UPDATE at end of post: Edwards scandal could lead to a Clinton coup!
With Hillary Clinton talking about demanding a full delegate vote at the upcoming Democratic National Convention, the John Edwards sex scandal has the potential to further interfere with the unified and harmonious nomination of Barack Obama media clearly seek.
After all, the case can certainly be made that if the Edwards affair had gotten the press attention it deserved back in October when the National Enquirer first broke the story, the former senator would have been forced out of the race sooner likely giving Clinton enough delegates early in the process to prevent the eventual groundswell for Obama.
The only question is how many media outlets desperately hoping for a civil convention in a few weeks are going to raise this question as ABC's Brian Ross and Jake Tapper did at the Blotter blog Monday (emphasis added throughout, photo courtesy AP):
Much like many conservatives around the country wondering why the press ignored this issue for so many months, Wolfson was also scratching his head:Sen. Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic presidential nominee if John Edwards had been caught in his lie about an extramarital affair and forced out of the race last year, insists a top Clinton campaign aide, making a charge that could exacerbate previously existing tensions between the camps of Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama.
"I believe we would have won Iowa, and Clinton today would therefore have been the nominee," former Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson told ABCNews.com. [...]
"Our voters and Edwards' voters were the same people," Wolfson said the Clinton polls showed. "They were older, pro-union. Not all, but maybe two-thirds of them would have been for us and we would have barely beaten Obama."
Two months earlier, Edwards had vociferously, but falsely, denied a story in the National Enquirer about the alleged affair last October, and few in the mainstream media even reported the denial.
The lie "certainly had an impact on the election," Wolfson said.
But he says he is mystified about the failure of the national media to pursue the story as it has allegations of other candidates' affairs.
"I can't say I understand the rules of the media and I'm not sure they do either," he said.
If more press outlets begin discussing the possibility that Edwards' lie cost Clinton the nomination, this could seriously complicate matters heading into the Convention:
Many Clinton supporters are already resentful of Obama, whom they see as having only won the nomination with the support of a sexist media and democratic establishment. Wolfson's argument that these same players helped keep Edwards in the race, thus hurting Clinton -- a highly debatable contention -- will likely only fan the flames of Democratic division.
Will press members clearly embarrassed by their lack of journalistic integrity concerning Edwards' indiscretion look to make amends by fully exploring how their silence might have cost Clinton the nomination? Or, will such speculation be kept to a bare minimum in order to get Obama the successful coronation in Denver the media have been working at for months?
Stay tuned.
*****Update: My dear friend Thomas Lifson over at the American Thinker has much more on this issue, "Evidence accumulates favoring the possibility of a Hillary coup at the Denver convention, and it is being noticed among the sharper observers of politics." Read the whole thing.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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The Two John Edwards
August 11, 2008 - 09:40 ET by allanfAmerican now knows there are two John Edwards. The earnest and caring John Edwards, and the lying and philandering John Edwards.
Why would that make a difference to a Democrat?
Two John Edwards
August 11, 2008 - 10:11 ET by 10ksnookerOne for each America. A man of the times.
Don't Democrats doublespeak all the time? Ask Sen Salazar voters how it worked out for their "new Democrat".
Two Edwards'
August 11, 2008 - 14:33 ET by cheesegraterThere is only one John Edwards. If there really was the caring and earnest one the other couldn't exist. In other words: He is the lying philanderer.
I just read this story at ABC
August 11, 2008 - 09:45 ET by Dr_Libertyand it seems plausible. Clinton would have had to have bagged about 70% of Edwards voters for her to have won an outright majority. That may be a bit of a stretch in a caucus system where your preferences are public -- there was a tendency to show you are not racist by choosing The O. Nonetheless, it is within the realm of possibility.
I can only imagine the rage Hillary has been going through.
I bet she pulls the lever for McCain in November.
<insert witty signature here>
Cheating Men
August 11, 2008 - 09:50 ET by allanfHillary done in again by a cheating man !!!
She may very well vote for McCain. If he wins, Hillary can run again in 2012. If Obama wins, Hillary wll never be President. She will be pushing 70 in 2016.
If she did stage a coup
August 11, 2008 - 15:07 ET by matthewleonmartinEither way McCain wins.
If Hillary manages to steal the nomination from Obama, I predict McCain will have a Reagan level landslide.
Every light blue state would go red, and some dark blue ones too:
Iowa, Oregon, New Hampshire, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan -- all red.
McCain could snag upwards of 350 EV's.
Even if she tries and fails, it would be a bloodbath that would split the party and cost Obama any chance of Ohio and Michigan, and probably cost him Pennsylvania as well, as many clinton supporters would stay at home or vote for Mac, and the ind's would vote for Mac.
Will Edwards nominate Pres. Clinton as Father of the Year?
August 11, 2008 - 09:50 ET by mom_roxTherefore Hillary's political career would have been aided by two adulterers.
(I'm referring to the 'conventional wisdom' that she would neither be a NY Senator nor a top tier candidate if she had not been Mrs. Bill Clinton.)
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
The Clinton Machine Couldn't Get the Job Done?
August 11, 2008 - 09:53 ET by Secret ConservativeNow that the MSM and the Clinton campaign are bringing up the notion that John Edwards' lies may have cost the Hildabeast the nomination, I find myself wondering why Hillary's campaign and the Clinton Media Machine didn't jump on this story and destroy John Edwards last year. They certainly have been known to dig up dirt on other people and have it out in the MSM without their fingerprints showing too much. Or was Hillary so sure of her coronation that she considered Edwards no more than an annoying gnat?
Think you nailed
August 11, 2008 - 13:11 ET by docbit...It was the arrogance of the clintons coronation...Secret conservative...Wolfsen is just blowing smoke before the Convention so hillery can be the victum again. Like it is all about her!!
MOVE ON ... HILLARY LOST!
August 11, 2008 - 10:07 ET by CrashJust like that raving lunatic Al Gore who couldn't accept his loss with grace. So, he went on to be a big fat carbon footprint who gasses more than a pile of dung as he slings around his branded bullsh*t.
Now that I got that out of my system. Despite the media's failure to report ... most of us knew about it and I'd bet Clinton knew, but for whatever reason, sat on it.
Come on Catch up on your greek classics. A person can't be as narcissistic as John Edwards without thinking he can get away with murder.
Attack of the Clintonistas!
August 11, 2008 - 19:22 ET by goldenthroatWhen Slick Willy and Shmillary lost control of the demoncratic party, they began to plot revenge. Her massive, power hungry, pant-suited ego and that moronic, philandering, whining husband of hers will not let them concede her defeat.
This race is far from over. I have stated for weeks now the DNC is about to be turned into a three-ring circus. Remember this: Shmillary never did say she had quit the race - nope - she merely suspended it!
When an athletic event is suspended, it is resumed later - such will be the case with Shmillary. Obamessiah and his hord of disciples better be looking over their shoulders right now - they are about to be blind-sided by the Clintonistas and the Breck Girl fiasco is only helping to fuel the fire.
Pretty Boy is now the "third ring".
This convention is going to be a lulu!
"I think we're all bozos on this bus!" - Firesign Theatre
a silver lining
August 11, 2008 - 10:04 ET by needleSo now it is alleged that the conniving cover-up of Edwards’s philandering cost Hillary the nomination as the Democratic candidate for the Presidency.
Hmmm… Well, as they say, with every cloud there is a silver lining.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
→ Dark Cloud
August 11, 2008 - 10:08 ET by Cool ArrowI f Noel were here, instead of sleeping off an Olympic all-nighter, he might say "could make for some delicious oratory at the Democrat convention"
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
I Blame Al Gore
August 11, 2008 - 10:06 ET by GothampcBill Clinton's lie cost Al Gore the presidency. If Clinton has said "Yes I had sex with that woman" and resigned, Gore would have been POTUS. The Edwards scandal is Al Gore's way of sticking it to the Clintons.
Brian Ross and Jake
August 11, 2008 - 10:18 ET by maggieqpublicBrian Ross and Jake Tapper…. are those two in the tank for Hillary, or are they two reporters who are actually acting like reporters?
→ Who cares Maggie?
August 11, 2008 - 10:24 ET by Cool ArrowLong as the cauldron gets stirred, they could be Abbott and Costello for all we care.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
You’re a trouble-maker CA!
August 11, 2008 - 10:45 ET by maggieqpublicYou’re a trouble-maker CA! Actually, I do care. Serious reporters without agendas are quite rare, and when one appears, he/she deserves acknowledgement.
Got me pegged maggie
August 11, 2008 - 10:58 ET by Cool ArrowPersonally, I think Tapper is about as fair as an MSM journalist can be without joining FOX.
Brian Ross, I can do without.
Sorry if my quip got under your skin.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
That sardonic wit of yours
August 11, 2008 - 11:18 ET by maggieqpublicThat sardonic wit of yours is one of my favorite things on Newsbusters (take a bow).
they are not serious journalists
August 11, 2008 - 10:58 ET by SouthJersey1953Maggie, Watch ABC Good Morning America a few times and you will figure out real fast that they are not 'serious reporters' but just a couple more that are obviously riding the Dem train. Their reports about McCain-Obamassiah are slanted heavily towards Obamassiah. They "prefer" Hellary but will support him over McCain.
Oh, d**m, do I have to watch
August 11, 2008 - 11:12 ET by maggieqpublicOh, d**m, do I have to watch ABC Good Morning America?
scram from rooftops
August 11, 2008 - 10:25 ET by foiNew to comments, sorry.
Just wanted to day I hope all the talk radio and blogs scream this from the rooftop before the convention.
Why? Nothing to be sorry
August 11, 2008 - 10:31 ET by motherbeltWhy?
Nothing to be sorry about.
Welcome!
→ WOW foi
August 11, 2008 - 10:37 ET by Cool ArrowY ou've been a member for 2 years & 18 months and this is only your third post here?
Sit and talk awhile.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
"Will press members clearly
August 11, 2008 - 10:33 ET by Eileen Right"Will press members clearly embarrassed by their lack of journalistic integrity..."
You're kidding, right?
Vast Left Wing Conspiracy???
August 11, 2008 - 10:42 ET by sawing battaAre you saying the reason the press looked away for the last 9 mos was to intentionally hurt the Clinton campaign by keeping Silky in the race as long as possible and drawing votes away from HRC? (Afterall, back then, there was a real sense that the Press had had it with Bill and Hill...) In turn, keeping Silky in helps Obama win the nomination. So, ignoring the story was an effort not to help protect Silky, but to help Obama?
Hey Hillary, right about now might be a good time to introduce the "Vast Left Wing Conspiracy" line. hah.
Why that does fit the
August 11, 2008 - 11:05 ET by dscottWhy that does fit the template of the MSM deselecting candidates they don't like. They didn't want Hillary to be the nominee and they knew Edwards would siphon off votes from her constituency so they refused to cover a story that might not benefit their preferred candidate.
What's more interesting is how did the NE find out about Edwards fooling around???? What little birdie sang the song??? I'm guessing the Clinton's saw an opportunity to knock out a competitor and knew someone at the NE would bite. I'm hearing a rumor that there are close ties with the Clintons to the NE, can anyone confirm? If so, that's another scandal in the making.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Check out the American Thinker link
August 11, 2008 - 14:17 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarIn the update above.
There is mention of NE ownership by a big Clinton supporter.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
NAME of that owner
August 11, 2008 - 16:10 ET by dscottNAME of that owner PLEASE..... drum roll......
Robert Altman http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1007/The_Clintonite_who_owns_National_Enquirer.html
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
sb
August 11, 2008 - 11:39 ET by Noel Sheppardsb,
I don't imagine that was the calculus in October. After all, Hillary was considered a shoo-in for the nomination. And, I'm not sure Wolfson is right about Edwards taking more votes away from Hillary than Obama. That could be a stretch.
So, I don't think that's why media protected Edwards. I think they protected him because he's a liberal, anti-war Democrat they like, and they felt for his wife. Furthermore, I think they felt such a scandal could hurt the Democrats in November. ns
Noel. Without a doubt, the MSM played this..
August 11, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Gary HallNoel. Without a doubt, the MSM played this..
The MSM, from the beginning wanted Obama to win the Democratic nomination. They could not play their hand; however, until it became clear that Obama could become a viable candidate (in their view). During this period of time, any negativity towards the Democratic candidates, notably Hillary Clinton and hubby, was kept to a minimum.
As soon as it became apparent that, with a little help, Obama could carry his own, the MSM cut loose the bonds that bound them and so began the challenges to the Clinton camp. Suddenly, like a spontaneous wave across the MSM bow, they all joined in the little game of, yes - attacking Hillary and Bill. For a moment in time we all enjoyed it because; well, we've just never seen anything like it before.
Note: As soon as Hillary bowed out, all was forgotten by the MSM, and suddenly as the potential of a "dream team" took hold, Hillary was once again a love of the MSM.
In this game the MSM plays - the game of choosing their candidate for the American voting public - they would have used any issue or item available to shape the outcome. It is entirely plausible, in fact predictable, that a silent conspiracy, of sorts, took place - as it was clearly understood that Edwards was a hindrance to the Obama sweep. (;~o gary
"I believe we would have
August 11, 2008 - 11:48 ET by dscott"I believe we would have won Iowa, and Clinton today would therefore have been the nominee," former Clinton Communications Director Howard Wolfson told ABCNews.com.
This is essentially a mea culpa, and this dovetails with Clinton's complaints earlier that the MSM wasn't fairly covering the campaigns. What really happened here is that the MSM foiled a Clinton dirty tricks plot on Edwards and in doing so they got a twofer, their candidate Obama got the nomination and the Clintons got the subtle message from the MSM they were to back off and let Obama win.
The Clintons would not accept that message. Now we have the August Surprise coming at the Dem convention where Clinton bumps off Obama by denying him the nomination by getting the superdels not to vote for him on the first ballot. No one is obligated to vote for Obama on the second ballot and that's where the Clinton are playing their cards.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Dan
August 11, 2008 - 11:54 ET by Noel SheppardDan,
It really HAS gotten delicious, hasn't it? This could be glorious. And, if in the next couple of weeks it becomes apparent that the Clintons are going to attempt this, the NAACP along with Revs. Jackson and Sharpton will likely stage HUGE demonstrations outside the convention center. YUMMY! ns
This is like a dessert
August 11, 2008 - 13:35 ET by dscottThis is like a dessert table with cherry pie, blueberry pie, lemon morange pie, key lime pie and every other conceivable delicacy. If the superdels don't vote for Obama on the first nomination ballot, they will be publicly admitting to their complicity with the Clintons. Once and for all, Black voters will finally realize they have been strung along as usual, maybe this year will be the year that Black voters finally get it. Of course at this point, the MSM, no matter why way you play it has egg on their faces (be outted as supporting Obama and being caught red handed manipulating the news). That Noel is apple pie ala mode with a #2 red dye maraschino cherry on top!
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
plagiarizing mb
August 11, 2008 - 14:31 ET by mom_roxWhen I saw Noel's update comment, my first thought was motherbelt's line, "Pass the popcorn!", though personally I would go for carrot cake.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
Just Desserts
August 11, 2008 - 15:18 ET by ChuckM from PAI was just thinking that if I was Hillary, I would be so pissed about now. Her candidacy has been stolen from her on so many accounts. BUT, since I am not Hillary, some how I am also thinking that it is just desserts for her and Bill's 8-year mockery of the Presidency. Pass the popcorn, the Dem convention is going to be very entertaining, to say the least.
A Tangled Web
August 11, 2008 - 11:59 ET by dboThere's also an Obama angle to this story. After Edwards was caught playing musical chairs and dodge ball with NE reporters last month at the Beverly Hills Hilton, I think it's reasonable to assume that Obama had a word or two with the Great Adulterer. I don't think you would have to be a great conspirator to think that Obama gave Johnny his marching orders and told him that he should "come clean" with the MSM and then get out of the way for six months. After all, the convention is just a few weeks away and this is Obama's moment in the sun. We don't need any dark clouds in the way. But the opposite has happened. Far from telling the truth, the good stuff is just getting started. A National Enquirer Editor has said that they have more documented proof that Edwards is lying and they will be releasing this info in the weeks to follow. This, as well as the most recent update with Shrillary, promises to create great internal friction at the convention. The MSM is going to be forced to cover this.
Hillary claims she would be nominee
August 11, 2008 - 15:24 ET by bigtimerI just heard on Cavuto that Hillary has just made a statement that she would be the nominee right now if it hadn't been for Edwards.
The convention may be so much danged fun after-all...(which I thought it was going to be anyway all along....heheheee)
Pass the popcorn and have a cold one ready when this show begins.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
again she has fuzzy
August 11, 2008 - 19:16 ET by docbmath ---she THOUGHT the voters would spilt Obama's vote but it was his that went to voter that went to Obama..ANOTHER LIE FROM HC..Think since her major backer owns a big share of NE...she held it in hopes that Obama picked Edwards as VP and then she could pounce...typical and asssume her throne>>>>
..ANOTHER LIE FROM
August 11, 2008 - 19:30 ET by bigtimer..ANOTHER LIE FROM HC..
docb...
Heck we wouldn't expect anything less from her now would we...
Btw...excellent points you made...I forgot all about that deal with and her meetings that had to do with the NE...therefore backers.
So right you are and excellent points.
Thanks...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
HRC woulda coulda shoulda article
August 11, 2008 - 15:32 ET by balboahttp://gawker.com/5035671/rielle-hunter-killed-hillary
I love the part where it says:
And furthermore: Wolfson says the Clintons knew the story but
didn't push it. "Any of the campaigns that would have tried to push
that would have been burned by it." Ha. Bullshit.
Wolfson's a smart guy, but...
August 11, 2008 - 15:40 ET by sarcasmoIn the end (especially if her campaign & others "knew," which might indeed be BS, but who knows?) doesn't a substantial part of his argument rely on the existence of the exact kind of media bias this site tries to expose, but which Wolfson's own partisans would try to deny in most other circumstances. And if so isn't that fact just a bit ironic??
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
I seem to recall that
August 11, 2008 - 15:40 ET by ChuckM from PAI seem to recall that Hillary claimed to have a bomb that she was going to reveal some time. I thought it was something against Obama, but maybe it was this Edwards thing. Who will this bomb blow up? It has already (potentially) ruined Hillary, but can/will she use it to blow up Obama's campaign?
Could Clinton Inc have
August 11, 2008 - 16:04 ET by Eileen RightCould Clinton Inc have the "Michelle 0" tape reported to exist and would that be enough to get her the nod?
Well if she does, and it
August 11, 2008 - 16:06 ET by bigtimerWell if she does, and it really exists, she had better get it out there....soon.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Right of first refusal
August 11, 2008 - 17:19 ET by nkviking75Perhaps Clinton's biggest problem is that in the beginning she and her campaign acted as though they had the right of first refusal on the Oval Office. They also underestimated Obama, the unqualified, obscure politician who actually got the nomination--unless the Clintons can throw a monkey wrench into the works. And they didn't consider the mine field that is running against a black for the Democrat nomination.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Now that Obama has
August 12, 2008 - 07:31 ET by dscottNow that Obama has essentially played the race card with Clinton or rather the Clintons pulled the card from his hand and played it for him, he will not get to use that card on McCain.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
→ Hasn't he already?
August 12, 2008 - 07:38 ET by Cool ArrowHasn't he already played the race card?
I ♣ my seal