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John Edwards Wanted to be Obama's AG

The co-author of the headline-grabbing, tell-all book on the 2008 presidential campaign "Game Change" viewed John Edwards as a "delusional" figure for thinking he could become Barack Obama's attorney general amid speculation that he had an affair and fathered a child out of wedlock.

In an interview just prior to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Edwards planned to admit having an affair with his campaign videographer Rielle Hunter, but deny paternity of the child, Frances Quinn Hunter, who was born Feb. 27, 2008, in order to salvage his chances of earning a cabinet post.

"There's nothing more delusional than the notion that John Edwards would somehow end up being the Attorney General of the United States," John Heilemann told CBS' "The Early Show" Friday. (watch the interview at left)

Edwards admitted Thursday to fathering a child out of wedlock with Hunter.

More on John Edwards from Political Hotsheet
What if John Edwards Were President?
John Edwards Goes to Haiti, White House Silent
Edwards' full statement

Reasons for Edwards' confession Thursday, Heilemann says, stem mostly from a book soon-to-be released by his former aide Andrew Young, who initially claimed paternity of the child, as well as a child support lawsuit filed by Hunter that is soon to reach court.

More coverage of "Game Change" at CBSNews.com:

60 Minutes: Revelations From The Campaign
"Game Change" Dissects Obama, Edwards, Palin and Clinton
Web Extra: Palin Emerges
Web Extra: Senator O'Biden
Web Extra: Regrets Over Palin?
Web Extra: A Terrifying VP
Web Extra: What About Sarah Palin?
Web Extra: Couric Interview

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