Andrew Young's John Edwards tell-all: the last juicy bits

John Edwards (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders), Andrew Young (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

You've already heard about the sex tape, the supposed hush-up money from wealthy pals, the DNA-test diaper-stealing idea, the candidate's obsession with his hair and all the other major revelations/allegations from the hot new John Edwards tell-all book by his former aide. So here's what we're going to do: With help from our colleague Garance Franke-Ruta, who reviewed it Sunday, we're going to squeeze Andrew Young's "The Politician" from both ends and just wring every last tawdry, ridiculous little detail out -- then be done with it. There's no index, so we're doing you a favor. Okay? Here goes:

Young thanks his wife, Cheri, and their kids: "I would kick the devil in the teeth for each of you, and I hope this book accomplishes a bit of that." Later notes: "My critics will say I am writing this book for money. They are partly correct."

Confesses to being a loser through his 20s: Dropped out of college, opened a pub and ran it into the ground, got caught trying to steal a sign from a bar, used an expired key card to sneak into a hotel room "because I was broke and desperate to get in out of the cold."

When he first met Edwards, was impressed to see the Senate candidate driving around in a beat-up Buick. Later found out he'd hid his BMW and Lexus to look more like a regular guy.

Yet: The senator loved Cracker Barrel.

Edwards checked into a hospital for extensive dental work under Young's name, then switched from Diet Coke to Diet Sprite to avoid future stains.

On a 2004 visit to the Edwards home, John and Teresa Kerry insisted on Boost energy drinks, Kendall Jackson Sauvignon Blanc, chocolate cake. Then they rejected the chef's food and sent a Secret Service agent for Boston Market takeout.

Rielle Hunter, with whom Young and his family were forced to hide out, was a lousy roommate: Overshared about her sex life with Edwards (nickname: "Love Lips"). When the coffeemaker overflowed, she made a fresh pot for herself and left the mess on the floor. Only bonded with the Young family over "American Idol": "Rielle and Cooper liked David Archuleta. Cheri and Gracie favored David Cook."

Hunter relied heavily on her "spiritual adviser" Bob, who looked like Captain Kangaroo and charged her $200 a call. She phoned him from a restaurant to ask whether she should send back her Reuben sandwich (didn't like the Russian dressing). He showed up in a BMW 740i to "clear the energy" of their gated Santa Barbara hideout.

While pregnant, Hunter watched "Knocked Up." "It's great," she texted Young.

At Hunter's request, the Youngs got a T-shirt for newborn Frances Quinn that read, "I am the Granddaughter of a Millworker."

By The Reliable Source | February 2, 2010; 1:03 AM ET
Categories: Politics
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Comments

Whoa, this sounds like one really boring book! ...a stolen bar sign, an expired key card, truly life lived on the edge...

John Edwards should have picked better friends or at least more interesting ones ... yawn!

Posted by: SoCali | February 2, 2010 10:46 AM | Report abuse

Who doesn't love Cracker Barrel?!

Posted by: mccxxiii | February 2, 2010 12:34 PM | Report abuse

this is great, Thanks a mill...You both provide such a needed service for us over tasked working parents! Will you be doing the same for Jenny Sanfords book? can't wait.....

Posted by: spinsandjumps | February 2, 2010 12:53 PM | Report abuse

Oooo yes please do Jenny's tome, too.

Posted by: dadada | February 2, 2010 9:28 PM | Report abuse

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Andrew Young's John Edwards tell-all: the last juicy bits