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Thurs.: It ain't pretty
posted at 2009-08-13 21:41 | Last modified 2009-08-13 21:41
Ick, Part 1
Unnamed sources are telling WRAL that former Senator and presidential hopeful John Edwards will make a “major announcement” soon regarding the child of his mistress, Rielle Hunter’s. You might remember that when the story broke last year, Edwards went on record admitting to an affair with Hunter, but insisted it had ended long before the child was conceived. He said the child’s father was his former aide, Andrew Young. This summer, Young started shopping around a book in which he says Edwards, not he, is the child’s father. And yesterday, the National Enquirer (don’t scoff – they broke the story to start with) reported a “secret DNA test” proved Edwards’ paternity.
Ick, Part 2
Wilmington TV station WWAY reported yesterday that Senator R.C. Soles is the target of an FBI investigation. The story included unsubstantiated allegations by two young male former “clients” that Soles had tried to molest them. In one case, Soles had been providing financial support to the “troubled” teen, including buying him a house. But the two apparently had a falling-out, after which the house caught fire in what investigators suspect is an arson case.
It doesn’t get any prettier from there. In fact, “pretty” is as far from this story as you can get. Either a 40-year state Senator has committed crimes, or people who benefited from his former generosity are now trying to take him out by any means possible. Or maybe it’s somewhere in-between.
And it gets weirder: WECT is reporting tonight that Soles will represent the teen for whom he bought the house, Allen Strickland, in court Friday. No indictment has yet been issued in the federal case, and it’s worth remembering that Soles has been indicted before on other charges but found not guilty. I’ll let you know when there’s more to say on this one.
Changing horses?
Governor Bev Perdue has hired a new staffer. Pearse Edwards (no relation to John as far as anyone knows) is leaving his post as spokesman to Washington Gov Christine Gregoire to come to work for Perdue as her "senior communications and policy advisor." Perdue spokesman Tim Crowley says Edwards’ salary will be $136,000.
The announcement yesterday generated plenty of questions and complaints about whether the state’s hiring freeze has been lifted. (For the record, “essential personnel” have been exempted from the freeze since it was imposed.) But Crowley says the Governor intends to loosen the freeze on all state agencies. Coming soon (maybe Friday), she’ll give agency heads more discretion over their budgets, easing restrictions on hiring, travel, training, etc. They already know they won’t have much money; but they’ll have more say than they’ve had since January over how to spend it.
With Perdue’s poll numbers in the cellar, you can’t help but wonder whether she’s decided to bring in a fresh face to reshape her political strategy. But I’m told that’s not the case. Zach Ambrose will continue as her chief of staff, and everyone else is staying, too. Edwards’ job will be more focused on coordinating different areas and looking at long-term, big-picture issues.
Comments? Drop me a line.
