John Edwards cites love for wife despite affair

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A former aide to John Edwards says in a new book that the two-time presidential candidate told him he thought about leaving his wife but also cited his love for her as a reason to hide details of an affair, the Wall Street Journal reported on its website.

Andrew Young says in ‘The Politician’ that Edwards asked him to go into hiding with Edwards’ mistress, in part because of his wife’s health. Elizabeth Edwards has an incurable form of cancer that returned in 2007.

Young wrote that Edwards concluded ‘that if I helped him, I would make Mrs. Edwards’ dying days a bit easier. ‘I know you’re mad at her, Andrew, but I love her. I can’t let her die knowing this.’ ‘

Young provides an unflattering portrait of Edwards, talking about his obsession with campaign donations, his fixation with his hair, his disapproval of ‘fat rednecks’ at state fairs and the lengths he went to hide the affair.

Edwards acknowledged for the first time last week that he fathered a child with Rielle Hunter.

Young describes the discovery of a videotape showing Edwards and a naked Hunter.

‘It was like watching a traffic pileup occur in slow motion — it was repelling but also transfixing,’ he writes, according to the Journal.

An Edwards spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

His wife has declined to discuss their marital status.

-- Associated Press