Edwards could have been president

Even Richard Cohen is admitting the thought is horrifying. By now, you've all heard the absolutely horrendous stories about John Edwards, his behavior, his character, his utter faithlessness to both principles and his family. What is most shocking is that the press KNEW all this...and covered for him! Do you think they would have covered for a REPUBLICAN? Of course not. It makes one question what ELSE they know that they don't tell, simply out of partisanship and lack of love for the country. Spare us the handwringing, Mr. Cohen.

We have substituted the camera - fame, celebrity - for both achievement and the studied judgment of colleagues. The political machine, the organization, even the parties themselves are gone, severely atrophied or discredited as (ugh) mainstream. They once served as filters, admission committees, but they have been replaced by a sham familiarity - fame at its most beguiling and dangerous. This was John Edwards. He's not a scandal. He's a lesson.