We’ve heard from his mistress Rielle Hunter, we’ve heard from his soon-to-be-ex-wife Elizabeth, and we’ve heard from his former aide Andrew Young. Now he says, it’s time for America to hear from him about the scandals from his 2008 campaign for president of the United States.
I met Johnny Edwards for the first time the day of our first interview, at his home on Figure Eight Island, near Wilmington, N.C. There were no rules for the interview — just a request that his words be his words and that I bring my cameras and take lots of photos. And some hair gel.
My first impression of Edwards, when he opened the door of his beach house, was that he is much more handsome than all those National Enquirer spy photos suggest. He was wearing a fresh white shirt and grey athletic shorts.
During the interview, our talks were sometimes interrupted by the presence of a creepy guy from across the street who kept coming to the front door trying to figure out who I was.
“Don’t worry about him. He is known in the inner circles of North Carolina Democratic politics as the Wilmington Financier. He always wants to know what’s going on in my life,” Edwards said.
You have been silent for a while. Why now?
I feel comfortable talking now, because Rielle went public and made a statement admitting I was the father of her child. I didn’t think I could ever speak until she did that.
We should make it clear. You’re not making a penny from this interview.
I am not making a penny from this interview, but I am going to have to figure out how to make some money soon. The divorce, the child support, the federal investigation are draining me.
Is Rielle OK with you doing this interview?
She is very supportive. She believes that it will help me be at peace and knows how important truth is to me — practical truth, spiritual truth, and convenient truth.
If you could have done anything differently, what would it be?
The only big thing that sticks out is that I should not have asked Andrew Young to claim to be the father of my baby. I should have asked someone else who could have pulled it off with a little more credibility.
A great many people say you’ve ruined your political career, you’ve ruined your life. You don’t see it that way?
I don’t care what Andrew decided to title that book. I never really believed I was much of a politician. I mean, for crying out loud, John Kerry and I couldn’t beat that redneck cowboy George Bush. And in 2008, I couldn’t beat the “It girl” of the ’90s …
You mean Hillary Clinton?
… yeah, or that guy from Illinois who had less experience in public office than me! And both of them have worse hair.
OK, so you are now separated, and you obviously have a decent relationship with Rielle and your daughter. Why not just be with her at this point?
What I wanted was a variation from my Two Americas campaign theme. I wanted two families, but it didn’t work out. I will probably end up with Rielle.
What are you like as a father?
It’s great bringing another child into the world. But it is a bummer having to feed her and change diapers and stuff. I can’t afford to hire any help. And it would have been a lot easier if Andrew were still around to do that kind of [expletive]. Like he did during the campaign before he ratted me out.
Now the National Enquirer is up for a Pulitzer [for its coverage of the scandal]. How do you feel about that?
I wish they would have used some better pictures of me. Or even asked me for a special photo session, like this one. They always shoot your bad side, you know.
OK, Johnny, it is about time to wrap this up.
Speaking of that, can I see the photos before you publish the story?
No, Johnny, but if you are unhappy with them you could call Larry King or Keith Olbermann and express your concerns.
OK, thanks.
Editor’s note: Readers should consult their calendars (or the article’s publication date) after reading this story.