This may not be popular but spare a prayer for John Edwards .

[saracat]

He is losing his partner of thirty years. He is with Elizabeth tonight and while his actions have been reprehensible, he has paid a horrible price for them.They were together over thirty years and are still together. They have shared joy and grief. It is unlikely he has anyone to share this loss with and his guilt must be enormous. Can you imagine his losing such a person and them being held responsible as well? It has to be the worst situation imaginable. I pray for the entire Edwards family. God bless them all.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I agree...

I'm sure he's suffering...

Elizabeth's suffering will end when she dies...

John's will go on.

My prayers for them as well...

[Cleita]

2. I certainly will.

I'm still a fan of what John tried to stand for. He made some bad personal choices but I believe his political choices were above board.

[saracat]

8. Thank you. I am so saddened by all this. The world seems as though a light is dimming.

[unapatriciated]

70. agree.

His personal choices were not the best but his political policies and platform was what we needed and sadly did not get.

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. Agreed

As you know, I've expressed my dislike for Edwards as a candidate and public figure more times than I'd like to count. But nobody should have to face something like this. My thoughts are with the family.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Prayers for both of them.

[WillyT]

5. Agreed !!! - K & R !!!

:grouphug:

:kick:

[jesus_of_suburbia]

6. My thoughts are with the entire family, including John.

[Withywindle]

7. I will.

I am still so, so angry at him. But it's time to put that aside, I think. It's not my place to judge anymore - if Elizabeth forgives him enough to want him by her side, that is HER call to make, not anyone else's.

I think he has enough of a soul to be going through hell right now, and I don't think it's right to make that even worse.

[bahrbearian]

9. For them both.

[rhett o rick]

10. If I was a praying person, and I am not, I would pray for Elizabeth. nw

[flpab]

11. Those children

My heart breaks for them, they have been through so much.

[Time for change]

12. I think he would have made an excellent president

[WinkyDink]

15. He would have stood with the poor. But he fell as a tragic hero, from his own fatal flaw.

[saracat]

16. Yes.

[Time for change]

26. Two of our greatest presidents (FDR and JFK) had that same fatal flaw

As far as I'm concerned, consensual sexual relations are a private, not a public matter, and I'm very hesitant to judge anyone on that basis.

I find it interesting that I've never seen FDR or JFK criticized on this forum for that "fatal flaw", while Edwards has been repeatedly castigated for it here. I have frequently praised FDR and JFK for what they did for our country as president, and not once (as far as I can recall) has anyone even mentioned their fatal flaw on any of those threads. And don't forget MLK either, who similarly I have never seen criticized here for his fatal flaw.

[JanMichael]

40. It's called getting caught (resulting in a baby) at the time and trying to cover it up.

Plus possibly using funds to cover it up that may not be used for such playful and "normal" occurrences.

It's called being tacky and getting tacked. That sort of "fatal thaw" is immediate and multi-generational and in real time.

[saracat]

43. Please leave this alone if just for tonight.Peace.

[chimpymustgo]

57. Saracat, thank you for your kind, generous spirit. Prayers to Elizabeth and her family. May they

find some comfort, some peace at this hour.

[Donnachaidh]

56. jeez --

Get invited to many wakes, dude? :sarcasm:

[unapatriciated]

71. give it a rest.

We have many R's who deserve the title of tacky. Edwards first and only fall from "grace" does not even come close to what they have done and does not merit the constant attack on him.

[Jamastiene]

30. Yes.

[Pisces]

19. He was a vain, frivolous man and you think he would have made a good President.

maybe a good photo op.

[saracat]

49. This is not the time to attack . A family is grieving and John is by her side.

I wish them all peace and strength.

[Pisces]

79. You are right, this is about Elizabeth and I wish her all the best.

[bobbolink]

96. saracat, you are one fine cat with integrity and compassion.

:pals: :patriot:

[flyarm]

13. My most sincere Prayers go out to Dearest Elizabeth and her children and family.

Elizabeth is a wonderful Incredible lady.

My Heart cries for her.
She has faced this with incredible Heroic dignity..in every way.

No one should have to go through what she has endured.
I pray she is pain free.
I would imagine the thought of leaving one's children would be the worst pain of all...I just can not imagine the depth of what she is suffering right now.

Elizabeth, you will always have a special place in my heart and you will forever be in my prayers.

My tears are for you dear lady.

fly

[TheUnspeakable]

14. he was always my pick for Prez..

from 2004 on. Once he was out of the 2008 primary, I lost all hope and never really regained it.
In my dream world he is president and a strong and healthy Elizabeth is by his side.

[liskddksil]

28. Agreed

[blondeatlast]

17. +1. I know that even in the midst of a divorce, both spouses often

have deep feelings for each other.

Blessings to all of the Edwards family. God be with them.

[adnelson60087]

18. John Edwards may have made several mistakes...

but his message in the last cycle was dead-on. If only someone on the Democratic side would embrace that message and run with it. I really believe America is ripe for that kind of change...the kind Obama's supporters believed was promised, but Obama himself never believed in nor was ever going to be able to deliver.

[Time for change]

27. Edwards and Kucinich were the only two major party 08 candidates who embraced that message

We owe them a debt of gratitude for that IMO. It's the kind of message that one can get assassinated for.

[Rhiannon12866]

63. I agree with you. Those were my two top choices, too.

It's a real tragedy that John Edwards failed to live up to his brilliant potential. I remember discussing him in 2004 with a friend who ended up working for him in New Hampshire in 2008. I thought he was the perfect choice to run with Kerry because he brought a needed warmth to the ticket. And my friend thought that the vice presidency would give Edwards the necessary training to become the next president. I still have my "New Yorkers for Kerry-Edwards" sticker on my car and it hasn't faded a bit... *sigh* But we do still have Dennis, my top choice since 2003... :D :patriot: :hi:

[Horse with no Name]

130. Assassins don't always use bullets

Character assassination is a lot less bloody but just as effective.

[CTyankee]

20. He was an unfaithful husband; my thoughts are with Elizabeth...

sorry, he is paying his price for his transgressions against her. This is the deal for him and I think he knows it. Lot of guilt on his shoulders and well deserved.

So I am not so sorry for him...he is going on living...but for Elizabeth, who will die soon, well, she is not. I do not ever wish death on anyone but it is true that he will not suffer what she is suffering.

However, who knows? We don't know what will happen to people. All I can decipher from this is that she is going to her certain death soon. He is off to do whatever he wants to do, isn't he? Isn't this just what he has always done?

[saracat]

48. Those that are left behind are those that suffer the most. My prayers are for them both

and for the rest of the family.

[KC]

64. My thoughts and

prayers are for the whole family. You are right saracat, the ones left behind
are the ones that suffer the most.

[CTyankee]

74. Well, I do not pray. However, it is sad that John chose the path he did.

We all have moral choices in our lives. And we have to live with those choices. I suppose if I did pray for John, I would pray that he reach understanding with his own choices. You are right if you say he suffers the most IF he really has faced his moral failings. That would be unbelievable suffering if it happened to me. I just wonder if he ever "got" it...

[NotThisTime]

113. +1 except I doubt he ever "got" it.... My thoughts are with Elizabeth and her children

[11 Bravo]

122. You "doubt" that he ever got it? Why don't you shit in one hand and "doubt" in the other? Then ...

let us know which one fills up first. I've read some arrogant bullshit in my time, but that sits up high on the list.

[Alameda]

108. Give it a break! Peoples' private sex life isn't for us to judge.

In fact, we should not even know about it. It's none of our business!

[CTyankee]

124. Oh, I don't care about him. I do care about public hypocrisy that is giving him some kind of

credit which is not deserved.

Who was the philosopher who said that "hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue"?

I snicker at all this "virtue"...

[derby378]

21. I am glad he is by Elizabeth's side tonight

I know he is hurting, too, and steeling himself for a painfully long goodbye to the most important woman in his life.

[bobbolink]

98. Very, very well said. It is not for us to judge.

:grouphug:

[mikita]

110. agreed.

it has to hurt, no matter what other things have passed between them.

[Bluerthanblue]

22. beautifully said, thank you for saying this- my thoughts

prayers and wishes for comfort and peace go out to the whole family.

I'm glad they are together.

this is part of DU I treasure.
Your words really hit home.
thank you
:grouphug:

[dana_b]

23. I will say a prayer for the entire family

They all deserve our thoughts today.

[bleever]

24. Very well said.

Thank you.

[ChazII]

25. Praying for the entire family.

At a time like this we should not be judging John or his actions. He is there now to give Elizabeth and his children support.

[Atticus]

29. And, you, ma'am are to be commended for your courage and empathy and generosity of

spirit for posting this. Thank you.

I heard John's "Two Nations" speech in person at the Carpenter's Union Hall in St. Louis and it brought tears to my eyes and made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. That attitude is the "Real Deal". I sincerely wish John had been.

[LibraLiz1973]

31. Right about now he is reaping what he sowed. My prayers are with the children.

John turned out to be a sad little man, to have destroyed the ending to this womans life with his selfishness.

He CHOSE to cheat on his wife once she had cancer.

I pray for the children, and hope he is a better parent than he was a husband.

[saracat]

47. That is not for us to decide. Tonight, he is a man losing his wife of thirty years.

no matter what the circumstances, he is suffering his own form of punishment and I wish him strength.

[Statistical]

68. He "lost" his wife when he decided he couldn't be faithful.

He is a scumbag.

I only feel sorry for Elizabeth. From everything I have seen she deserved someone better.
Someone who would have been there all along and not just at the very end.

[saracat]

80. She loves him, he is the father of her children and he is at her side .

They have dealt with their situation. I doubt that your words would bring Elizabeth peace.The Edwards family is greiving and perhaps because of his lapse in judgement, John Edwards most of all.Elizabeth may be moving to a better place, John and the rest of the family are losing their world. Peace.

[bobbolink]

99. you have a beautiful heart, saracat.

If yours could be the dominant attitude here, what a wonderful site it would be.
:loveya:

[saracat]

126. Thank you bobolink! That means a lot to me.

[cyr330]

32. Well, he sure showed his love for his wife

of 30 years, didn't he?

[saracat]

81. Really not the place for this.I wish ALL the Edwards peace.

[Lucinda]

33. Lovely post saracat.

:) Thanks for posting this.

[delightfulstar]

34. My thoughts are with the Edwards family.

I hope that Elizabeth and John find the sense of healing they're looking for right now. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for them, and for their children.

Peace to all of them.

[Kaleva]

35. For Elizabeth and the children, yes. For John, no.

[Hello_Kitty]

36. K and R. I'm sad for anyone losing a loved one. eom

[unc70]

37. Remember that the Repub Fed porsecutor still has grand jury

The Federal prosecutor is still the Bush appointee who has grand juries investigating Edwards and other NC Democrats. The Obama administration decided that the Repub should remain until he completed the investigations of Easley and Edwards. They claimed this would avoid accusations of a cover-up should Edwards or Easley not be indicted. Two years later, he is still in charge of all cases, not just those two.

To pile on a bit, Ari Emanuel, Rahm's brother, is the force behind the movie deal with Andrew Young for his version of the Edwards - Hunter story.

If John had not self destructed, I wonder what methods those he threatened would have used to discredit or silence him. John and Elizabeth would have been powerful voices for real HCR, able to express in terms that resonated with groups that otherwise spent precious time and focus squabbling or ridiculing each other, thus distracted while we were all sold out by a few.

While I can accept what happened to John, I am still angry at the hit pieces against Elizabeth in tell all articles and books. These ramped up when she continued speaking out publicly on health care and related issues. She remained a formidable rallying point for populist and progressive positions. That was when the attacks on Elizabeth became really vicious and really personal. These attacks, less media access, and her declining health limited her impact after that.

So frustrating in every way, for her personally, and for the entire Edwards family. And for the rest of us, whether we know her in other ways and contexts, or just as members of her DU family.

You remain in my thoughts and prayers.

[BlueIris]

38. Only the worst kind of heathens could throw hate toward a man losing the mother of his kids.

All best to the Mr. Edwards and his family.

[JCMach1]

62. +1

[a la izquierda]

67. Not heathens, only people who believe they do no wrong...

my father cheated on my mother. I witnessed the awful destruction that hate causes. My mother has let that hate eat her for her whole life...and for what? I would never want to cross some of the people on this message board, who wouldn't know forgiveness and tenderness if it hit them in the face. My mother is a good person so consumed by hatred and rage that she poisoned her daughters against their father. I had no relationship with my dad for years. I had no relationship with his family for years. My attitude toward men and relationships was incredibly skewed, so that I took all my purported anger toward my dad (from my mother) out upon any man I dated. Do you know what that does to a person? It destroys. That is evil.
I seriously doubt that Elizabeth Edwards would ever wish that hatred upon John. But she's a much better person than most.
Thanks for your post. I am really, really bored and tired with the nanny-goats and so-called saints on DU.

[bobbolink]

100. Amen.

[Divine Discontent]

39. God bless Elizabeth and the entire Edwards family during a horribly painful period at the holidays.

[SoCalDem]

41. Kind thoughts & wishes for the kids, but a "shame on you" to John-Boy

He's probably glad for the denouement.
She may have been his partner, but he was not hers.

[bobbolink]

101. saracat politely asked everyone to leave that condemnation behind.

This is not the time or place.

Peace.

[EFerrari]

42. K&R

[KC]

94. K&R

[inna]

44. k&r, with sadness. thank you, saracat, for this thread.

[Raine]

45. I pray that Elizabeth is not in pain and suffering

and I pray that John can live with himself after this is all done. Also that he can become the man that Elizabeth would want him to be.

[dkf]

46. I feel bad he couldn't handle Elizabeth's illness.

I really do think he had a stupidity freak out. Such a tragedy.

[arthritisR_US]

50. thank you for your humanity...I so agree with your thoughts. n/t

[kath]

51. WHat makes everyone think they are together? I thought they were separated.

[Skittles]

54. news reports say he and the kids are with her during this crisis moment

the one where she basically knows the end is near

[saracat]

89. And Elizabeth and John also reunited to take the children and Elizabeth the Japanand other places

where Elizabeth spent her youth this summer.Elizabeth also stated there would be no divorce and she still loves John though they agreed to a legal seperation.

[Skittles]

52. I do sympathize with John

yeah what he did sucked but has indeed paid dearly

[Imagevision]

53. I believe John Edwards is merely making the smarter move to get you to forgive/forget...

[saracat]

91. John Edwards is still her husband and has been so for thirty years.

And she loves him and this is a huge loss to the entire family.

[Whisp]

55. why the fuck would I pray for him?

what a strange OP....

[xiamiam]

58. grace..nt

[Whisp]

92. I have friends, neighbours and family in horrible situations as well

none of them are millionaires. All of them I pray for.

John will be fine. His kids, I don't know how fine they will be. If there is any pray left over in me it will go to the kids, not slick johnny the wick dipper.

[Pacifist Patriot]

76. It's just a little thing called compassion.

You clearly don't have to feel it or give it, but some people might be able to do so.

[cali]

59. He caused her great pain at the worst possible time.

I only hope he's staying strong right now for her sake. My thoughts and best wishes are with Elizabeth and the children.

[cate94]

60. My thoughts

are with the entire Edwards family.

[political_Dem]

61. My thoughts are with the Edwards family. They need support during this hard time.

[seabeyond]

65. got an "eeew" initially. and it didnt go away thru out the post. no, even well into it, he was an

ass to here. up until just recently. and she was plenty sick. no, ..... he gave away any right to compassion a while ago

[saracat]

90. I am amazed that you can see into another's soul. Elizabeth and the children need him

and he is there. She loves him and that is ALL that matters.

[onecent]

66. My heart goes out to Elizabeth AND John and ALL the

Edwards family.

[TBF]

69. John has been through the wringer as well, and his maker will be the judge -

I'm sure that this is killing him as well. Prayers going up for the entire family.

[Alameda]

104. I would imagine it would be particularly hard for him. Can you imagine

the guilt he feels? None of us have the right to judge him, we don't know his emotional state.

[madinmaryland]

72. My thoughts are with the Edwards family.

[unapatriciated]

73. my thoughts and wishes are with the entire Edwards family

For those that posted attacks on this thread stating they will not forgive him, only Elizabeth has that right and she has forgiven him.

Those without sin, you know the rest so just stop.

[Pacifist Patriot]

75. I cannot tell you how much your compassion means to me.

We see so much bitterness, I really appreciate it when people can look at a much bigger picture with the ability to hold all the broken and hurting in their hearts.

[Mira]

77. K&R

[lumberjack_jeff]

78. Very well said. n/t

[Dappleganger]

82. My prayers are with the Edwards' children.

They deserve it the most.

[Taverner]

83. If I still believed in a God, I would

[tcaudilllg]

84. Eh

People have done worse things... at least he never backed down from his principles. (and he probably wouldn't have, either).

[kiva]

85. I wish them all well. n/t

[avaistheone1]

86. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Edwards family

including John Edwards. It has to be a very difficult time for all of them.

[lightningandsnow]

87. "Every person is worth more than their worst act." - Sister Helen Prejean

I will be praying for them both.

[waiting for hope]

88. Praying for all of them, and thanks Saracat, for this. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

93. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, saracat.

[AndrewP]

95. K&R

[malaise]

97. He'll share it with their children

and their families. It is sad and tragic.

[BrklynLiberal]

102. You have a gentle and kind spirit. Thank you for setting a good example.

[Freetradesucks]

103. Nope, he is a sorry son-of-a-bitch, not only

for what he did to his dying wife, but for what he tried to do to the Democratic party.

NO sympathy here.

[Freetradesucks]

106. I do feel an incredible amount of compassion for what

that woman went through though.

[DeadEyeDyck]

111. I have to agree with you

He knew she was at teh end of her years and crapped all over her. How many years of her short life did she give to him to promote his political career? What if he had made it to the VP seat and all this came out?

He was scum in my book yesterday and will be scum in my book tomorrow.

[saracat]

132. To engage in such recrimination tonight especially is a repudiation

of everything Elizabeth Edwrds stood for. This is disrespectful to her wishes and those of her family.

[Mimosa]

105. YES.

Like other men, J.E. let himself get trapped and taken down. Too bad it happened.

[fadedrose]

107. Saracat, glad there are people like you (sorry, I'm not one of them) eom

[Canuckistanian]

109. Agreed

No matter what you think of him, he made his decision to stay with her.

We all screw up. The real test is how you deal with it.

[AspenRose]

112. My prayer is that he can be given wisdom

to be the kind of father his children need right now. That is a tremendous burden to carry.

[demwing]

114. I will, and please add one for the kids

they will need all of your positive support

[Mike Nelson]

115. Agreed. I would have stayed with Elizabeth, but...

...I wasn't there, and I never felt he was a moralist. They may have made the correct decisions for everyone concerned.

[yasmina27]

116. agreed n/t

[MoonRiver]

117. I just hope he doesn't shame her memory by marrying his lover

with whom he cheated on Elizabeth when she was ill with cancer. I cannot forget what he did to Elizabeth.

[mentalsolstice]

118. He'll be the American version of Prince Charles. nt

[MoonRiver]

119. Only Prince Charles got away with it because he's en"titled."

Edwards will be relegated to ambulance chasing.

[veness]

120. Thank you Saracat. Peace to John. n/t

[Ferretherder]

121. You are absolutely right, saracat.

Thank you for your vision and compassion.

[travelingtypist]

123. It's tough to feel sorry for him.

But I do. If Elizabeth could forgive him, then maybe someday he'll forgive himself. What happened is none of our business, between the two of them.

RIP, Elizabeth.

[Rowdyboy]

125. My prayers are for Elizabeth and the children.....

I'm sorry, thats the best I can do.

[cherokeeprogressive]

127. I wasn't an Edwards fan, but now that Elizabeth is beyond the reach of my good thoughts...

and John and their children are the ones left behind, my condolences and wishes for the future are directed toward them.

If he's half the man I once thought he was, even though I wasn't a supporter, then it's a terrible heavy burden he'll carry from now to the end of his days. IF he's half the man I once thought he was. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one until I find out otherwise.

God Bless the Edwards Family.

[Maru Kitteh]

128. Gee. Does "fuck that noise" seem too harsh?

I reserve my prayers for those who loved EE for who she was, unlike that scumbag who only seemed to love what she could do for his image - dare I say - even unto her end.

God rest you Elizabeth. He can't hurt you anymore.

[saracat]

131. Elizabeth would not appreciate your hatred. She specifically asked that such speech

not bevoiced and that John's legacy of his work on Poverty NOT be denigrated by hatred.Statements such as this disrespect her.

[Horse with no Name]

129. He is a flawed man

But aren't we all flawed to some extent?
It is not my job to stand in judgment of him.
Knowing what I know--I would still have voted for him.
He and his children are in my thoughts tonight and I feel nothing but sadness for their enormous loss.

[saracat]

133. Thank you Horse. I agree.

[LibDemAlways]

134. It isn't my place to pass judgment. The Edwards' endured some very

tough times together. No one is perfect, and John has to live with his mistakes. I'm sure prayers/good thoughts toward the entire family are appropriate. Thanks for this post.

[reformist2]

135. I have to assume if John was there that she wanted him there.

[Ikonoklast]

136. I couldn't care less about that selfish shitheel.

He would have been a political disaster...just like his personal life, he was living a lie.

This thread is sanctimonius crap.

And Elizabeth Edwards was willing to remain silent about it, enabling her husband, and for that, I'll let others draw their own conclusions.