John Edwards Admits To Affair – Ask Patty Reflects on Meeting Elizabeth Edwards at BlogHer 2007

Ask Patty attended BlogHer07 last year and had the amazing opportunity to meet Elizabeth Edwards personally. She was a dynamic, courageous, environmentally-concerned woman and I can say that I was impressed with her economic savvy, her stance on education, and her total approachability. That said, I was saddened to hear of John Edwards’ admission to having an affair with one of his political aides while his wife was battling cancer.

I don’t want to browbeat him or stand on a feminist soapbox because, the truth is, people make mistakes. They just do. You do. I do. It happens. It doesn’t make it excusable or less heartbreaking for those involved, but let me state my peace here: I don’t think it’s any of our business and in a total reversal of gender standards, why does this give every media outlet a right to bash John and his misdeeds?

 

Sure, he messed up. Pretty bad really. And he’s slimy for it, as a HUSBAND. Not necessarily as a politician or someone who could help our country. I’m not saying I wished he’d remained in the race. Really, he did the Dems a favor by backing out early enough to let there be a true race between Clinton and Obama. Can’t say the same about Clinton. <ahem. Digression> But if we let something like this cloud our judgment over political choices, then shame on us.

Here’s the true sadness about it all: Elizabeth was a powerhouse of a woman and a born leader. I’m saddened for her marriage I’m saddened that people are now only going to talk about her in the context as the “poor, wronged wife of John Edwards” when in reality, she is SO much more.

Her education plan included making it easier for smart people to become teachers and nurses because we need more of these gifted people in these fields. How can you argue with that? She never answered the question I posed to her camp: “What will John Edwards and his Administration do to push back harder on the automotive manufacturers and fuel economy requirements? Will you make them do a better job?”

But even so, I feel pretty confident in saying that she would challenge those car manufacturers on their emissions and gas mileage limits and hold them accountable. Because, well, that’s just the type of person she is. I said a year ago and I’ll reiterate it here again: If she were running for political office, I’d vote for her in a second. It’s just a shame that now her role as a fantastic female leader and role model will be tarnished with this personal and highly inappropriate story surrounding her husband and her marriage.

<Raises glass> Here’s to hoping our countrymen and countrywomen smarten up and see past this slop and keep our eyes and minds focused on important automotive, environmental, and educational goals. We can always hope.

By Breanne Boyle
AskPatty.com Contributor

 

Sure, he messed up. Pretty bad really. And he’s slimy for it, as a HUSBAND. Not necessarily as a politician or someone who could help our country. I’m not saying I wished he’d remained in the race. Really, he did the Dems a favor by backing out early enough to let there be a true race between Clinton and Obama. Can’t say the same about Clinton. <ahem. Digression> But if we let something like this cloud our judgment over political choices, then shame on us.

Here’s the true sadness about it all: Elizabeth was a powerhouse of a woman and a born leader. I’m saddened for her marriage I’m saddened that people are now only going to talk about her in the context as the “poor, wronged wife of John Edwards” when in reality, she is SO much more.

Her education plan included making it easier for smart people to become teachers and nurses because we need more of these gifted people in these fields. How can you argue with that? She never answered the question I posed to her camp: “What will John Edwards and his Administration do to push back harder on the automotive manufacturers and fuel economy requirements? Will you make them do a better job?”

But even so, I feel pretty confident in saying that she would challenge those car manufacturers on their emissions and gas mileage limits and hold them accountable. Because, well, that’s just the type of person she is. I said a year ago and I’ll reiterate it here again: If she were running for political office, I’d vote for her in a second. It’s just a shame that now her role as a fantastic female leader and role model will be tarnished with this personal and highly inappropriate story surrounding her husband and her marriage.

<Raises glass> Here’s to hoping our countrymen and countrywomen smarten up and see past this slop and keep our eyes and minds focused on important automotive, environmental, and educational goals. We can always hope.

By Breanne Boyle
AskPatty.com Contributor