The title was a random selection. But it was an interesting read into behind-the-scenes of American politics. Andrew Young was the 'body man' of John Edwards, a two-time Presidential hopeful and once VP hopeful. What his book has done is open up a can of worms seldom seen. I mean, we know most politicians are there for the power, wealth and fame. Service to the nation - somehow that rings kinda hollow these days. Service to self first I think, then nation would be apt. Own survival first..
Edwards is good looking, had a bright future, came across as a family man rooted in his Christian faith; that's the glossy part. Now for the worms - he kept a mistress and fathered a child. But for 2 years he got Andrew, his 'body man' to claim paternity to his child while he denied all the rumours and allegations of his extramarital affair. He was gunning for the Democrats' nomination to run for President. And to make him look even worse, his wife had terminal cancer.
But after reading the book, one cannot help but wonder what kind of people the author (Andrew) and his wife are too. I get the impression that he knew what he was in for and his determination to take the crap that came with the job is at worst, still very admirable. There was no doubt that he was a lackey boy for the Senator. It's clear to see that money and a future at the White House were what he was after... can't blame him on that too. Ambition is after all what drives us! Of course he claimed he believed John Edwards would be good for the country. But politics can sometimes be likened to betting on a horse in a race. You place your money on a horse you think has potential and hope it wins. That's why we have financial backers for each candidate; each one hoping that they too win big when their 'horse' wins.
Politics is about getting the masses to support a candidate. In the old days, protection from the leader would have sufficed. The one who gets to be king (leader) would be the one with the ability to provide that. Life is more sophisticated now.... it's no longer just about the 'protection'. It's about how much the leader can reward his supporters too. And down the chain the rewards will filter, with those closest to him getting the most. But I'd say this arrangement benefits the masses more now than the older model.
I googled everything about the Edwards... seems the revelation of this book has caused Elizabeth and John to separate. It's in-news thing in the US now. John Edwards has recently admitted to fathering the child (who is 2 now) with his mistress. Well, on hindsight we could also say the people saw through him and he didn't get voted to one of the most powerful political seats in the world. But then again, Bill Clinton too had an extra-marital affair. Makes you wonder how much of the glossy pictures the politicians paint are actually covering up the dirt. Politics is after all about packaging your product for purchase... whether or not we buy it!
In Malaysia, we too have our own versions... the one caught on tape in a hotel room, another whom people alleged to have had a hand in blowing up a lady, yet another alleged to have sodomized his own kind.... but they've had better luck and pulling wool over their electorates. Their wives too, are remarkable (and ambitious) and in the likes and leagues of Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Edwards.
This was a surprisingly interesting book.... So, coming in at number 11 for the year, my first 'political' book. BTW, it's on the best-seller list. It means Andrew Young must have made a small fortune publishing it too, though his allegations of having a tape of Edwards and his mistress in compromising acts seems to have landed him with an order to be jailed for not producing it to the courts.... These are stuff that makes the gossip papers, talk shows, etc, etc... There are always people who like to 'mengumpat' and watch with glee all these downfall sagas...
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