John Edwards (Supposedly) Caught by the Enquirer

The National Enquirer has reported that former North Carolina senator and possible veep for Barack Obama John Edwards has been caught visiting his mistress Rielle Hunter and their love child.

Can someone say "crazy"?

According to the release, National Enquirer reporter Alan Butterfield saw Edwards enter the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles and take an alternate route to an elevator to go to Hunter's room, going "out of his way not to be seen." The article claimed the he did not leave the hotel until early the next morning.

The release added that as he was about to leave the hotel at around 2:40 a.m. (PST), Edwards was approached by a number of National Enquirer reporters. Included was Senior National Enquirer Reporter Alexander Hitchen, who asked the former senator "why he was visiting [Hunter] and whether he was ready to confirm that he was the father of her baby."

Edwards, apparently trapped by the reporters, had to be escorted from the hotel by security, who denied the National Enquirer reporters from questioning Edwards further.

Hitchen said that "Edwards looked like a deer caught in headlights" after they had questioned him about the rendezvous with Hunter.

What amused me about this National Enquirer exclusive was how descriptive it was. It made note of Edwards being "shocked to see a reporter" and "[doubling] back" into the basement where he was about to take the elevator after "spotting a photographer."

So there was a photographer present with the National Enquirer? Really? Where are the photos of this event with Edwards? Surely there would be pictures of the confrontation by now.

This is not the National Enquirer's first attempt at smearing Edwards with a love affair. In December 2007, the National Enquirer said that Hunter was more than sixth months pregnant with Edwards' child, citing a source "very close to the 43-year-old divorcee Rielle."

I need not mention that the "close source" to Rielle Hunter is anonymous.

Edwards, of course, denied the allegation, saying, "The story is false. It's completely untrue, ridiculous. Anyone who knows me knows that I have been in love with the same woman for 30-plus years."

That "same woman" is Elizabeth Edwards, who has been notably seen with her husband on his campaign trail when he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with breast cancer November 2004. She has since released a book called "Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers" in 2006, which is about her battle with breast cancer as well as the death of her son in a tragic accident.

On top of this story, the National Enquirer now reported that Edwards' close friend Andrew Young is claiming to be the father of Rielle Hunter's child. The tabloid, though, believes that the claim is a cover-up on behalf of Edwards himself.

But who says this to the National Enquirer?

Exclusive "sources," also anonymous.

How does the National Enquirer get away with stories that use so many anonymous sources? If their story is true - anything is possible, after all, though I sincerely think it's unlikely - then there have to be individuals willing to go on the record. A report by the National Enquirer (or any source of information) needs to hold some accountability.

Jeez, what's next? A story accusing, say, Sen. Barack Obama with being unpatriotic - or worse, a terrorist?

... Oh, wait.

Sources:

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/sen_john_edwards_caught_with_mistress_and_love_child_in_la_hotel/celebrity/65193