CNN

When I first heard about Elizabeth Edwards' book, I had to wonder how her kids felt about it.

Of course the public will turn on her. We play 'blame the victim' very well here in the U.S.

I think whatever "spin" the media puts on Elizabeth Edwards and her book is what people will believe. I admire Elizabeth Edwards for having the guts to write about something so personal and so very humiliating. Senator Edwards chose to disregard his wife's feeling about running for President after she found out about his affair, so he should just allow her to express her feeling in whatever manner she feels able. I question why the two reporters seem to have empathy for Riedele Hunter and apparent disdain for Elizabeth Edwards. I'd love to know what outlet those two reporters would use if they walked in Elizabeth Edwards' shoes. Usually best NOT to be too critical of another unless you have walked a mile in their shoes.

I don't know what's worse: a cruel public turning on Elizabeth Edwards for petty reasons, or a couple of armchair psychologists making headlines trying to psychoanalyze her.

Come on... Elizabeth Edwards deserves a place in heaven for staying with the bum who cheated on her while she was fighting the battle of her life (cancer). Her husband is a dog.

I don't think any man should cheat on his wife, But things were quiet, I THOUGHT they were rebuilding! Now she comes out with a book and starts it all over again? Imagine how humiliating it is for her children!
Not a good move for her to make!!

Could just be – regardless of how CNN tries to sweeten and light her past "contributions" to a very unimpressed world – that Elizabeth Edwards had long past used up her own 15 minutes of "fame" – all of it born upon her in privileged a manner while riding on the coat-tails of her very really flawed husband.

Could it be that the public does not need the press reminding us how unimpressed we REALLY are in regard to how Elizabeth Edwards chooses to handle herself in light of her husband's sexual relationship (which has produced a most probably love child). Lying and covering up these actions of one's spouse – while you are benefitting personally for all of those lies and coverups is not very becoming of you, Mrs. Edwards.

Sweeten and light YOURSELF UP, Mrs. Edwards. This book was a waste of your time and anyone's money in regard to purchasing. YOU should have spent your time in intensive ongoing counseling in regard to your own (not anyone else's) multitude of "issues".

This is the best Dems can do to prop up their guy? Chastise his poor long-suffering wife for being angry and needing to vent?

This is a poorly thought out attempt at misdirection by implying that people will eventually turn on Elizabeth. We are not fooled or distracted by their dog & pony show. There will be no backlash against Elizabeth and I find it reprehensible that someone could actually suggest such a thing with a straight face.

For Romano to say that Elizabeth is making a spectacle of the relationship is revolting and ingenuous, especially when compared to the spectacle Edwards & his mistress have created. That distraction technique might have had a shot in hell of working IF Edwards was not such a hypocritical, sanctimonious {bleep}. As it stands though, Edwards is repugnant and apparently Elizabeth has come to that conclusion as well. Good for her.

The story says, "She knew all along that he'd had an affair, that he cheated on her, and decided that they would go along with this massive cover-up, and she ultimately decided that his political career was worth more than being honest." I guess this means she has all the tools to be our next Secretary of State.

Why shouldn't Elizabeth Edwards write a book? Let us not forget the fact that she is an accomplished woman. It appears, like me, she gave up her career, to support her husband. My ex-husband cheated on me and swore, "it was the first time". Right. He married his lover, and is now divorcing her because he got his mistress pregnant.

I have no qualms about Elizabeth Edwards voicing her thoughts and opinions in print. Like every other American, she is entitled to do so. I think because her husband is, or was, a politician we have lost sight of the fact Mrs. Edwards has endured some very difficult struggles.

If writing her book can make one woman survive the death of a child, endure a battle with breast cancer or just help her through a difficult time, what is the problem?

She is not an "accomplice". She was just doing what most women would do. She is trying to save her family.

Mrs. Edwards is good. People dream. People hope. She has spent over thirty years as she sAys building a life. If people stay out of her life it can be good again. No one has the right to judge. She is not a victim. Let her and John work it out.

I think the public will turn. I think that is because of gender bias. People want women to turn a blind eye to their husband's indiscretions or leave him in a melodramatic attitude-filled fashion. The woman is terminal. Give her a break. I think what she is doing, really describing how most women feel when they experience this is honorable. Her husband is the one who really disappointed so many Americans. He surely disappointed me. She has a right to tell her story. If Miley Cyrus can have a book about her life, why can't Elizabeth? I am really so tired of this kind of stuff.

That's right folks, blame the victim. It's the American way.

I guess I feel that Elizabeth Edwards has a right to write a book about this sorry and sordid mess. For her, I believe it is cathartic. It isn't enough sometimes to talk to a counselor etc, but try and look at it from her perspective...to REALLY look at what she is facing. She will die from cancer (who knows how long she has) and she must go to bed every night wondering how long it will be after she's gone, that he will most likely take up with the homewrecker. How very, very sad...and to wonder if that child is your husband's. That would be the ultimate blow that would probably shorten her life, as stress takes a terrible toll on the body, even for healthy people! Would you honestly want to know that your husband had a child with someone else while you were battling cancer? Yet, to leave him and end up brokenhearted to die without the man she thought would never betray her in this way must be indescribable pain. She HAD to write this book, because it will be the only written record of her side of the story, so I don't blame her. As far as going along with his continuing his ego-driven presidential campaign, she had more power than she realized at the time. Obviously she was still in shock when she agreed to go along with it. She should have just said NO, or "I will tell the public the real reason", and just call his bluff. It's always easy to sit back and tell people what they should do or whatever, but until you walk a mile in their shoes, you have no idea. However, my one piece of unsolicited advice would be to quietly (and I mean quietly) go to an attorney and draw up a new will, leaving her half of their estate to her children and making it ironclad so that NO ONE can get their grubby hands on it! North Carolina isn't a community property state, but she can still do it. Then, when she dies, she has the last say and can rest in peace, knowing that at least HER kids will get her share of the estate, since she doesn't appear to be willing to divorce the smarmy snake and take him for half of everything. Tough for the whole family and I hope she finds peace before she passes.

Excuse me? No chance the public will turn against her. She's carrying enough of a load. Most of us have empathy for the position she was in and is in now.

I wouldn't put it past the media to start in on her though. Knock it off, ok? Go pick on Sarah Palin or someone else more deserving of your attention!

I used to be a huge supporter of Mr. & Mrs. Edwards, now I have changed my mind entirely. Except for the fact that they seem to be two of the few politicians that really care about the disadvantaged, I can't believe the way Mrs. Edwards trashed Ms. Hunter. Does she understand that this child is most likely the stepsister of her own children???????? Also, she painted the Mother, Ms. Hunter, as a lazy person, who has time to hang out in front of a hotel? Ms. Hunter had a career as a videographer. Unbelievable denial on her part that her husband has little if any guilt in this situation. Does she really believe this inane story of how SHE picked him up & he was a victim? Elizabeth I thought you were a feminist. Give me a break.

This is similar to the Clnton fiasco in that the hypocrisy is rampant. How many of the presidential candidates, actual presidents, congressional candidates and actual congressmen and women cheat on their spouses daily? And, they all know it, not to mention the media, as well. Sure, Edwards sort of used his perfect marriage and ailing wife (whom he does love) as part of the message in his campaign...fair enough. But, to go on like this and now attack Mrs. Edwards for voicing her truth is a little too much. Why not focus on the issue of why do so many men in politics cheat?

but I bet people will buy that book even if and perhaps especially due to a lack of respect and sense of pity. people love the drama or she wouldn't even have written a book. we feed this monster with our recognition, obsession and desire to see the mighty fall. the problem does not just lie in 'them'. food for thought.

The question should be "will the media turn on her"?

This story is real news only because it is yet another sorry example of the National Inquirerization of the national news media. I guess both John and Elizabeth Edwards asked for it by Oprah-airing their martial problems to the country.

It would have been far better for the Edwards to have followed the examples of FDR, Kennedy, Johnson and other Presidential candidates with respect to their extramarital affairs - no comment. Only if the candidate's sexual partner would be relevant regardless of his marital status, e.g., mistress is foreign agent, or tied to Mob, would it be relevant.

I think the whole thing is being driven by the unfortunate recent tendency to put the politician's spouse in a constant spotlight. Its a throwback to monarchies, where everyone in the royal familiy had an official position. I think the trend is causec by those women who care more about a candidate's private life, than his public life and policies.

She's as phony as a three dollar bill – trying to sell a book and get some payback in the process is all she's about.

The temerity of acting like the aggrieved wife when she knew about the affair all along is pathetic – and so typical. She deserves her pretty boy hubby and all his pitiful lies and betrayals. In the end, she's no better than him and in no position to judge him now for his transgressions.

The public will turn on Elizabeth Edwards because they are fickle and frankly, confused about her reasons for doing this media blitz. She believes she is fighting against time which she has precious little of if her cancer is terminal. John Edwards says very little and is still there. All Rielle has to do is wait for the inevitable. And in the end, Elizabeth Edwards goes out like a vindictive, self-centered and scorned woman. She is to be pitied for faltering at the finish line and allowing her need for vengeance to tilt her halo.

It is kind of hard to feel sorry for someone who takes part in a lie that deceives the very people they want to govern. They are both opportunists and I hope she gets the cold shoulder for her behavior.

I saw the Oprah interview and this woman is so deep in denial of her reality, this trailer trash drama should be on Jerry Springer. Thank God they never made it into the White House. John is nothing more than a junior Bill Clinton with another wife who puts what they perceive as personal achievement ahead of either good judgement or personal pride. These people live in big houses and have lots of money but are morally bankrupt and all of them think they should lead America. While I'm no fan of NObama, at least his wife knows her man's heart and body is with her.

Its time for Elizabeth and John to keep their private lives between them and their poor children who have to watch all this garbage play out on the world stage for whatever their reasoning is. Selling books? How pathetic.

I can only imagine the kind of strain Elizabeth Edwards has been under all these years. I would have preferred she come clean when she found out about her husband's affair, but maybe she just didn't have the emotional strength to do it at the time. Plus, who knows except the Edwards what the result of his affair has been on their marriage – maybe it has brought them closer together and more appreciative of each other. Ultimately, it is their business and theirs alone.

I think she has every right to the "last word". How many devsting blows should she have to suffer silently. You know after learning that you rcancer has returned in a form that will surely take your life- and you find out that your husband has had an affair- you would probably beleive him when he says it happened once- honestly if you lover your spouse, and he has never done anything like that before, I don"t find it odd that you would beleive, and try to forgive.
It's easy to say that you would kick them out- but I think you have to be there to really understand that. No less then that they have small children, I think she was trying to take them into consideration.
I find her story compelling, and I have so much compassion for what she has had to deal with. Maybe those who don't have compassion for her are the "other women" types. You couldn't have an ounce of compassion, or be trustworthy about anything but yourself if you can take or be with another woman's husband. I don't feel one bit sorry for the woman he had the affair with, as she knew who he was and that he was married. And I am not giving him a pass- but he has lost it all as far as I am concerned and rightly so.
I am glad she is able to set the record straight. And none of us would know what we might do in her situation. I have great admiration for her and how she has handled all the sadness she has had thrown at her. I wish her the very best.

Good luck with your book, Elizabeth. I will be buying it as soon as I can. You go girl.
God Bless.
Ann.

Elizabeth Edwards is a very brave and couragious woman.
She is termially ill and has endured enough pain and suffering , so leave her alone .
You want to go after her husband , go ahead .

I care about this, almost as much as I do about the Palin stories.... NADA!!!!

It has been months since the public knew of the affair. She is not exploiting it. She waited, and she is talking ONLY because everyone wants her to. She isn't making the $$,, the networks are. Do not fault a woman for trying to make her marriage work after infidelity. She knows Edwards better than any of us. Let him answer to her.He is clearly weaker than her!

What rot! So, she's supposed to grin and bear it and shut up? It didn't happen to the naysayers, it happened to her. Give her a break and move on!

I don't think there's anything 'martyr-like' about what she's doing, and I don't think there's a backlash to follow. It's always about the women behind the men, and if the men can stand up to the comparison, then they are "good people;" if not, oh well. Michelle Obama is superb, as is her husband. Elizabeth Edwards would have made an excellent First Lady, but her husband is not up to snuff. McCain was hampered, not necessarily by his wife, but by his unresolved relationships with his ex-wife, and therefore, with his current wife as well. Clinton? Need I say more? If you can't resolve the issue of where to put it, then you can't be in politics. It's that simple. And if you're a wife of someone who can't figure that out, then you're guilty by association, but (thankfully) in this massive media culture, you're also judged by your own sensibility. And this, Ms. Edwards has shown in great stead.

First of all, I believe it was a BIG mistake for Elizabeth Edwards to ever come forward to make any interview with the media, or with Oprah. With the 21st Century media blitz, and the constant "scoop watch" being put on any prospective person who has some sort of a "family challenge", whether it be an illness or a relationship, is only going to cause more "heartache" for the resepctive individuals who consent to being "put through the mill" by the Media and others. Secondly, it seems to be an every day "bash" by the news media, to repeat, over, and over again, the latest "gossip" as though they were the National Enquirer. In my opinion, the Media has completely "disrespected" the Edwards family, as well as the Gosselin family, the Anthony family, the Drew Peterson family, and others by going after them to make these interviews. Once they consent to the interview, the 'fun" begins because EACH and EVERY word spoken by the person being interviewed is completely analyzed, (by umpteen persons), chewed up, and spit out, as if it were a "dog" being chastised for misbehavior! Honestly, CNN and ALL media outlets, can ANY ONE PERSON who is employed with you realize these people are human beings just like you are. Would you wish to have your name and your family members smeared by the media? Think about it! American journalism and media outlets have completely lost the ability to "live and let live", and to just plain STAY OUT OF OTHER PEOPLES'S LIVES!! There certainly is other news that could be reported on a day to day basis. Let the National Enquirer handle the "garbage gossip", and leave these poor victims of your "media spin" ALONE!!

The affair is no one's business but their own. However, the two of them chose to answer the questions and to answer them with lies as they continued with their campaign. All together it has the stench of an ambulance-chasing phone book cover lawyer's deceit.

There is something wrong about airing "dirty laundry" in such a public venue when a mother has 2 very young children like Elizabeth Edwards does. What would possess a woman with limited time left to leave her legacy, not as a lady of many accomplishments in her own right and who suffered with noble grace, but to get in the rancid "last shot" of a sordid private family matter that should remain quiet for the children's sake? Let's hope she has some time left to restore some calm and dignity that she herself has taken away from her own epitaph by writing such a scathing tabliod-esque book about a parent who will be the children's primary caretaker soon enough.

Guess what? Hillary knew all along before she and Bill ever ran for President the first time that he had multiple extramarital encounters but there has never been a more complicit wife than Hillary. She knew it but was willing to help sell a totally immoral politician for her own personal gain and to this date it has worked quite well, politically that is.

I believe that the media has taken it upon themselves to reduce Elizabeth Edward's latest book to a single issue. Big mistake! The affair is the hot topic and everyone seems to want to talk about it. Please do not blame Elizabeth Edwards if it is the only thing on your collective minds. This brave woman has terminal cancer. Just how long do you think she should wait to 'have the last word?'

I think that the only way a a reporter or a member of the media qulaifies to comment on a story is if they have read the material first.

Listen, this woman is dying of cancer. Let her have her defense mechanism. If she were hale and hearty I would understand holding her feet to the fire a little, but she is not, so leave her alone.

The media will slaughter anyone's character in order to further their bloodthirsty need for a story. "She's exposing her children!!!" Give me a break ........................... she has endured enough and needs to process this in HER way and not according to the demands and whims of the political machine and media.

I think the Washington Post reporter Lois Romano is wrong and I don't think the public will turn on Mrs. Edwards. They may think she is too forgiving of her husband but I don't think they will turn on her. I think it is sad the reporter would even suggest it. This is not journalism but trying to stir the pot.

Are you kidding me? Leave the woman alone. Hasn't she been through enough already. You sound so smug, while she has been struggling to live. You have no idea what is in her mind and heart right now.
Talk about someone else if you must down talk someone.

She may be suffering from cancer or what ever is wrong with her but she is not stupid. Why she is opting for publicity of this nature is beyound me. It is amazing how many people these days try to get publicity however they can. She needs ot stay quiet, use the time she has been allowed in a piositive way and try to make this world a better place to live whuile she can. Her husband is a dolt to have treated her the way he did but he is one in many. She should ahve realized that if he stooped so low to do what he did I would be ashamed to be linked with him. I remember the stories I read in the paper about how he came from poor beginnings but after rising abocve all that he would not bend to apeak to others who knew him and would not acknoledge them. Teh other thing is the amount of money he wasted on his hair cuts, It is a shame to be as wasteful as he is.

Seems like there may be a similar ring here to the Clintons. Hillary knew that Bill had had previous affairs and denied them along with him during the campaign. Their political careers depended on them denying the truth. Then of course there was the Lewinsky affair while Clinton was president, which should have been no real surprise to Hillary, and yet it supposedly was.

I think the fact that people are willing to lie about something like this because of their political aspirations shows bad character. I can understand why some Dems were mad that Edwards ran in the primary once they found out. If he had by chance won the primary, this issue very well could have cost the Dems the election. The Edwards were putting themselves before the party.

Perhaps this book is her way of trying to make up for the fact that she lied previously, to clear her conscience or something and tell her story before she can't. But more than likely, the real motive is to make a bunch of money to leave to her children.

Is John just waiting until she is gone to get the paternity test? They ought to just deal with it now. If he is the father he should be taking full responsibility even if Elizabeth doesn't like it. His friend that was taking care of Hunter and the baby died. If John Edwards were a real man he would do the right thing, get the test and do what is necessary from there.

I think it was just easier to deny and ignore, but why the blitz now? It was a choice to keep quiet, she should visit why she made that choice and convince herself this media blitz is not positive for her.

Sounds like these reporters want her to be damaged as it would enhance their ability to sell themselves, but they are short-sighted in their ambitions. They are saying she should have lied about the incident to maintain her "stature" instead of telling the truth. Yes, it is hard for a person to admit that he/she made the wrong decision – even if it was under duress. But to claim it diminishes a person to tell the truth is a slippery slope for a journalist dedicated to truth. Journalists need honest answers from people. Discouraging them from being honest to avoid any media damage their "media-created" reputation (which has nothing to do with a real reputation or character) encourages dishonesty. We already have too much of this without members of the press making things worse.

Mrs. Edwards has gone through a lot. I believe we should have some empathy for her.

There simply can be no reason whatsoever for Mrs. Edwards to come out with the book and make the talk-show circuit publicizing it - other than to help her husband put his disgraceful act behind him. But that's not going to work because now her complicity and secrecy in trying to get him elected after learning of his infidelity, is backfiring on her. It's easy to remember how we all placed our empathy with this family, especially her in the loss of a child and then incurring breast cancer. Now, as she makes the rounds on television to sell her book, it will be interesting to see if she is still held in the same esteem. One thing's for certain and that's his reputation won't be helped, and it's time for the Edwards to get off the stage.

lets not throw elizabeth under the bus here. i would have seriously hurt my husband for this affair, especially when I was in full support for him, then let alone very ill from cancer, how could he do this to her? Men are such babies, when the wife turns around for one second to take care of herself or her babies, HE steps out and cries, "oh, no one was paying attention to me...." waawaawaa....and during her Oprah interview, she did say that she asked him to get out of the race once she found out.

Perhaps once you face a life altering or potentially life ending ordeal, one gains a PERSPECTIVE on all of life that makes little sense to those among us who have not faced such trauma. When facing the end of life and the prospect of leaving two young children behind, how big, really, is a husband's infidelity by comparison?

Leave this woman alone. Unless you have faced death yourself, you cannot relate.

Ms Edwards is a saint compared to her husband. It is painful enough to go through an affair but when your husband cheats on you when you are going though the most difficult time in your life is another stone. John Edwards is nothing more than spoiled, with a "what about me" it's all about me attitude..it is truly sickening. How would he feel if he lost his privates to cancer and his wife had an affair?? As for Elizabeth; this is a woman who knows she is dying, trying to do the right thing for her kids, but is confused, scared, and trying to save face.

She is the classic Narcissist. She would rather go down this ugly road of publicity then to quitely deal with her marital problems. She wants all of us to feel sorry for her. I don't, other women suffer through this unfortunately event and most of the time they throw the problem out to the gutter where they belong. This woman will not and so the suffering continues. Maybe the problem is just too rich and she can not afford to give him the proverbial boot. Cancer or not kick the bum out like the democrat party did.

Elizabeth Edwards should be silent. She has all the public sympathy and it would stay that way. Prehaps she has to let out all those pent up feelings. Don't bring this kind of laundry out to dry. Silience.

I applaud her for telling her side of the story. As a political spouse, she had to be quiet for too long. She is a class act...I don't know if I'll read her book, BUT I respect her for talking about her life. I'm guessing the affair is minor compared to other tragedies she has handled.

I have great sorrow for her . she is a product of the south and all its proper crap. she will stand behind her man
hell he was probably told by his own father as a young man that it is ok to have other women to play with
he isn't the first and he won't be the last . but john Edwards is done .and the real sad thing is what will the media do as for their children will see it all and live it all . that is the real sad part of HUMANITY. so the media should just let it slide away into the dark pool of the abis .

EE deserves a better deal than JE's (mis)behavior. She needs listenin' to if not outright sympathy.

I won't turn against her. This woman has suffered many things and does not deserve to have the media twist the knife that her husband stuck in her back. I know the media can't bring themselves to do this, but for once, give someone a break. What will be gained for dragging this woman down. Oh yes, I forget, ratings.

If John Edwards is the father of the child and Elizabeth won't let the family be a part of the childs life, how will her children feel when they grow up and find out she kept them away from their half sibling?

I'm sorry but it's not the child's fault.

Elizabeth is only thinking of herself by making this public and she's being very selfish.

it happened... move on

he is a dog... move on

I feel bad for her, but does that do her any good... move on

turn on her? I was marginally interested in him as a canidate, I have virtually no idea who she is, other than the jilted one

what a dumb article

ZERO Sympathy.
She accepted it.
She allowed it.
She covered it up.
The clown was running for President of the United States.
She is an idiot.
He will be in other womenst bed before and long after the Mrs. is dead.
She accepted his behavior and has not been honest about it.
He is a dirt bag and would be Vice President now if he did not get caught. He is a cheat and a liar which fits him in with politicians but makes him unacceptable and a security risk to the United States.

What is inane is the so called "NEWS" media feeding this story. What benefit does any of this have with anything.

The Edwards saga is over and rehashing a non-issue is redundant.

Look for real news gessh.

Perhaps she should not have gone along with a cover up. But i am ready to cut her some slack. She tragically lost a son. She took fertility pills to have more children which may be implicated in her getting cancer. She now is batteling cancer. Her husband was untrue. Which one of us would have perfect judgement if we faced all of that personal pain? She is still a good human being. So let's have some compassion.

When one already has more money than one can expect to spend in a lifetime, why would one want to subject one's children to the scrutiny of the media. The sordid details are already on record.

I pity Elizabeth Edwards but won't buy her book to pad John's pockets.

The state of her marital affairs is none of the public's business. She has no reason to tell the Amberican public everything about her life. It's bad enough that everybody knows that she has breast cancer. Who cares if she has cancer or that her husband cheated on her. We are just not interested. A politician's job is to run the country well. I couldn't care less about her physical or marital health.

Mrs. Edwards is going through a lot right now and has dealt with this extra pain inflicted by a cheating husband. It would be a terrible thing for the media to pull any mean spirited drama on Elizabeth Edwards.
She has terminal cancer and has been faithful to her husband and raised some great kids. If the media doesn't like her book, then leave the book and her alone. Show some class!

I am so glad these two reporters have walked in her shoes so they know exactly what she thinks and feels. And once again the media is so brilliant they can think for the public. I didn't like John Edwards long before he ever ran for office and I haven't changed my mind over the years. I won't buy her book but it is her right to write it. If it makes her feel better to have her say when she has chosen to stay with him due to her health and her children then more power to her. Back off, Lola and whatever the other one's name was. One thing you can always count on....the media will run their mouth.

It wont back fire on her. I think she is just telling her story. Who knows how long she will be here. She deserves the last word- not her husband.

Any goodwill is totally gone!! How dare she try to cover up the affair and supported his candidacy, knowing the fallout? How could she now come out and accuse Ms. Hunter of this dastardly act, when her husband John is the one who broke the vows and destroyed his own family? If he had kept his pants zipped, that would have been the end of it. it takes TWO, and he, who should have the morals, knowing he had a sick wife and several kids, could have kept his end of the bargain. Do not lay the blame on Ms. Hunter solely. What has caused the breakdown between Elizabeth and John is also between the two of them, and all THREE must ALL bear the responsibility, yes, including Elizabeth, for if all was well, this could not have happened. Meanwhile, John should own up to be the father and support this child.

She's lost a child in an accident. Anyone that has the audicity to say she's not entitled to the last word on some things, clearly hasn't walked a single step in her shoes. I've lost a child, I know what that feels like.

She's battled a cronic illness which is now terminal. Anyone that says she's not allowed her will or her words, clearly knows nothing about the strength and courage this woman must embrace daily. I've battled chronic illness, I know what that feels like.

Her husband cheated and HE was the one who wasn't honest. I KNOW there are lots of us out here that know what THAT feels like and until you have worn that hat you DON'T KNOW what you would or wouldn't say to the public and media (who clearly love to demolish anyone they don't agree with).

Romano is a pig and so is Ogunnaike. How dare you try to feed the fire CNN.

I do not believe Elizabeth Edwards when she says that she knew all along. Go back and look at those videos. She looks at him with adoration....she did not know. Why she is lying now, I haven't a clue.

She should also have divorced him to give her kids her share because, mark my words, he will be back with Rielle as soon as she passes. He's going to have very bad Karma.

Even if we would rather not see this matter played out in the public arena, there is no reason why any one should turn on Elizabeth Edwards.She and the children are victims. May be she needs this exposure in order to move on.

The book tour has soured me on Mrs Edwards. She really damaged her image

I don't think the public will turn on Elizabeth Edwards. I for one wondered how she has been coping and what was her reaction when she found out about the affair.. I think it was good she shared her experiences with the public, though painful. I feel for her and wish her well in her fight against cancer. Unfortunately, John Edwards will never again regain our trust after this debacle

she should not of let her husband run knowing what she did.she did America no favors here I'm afraid

Yes she knew about the affair, but she has two young children she has to consider. What would they suggest she do?? I may be wrong and I may be naive, but I honestly believe her going along with it wasn't about saving his political career, but protecting her children and I would have done the same thing.

Maybe they need the money that the book will bring.

I think everyone should leave her alone. She does not control anything of importance. She does not influence the government. She is terminally ill. Her hand is not on any switch for a bomb. Just back off her & report on others who are handling some serious stuff.

She had me up until the comment about not knowing whether her husband was the baby's father. Give me a break. That's the FIRST thing a wife would want to be sure of; DNA test please. (if nothing more than for child support payments or for blackmail down the road.)I'm not buying the innocent act.
She knew, but didn't expect the pregnancy. I'm sorry about her cancer, but, this innocent act about the affair-should have left it alone!!

I want my money back. I believed in John Edwards and what I thought he stood for, and I contributed to him at regular intervals for over a year before he dropped out. I feel totally betrayed, more so now than I did last August. They both misrepresented their cause and took my money under false pretenses. I am really disgusted by this whole sham of a campaign.

Why do reporters think they know whats the real reason someone does something?Maybe they have never been betrayed,maybe they have never been hurt by the one person that has thier total trust,maybe they don`t live every day knowing your days are numbered,maybe they don`t know the truth when they hear it .Give the lady a break,she`s entitled to live her life the best way she knows how.Anyone that thinks less of her because ,of her pain,maybe you should walk a mile in her shoes.Theres nothing the anchors and reporters like better than to rip a person to shreds,just to keep the story alive.The majority of us understand her pain and have compassion,maybe if john edwards had a little compassion this would never have happened.

Why on Earth would we turn on Elizabeth Edwards? She has done nothing wrong. If people turn on someone because they are honest, willing to do what it takes to hold their family together and stand by the person they love then the people who turn on her are very small people. It speaks volumes about them, not her.

I couldn't disagree more. I am not pro- or anti- Edwards, either one of them. But having see the interviews on Oprah I now have a profound respect for Elizabeth and think that these reporters are doing her an injustice. The book is about far more than an extra-marital affair. It's too bad that the media these days only cares about "dirty laundry" and puts the focus there.

For no reason whatsoever..........should Elizabeth Edwards have
written a book and made plans to perform in interviews on a book tour in rehashing this entire lurid affair of her life.
Yes, the public was deeply sorrowful for her illness and her loss of a child. Her husband's affair was shameless and the frosting on the cake. However, her admitted participation in the 'coverup' was not a good idea. What possessed her to do this?
Shame on John Edwards! He will live with his adultery forever.
Fast forward to this book business:
The public doesn't understand her motive for desiring to rehash her personal life with him. Something tells me that this is not the first
time that there has been another woman for John Edwards.
However, perhaps this affair is the very first time that his extramarital adventures have been made so public and resulted in a child, if the DNA tests so prove this.
What she is doing to herself and her children doesn't seem normal and will prove more stressful and unproductive for her remaining
marital years with her idiot of a husband.
My question: Why doesn't Elizabeth leave this scoundrel???

So a couple of "entertainment reporters" want to judge Elizabeth Edwards after all she has been through (including fighting the good fight for working people all across this country). They've got some nerve sitting in judgment of her.

Only mean spirited reporters and Republicans will turn on Elizabeth Edwards.

I agree with Elizabeth Edwards. She has a limited time to live with no control over what her husband chooses to do after she's gone. Why should she concern herself with a child that may or may not be his that was possibly conceived in an affair? Since the other woman chose to have the child as a single mother and not place it for adoption or have an abortion, she obviously fees quite capable of raising this child on her own.
Although I never thought of Elizabeth as a martyr, I do wish her only the best in her years left on earth.

Before they rehash or attack her start in on the Republicans. Newt, Rush the religious leaders whom are supposed to be the moral high ground.

She's dealing with a philandering husband and dying. Being human, ask ourselves what would we do in a similar situation? Then and only then can we judge.

Elizabeth Edwards is a woman who has struggled through the loss of her eldest son, two bouts with cancer, and the revelation that her husband was unfaithful. I can forgive her for not publicly inviting more pain and heartbreak into her life by informing the ravenous media of her husband's idiotic indiscretion. At some point, let the pain be private. Elizabeth, I will always admire your strong will and moral character! Keep Fighting!

It's obvious something is up all of a sudden. I assumed she took a turn for the worst and wanted to clear things up. But she looked pretty healthy. Maybe she just waited for the book to happen, so kept quiet till now.

Oh yeah, turn on a sick women who's husband cheated on her?

Oh, so what does she have to lose? Reporters like this one need to find someone else to criticize. Considering Mrs Edwards's future and her present condition, I think Ms. Ogunnaike is the one whose reputation is in danger because of comments like these. Until she has walked in Elizabeth's shoes, she should find some other person to criticize. Besides, what exactly was Elizabeth supposed to do. Call a press conference and reveal to all the world what pain she was experiencing...pain that was both emotional and physical.
I think Ms. Ogunnaike should look to those in the campaign, and I suspect other political reporters who kept quiet even though they knew ( and long before Elizabeth) about the affair. They were so anxious to keep Hillary Clinton out of the White House that it influence their reporting the affair to the public and forcing John out of the race.
No, I think if Elizabeth feels some cleansing by her public appearances, let her have this time! Back off of Elizabeth already!

I don't know why people in the public eye feel the need to inform the public of their personal business and write books about it. Once the affair became public and was acknowledged, that was enough.

Now we need to hear all this stuff again for what reason? Nothing has essentially changed. She like other political wives, opted to stay with Jon Edwards for whatever reason. I would respect these women more if just one said, that's it, that's enough and just left.

Don't the Edwards have enough money without her writing a book on the subject? He could have been the Democrat nominee and what a mess that party would have been in if he had been and this came out. How can either of them justify keeping this secret during his campaign run?

I feel very sorry for her because she is terminally ill and think John was a smuck for even contemplating running for President given her diagnoisis, not to mention the affair. But I am really sick of hearing women who have been cheated on talking ad nauseum about their relationships, writing books, doing interviews. What is the lesson here, stand by your man? Get revenge by writing a book and embarrassing him and the other woman? A better lesson would be to have respect for yourself and not tolerate a cheater- especially one who would do so while you are literally fighting for your life!

I totally disagree with this. For any woman who has been in a marriage with a partner and who has gone through the life experiences that both of them have been through (death of a child, infertility, raising children, a partner with political motivations and building a beautiful family home that future generations will be proud of) it would not be easy to just leave and remain quiet.

I believe she needs to get her word in – she has dedicated her life to this man and her family – she is the one who is dying – someone can take this all away from her. Imagine yourself in her shoes. Read the book – she acknowledges that other people (when she is gone) will love her husband, kiss her children and live her life. Shouldn't she stand up for what she has created? A strong family unit with a beautiful home for of love. People are human and make mistakes – she realizes this. Give her credit for her strength! She is sticking by him – for herself and for her children. We should all look at her as an example of how we should live our life.

Why? She is the wronged spouse.

Somebody must explain what gives the right to the media to "Take on" anyone??? Does the media pay these folks for their pictures, interviews, autographs??? Freedom of the press is one thing but harassment by the press is another, just leave her be, her husband committed political suicide despite her illness...

I support Elizabeth Edwards. Anybody who has been what she has been through has a right to talk about it, and if she can make money doing it, more power to her.

I have no doubt that Elizabeth will finally reach the end of her goodwill with the public. I like her very much, but quite frankly, am getting a bit tired of the "show". No one is a saint...not even a wronged wife, dying of cancer. My mom taught me that. She told me: "Stop treating me like a little brass idol; my poop still smells the same; I still make the same mistakes; and I didn't grow a halo and wings when I grew cancer cells." [slightly edited since my Mom's vocabulary was a bit more earthy than probably gets posted on CNN!]

We, none of us, are party to the internal dynamics between Elizabeth and John Edwards - and neither should we be. But we take it upon ourselves to judge John's behavior while giving Elizabeth a pass. The truth of the matter is, it is difficult to be the spouse (or family) of someone dying of cancer. Treatments, side effects, frailty, and medical routines can quickly drive away the intimacy of a marriage and family relatioships. If John sought solace elsewhere, while it violates our sense of morality, it really is something we should understand as human beings. I'm not saying it is right, but it IS understandable. What is the real shame here is that our "gossip column" mentality has made it a media circus, giving the Edwards family no privacy in which to work the situation out. But neither did Elizabeth become a saint because she has cancer. If she was involved in the money handling that is being questioned, it will prove it. Every one seems to be taking sides, when both people are flawed. They are humans, after all.

Don't be ridiculous. Elizabeth Edward's own feelings were worth more than the campaign. When you are in the public eye every bit of your life is scrutinized and you can't even grieve the loss of your marriage (as you knew it) without everyone in the world judging you. Certainly a part of covering up what what going on was self preservation. As her private life has been put on display, let her have a smidgen of control over that, for once. I applaud a brave women, and I applaud John Edwards for supporting her in this decision.

I feel sorry for her... no one knows what goes on behind closed doors... but you see it time and again, women who are mistreated are blind to the general sorry character of the man they are mixed up with.

I'm one of those who think airing your dirty laundry to the media is a bit gross.
I know it is a sympathetic story but it makes one wonder just what the motives are.

It's non of our bloody business, and it's too bad that our media thinks we have to know ALL of their dirt...personally, I don't want to know about their pain unless it's something I can help them with...this is not one of those situations. I think it's a genuine "butt out", family issue of theirs.
Ugh.

While running for President, Mr. Edwards had an affair and not only cheated on Mrs. Edwards who was suffering with cancer but cheated on the people who were going to vote for him.
How truly low could this man get?
No one will ever turn their back on Mrs. Edwards and I am glad she is finally coming out and talking about her life.
God Bless her and give her strength.
Thank you,
Isabel & Bob

Elizabeth was not truthful to the public. I would not buy her book.

Give me a break. It's bad enough to have your spouse cheat on you but to have it happen in the public eye? Of course she agreed initially to keep it private. She was operating on the partial truth he shared. She isn't putting him down or dragging up dirt; she's talking about her journey and believe me there are many, many women who have experienced this kind of pain who will appreciate her honesty. I admire her strength.

get a life ! people have affairs. as long as the country itself is not at stake this is an issue between the three parties involved.it's bad enough for at least one of them....

I don't know whether the public will turn on Elizabeth Edwards, but she certainly has me confused. So she wants to call the "other woman" pathetic. The whole group of people in that circle including herself fit that bill. Trick the public into believing you are solid pro-family all American. Run for President on a platform of understanding the working man and family issues, knowing fulll well that all concerned are living a lie. Peddling a book about all this does not appeal to me in the least. She has cancer as do many people in this world. She has lost a son, as have many people in this world. The rest is all a struggle for power. That's why politicians and their families are held in such low regard...that need for power takes it's toll on all of us. Would have been better if she had forgotten to write the book.

Her timing might be off but she is telling the truth. This is totally contrary to what some of the news media do...

Why would anybody dislike Elizabeth Edwards? Well, other than the Republicans....

The public will not fully tyrn on Mrs. Edwards but will now be leary of her and her why she is doing what she is doing now.
Does she not want him ever to run for an office or is she shoring up the locks that the Baby's Msmma will never be accepted by the piblic and keep John from marrying her?
"Love is never having to say I am sorry."

Has anyone ever considered that she hid this to protect her children and not her husband (or herself). Here is a woman who constantly fears remission and death...wouldn't you want to maintain a close knit family structure for as long as possible with such a sad future for them looming? (Or even in consideration of all the hardship and fears of abandonment they've already been through). A good mother puts her children first and Elizabeth is a very good mother. It would be of no benefit to her children to open up her family to criticism and destruction or to further taint their own perceptions of their father at this time. Those children may lose their mother before they are grown...why would she take away their father as well?

John deserves every bit of the media's ire. But leave Elizabeth out of this. She was put in a horrible situation and chose to protect her family...why is she at fault for that?

I agree that she is not as sympathetic a figure as she thinks she is.
I'm a Democrat, left of center. When John Edwards was campaigning, I liked the Two Americas message, but as a NC resident and knowing his background, my attitude was "He is the wrong person to be delivering this message"
Then we find out he is a sleaze phlianderer screwing around when his wife has cancer...clue # 1. Then we find out that she knew he had been screwing around and she still campaigned for him (admirable in a way, but ...)
Then it hits everyone that "He could have been the Dem Candidate, THEN this could have come out, then the Dem candidate is dead in the water and we get another 8 years of Bush's garbage under another Republican slimebag.
The Edwardses could have wrecked the Dem Party fr antoher 8 years. They have to be smart people to ahve grad from Law School, but someone wasn't thinking on this one...

Elizabeth called Edwards' child with Reille and "it"?

Great going for this mother's day, Elizabeth.

Calling an innocent child an "it"?

I guess class is hard to come by in the hollers of North Carolina.

Wish she hadn't written the book and gone on the talkshow circuit. Thought better of her. Can't believe she went along his run for the President knowing what she knew and realizing how such a story-although none of our business-gets disected and twisted and turned inside out-over and over and over again.

I believe Mrs. Edwards needs the money since the Edwards' reputations are in question with campaign misapproprations and the child with Rielle Hunter.

Sad to say, but many of these political wives like the power and privilege their husband's career can provide them. In essence, most of these women with advanced degrees go to college looking for a husband, just like they did in the 1950s. Nothing has changed really.

Like most women, they really do not want to compete in the business world if they don't have to.

I find it interesting how these liberal female reporters are so hard on Mrs. Edwards since she is in a precarious position with cancer and let's face it she is five years older than John. A woman who is 60 has a more difficult time finding a new husband than the reverse.

Mrs. Edwards publicly prefers to believe that John Edwards only cheated with Rielle Hunter once. Let her live out her remaining years in a fantasy.

Probably the marriage was a fantasy to begin with.

Edwards and his wife are both spoiled, rich people who cannot live out of the public spotlight.

He is the goat for having the affair. But she is the scorned woman who is getting her revenge and basking in the glow of the woman done wrong who is valient, etc. etc.

Elizabeth Edwards is a liar and will soon have her 15 minutes of fame over with.

When she first learned she had cancer, in typical rich woman fashion, she was being treated within days.
The rest of the women in the country would have had to fill out papers for months before getting treated - and Elizabeth wanted to be seen as valient.
You are valient only for sticking beside your shallow pretty boy who has always been an errand boy for the unions.

I am tired of both of you Edwards.
Go home and not a peep out of you!

E. is the "scorned woman" seeking retribution in the most humiliating way possible.
"Instructing" Oprah not to speak Rielle Hunter's name exemplifies how E's raw emotions remain unsettled with the past.
Now, if she bolted on J.E., she might actually feel vindicated, even if he brought Hunter into his life. After all, he is the weasel.

I believe Elizabeth Edwards made a decision to support her husband in his Presidential campaign under very trying circumstances. This lady has suffered the loss of her first-born and the loss of her husband's fidelity, while being treated for cancer, and I believe she was grasping to hold on to anything she could to keep what was left of her family in tact. I think she is following in the footsteps of women the world over who try their best to make as good a picture of wholesomeness of their family that is possible.

Yes, I was hoodwinked to think they were the perfect family and that they would make us proud to have them as first couple and I felt betrayed..but I do admire her for telling us now how she felt. We can identy with that.

So, to Mrs. Edwards I say, "You really took a giant step to come forward. For those who would judge you harshly for taking the steps you took in a very trying time in your life, I say to them, "did you walk in her shoes?"

This poor woman has more than enough going on in her life. What the hell does it matter what the public thinks? Good lord...just leave her alone and let her get along with things. So she wrote a book called about resilience...I applaud her and wish her and her family nothing but the best. The press would be well served to do the same.

What a great human; I think I would vote for her for President . She has had GOD put her thur so much; I think of her as a healer to this great nation.

You have got to be kidding me. Asking if the public will turn on Elizabeth Edwards??????

If they do, it will be by a bunch of two faced idiots. Read below and see if any names come to mind? Clinton perhaps? And the country puts them on a pedestal.

They had what seemed to be this ideal marriage. And it turns out that she was complicit in basically this cover- up. She knew all along that he'd had an affair, that he cheated on her, and decided that they would go along with this massive cover-up, and she ultimately decided that his political career was worth more than being honest.”

Hi Liz,
While we all sympathize with all the heartbreak you've had to endure in your life, it's really time to bring in the dirty laundry and start focusing on moving forward. It's not healthy for either you or John to stay transfixed on the garbage and sadness/disappointment of your lives. Better to show your stronger side and do meaningful activities with your life that bring real meaning to your lives, and meaning for others. Reaching out looking for sympathy just keeps you stuck in the same mud-hole that you've been in since the death of your youngest. It's not productive, and it benefits no one. Better to reach out to others with a personal mission as your motivation, and not for self-interest.
p.s. I'm not one who's never been touched by your kinds of circumstances, so please don't think that I'm just trying to diminish your hurt and pain without understanding it. I do! But you need to move forward! God bless!
DZ

I watched the interview with Oprah Winfrey & Elizabeth Edwards. I sensed that Mrs. Edwards was not always truthful, there was a nervousness about her.

My gut tells me that the Edwards are trying to salvage John Edward's career as a politician. Elizabeth, is the long-suffering-loving-wife, whose last act of love will be to help salvage the career of the man who broke the marriage vows.

I am not usually a cynic, but I seriously doubt that this is the first time he has cheated on her! Its just that .... this time..... he got caught!

Sorry, Mrs. Edwards, you are a nice lady, but something about the interview and the book, smells funny.

"Massive cover-up?" What planet is CNN on? She didn't want it to be public knowledge that she was cheated on – that seems like a very normal reaction. What's 'massive' here?

Funny, I thought (read and heard) that people WANTED to know how E. Edwards was dealing with this. God knows it wasn't any secret who was trying to land an interview with her prior to her even writing her book.
Now she's done what people having been asking her to do, and she's wrong?
This isn't like Kathy Lee dragging her husband out to humilate him for his affair.
Mrs Edwards is simply stating how she feels about and deals with the situation.

Jeez, just leave her alone will ya?

I just can't handle these women – especially those in the political limelight – who "stand by their man". As long as women continue to accept men's infidelity – men will continue to believe that they can cheat and get away with it. Men in politics are especially bad about affairs, and if these powerful wives would give them the boot – the rest of these men would hopefully get the message that it is unacceptable. Period. Hopefully, the rest of the men in our society would take a hint, as well.

I think she said a few ridiculous things; i.e. it wouldn't matter or affect her life if it was John's child. Silly and rather strongly in denial. I also think she blames "the other woman" too much. No one can take your husband away from you. No one. Your spouse williingly goes and that is what she can't stomach.

I do not know why couples stay together when there is such anger and resentment but if the Edwards choose to stay together we should respect that.

Massive cover-up it was an affair she didn't sell drugs across the border! I don't really understand or see how this is any of our business and quite frankly I don't care and wish people would just let it go!

Both of these reporters must be very unsophisticated to have such a puritanical view of Elizabeth and John Edward's marriage. Do they honestly believe that Mrs. Edwards should have kicked her husband out of the house and given up a lifelong marriage and family over
a silly affair? Why would anyone end a lifetime of marriage and family over just an indescretion? Hello...this is 2009. If every marriage in politics and business were dissolved over an extramarital affair, there would be no one left married in Washington, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc. As to whether Elizabeth should have campaigned for her husband once she knew about the affair,- of course she should have. Again, it's 2009: Bill Clinton, one of our better Presidents, had several affairs that his wife knew about. Newt Gingrich, John Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, and John McCain have had affairs. If we start disqualifying men from running for office on the basis of affairs, we will have allwomen Presidents from now on. How does an affair impinge on a person's ability to be President. It's all poppycock, hogwash. Elizabeth Edwards did and is doing the right thing.

John Edwards needs to find out whether he is in fact the baby's father and, if he is, he needs to step up and fulfill his responsibilities. All three of the adults need to be putting the needs of the various children first. I don't see that being done at present.

I think it would have been better for all concerned to leave things alone. Just the fact that she is appearing everywhere pushing her book sales makes her appear smaller in the public's eye. She chose to stay with him and to support him in his campaign and now she is looking for .... what? I would feel better if she had aired the facts when it would have counted, instead of waiting until now. I always admired Elizabeth and I know she was not in control of what happened to turn John's campaign into something sleezy; I was an Edwards person to the end. But I will not buy her book.

It is my feeling that Elizabeth Edwards is doing everything that she can to earn money that she will put into a trust for her children to make sure that they are taken care of without needing anything from their father. It is her goal to see that they have a sound financial future, & I feel that she wants to provide this for them by herself, if she can. It will be her legacy to them, & I feel that she has no other agenda.

Her trials and tribulations notwithstanding, Elizabeth Edwards is totally irrelevant to American politics, but the media keeps her in the limelight.