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Edwards Responds to Critics

She agreed to book before affair surfaced

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2009 10:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – Elizabeth Edwards responded today to the critics who’ve been lambasting her for releasing her tell-all book, telling Matt Lauer she’d agreed to write the book before John’s affair surfaced, and hadn’t intended to write about it. She said that during John’s presidential run she’d only known about “a single night, a single moment of weakness,” and that had she known the full story, “I probably would have been more adamant about his not running.”

Asked if she was looking for revenge on “the woman”—Edwards asked that Rielle Hunter’s name not be used—she said, “That was never my purpose.” She said she didn't mean to call Hunter herself "pathetic," but to call what she considers a parasitic lifestyle “pathetic.” “It’s a lifestyle that makes me feel sorry for these people.” And despite everything, she still loves John. “He made this one mistake, so do I throw out all the good stuff and say that doesn’t matter?”

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

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)

Elizabeth Edwards speaks to the audience at the National Constitution Center about health care in the upcoming presidential election, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Elizabeth Edwards appears on the NBC "Today" television program in New York Monday, May 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Elizabeth Edwards is interviewed on the NBC "Today" television program in New York Monday, May 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Elizabeth Edwards is interviewed by Matt Lauer, co-host of the NBC "Today" television program, in New York Monday, May 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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Edwards Responds to Critics