Nearly one hundred years young, Bunny Mellon, wife of the late Paul Mellon (yes that Mellon: banks, railroads, priceless art collection, inheritor of robber-baron money) took a shine to a handsome senator seeking the presidency: Johnny Reid Edwards. It was not the first go-around for Ms. Mellon. She was smitten, 50 years earlier, by another dashing senator seeking the presidency: John Fitzgerald Kennedy. It is an open secret that she is the individual identified in an indictment issued last week by a North Carolina grand jury charging Mr. Edwards with conspiracy, false claims and violations of Federal Election Law.
The indictment springs from Mr. Edwards’ extramarital affair, his fathering of a child in connection with that affair, and most importantly his involvement (according to the indictment) in an expensive (over $700,000) and detailed effort to cover up, quiet down, and just plain sweep under the rug this transgression. And while this was going on, his wife was battling cancer and he was charging around the country claiming to be a crusader for family values (nice try Johnny Reid), working families, and the poor.
A couple of observations as the newest episode of “What are these guys thinking?” ramps up.
First, “Senator Edwards, meet Congressman Weiner, Congressman meet the Senator.” I hope Johnny Reid keeps to his Southern manners and thanks the ‘Gentleman from New York.’
Edwards: “Andy, can I call you Andy? Appreciate the timing. Your lame photos on Twitter took me off the front page. I became yesterday’s news in more ways than one.”
Weiner: “No worries dude, what were you thinking anyway?
Edwards: "No, what were you thinking?"
This reprehensible behavior is nothing new. Sadly, it is part of our political culture. From Alexander Hamilton to Grover Cleveland, to Sumner Wells, Wilbur Mills and Bob Packwood, men in power in Washington all too often forget why they are there. They besmirch the reputation of all in government and my feeling is no punishment is too severe. No level of deterrence will end this shameful conduct, but knowing jail is in your future may well have a chilling effect similar to a cold shower on these men of Washington.
I met John Edwards briefly on the 2008 campaign trail at a fund raiser. He was filled with poise and confidence. It was at a fundraiser where he earnestly and passionately spoke of his desire to be president. I was falsely convinced he had a chance. Yet all the while, he knew he was lying to all of us at the fundraiser. He of course knew of his affair and he knew that the National Enquirer had the story and that it was only a matter of time before the truth would surface, but he stayed silent. It reminds me of Bill Clinton’s big lie: “I did not have sex with that woman.” Senator Edwards took millions of dollars knowing he was living a lie. He was no different than a Ponzi scheme operator or a trader who fails to advise the other side of the trade that he has inside information. Is Edwards any different than Bernie Madoff or Raj Rajarartan? They all took people’s money based on a lie. A big lie.
I’m told that the prosecutors have a rough road ahead. Edwards will have first-rate counsel and the statute he has violated was never applied to this precise context. Not to mention Bunny Mellon is 100 years old and almost certain not to testify. But I wish the team from DOJ luck and I humbly believe they made the right decision bringing this case to a grand jury.
Stay tuned, folks.