2008 Election

The Edwards Affair: The Non-Story I’m Totally Reading

Edwards Newsweek

It wasn’t particularly relevant to our nation’s governance when Bill did not have sexual relations with Monica, and Edwards’ alleged infidelity is no different. It is, however, culturally relevant in this year of the empowered female electorate; even if you’re not interested in gawking at the juicy details (great HuffPost by Lee Stranahan here), you have to consider the plight of the wives of powerful men.

We’ve had three great examples this year: HRC (The Real Comeback Kid), Elizabeth Edwards (The Stoic Survivor), and Silda Spitzer (The Scorned Woman). All three intelligent, respectable women in one way or another who are handling the situation in their own ways. In any case, it’s not particularly encouraging to us single women looking for a stimulating partnership that can nurture our personal strengths and objectives.

So much depends on the individuals involved that these scenarios are beyond judgment, and we have no real right to our public figures’ personal lives. It’s disappointing, but it also can’t be easy for people living at the epicenter of the power and media circuit to manage their relationships. I met both Bill Clinton and John Edwards in Iowa during the caucuses this past winter, and like every other woman within a hundred yards, my heart went atwitter and I had to begrudgingly reminded myself that I respected their  wives too much to indulge the thoughts in my head. (For those keeping score: I didn’t turn on Hillary until the 3am ads in Texas and Ohio.)

If true, this Edwards business will be a tough one to accept. I’ve interviewed his daughter, Cate, and met Elizabeth at the BlogHer Conference in Chicago last year after she gave a speech; they are both remarkable women. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to be in such a position. All I can say is that I will flip out if something like this ever comes out about Barack Obama. I’m always inspired by him and Michelle, and it would be beyond disappointing.

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