Most Unpopular Man in History Adds to Unpopularity

John Hudson Jan 21, 2010
John Edwards was identified earlier this week as the most unpopular man in the history of opinion polling. And he seems determined to hold on to that title. In a statement to the Today Show, John Edwards admitted to fathering a child with his former mistress Rielle Hunter. "I am Quinn's father," he begins. "It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me." Edwards had previously said it wasn't "possible that this child could be mine" even after confirming his affair with Hunter in 2008. Why did Edwards wait until now?
  • It's Complicated, explains Harrison Hickman, Edwards’ personal adviser and close friend:  "There were a lot of people involved. There are a lot of adults involved, there are a number of families involved, and there are also a lot of kids involved... He’s doing this as a way … to begin to put this behind, not just him, but everybody else who’s been affected by this."
  • No It's Not, writes Michelle Malkin: Edwards is preempting the publicity wave that will hit next month when a tell-all book by Andrew Young, a longtime aide to Mr. Edwards, is released. The New York Times' Jeff Zeleny agrees. Young's books is going to "lay out the entire story," writes Zeleny. Young had previously said the child was his.

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at jhudson at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.

Sources

Related Articles   More by John Hudson

Does National Enquirer Deserve a Pulitzer?

Edwards Update: Elizabeth's Media Blitz Meets John's Nightlife

Readers: WaPo Too Nosy About Edwards

 

Norah O'Donnell: What I Read

R.J. Cutler: What I Read

Elsewhere on the Web

User Comments

Please type your comment and click Post. If you’re not already logged in you will be prompted to log in or register

  • The Atlantic Wire on Twitter
  • The Atlantic Wire RSS Feed
  • The Atlantic Wire iPhone App