This is the text of a letter I wrote to Harold Fineman of Newsweek for this article. The article suggests that there may be some sordid reasons for Edwards’ quick rise through the political ranks. He doesn’t even pretend to suggest what those reasons may be… he just says that the GOP will find them and exploit them. This kind of innuendo attack is the speciality of the right… repeat an idea long enough, and people believe it. Personally, I think it’s sick. So here’s my letter.

Dear Mr. Fineman,

What was the "Is Edwards Moving Too Fast?" article? You suggest that he
might have skeletons in his closet that the GOP machine could find, yet
you offer not one shred of evidence other than his fast rise in politics.
(And, conveniently, you neglect to mention that our current President — a
man whose military records and past behaviors suggest much more to hide —
had a similar meteoric rise.)

You suggest that his drive to enter politics after his son’s death is a
ruse and compare him to a fictional alien. Just out of curiosity… what
axe against Mr. Edwards do you have, and why do you help the Rove machine
crank up their attacks against him?

— Chris Lehmann
— New York City