Edwards took $800,000 from Murdoch Company

Democrat Presidential Candidate John Edwards yesterday demanded that his rivals return any campaign donations they had received from Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation. The NY Post reports today that Edwards himself received at least $800,000 for a book published by one of Murdoch's publishing companies.

From the article:

The Edwards campaign said the multimillionaire trial lawyer would not return the hefty payout from Murdoch for the book titled "Home: The Blueprints of Our Lives."

The campaign didn't respond to a question from The Post about whether it was hypocritical for Edwards to take money from News Corp. while calling for other candidates not to.
In addition to a $500,000 advance from HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp., Edwards also was cut a check for $300,000 for expenses.

(Edwards spokesman) says he gave that amount to charity, which would also provide tax benefits for Edwards. "We're more than happy to give even more of Murdoch's money to Habitat for Humanity and other good causes," spokesman Eric Schultz told The Post yesterday.

He declined to show proof, however, that Edwards had donated the $500,000 advance or $300,000 expense checks to charity.

Between the $400-1200 haircuts, the $50,000 fee he charged to speak about poverty, the 28,000 square foot mansion that he built for himself and now the revelation that he took money from a Company he chastened his opponents to spurn, Edwards can't help but tie himself up in knots because of his overwhelming hypocrisy.

Edwards lags well behind Senators Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton and it reflects well on the electorate that they can see through his charade.