Update (Jan. 27, 2010): Edwards infidelity has now fractured his family. According to her sister, John and Elizabeth have split. None of his children will have a cohesive set of parents. Way to go Senator.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/27/edwards.split/index.html?hpt=T2

Original blog post: It seems almost decades ago that Sen. John Edwards was the golden boy of politics. He had the charm, positive message, and squeeky clean image that nearly propelled him to the White House. He even tugged at the heart strings by "helping" his wife Elizabeth as she courageously battled breast cancer.

But, that was oh so long ago. Now we have just another example of power leading to corruption. It seems he was unable to be the morally sound, religiously humbled, and emotional bulwark he wanted us to believe. He had an affair with a married staff member while his wife was being treated for cancer, he tried to bribe her husband to keep it quiet, and he denied the child he created.

Millions of men around the world fight to prove their paternity of a child on a daily basis. They want to step up and not only be a father and take on that mantle of responsibility, but be recognized for such a noble role. Courts, spouses, and the media throw obstacles in their way that are nearly unimaginable to those who have not experienced the system. They are denied a basic yet critical role of fatherhood. Despite all of that, John Edwards, a man who has drafted legislation which impacts family court proceedings and funding, had the nerve to stand before the world and deny his role, his obligation, and the child herself. Sen. Edwards uttered this phrase about the war while campaigning, "I was wrong to vote for this war. Unfortunately, I'll have to live with that forever. And the lesson I learned from it is to put more faith in my own judgment." Respectfully Senator, your judgment remained flawed long after the decision to invade.

Via released press statement, he has admitted today -nearly three years after her conception- that he is indeed the father. "It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me". To deny paternity can be extremely confusing and disappointing to a child. It brings a barrage of questions about self worth, importance within the family, external perception, and a need to prove something. She can now wonder why her father chose politics and popular opinion over her. He chose his career and "other" family over her. He was proud enough to claim paternity of his children with Elizabeth, but not her. The psychological impact can be astounding. Is someone ever able to understand that?

Unfortunately for the little baby now trapped amidst the poor decisions of adults, her mother seems to be of little moral help. Rielle Hunter was a married women who carried out an affair with a married man and, like Sen. Edwards, wasn't intelligent enough to prevent a pregnancy. Their juvenile thinking produced...well...a juvenile!

The media will do nothing to help anyone in this situation. They will continue to exacerbate the drama with little concern for its real and long-term impact. They will punish and humiliate Sen. Edwards far more harshly than Ms. Hunter. (Another example of an anti-male and anti-dad bias.) And worst of all, they will haunt the young girl who is innocent in all of this and ensure a far distance from anything resembling a normal and healthy childhood.

Finally accepting responsibility is a positive step from Sen. Edwards and we hope he continues to have many more and makes every effort to be a strong male role model for his newest child.

Source article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/21/edwards.baby/index.html?hpt=T2