Doomed: Edwards Says He Lied, Had Affair

By RHONDA SCHWARTZ and BRIAN ROSS/ABC News ~ John Edwards repeatedly lied during his Presidential campaign about an extramarital affair with a novice filmmaker, the former Senator admitted to ABC News today.

In an interview for broadcast tonight on Nightline, Edwards told ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff he did have an affair with 44-year old Rielle Hunter, but said that he did not love her.

[Democratic Party insiders were quoted as saying the admission dooms any chance Edwards had of being selected as Barack Obama's running mate, and likely dooms any chance Edwards had of being named to an Obama cabinet if he's elected president.]

Edwards also denied he was the father of Hunter's baby girl, Frances Quinn, although the one-time Democratic Presidential candidate said he has not taken a paternity test.

Edwards said he knew he was not the father based on timing of the baby's birth on February 27, 2008. He said his affair ended too soon for him to have been the father.

Watch more tonight on "World News" at 6:30 p.m. ET and the full interview tonight on "Nightline" at 11:35 p.m. ET.

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Clif Scott Denies Phipps' Allegations

Former Auditor & Inspector Clifton Scott says allegations he accepted illegal campaign donations from Steve Phipps and provided favors in return are wrong.

"I really don't know what to think of it," Scott said of Phipps' testimony in the federal trial of current Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan and his wife, Lori.

Scott said he knew that Phipps held fundraisers for his campaigns and added, "If there were straw donors, I wasn't aware of it."

In testimony Wednesday, Phipps detailed illegal donations to Scott's campaign and the favors he alleges Scott provided in return.

Phipps admitted from the stand that he funneled illegal money into six other campaigns, including those of Governor Henry, Congressman Dan Boren and the John Edwards presidential campaign. There was no assertion by Phipps that any of those candidates were aware he was the source of donations to their campaigns.

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Fields, Organized Labor Leaders Endorse Edwards

Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields joined state labor leaders today in endorsing John Edwards for president.

Fields said that Edwards, the former U.S. senator from North Carolina, has the rural roots and family values that resonate with Oklahomans.

Mike McDonald, vice president of the Transport Workers Union Local 514, says Edwards understands working-class families. The TWU is the largest union in Oklahoma and represents more than 10,000 workers.

Edwards finished a close second behind Wesley Clark in Oklahoma's 2004 Democratic presidential primary before he became the party's vice-presidential nominee.

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John Edwards Plans Edmond Appearance

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has scheduled a September 1st campaign appearance in Edmond. Edwards ran a strong second in Oklahoma's 2004 Democratic primary and most polls show him either first or second among Oklahoma Democrats this time around.

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Obama, Thompson First In South Carolina

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama and Republican Fred Thompson were the frontrunners in South Carolina's first-in-the-South 2008 presidential primary, according to a fresh poll.

The survey by the Mason-Dixon polling firm found that African-American support had pushed Obama ahead of Senator Hillary Clinton, giving him the support of 34 percent of likely voters against 25 percent for Clinton.

Former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina was third at 12 percent, while 24 percent of respondents were undecided.

Blacks in South Carolina, who could make up more than half of the party's primary voters, favored Obama over Clinton 41 percent to 18 percent, with about one-third of black voters in the state undecided.

In South Carolina's Republican nomination contest, Thompson -- a popular television actor and former Tennessee senator who has not yet formally entered the presidential race -- polled 25 percent. Former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani was second with 21 percent.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was third with 11 percent, followed by Senator John McCain at seven percent. Twenty-eight percent of likely Republican voters were undecided.

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Edwards Claims Oklahoma Legislator Support

The John Edwards for President campaign announced today that 30 Democrats in the Oklahoma State Legislature have endorsed him for President. Among those endorsing Edwards are Oklahoma State Senate President Co-Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, State House Minority Leader Danny Morgan, 10 State Senators and 20 State Representatives.

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Edwards' Fundraising Reported

The Oklahoma Democratic Party's blog reports presidential candidate John Edwards raised more than $170,000 in two recent fundraising events. Read the post here.

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