by Tina Grazier
Quickhow many politicians involved in scandal, or supposed scandal, can you name in thirty seconds? Now, how many on that list are democrats and how many republicans? Chances are if youre over thirty the list of republican names will be considerably longthe democrat side pretty short.
Is this because temptations that come with power and position only affect republicans? Is it because democrats are too angelic to become involved in scandal? Is it because democrats are more willing to expose republican scandals and create show trials to highlight them? Is it because republicans are reluctant to highlight democrat scandal? Is it because the media becomes a co-conspirator in efforts by democrats to discredit republicans? Is it because the media hide democrat scandals by omitting the democrat designation, excusing the behavior as a normal human failing, or by placing a 4 line story in the bottom left corner at the back of the real estate section?
Whatever the reason or reasons, its clear that scandals involving democrats are played down when it’s possible to do so while republican failings make headlines for weeks even when the charges are of an equal nature and stories about republicans are sprinkled heavily with unflattering adjectives.
Theres a story thats been investigated by a tabloid for a year. Its the same tabloid that first featured the Monica Lewinski story that Matt Druge dredged up . It involves a man who is reportedly being considered for a spot in Obamas administrationpossibly a VP spot. Will the story have legs, as they say?
One paper in America has chosen to pick up on the rumors of this potential scandal. The story, out of Hartford Connecticut, features Elizabeth Edwards and spends 4 paragraphs setting the scene for how coverage of the Democrat convention might play out. Health care, a major platform issue for the Democrats, would get a big boost if Elizabeth Edwards, bravely fighting cancer, should be featured as a speaker. Its a nice homey piece. If anyone bothers to continue reading beyond this point though Id be surprised and if they do the next few sentences could cause an eyebrow to riseever so slightly. The paragraph begins with the sentence, “An appearance by Edwards would give a nod to decency,” and then launches into the rumors about John Edwards:
A Star Turn For Elizabeth Edwards, by Kevin Rennie courant.com (Hartford CT)
…A story involving her husband John Edwards has been developing since late last year. You may grimace when you read that it’s been coming from the National Enquirer. Early last week, Enquirer reporters observed Edwards skulking his way into the Beverly Hills Hotel, where they heard he was to rendezvous with the mother of his new baby. *** Edwards serpentined around the hotel, before reaching the rooms where both his alleged paramour and baby were staying, according to the Enquirer, which appears to have had a platoon of reporters in strategic spots. Edwards probably thought he would not be noticed when he left at 2:30 in the morning, so he alighted upon the lobby from an elevator. Reporters greeted him when he stepped out. *** The former presidential aspirant and vice presidential nominee took refuge in a men’s room until hotel security could escort him out and block the five reporters who wanted a few words with him. Edwards later issued a brief statement criticizing the tabloids. He didn’t address the love child story, though it was the right time to deny it if it isn’t true. Whether it’s true or not, his behavior was bizarre for a potential attorney general.
Bizarrebizarre? Its a word that could easily describe a church fund raiser in a quaint New England town! How about tawdry, cheap or at least suspicious or indecent? Oh well, no matter, were at the conclusion of the article now. The writer believes the story will be as big as the Dick Morris toe sucking (tee hee) scandal of 1996. Mr. Renee, a lawyer and ex-state legislator (Republican), acknowledges the differences in reporting between this story about John Edwards and the Larry Craig bathroom incident in Idaho and then concludes:
The curse of ambition is compromise. Elizabeth Edwards, like every other political spouse, probably had a lot of them imposed on her. She’s emerged from a decade of campaigning for her husband as a dignified and compelling force, as well as a cautionary tale. She would stir a national audience weary of a long campaign with an address to a convention that will hail her ascent to the platform.
Well good for Kevin Renee. Hes attempting to create a positive for Elizabeth Edwards in anticipation of media coverage on her husbands bizarre behaviormy question? Are his efforts even necessary? Will coverage of Edwards behavior come with the ferocity of the Larry Craig story or will it, if it comes, spin and spin and spin on a media cloud of explanations and excuses, smoothed and soothed, until its made to seem normal?
After all, hes just a powerful man and powerful men are victimswhat with women throwing themselves at them and plying them with pizza and…er….other stuff!