The former Democratic Presidential candidate did not, under any circumstances, not even for a moment, sit down for this exclusive interview with BrooWaha's Bill Friday.
John Edwards, so glad you could be here today.
For the moment, let me say thank you for having me here today. I am here right now, aren’t I?
Not as far as I know. First, let me tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the tour of your home. Just how many square feet is it?
28,200 on 102 acres.
Wow. I guess it’s true what they say about the size of a man’s carbon footprint.
It even has a 600 square foot guest bedroom over the guest garage.
You don’t say?
Yeah, well… lately I do.
Right, so… first question…
If you don’t mind Mr. Friday, before we begin, I’d like to read from a prepared statement if I may?
Well, I can’t say I was prepared for that but…
(Edwards clears his throat… whispers to Bill Friday)
Do I have time to fix my hair?
There are no cameras sir.
Hmm. Alright then. Here we go. It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am…
Senator?
…sorry. In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic…
Senator Edwards!
If you want to beat me up - feel free…
I’m thinking about it…
Mr. Friday, you cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself.
Have you ever considered witness protection?
More and more every day.
Getting back to the questions… Mr. Edwards, in light of recent events… the allegations about this affair, your wife’s cancer… how do you respond to statements like this from your former campaign manager, David Bonior, who told the Associated Press that your supporters had, “been betrayed by [your] action[s].”
Mostly by ignoring them, Bill.
(laughs)
Seriously Bill, what I’ve found recently is that the best way to move forward is to never look back, because some might be gaining on you.
Wasn't that Satchel Paige?
Of course it was, of course it was! I’m glad you noticed that. Thank you, Bill.
Mr. Edwards, let’s get to the reason for this interview… on July 21st you were in Los Angeles for a press conference with L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. At 2:40 the next morning, a reporter and staff photographer from the National Enquirer identified you coming out of a room at the Beverly Hills Hotel…
Aw c’mon now, Bill…
…then followed you into a restroom where, according to reports, you waited for fifteen minutes in one of the stalls until hotel security came and escorted you out of the hotel. What exactly were you doing in a public restroom for fifteen minutes?
I was on a conference call with Senator Larry Craig. It took a bit longer than I expected.
It seems as though you and the Mayor Villaraigosa have much in common. During your stay in L.A., did the Mayor have any words of advice for you in your time of personal disclosure?
He said, “Do your best to keep your mother-in-law away from the media.”
Mr. Edwards, you told ABC News that you personally never paid Rielle Hunter, yet Fred Baron, your former finance chairman, admitted on Friday that he made "regular payments" to Rielle Hunter, and that though unemployed, she lives in a $3 million home in Santa Barbara.
Like I have told everyone who will listen, I have never knowingly compensated this woman for anything, nor will I ever knowingly admit to such.
But you do admit to paying $114,000 to Ms. Hunter for her work on various campaign videos?
No, I do not! That’s just another Tabloid accusation, Bill. If Ms. Hunter was paid for services rendered to my campaign I will continue to maintain that I have no recollection of that until proven otherwise.
The question of a paternity test has been the subject of much speculation. Has a date been set yet for any such paternity test?
August, sometime between the 25th and the 28th.
During the Democratic National Convention?
I'm afraid so.
Is that a factor in why you’ll not be attending the convention?
That, and the Cabinet post I'll be receiving in exchange for my non-participation. The test is set for the Cayman Islands. Andrew Young and I had already made plans to be there at that time anyway… company time share, already booked. My people say if I don’t go, we’ll have to forfeit the deposit, you know. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be able to make good use of the situation.
Staying on the subject of paternity, the birth certificate of the child…
Frances.
Right, um… Frances. The birth certificate lists no name for the father. Mr. Edwards, do you know who the father is?
Not yet.
Given the age of the child…
Frances.
Given the age of Frances, it would appear that you and Mr. Young were seeing Rielle Hunter at about the same time.
Bill, were you ever in a… fraternity?
But couldn’t you…
Mirthala Salinas was busy.
Senator…
Bill, please… call me “John.”
Alright then… John, doctors now say that your wife Elizabeth’s cancer is terminal - she is dying. Mr. Edwards…
John…
John… your wife is dying. What do you think her dying thought of you will be?
(silence).
Bill, may I finish reading from my prepared statement?
Sure.
“… I have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my family and others who need my help.”
(crumples paper)
John Edwards… thank you.
Copyright © 2008 Bill Friday
