Dems Pressing Edwards to Address Rumors

Democrats, led by a former party chairman, are urging former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) to address before the party’s convention later this month tabloid reports alleging that he fathered a child out of wedlock.

At stake is Edwards’s opportunity to speak at the convention, which is usually given to presidential candidates who won delegates during the primaries, the Democrats said. Edwards, who has called the National Enquirer reports “tabloid trash” but has yet to directly answer questions about them, still holds at least six pledged delegates.

“If there is not an explanation that’s satisfactory, acceptable and meets high moral standards, the answer is ‘No,’ he would not be a prime candidate to make a major address to the convention,” said Don Fowler, former Democratic Party chairman, in the Charlotte Observer.

Fowler has made similar comments to the New York Daily News and the Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer.

Gary Pearce, a former Edwards campaign strategist, said that he “absolutely” has to answer questions about the reports.