I haven't read the Enquirer article you linked to, but I imagine it is one with the general run of the milieu.

This ought to be the headline, if any kind of fairness is in play:

"John Edwards is Just Like Most Of America!"

But thinking this . . . troubles me. Both parties have long run on the strategy of "Andy Griffithizing" their candidates. Make 'em seem down-home, folksy, and then all those down-home, folksy folk'll vote for 'em.

But the actual down-home, folksy folk . . . who are cheating on (and/or beating on) their wives and doing all manner of who-knows-what . . . seem to get upset when their politicians do that.

Fred Thompson's recent debate performance revealed him to be really, really down-home and folksy. At least on TV, where he can also be seen on Law & Order.

Shouldn't John Edwards get some points from the down-home constituency for being so very like middle America? In fact, let's consider that he cheated on his wife just to show how very like the majority he is! In that case, we can spin this as a bit of strategy, not a personal failing!

Greater love hath no man than to cheat on his wife in order to get over on large numbers of the people! Next he'll take to wearing sleeveless shirts and hanging engine blocks from oak limbs in the front yard.

Just rambling . . .

Herring405