John Edwards Admits to Affair

John Edwards has admitted publicly that he had an affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter. Hunter's daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, was born on February 27, and interestingly enough, no father's name is given on the birth certificate which was filed in California.

The Los Angeles Times has a full timeline of the John Edwards-Rielle Hunter affair.

This announcement by Edwards could be an enormous blow to the Democratic Party, and possible Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Although Edwards is not in the running for the Democratic nomination, conclusions could be drawn by voters and could swing many key undecided voters to the side of Republican nominee John McCain.

From the Associated Press:

Former presidential candidate John Edwards, who won nationwide praise and sympathy as he campaigned side by side with his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, admitted in shame Friday he had had an affair with a woman who produced videos as he prepared to launch his campaign.

Acknowledging a sex scandal he had dismissed as "tabloid trash" only last month, Edwards said he had told his wife and family long ago, but "I had hoped that it would never become public."

After the story broke Friday, Edwards released a statement that said, "In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake, and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public."

"I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices," he said. "With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006, and today I take full responsibility publicly."

What is it with politicians and affairs. Do they think that they won't get caught? Don't they realize that they have cameras following them 24/7? We all remember the drama of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Did he think that his wife Hillary would not find out? Obviously not. Either that, or they don't care.

This will not have an effect on my vote but I'm left to wonder if it will have an effect on others. Thoughts?

Richard Simmons...Congressman? Talk About Sweating "with" the Oldies...

You think I'm joking...but I'm not....completely...

Simmons spoke to the House Education and Labor Committee today about expanding physical education in public schools to combat childhood obesity. Simmons described his approach to the hearing, stating, "I want to have the respect of a congressman, I want to talk like a congressman, and maybe, someday, I'll be a congressman."

Here's what the Washington Post had to say:

This could be the most high-energy week Congress has seen in a very, very long time. The man who is arguably America's most famous fitness icon of all time is coming to Capitol Hill to shake things up -- literally.

And while he still has his loud helium balloon-like voice and big hair, unfortunately, Simmons is hinting he won't be wearing his signature short shorts and tank top at the hearing.

Simmons won't say whether he's leaning toward Barack Obama or John McCain in the 2008 presidential race. His publicist, Tom Estey, says Simmons is "undecided."

Hey, maybe instead of an Obama/McCain town hall meeting, we can have a dance off with Richard Simmons. That would make for interesting television.

Senate Passes Wiretapping Bill: Phone Companies Given Immunity

The New York Times is reporting that the Senate gave final approval today to broaden government spy powers and providing immunity for the phone companies that took part in secret wiretapping.

From the article:

The plan, approved by a vote of 69 to 28, marked one of Mr. Bush’s most hard-won legislative victories in a Democratic-led Congress where he has had little success of late. Both houses, controlled by Democrats, approved what amounted to the biggest restructuring of federal surveillance law in 30 years, giving the government more latitude to eavesdrop on targets abroad and at home who are suspected of links to terrorism.

The surveillance plan, which Mr. Bush is expected to sign into law quickly, was the product of months of negotiations between the White House and Democratic and Republican leaders, earning the grudging support of some leading Democrats.

Interestingly enough, Hillary Clinton voted no on this bill whereas Barack Obama voted yes. John McCain is jumping on this opportunity as he is claiming that Obama is once again flip-flopping on an issue.

I'm still not convinced that wiretapping is a good idea. Yes, I want our nation to be safe from terrorist threats, but doesn't this go just a little too far? Thoughts?