John Edwards should marry Rielle Hunter and spare us the gossip

Rielle Hunter’s lawyer is denying the marriage proposal rumor.[John Edwards Not Engaged to Rielle Hunter ] John Edwards is also denying the rumors, but he lost his credibility when exposed by the National Enquirer:  John Edwards to Marry Rielle Hunter? National Enquirer Hints at It.   One big reason Edwards should NOT marry Rielle Hunter – it was Elizabeth Edwards' wish that she never become the step-mother to her children.  We're with you Elizabeth, Hunter set a bad example by going after a married man, your husband. Fortunately she is one of fewer that 5 % of women who do so. See my Infidelity Fast Facts.

Three reasons he should marry her

But let’s look at the reasons that perhaps John Edwards should marry Rielle Hunter and at some point, probably will do so.

He has been in a relationship with her.

He is the father of her child – a child whom Elizabeth Edwards so very much accepted that she hoped at one point that she could have become Baby Quinn’s step mother. (As told to Larry Quinn and to Nat Burkes, see links at the end).

Elizabeth Edwards expected a blended family and acknowledged that the baby is the step-sister to her children and they would all one day share a relationship.

Elizabeth Edwards may have been angry with her husband – and cut him out of a very small will – according to filed papers a will of $1.5 million -- although he is worth $25 million and there are multiple trusts and homes. 

However, Elizabeth Edwards was also a realist.  As a mother, she knew that Rielle Hunter set a bad example to women everywhere and that she should not be rewarded with a marriage proposal.

But in her heart of hearts, she knew her husband and probably suspected that at some point, he would cave in to Rielle’s wishes.

Elizabeth, a warm and wonderful "tyrant"

And furthermore, despite the fact that we all fell in love with Elizabeth, her warmth, her courage, her honesty and dignity in the face of scandal, it has long been said that the marriage of Elizabeth and John was not one made in heaven. 

Perhaps his running for office brought out the worst in both of them. The book “Game Change” did not portray the Elizabeth we knew and loved.  But it does offer a bit of insight as to why John Edwards may have fallen for the words whispered by Rielle Hunter, “You are so hot.”  And Edwards came tumbling down. 

Clifford Pugh tells us: "A book about the 2008 presidential election, Game Change, portrayed a different woman from the "St. Elizabeth" that had previously been portrayed in the media. Authors Mark Halperin and John Heilemann depicted her as a heartless shrew who belittled her husband, launched profanity-laced tirades at the staff and became unhinged at times. She seemed like a character out of an Edward Albee play. Tellingly, no one who peddled such stories to the authors spoke for attribution; the unflattering portrayals were credited to "insiders."  

“I imagine Elizabeth Edwards wasn't nearly as saintly as some accounts portrayed her nor as crazy as Halperin and Heilemann depicted her. The truth was likely somewhere in between, just as it is with most people.” Elizabeth Edwards was no saint, but she sure was a winner - 2010

Rielle Hunter, is she somewhere in between?

As I re-read this article it occurred to me that with Rielle Hunter, the woman we all made out to be a monster, myself included,  the truth about her lies somewhere in between.  Based on what we know of John Edwards, they deserve each other.

Regarding her mothering the Edwards children -- Rielle Hunter will never really be a step mother.  We can trust that Elizabeth Edwards has given her children values to endure and survive.

A category list of articles on love, marriage, and infidelity -- appearing on the Examiner and in the Providence Journal -- are at  Rita Watson - Love Columnist

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