Defending John Edwards

John Edwards may have made a mistake in his personal life. Had he won the Democratic nomination, it may very well have cost him the election and led to us talking about President-Elect McCain. However, this is no reason that John Edwards should be shunned by all. People (Democrats) are willing to say that despite Bill Clinton's adultery, he was still a good president because his policies are more important than his affairs. Why can't we say the same thing about John Edwards?

There seem to be two lines of thinking regarding John Edwards, one of which comes mostly from Republicans the other from Democrats. The Republicans routinely cite their party as the family values party. They list several examples of Democrats who were not good "family men" including Clinton and Edwards. However, when the discussion turns to their family, immediately "family is off limits." This is an obvious example of hypocrisy.

However, the attitude of Democrats towards Edwards is as bad as the Republicans. We are rightfully sick of Republicans being hypocrites about family values and bringing one's personal life into politics. However, rather than fight for keeping politics out of the bedroom, we give in to the Republicans and turn our backs on a politician with excellent ideas, who happens to be a "lousy" husband. What goes on between Edwards and his wife (or another woman) is no one's business.

It is one thing to be realistic and prefer another candidate than Edwards, knowing that Edwards will face challenges. But to throw him under the bus is entirely wrong. Here is a list of some of the ideas Edwards has considered important:

-Mandatory Universal Health Insurance
-Withdrawing from Iraq as soon as safely possible
-Eliminating poverty by trying to integrate poor people into middle-class communities (which ends up including better services such as education)
-College for everyone
-Fighting global warming
-Energy Independence
-Pro-choice
-Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens

Any of these ideas sound familiar? John Edwards to a large extent is the reason we are talking about universal health care today. And yet, we are all willing to throw this guy under the bus because of an extra-marital legal affair. Considering the results, it would be questionable to argue that Edwards would be a better candidate than Obama. But to act like this guy is the plague and shouldn't be talked about doesn't make any sense.