“I think this President has shown a remarkable disrespect for his office, for the moral dimensions of leadership, for his friends, for his wife, for his precious daughter. It is breathtaking to me the level to which that disrespect has risen.”
John Edwards on President Clinton
seeing the currently reigning Father of the Year [video] in the middle of this debacle, I’m almost ashamed at how delighted I am at his misfortune. almost.
I take that back — I’m truly delighted. watch the video (link above), and listen to his quip abouthis wife “always getting what she wants.” ugh.
Edwards, on being a living example to your children:
“It is true, your children learn not only from what you say, but from what you do,” he said. “Whenever they do anything that you’re proud of in your life, you’ll be able to look back on the things that you taught them both through your words and through your deeds.”
I better stop…
name your fear 
I think children also learn from how their parents handle mistakes. Does Dad (or Mom) step up, own up to poor decisions, apologize and make amends? Or does he or she compound the mistake by not taking responsibility?
I cannot imagine the strength it must take to carry a marriage through something like infidelity, and I have to say that I hold great admiration for those marriages which persevere (and sometimes even emerge stronger).
Does denying the discovered affair for months count?
Denying to whom? Media outlets?
These stories always make me uncomfortable. I hate to see any family’s private pain used as fodder for news stories.
I hate to see a person’s private pain exploited for political gain, but Edwards had no problem trotting his wife and her cancer out for the masses. “Oh, what a great marriage. My, what a dear caring, committed man!”
That is what nauseates me about this whole ordeal.
You response, on the other hand, is intriguing.
Which response? And why is it intriguing?
intriguing: your defense of Edwards (just in general — he doesn’t strike me as ‘your guy’), and your ‘great admiration’ of those who persevere (specifically). I guess I’m not as forgiving, or understanding. or something.
No, you are right, he is not “my guy” by a long shot!
I just think that marriage is work, and I pray that my commitment is never tested in that manner. Best marital advice my mum ever gave me: You may not always “feel” committed to your spouse, but if you “choose” to remain committed to your marriage, the feelings will come back around.
I would like to think that my marriage could survive something earth-shattering, but I fervently hope that I never find out.