Former Senator John Edwards, a Democratic presidential hopeful for the 2008 Democratic nomination, was once a rising star in politics - a highly respected man.
Edwards has endured personal tragedy in his life and persevered. He rose from a humble beginnings and wanted everyone in this country to have the same chances he had.
Iowans believed in Edwards' ideas in his book of policies, “The Plan to Build One America”
And Edwards lead with 30 percent - followed by Clinton and Obama -in a poll of Democratic voters who said they intended to participate in the Iowa presidential caucuses.
John and his devoted wife Elizabeth have been married for over thirty years and have four children together.
She passionately supported her husband's political ambitions for many years.
During Edwards' run for the presidency observers stated that it was hard to distinguish where Elizabeth ended and John began.In November 2004, Elizabeth Edwards, revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. While being treated for her cancer, she continued to work within the Democratic Party and on her husband's campaign.
While it seemed the cancer had disappeared, Edwards and his wife announced in March 2007, that her cancer had returned, and it was diagnosed as terminal.
During Elizabeth's battle of this now terminal cancer, John Edwards engaged in an affair with Rielle Hunter.
He betrayed his dying wife, his children, his supporters and his staff.
In Elizabeth Edwards' new book she speaks of her anger and sorrow at her husband's infidelity.
Describing the moment her husband told her of his infidelities in detail, Elizabeth said, "I cried and screamed, I went to the bathroom and threw up."
Even when Edwards confessed to his wife, he lied, claiming he had slipped up just once. His original version of the story - left most of the truth out -" she writes.
Elizabeth writes that Hunter, outside a New York hotel; initially seduced Edwards using the come-on line, "You are so hot." 
She refers to her husband's mistress as a parasitic groupie who invaded their lives.
Elizabeth Edwards says that her own life may be tragic, but the mistress's life is "pathetic."
John Edwards did not publicly admit to having the affair until last August - seven months after he quit the race.
Edwards' campaign paid Hunter $114,000 to make a series of short videos about his presidential campaign, and she traveled extensively with the candidate's entourage.
We know now that Edwards could actually go to prison if it turns out he was being as unethical with his campaign cash as he was with his marriage.
It’s refreshing to know that most Americans still believe that we do have standards of morality and responsibility that we expect of each other.
*Here is a sampling of some of the comments seen around the web regarding Edwards and his mistress...
*Edwards is a coward and a player; and they don't change. He lies to every woman, and believes his own lies.
*His behavior is reprehensible. There is no excuse for his infidelity. There is no excuse for the way he cheated on his wife and family.
*On the other hand, a mistress has a big share in being responsible for the pain that will follow this family, all of their lives.
*Women who relentlessly run after married men are worthless people who are dishonest and self-serving.
*This women knew who John Edwards was and about his wife. There are words for women like her. What they have done is very wrong and they will answer to God.
*Any women who thinks it’s okay to climb in bed with a married man needs to have it done to them to see how devastating it is to not only the wife but all of the family.
The National Enquirer had reported John Edwards was the father of Hunter's infant daughter.
Edwards denied that he was the father of a baby born in February 2008, saying the affair was over before she became pregnant.
Today he admitted to yet another of his lies. He is the father.
There’s also the report that Edwards told his mistress he would marry her after Elizabeth Edwards passed away from cancer.
How devastating that must be for Elizabeth Edwards to hear after everything else she has had to face.
And what about this mistress?
She has made statements about how much she dislikes Elizabeth Edwards.
How can she even talk negatively about the woman she's wronged? Let alone this devoted loving wife who is dying of cancer?
And this low-life home-wrecker wants to disappear into "quiet dignity."
Dignity?
On the Premier of 'The Good Wife' - Julianna Marguiles' character, after being humiliated by her husband's adultery said - "It doesn't get any easier but you get better at it."
Elizabeth Edwards may not have the time to get better at it.
God Bless Elizabeth Edwards and every wife who must endure the pain of adultery.
