John Edwards was going to be the next president of the United States of America, if Obama and Clinton didn’t turn out to best him in the primaries. An opponent of same-sex marriage, Edwards was not, however, one of these Bible-thumping Democrats who clung to his faith to defend his stance. Rather, he claimed to believe in states rights, and as such was an opponent of the Defense of Marriage Act (which he claims he would have voted against in 1996, if he was a lawmaker then). Fine. Whatever. But just remember: The thing that opponents of gay marriage defend so widely — the institution of traditional marriage — is a fucking farce.
Since his admission of infidelity, conservative critics have pounced on the one time star Democrat’s moral character. Democratic critics, meanwhile, have focused on the fact that John Edwards is a Grade-A asshole. But now, in an admission to the Today show that he is the father of Rielle Hunter’s daughter Quinn, he’s opened himself up to every charge the National Enquirer accused him of.
Allow us to be clear: This terrible personal matter is not a denunciation of the institution of marriage. Yes, John cheated. Yes, he did it flagrantly. And yes, he fathered a child out of wedlock, while still married to his terminally ill wife Elizabeth. But that doesn’t mean marriage doesn’t work. It doesn’t make marriage any less of a meaningful union between two human beings. It just means that the idea that marriage should be reserved only for heterosexual couples, because it represents something so holy and true, is a debate that is no longer worth having.
Edwards’ full statement:
I am Quinn’s father. I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves. I have been able to spend time with her during the past year and trust that future efforts to show her the love and affection she deserves can be done privately and in peace.
It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me. I have been providing financial support for Quinn and have reached an agreement with her mother to continue providing support in the future.
To all those I have disappointed and hurt these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
I’m sure Hillary sent him a gift basket for his Love Child considering he handed Barack Obama the Electoral College Majority. John Edwards must go away from political life forever!
Cam
As soon as I heard his defense of “Oh ha ha, it’s in the Enquierer, you can’t take anything in there seriously” but he didnt’ file suit, I knew everything they’d printed was true about this douche-bag. So John, I guess this sacred institution of marriage means it’s ok to step out on your dying wife to knock up a whore that you are paying to sleep with you from campaign funds, but gay people will ruin that sacred institution huh?
romeo
I still like Edwards, and he was a good friend of ours. He even went so far as to support the “biological” position for us during the campaign. Not many other politicos would have done that.
Most guys have a problem keeping it in their pants. I’m more concerned with their policies.
sally
Might wanna slide over to the latest Inquirer edition, or nearly latest, and check out Pretty Boy’s newest love interest…God, John, just divorce Liz, give her a shitload of $, and be done with it.
Sam
@No. 1 · dontblamemeivotedforhillary:
That makes absolutely NO sense whatsoever. What on earth does John Edwards’ kid have to do with Obama beating McCain?
Attmay
Yet another example as to why ONLY same sex marriage should be legal.
romeo
@ Sam: I think “don’tblameme” is off his meds. He accused me of being a Christian fanatic meth head in another thread. WTF!? LOL
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
John Edwards could have been President.
Romeo is just a very young ambitious Obamatron who has issues of reverse racism due to his relative poverty and is know as an “Attack Queer”. Sam, you are right but not because you contributed any new ideas. Having said that, Edwards just bashed Hillary so Professor Obama looked good in the Democratic Primary. Obama’s lead grew out of Edwards’ siphoning off the blue dog Democrat vote (while having an affair) from Clinton and then we got vociferously homophobic President Barack Obama wrapped in the flag of “Change”. McCain lost the campaign for himself and I don’t even blame Sarah Palin like most mysoginists here would. I take aspirin for occasional headaches – is that hard drug use?
BTW – I HATE EDWARDS. What scum!
Cam
No. 3 · romeo said…
I still like Edwards, and he was a good friend of ours. He even went so far as to support the “biological” position for us during the campaign. Not many other politicos would have done that.
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Hi Romeo, My only problem with that position is, if he DOES believe that we were born this way, then he is even more bigoted to deny us our rights then people who think we just choice a lifestyle. Denying us something because of how we were born because of it’s political popularity doesn’t sound much different then politicians back in the 60’s who claimed they weren’t racist but voted against the Civil Rights acts.
romeo
@Don’tblameme: I think you got me confused with someone else. Remember me? I supported Hillary, too. We posted each other about it on other threads. Again, WTF!? LMAO !
romeo
@Cam #8: Edwards if FOR gay equality. I think you have him confused with someone else who’s cheating on his wife. LOL
Looks like everybody is confused today.
romeo
“is” not “if”, sorry.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
Romeo, I just lob missiles until one hits! Bigger LMAO! Personally, I hate Queerty and how it plays into the stereotype of what others think about Gays, and why no lesbians come back to this site since their copious lesbian-bashing. They’re failed NYU Graduates who think they are celebrities in their own minds but leave a trail of firings in their wake from legitimate Gay Media. I probably have you and “Brian” switched so go back to Juliet….
“It’s not the I don’t understand, It’s that I don’t care!”
Homer Simpson
oscar
No matter how many heterosexuals cheat on their wives or husbands, it won’t help counter bias against gay marriage. This isn’t about logic any more than any kind of religious belief or bigotry is.
Cam
No. 10 · romeo said..
@Cam #8: Edwards if FOR gay equality. I think you have him confused with someone else who’s cheating on his wife. LOL
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He wasn’t for gay marriage if I remember correctly..he was using the same civil union bullshit cop out as all the others were.
Sexy Rexy
He was totally against gay marriage….he wants str8 people to have the privilege to marry and fuck around on their spouses…he doesn’t want gays to have that same right.
damon459
Wait a second he’s being bashed for taking the same stance Hillary and Obama took on gay marriage ? WTF who every writes these stories must suffer for severe memory loss or is just plain stupid. So he had an affair who’s really surprised by this hell even clinton did it and still got reelected and considering how a lot of gay men live what with hookups in parks,bathhouses, and back rooms I really don’t think we can try using the moral high ground to further our case for wanting same sex marriage.
Andrew
Her first words, “I am the granddaughter of a mill-worker”.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
Boring lead story. Bury it you lazy Queer-(snortin’)T’s!
Still for Sale on Craigslist (O.B.O?)
Jake
I have a question, is there any other blogs that have a gay bent that actually do some fact-checking? I’m fed up with this site and want to know if others are viable. I’m just saying.. about to leave
2tru4u
As stated above, marriage should be between two heterosexual couples but it also has to be between two human beings. John is not human. He lied, cheated, plotted, destroyed, and boldly stood before his wife, family, friends, colleges, and the press, and denied it all. This is person who could have been President! How can a person live like this. No morals at all…what so ever. He doesn’t resent doing what he did. The only remorse he has is that he got caught. He lives by the standard, “Whats in it for me?”. He will find out when he sees the settlement agreement for the divorce. He will be alright though. He will write a book, be pardoned for all tax dollars used to support the well-fare baby, be a lawyer for a tax-exempt program, go on tours, and collect “rare” cigars with brother Bill. I am glad I am not him and feel sorry for anyone who has to associate with him. Good riddens!
Lukas P.
@2tru4u: “Marriage should be between two heterosexual couples.”
Please, I beg of you, explain how one couple marries another?
Addendum: E-Liz Edwards is herself an accomplished attorney and if she wanted to soak John for big bucks, she’d have no problem doing so. Meanwhile, she’s got late-stage cancer and kids to look out for. I just wonder what her next move might be?
John’s marital indiscretions are a matter between him and his wife, of course, but being forced out of politics — and oddly silent —he has a lucrative career ahead of him back in lawyerland. What he’s lost is any sense of credibility, and no down-home Southern twang will redeem his honor or gain him a role in national politics.
Can you say “has been”? {I knew you could!}
2tru4u
I just quoted “heterosexual couples” from the article above. I agree, “has been” but more like “Never was and will never be”.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
Elizabeth can save her honor by:
1/ Divorcing John Edwards
2/ Changing her name to her maiden-name
3/ Marrying a person who is of similar experience in Cancer Treatment and, above all, faithful
John Edwards will never re-enter Political Life! She is being brought down in this demise of a political figure who’s very actions are based on a series of lies and part of her therapy is to cleanse herself of him in the process of healing rather than propping up the lie that is her philandering and dishonest husband. Her Cancer and children deserve that, or they will one day learn the shame of their mother’s actions in supporting a political spoiler in the 2008 Presidential Race who was carrying on with an affair while his wife battled Cancer treatment.