Edwards Does the Right Thing

Today John Edwards posted a statement on his campaign's blog where he does several things: he makes it clear that he can distinguish between personal and professional activities engaged in by his employees; he is willing to communicate with his employees and trust that they are good to their word; and he isn't going to let his campaign be hijacked by the goon squad on the right.

This shouldn't have taken 36 hours to work itself out, but I am confident that Edwards will learn from this experience. There is genuine criticism to be had in the American body politic, and that is criticism that should be addressed forthrightly, but the kind of bogus smear politics utilized by so many on the right should be brushed off immediately. Next time, I'll be watching for more immediacy.

And humor, John. A little mockery goes a long way! Having your surrogates use the word "hack" is worth bonus points!

Oh, and Tim Grieve--I love you, but you've got to do better. (Update: And on that theme, it's worth noting that Alex Koppelman and Rebecca Traister actually wrote that item in Tim Grieve's War Room. Oh, the irony of making a mistake right there. Le sigh.)