As the Olympics began this past Friday night and many Americans were joined together in front of TV screens to cheer for Team USA, ABC’s Nightline took some of the spotlight away with a revealing interview with Senator John Edwards to discuss his confession to an extramarital affair that he had previously denied. He admitted that he had outwardly lied about his affair with 44 year-old Rielle Hunter, shaking up his image as a devoted husband and family man. John Edwards claims it was a short liaison with Hunter in 2006, and, though he had told his wife not long after, he has been keeping the story under wraps.

The host of Nightline had no qualms about digging deep into Edwards’ motives:

WOODRUFF: Your wife, Elizabeth, is probably the most admired and beloved person in this country, she’s had enormous sympathy because she’s also gone through cancer, how could you have done this?

Not really an easy question to answer. Edwards didn’t do the greatest job of answering it, either. He starts off informing Woodruff that she was actually in remission during the affair, which he states was obviously no excuse (well, of course not). Edwards did make a good point that he, like many other politicians/CEOs/people of inflated power and stature have, fell prey to egotism, narcissism, and overall self-importance which led him to act like he was beyond the acceptable moral code of society.

The interview continued with his denial of being the father of Hunter’s child and that he was photographed with her baby (though his language presents an “answer” but still seems to kind of get out of it). He also denies that he was paying any hush money to Hunter (even though evidence suggests otherwise).

Seriously though, extramarital affairs in politics are becoming the DUI of Hollywood. It’s not too long ago that news about previous New Jersey governor McGreevey disclosing his gay affair was released, or we were being bombarded by the media about former New York governor Spitzer and his link to a prostitution ring. At least John Edwards didn’t have his wife stand awkwardly beside him as he told all.

As a public figure, there needs to be a little more thought that goes into one’s actions. Politicians and celebrities are considered role models, and though I know “we are all human and make mistakes,” lying about an affair to the American public (who would be voting for you, endorsing you, entrusting you with political affairs) on top of actually having one is pretty skeezy. I’m sure you are recalling Bill Clinton’s “I did not have sexual relations with that woman!” statement, and, interestingly, John Edwards condemned Bill Clinton’s behavior as irresponsible previously. Strange how the world works.

Nightline‘s Woodruff also threw this out on his show:

WOODRUFF: Do you think your political career is completely over?

EDWARDS: I’m not sure I had a political career for the future anyway. I’m not sure that politics was what I wanted to spend my life doing.

Right… but you were running for the Democratic presidential candidacy and were considered for/probably excited about possibly getting a vice-presidential nod or Cabinet position. Good thing this came out before he would have gotten to the White House.

So, what are your thoughts?

[You can read parts of the Nightline transcript here.]

Mike’s Election Guide, a “manual mockery for the 2008 Presidential election”, will no doubt be full of the snide, polarizing, and sometimes funny comments Moore has made a career out of making.

Will he crack a lot of jokes about McCain being as old as Jesus’s sandals (hey, thats a good one!)? Will he go after Obama’s young, rabid fans who have decided to vote for the guy based purely on some YouTube video full of really sincere celebrities (hey, another good one!)? Will he throw in some jabs about Bush being stupid? How about a chapter devoted to how politicians are all the same and why voting for UFO loving Kucinich is the way to salvation (and medicinal marijuana for all)?

His book isn’t even out yet, and when it does come out, I probably won’t read it, but I can guess that all of my musings and MORE will be included in Mike’s Election Guide. I mean, why not? There’s a lot of miliage to be had at the expense of political figures. Especially if they’re A) really old B) have acquired a rabid Birkenstock fanbase or C) are really stupid.

Moore’s book will undoubtly be available at your nearest hippie co-op and liberal bookstore, right next to the aisle dedicated to meditation crystals.

[photo from barnesandnoble.com]

Many candidates running in the primaries are able to go back to their political careers nearly unscathed by the political process. It is already clear, however, that this campaign will have a lasting effect upon the political trajectories of both Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton.

As a recent New York Times article comments, Obama’s campaign can be summed up in one word: growth. Obama’s campaign has only added to the inspirational picture portrayed through his two-bestselling books, “Dreams of My Father”, and “The Audacity of Hope”. He is compared to Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King to such an extent that some fear for his personal safety.

Clinton’s campaign, on the other hand, seems to be increasingly about mudslinging and accusations. The New York Times featured an article on Hilary’s “5-point attack” leading up to the primaries in Ohio and Texas. From attacking Obama of hypocrisy over campaign ad spending to comparing his foreign policy to that of President Bush, it is obvious that she has decided to risk all during these last few months. Should Hilary loose, it is possible that her tactics during this race will haunt her political career.

Steve McMahon , an independent Democratic strategist comments that:

“There’s a general rule in politics: A legitimate distinction which could be effective when drawn early in the campaign often backfires and could seem desperate when it happens in the final hours of a campaign.”

Clinton would do well to hearken to such advice. Her attacks only allow Obama to improve his image as a leader rising above politics. In response to the uproar over the Somali photo, Obama remarked;

“At this stage of the campaign, there are going to be dust-ups, particularly at the staff level…Certainly I don’t think that photograph was circulated to enhance my candidacy. I think that’s fair to say. Do I think it’s reflective of Sen. Clinton’s approach to campaigning? Probably not. And so at this point, my interest is just moving forward and talking about the issues that are going to be helpful to the people of Ohio.”

Whether a Hillary or Obama supporter you must admit that such a comment plays much better in the media than Hilary’s “Shame on you, Barack Obama” comment this past Sunday.

Much of the excitement over this presidential race stems from its historic nature. With John Edwards out of the race the Democratic candidate for president will either be first female or the first African American. Since, as political commentators have already pointed out, the two candidates’ positions are fairly similar, the race easily boils down to personality and race/gender.

A lesson for the books: While such an atmosphere lends itself to attack ads, moderation is an important quality to keep in mind. Going too far only gives your opponent more opportunities to demonstrate your lack of presidential qualities.

MTV

Surprisingly enough, the cast and crew actually appear to have some talent. Lawson reportedly worked with Clint Eastwood on “Letters from Iwo Jima,” and one cast member has acted on “The West Wing.”

All this begs the question of… why? The movie’s site makes it clear that the cast and crew support Obama, but maybe they could’ve donated a few thousand to his campaign instead of making a movie that depicts him as a singing killer of vampires.

On the other hand, I have to admit that this will grab people’s attention more than a drop in Obama’s campaign bucket would. MTV asks the question “Is all publicity really good publicity?” but I don’t think that’s the issue. In fact, I think the real question here is: why does Obama’s persona lend itself so well to multimedia inspirations?

I’m not gonna lie. When I was undecided about whom to vote for in the primaries, Obama Girl and her famous video made me first sit up and actually take notice of the canidate she was singing about. Hey, I can’t help it if the song is catchy! And now that I’ve actually found out more about Obama, I’m a supporter all the way (and I really can’t get the freaking song out of my head).

So, maybe the question about “Barackula” shouldn’t be why, but why not? If it gets a few more voters who have a penchant for vampires, Harvard, coeds, or musicals to give a longer look to Obama and what he stands for, then I’m all for it.

• Hillary exposes her inner Tracy Flick in this video.

• Spencer & Heidi will have a fake wedding after all.

• Diane Keaton drops the F-Bomb on GMA.

• The Best Thing to Ever go on Sale on Craigslist EVER?

• Underwear is outerwear in 2008.

• John Mayer wants football fans to back off of Jessica Simpson.