The Politics Of A Lie

   By drodriguez  Feb 01, 2010

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Just when you think the story of former presidential contender John Edwards' affair with Rielle Hunter couldn't get any more shocking, we hear more details coming from his former aide, Andrew Young.  As Young grants interviews to promote his new tell-all book, The Politician, about the scandals surrounding Edwards' campaign, the story begins to unfold.  It is only recently that Edwards made public the information that Hunter's daughter is in fact his child, which Young claims was a direct response to his book coming out.

Through recent interviews with the press Young attempts to explain what made him take the heat for Edwards during the campaign and tell the public that he, rather than Edwards, was the father of Hunter's baby.  Claiming an unwavering loyalty to his boss and a feeling that he was doing what was right for the future of the country, Young not only lied about the paternity issue but also agreed to allow Hunter to live in his home with his wife and children while she hid from the media.

A recent article from the Washington Post quotes a passage from Young's new book as he explains what caused him to lose respect for his former boss.  Young writes, "A precious living, breathing human being - his daughter - had come into the world, and he wasn't even inclined to call the woman who had given birth to her. ...My faith in him died almost instantly."

Some other claims Young makes is that after Hunter's baby was born Edwards asked him to secretly steal one of the diapers, which he refused to do, and send it to him so that he could use it in a paternity test.  Young and his wife also say that they found a broken video tape in the trash at the home they once shared with Hunter.  After mending the tape, they viewed the contents and realized it depicted Edwards and Hunter engaged in a sex act.  Hunter is now filing papers with the court asking that the tape be returned to her. 

Edwards' attorneys have made the following statement in response to Young's book: "It appears that Andrew Young is primarily motivated by financial gain and media attention."  Even Edwards', newly estranged wife, Elizabeth Edwards claims Young's book is not entirely based on truth.  She says, "it is clear it contains many falsehoods and exaggerations."  Young defends accusations that he is exploiting the affair by telling the public that he has been unable to find employment because of the scandal he became involved in with Edwards.

What do you think of the scandal surrounding John Edwards?

Do you think Andrew Young's actions are honorable or is he just out for the money and media attention?