protect his wife from the knowledge (she already knew), but solely to make himself look better.

[jd]

Sorry Kelly, but Dems have proved that they don't care if the canditate is a drug user (Marion Barry) or a murderer (Ted Kennedy)... as long as it suits their agenda, anyone is electable.

[Observer]

This is sad. I don't know what it proves, if anything! Maybe: "all have sinned" and "let those without sin cast the first stone." But another sad thing is how divided we are in this country: If you are Republican you can throw stones really well. If you are a Democrat you can be sure the Republicans will throw stones at you for any reason. And if you are a Republican, you have Bush to glorify. Shame! Shame!

[Tom]

Kelly - Apparently, you haven't read the life and times of Newt Gingrich. He did the exact same thing , except he asked for a divorce from his cancer stricken wife at the same time. Gingrich is still very much a hero of the GOP.