More Edwards

I am not one who is easily offended.  However, the Edwards statement released yesterday is wholly

insufficient.

The Politico ran a story today featuring the Religious Left's reaction
to the Edwards flap.  You can check it out for yourself at: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2693.html

I am not one who is easily offended.  I know that people involved in
politics are prone to hyperbole — and bloggers even more so. 
Furthermore, I am sensitive to the Edwards campaign's concerns about
caving to what they must see as the over-reaction of the Catholic
Right.  However, the Edwards statement released yesterday is wholly
insufficient.

Although I am pleased by the fact that Edwards was offended by the
posts, he went on to explain, "I've talked to Amanda and Melissa; they
have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign
anyone's faith, and I take them at their word.  We're beginning a great
debate about the future of our country, and we can't let it be
hijacked. It will take discipline, focus, and courage to build the
America we believe in."

Excuse me.  Not meant to malign?  That may very well have been Amanda
Marcotte's intentions (I can't say that I've every been inside her
head), but the available evidence suggests otherwise.  

The Politico gives us a small piece of one of her posts, "What if Mary
had taken Plan B after the Lord filled her with his hot, white, sticky
Holy Spirit?"  Such statements aren't meant to malign?  Come on, Mr.
Edwards.  What are such statements meant to do?  Furthermore, I am not
sure if Edwards, in his statement, is criticizing people like me
(people of faith somewhat offended by Ms. Marcotte's musings) for
lacking "discipline, focus and courage" in allowing his "great debate"
to be "hijacked" by this issue.  Regardless, I think it is assinine for
Edwards to ignore Ms. Marcotte's likely intent to malign and provoke.

Now, I'm certainly not calling on Edwards to fire these staffers.  All
I am asking is for some of that newfound John Edwards candor — that
straight-talk.  I'm also wondering what some of the other potential
Democratic '08ers think of all of this.