Political Hotsheet
August 13, 2009 6:13 PM

Report: Edwards to Admit Fathering Ex-Mistress' Child

(CBS/ AP)
Former North Carolina Senator and Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards is expected to admit that he is the father of the 18-month-old daughter of former mistress Rielle Hunter, sources tell CBS affiliate WRAL.

Edwards acknowledged the affair last summer but has previously denied that he fathered the child, whose name is Frances.

As WRAL notes, longtime Edwards aide Andrew Young initially claimed paternity but is now writing a book in which he will say Edwards is the girl's actual father.

Hunter testified last week at the federal courthouse where a grand jury is investigating whether campaign funds were illegally used to buy her silence.

The sources told WRAL Edwards could acknowledge paternity before the investigation concludes.
Tags:
John Edwards
Topics:
John Edwards
Share:
  • Share
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Mixx
Add a Comment See all 120 Comments
by NinthSt78 August 17, 2009 2:45 PM EDT
Would the holiness have been more palatable if it had been served a la carte? Some folks just don't trust apples.
Reply to this comment
by NinthSt78 August 16, 2009 5:06 PM EDT
Have we forgotten the line "Christians aren't perfect but can forgive and be forgiven?" Have a heart and give the poor guy a break. Haven't you ever tried on ten pairs and still ended up with sore feet? I have.
Reply to this comment
by duffyn August 16, 2009 1:58 AM EDT
Only a idiot would use this to bash liberals. Come on man, repugnants and dems are equal opportunity impregnators!
Reply to this comment
by daquanna August 15, 2009 11:18 PM EDT
Will His wife now keep calling the baby "it"? Hope she treats the child kindly and not be indifferent to him. Her past statements on the View and other time were not to kind about how she felt on the matter. Keep the lord in your life Mrs. Edwards I pray.
Reply to this comment
by mrstracy1 August 15, 2009 12:47 PM EDT
What is the big deal? Clinton had umpteen affairs before, during, and after the White House. Hillary certainly knew. He probably fathered UMPTEEN unacknowledged children. So, Edwards had an affair. Doesn't everyman?
Reply to this comment
by JayEaton August 15, 2009 12:12 PM EDT
what a d**k........!!
Reply to this comment
by mypatch August 15, 2009 9:15 AM EDT
This man is a pure waste. He can't tell the truth if his life depended on it. But then, most of us are the same. No one in this world walks on water. What have we got running our country? I hope they are not all like this. He is no Christian and I resent anyone saying he is.
Reply to this comment
by lafemmekatia August 15, 2009 4:22 AM EDT
It has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican or Christian or whatever. It's all about people in positions of power and prestige and usually who have too much money. They think they are entitled to do whatever they want, and the "rules" don't apply to them.
Reply to this comment
by get_down August 14, 2009 8:40 PM EDT
Mr. John Edwards turns out to be a cheater and disgraced loser after all - all due to his own creation of this scandal in the first place!
Reply to this comment
by jrantoine17 August 14, 2009 7:30 PM EDT
Someone help me out with the timeline of this b/c I'm not seeing or hearing any mention of this. Because if Edwards is the father, then that completely throws off the previous timeline given for the affair and when it ended.... The child involved is 18 months? So she was born around Feb 2008? Which means She was conceived approximately 9 months earlier, around April-May 2007? This is four months after Edwards declared his candidacy, 8 months and counting til Iowa caucuses. Previously he said that the affair ended like in November or December 2006 right? So really all along, this was an ongoing thing. And now reports come out saying it started in early 2006, so this more than likely lasted for well over a year and was not just a one time dalliance as it was initially portrayed.

And for the record, I don't feel one way or the other about John Edwards. I've never been a fan but I've never been a hater. It's just tragic for the family. Normally I wouldn't comment on a tabloid sex story but I'm just surprised that no one is connecting the dots in the media or at least publicly spelling it all out for everyone that this affair was not over in December 2006.
Reply to this comment
by tautomer August 14, 2009 6:15 PM EDT
All Edwards had to do was have the woman go for a ride with Teddy. Problem solved.
Reply to this comment
by mary-miami August 14, 2009 5:21 PM EDT
What a dog. His wife was battling cancer and this was what he was doing...'nuff said.
Reply to this comment
by GRgrandma August 14, 2009 3:36 PM EDT
I think we all have to take a long moment and realize the truly tragic thing about all of this is his wife is dying from cancer. This is NOT something she should have to deal with. I hope he can live with himself and his children knowing what a cheat he really is.
Reply to this comment
by run2jazz2 August 14, 2009 3:28 PM EDT
I feel sorry for his family in this matter. He lied the entire time of this whole affair instead of just coming out with the truth and not allow his family to face the backlash from his indiscretions. Sad, it is really unfortunate that his family has to answer questions related to his stupidity. Again, it just goes to show you how much one would sacrifice for a few moments of pleasure.
Reply to this comment
by noanobamalemming August 14, 2009 3:22 PM EDT
They don't come any lower that John Edwards... I wonder if he's related to Nancy Pelosi
Reply to this comment
by citizenusa-2009 August 14, 2009 3:17 PM EDT
How strange. I left a comment earlier and it was deleted. I said nothing particularly offensive...but I did mention Reille's real name: Lisa Druck. hmmmmmmm
Reply to this comment
by california64 August 14, 2009 3:14 PM EDT
When Edwards backed out of the campaign so abruptly--before Super Tuesday, even--it was obvious there was something awful brewing. This would never have crossed my mind at the time. Married people cheat. It happens BUT when your wife has terminal cancer and you are a national candidate, you ought make better decisions. His two younger children with Elizabeth must be so confused. Such a sad end to what could have been an incredible political career...
Reply to this comment
by picklepants7 August 14, 2009 3:09 PM EDT
wow! this has got to be the shortest article concerning a sex scandel involving a politician. mark sanford who is a nobody, had like three page articles written about him. here, just four paragraphs by a former dem senator, former dem vice presidential candidate, and former dem presidential candidate. bias in the media? naaaaa.
Reply to this comment
by guest173 August 15, 2009 5:41 PM EDT
mark sanford was acting so strangely about his affair, with his hiding and his emotional outbursts, and this is kind of a new investigation with any misspent funds, inappropriate trips, etc. Edwards scandal is kind of old, already has a lot of articles and books about it, and he hasn't actually done anything publicly, this article is still speculation. If/when Edwards does admit this, I'm sure it will be pages long. I personally think he is waiting for his wife to die first or if he is otherwise pressured like by more investigations and punishments
by msay3 August 14, 2009 2:38 PM EDT
One more jerk contaminating the gene pool!!!!
Reply to this comment
by MSpeggyMEMPHIS August 14, 2009 2:03 PM EDT
The length these men's friends will go for them is beyond amazing. To claim your friends child as your own to protect their reputation is like WOW!
Reply to this comment
See all 120 Comments

About Political Hotsheet

Stay up to the minute on the latest news and developments from Washington, from the White House to Congress and everything in-between with the best political reporters from CBS News and CBSNews.com.

E-Mail Political Hotsheet
Follow On Twitter

Add to your favorite news reader
google
yahoo
msn
  • MOST POPULAR
Discussed
  1. Senate Health Bill Faces Crucial Vote

    (264 recent comments)

HOTSHEET ON TWITTER