Thomas Dunne Books The Politician: An Insider's Account of John Edwards's Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down

What Price Loyalty?

3/19/2010

One word of warning, (and meaning on disrespect to the author) those uninterested in the rather mundane details of the author's personal life, and his spats with Mrs. Edwards (and since in most cases the reader will have to fill in the blanks himself anyway to really determine what happened) not much is missed by skipping forward to chapter eight of the book.

When the author implies up front that his motives are to tell the truth, make money, and settle scores (not necessarily in that order) then not much remains left to the reader's imagination. Despite this, the truth, to the extent it is to be found at all in this book, remains curiously buried among the many other priorities and inessential but elusive details - most of which are of the "he-said she-said" variety. The "meaty stuff" begins at chapter eight as the narrative turns to telling us how, with a calculated self-destruction difficult to understand, John Edwards began his tawdry affair with a new age space cadet and low-level party girl, Rielle Hunter. There began his ignominious, fiery and steep descent into political hell and possibly into political oblivion. One that so far has only been matched by Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky and Tiger Woods playing sexual Russian Roulette with his family, his health, and his multi-billion dollar career.

How did the gifted, charismatic, ambitious, photogenic John Edwards do it? The short answer the author gives appears in the final paragraphs of the book. It is that in the glare of the public sun, the deeper flaws of Edward's character and personality began to reveal themselves and finally inexorably overtook him. The long answer is that it was a slow agonizing human progression: political death by a thousand little deceptions (self deception being the first and most important one); a thousand little white lies, and a thousand little betrayals: all minimized but yet accumulating to eventually tip the scales of Edward's own mental equilibrium.

Some may consider it a side issue but usually when men are successful, the clich?? would have us believe that it is the women behind them responsible. Is it unreasonable to ask: Where are these women when their men fail? Are they then like gods who share in the glory but not in the blame? It's just a rhetorical question that keeps being begged as these tawdry affairs continue unfolding among both "powerful and not so powerful couples."

It appears that the number one lesson from this story is that the glare of the political sun quickly singes our erstwhile heroes' outer skins: consumes their exteriors, churning and turning charisma, political charm, hubris, good looks, blind ambition and talent into a kind of situational psychosis, a kind of cultural psychopathology that we keep seeing over and over again. Tiger blamed his descent on flawed judgment brought on by the intense glare. Bill Clinton did too. But this author's short answer seems to make the more sense in all these cases: Character inhibits from the inside out. Situations can challenge character but cannot overwhelm it. When character is there, the threat of the glare is averted. When its not, voila: Edwards, Clinton and Woods. In short, we might conclude from this lesson that character may be the only shield against the blinding sun of hubris, talent, fame, ambition and unconditional public adulation.

The author claims to have held on for dear life on the roller-coaster ride down the steep decline because he believed in the Edwards vision: The price of loyalty was bought at the altar of a greater vision. But anyone who reads carefully between the lines might challenge Young's version of events, of his undying loyalty and even his own motives. After all he admits that he was well-paid, although he never even gave us a ball park figure. My calculations based on perks alone should have put him in the 200-300k bracket. If so, that's not bad for a ten-year career as a political functionary. He built two houses in ten years, at least one of which was on a lake. He also was getting a percentage of the funds he raised. Money like that can buy a lot of loyalty, vision or no vision.

The author also claimed to have been innocent of the games the powerful and treacherous play, yet when he was finally dealt a winning hand at the table of the "big dogs" based on his guilty secret knowledge of Edward's affair, he had no problem playing it like a professional. This book is itself only exhibit two. Exhibit one was the author's anemic attempt at blackmailing the Edward's and his fawning before Edward's "big dog" contributors. This "acquired taste and skill in treachery" just may have been a case of "when in Rome do as Romans, "as the author suggests, or an imperative in the heat of battle to save his family income, but somehow one doubts it.

The larger issue is this. Many of us supported John Edwards (and later Barack Obama) even though they saw as I did something sinister behind that sly insincere Southern grin that is difficult to trust. But what were the choices? The Chicago politician? Or one half of the couple who presided over but denied knowledge of Mena Arkansas? Or the Annapolis bad boy from Arizona? [You see my point?]

From any angle in the American political and cultural firmament, we see cheapness, tawdriness, liars and conmen, most are like John Edwards, clad in sheep skin, pawning themselves off as respectable men and women but who cannot wait to turn their faces to the burning sun. Two stars

Politics - John Edwards/Andrew Young

3/18/2010

This book kept my interest, and of course I was disappointed when I read about the scandal that caused John Edwards to lose his candidacy for the presidency. I never thought he was sincere and it's a shame for him and his family that his political career had to end this way. This shows me even more how hard it is to trust any candidate. The power and adoration they receive does something to a politician, even if they start out wanting to do all the right things for the people, it ends along the way when they fight any way they can to win. I felt sorry for Andrew Young and his family, but he brought it on himself. It's a good book - well written, even if it disgusts you. Of course anything with scandal in it showing what happens behind the scenes does make you want to read it unfortunately.

John Edward-presidential material?

3/17/2010

Very fast reading. It's sad to read that John Edwards growing up a nice (kind of spoiled) young man with good morals, got caught up in the political game, and makes you realize that most people in Washington are out for themselves and not for the people in their state.

One of the best books of the year!

3/17/2010

I read a handful of political 'tell all stories' and really enjoyed Game Change and Renegade, and think The Politician is the best so far. I know Andrew Young is not a professional journalist or does he have any relevant experience in writing biographies or publishing. All that being said, the story is amazing, his writing is A+, and when you start reading this book you will not be able to put it down!

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading political dramas, or even books by Michael Creighton and/or John Grisham. It is the best!!!

UNBELIEVABLE

3/16/2010

Like many others i read this book in almost 1 sitting- couldnt put it down and kept saying..."This can't be true, this can't be true" I am probably the LEAST judgemental person around but man, these people are horrible. I actually felt like i needed to take a shower after i finished it! Interesting read, no one comes off looking good and while I felt bad at times for the author I find it hard to believe he was so naive and so blind for 10 years...