Turn of Phrase - Dramatic Testimony In the Joyless Case of John Edwards

Cheri Young
Wife of ex-aide to Edwards
Photo: dailymail.co.uk

"I felt like everything had been dumped in my lap. Everybody was on board but me. ... I didn't want the campaign to explode and for it to be my fault. I ultimately decided to live with a lie."

- From the tearful testimony of Cheri Young, wife of a former John Edwards campaign aide, explaining why she lied to cover up Edwards' 2008 mid-primary extramarital affair. 

Young and her husband Andrew have admitted to conspiring with Edwards to misappropriate about $1 million in campaign donations, much of which the couple used to support Edwards' pregnant mistress.

Edwards' trial is underway in North Carolina, and the former senator faces six charges related to campaign-finance violations. He has entered a plea of not-guilty on all counts.

Few contemporary political figures have suffered as monumental a downfall as John Edwards, and the fact that his saga has been brought about by his own shameful actions makes it only slightly less tragic. 

The prominent Democrat's epic slide from legit presidential contender to philanderer to liar to criminal has all occurred in the span of a few short years. Throw his wife Elizabeth's death from cancer into the mix, and even the most vicious and hard-hearted Republican (Dick Cheney's current role) would have to feel a sense of pity for Edwards. 

If convicted, Edwards faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. That $400 haircut doesn't seem like such a big deal now, does it?