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Edwards Staff Planned to Sabotage Him

Affair rumors inspired 'doomsday' scheme if he led Dems

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted May 10, 2009 3:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Suspicious that John Edwards was having an affair, several of his campaign staffers drew up a “doomsday” plan to take him down if he seemed likely to win the Democratic nomination, George Stephanopoulos blogs for ABC News. Most staffers dismissed the rumors, but a few close advisers saw the light by early last year. Describing themselves as “Democrats first,” they agreed on a back-up plan to derail the campaign.

"Think about what a tragedy it would have been if he had won?" said political commentator George Will today.

In this image made from video and provided by Chuck Olsen, Rielle Hunter films John Edwards after a rally in New Hampshire on Friday, Dec. 29, 2006. Edwards had an affair with Hunter.
In this image made from video and provided by Chuck Olsen, Rielle Hunter films John Edwards after a rally in New Hampshire on Friday, Dec. 29, 2006. Edwards had an affair with Hunter.   (AP Photo/Chuck Olsen)
In an Oct. 7, 2008 file photo Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards, speaks during a press conference on health care  in Richmond, Va.
In an Oct. 7, 2008 file photo Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards, speaks during a press conference on health care in Richmond, Va.   (AP Photo/Steve Helber/file)
Former presidential candidate John Edwards answers a student's question after delivering a speech at Brown University in Providence, RI, Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
Former presidential candidate John Edwards answers a student's question after delivering a speech at Brown University in Providence, RI, Tuesday, March 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Robert_Dada
May 11, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
John Edwards is a huge disappointment and needs to do us all a favor and retreat from the public.
freethemall
May 11, 2009 4:11 AM CDT
It would be easier for me to forgive John Edwards for his human failings if he hadn't been one of those who self righteously condemned Bill Clinton for his.

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