Rielle Hunter's publicist friend says: John Edwards is lying

CBS News did an interview this morning with Pigeon O'Brien, a publicist (this is her firm) who claimed to be a friend of John Edwards' mistress Rielle (pronounced Ree-ELLE) Hunter for 20 years, and who says now that Edwards is "lying" about the timeline of his affair with Hunter.

Well, you saw it coming, didn't you?

The relevant excerpt and video are below. It happened on the CBS "Early Show" with Maggie Rodriguez interviewing her.

Pigeon -- which is the second strangest O'Brien first name I've heard, just ahead of Conan and just behind Soledad -- isn't exactly an insider with Hunter these days. She cut her off when she went to work for Edwards, with whom she'd be having an affair for months (Edwards has claimed it didn't start until she joined the campaign). On the other hand, it's not shocking that a woman carrying on an extramarital affair should be isolated from her friends, especially if her VIP lover is telling her to keep quiet about it.

If you're new here, I've been chiming in for most of the past two weeks urging my colleagues in the mainstream media to pursue this story because, frankly, it's news. Really interesting news. Certainly a lot more interesting than the game of "my celebrity is smaller than your celebrity" that the presidential contenders are playing right now.

• Here I argued that John Edwards is sabotaging his wife's health-care agenda with his extramarital mess.

• And here I weighed in on how John and Elizabeth could spin a positive out of the negative.

That's my angle. For more thorough reporting, Deceiver has lots of details and links, and updates the story constantly.

Anyway, here's the video and the excerpt. Just for fun, I've included a picture of Pigeon O'Brien from the SXSW music festival earlier this year. (She's posing with musician Sam Baker.) By the way, you should watch the video because the excerpt makes O'Brien seem less credible than she appears on TV. I know that sounds weird - basically I'm telling you the image she projects is more persuasive than the actual substance of her message makes her seem. But that's television for you.

RODRIGUEZ: She told you it started in February or March of 2006.

Ms. O'BRIEN: Yes.

RODRIGUEZ: He says it started five months later when his campaign hired her.

Ms. O'BRIEN: Yeah, that's not true. That's not true. It started in the winter of '06. They became involved at that point, not later in the summer when she was hired to work for the political action committee.

RODRIGUEZ: It started in the winter of '06?

Ms. O'BRIEN: Correct.

[...]

RODRIGUEZ: Do you think that John Edwards is the father of her daughter?

Ms. O'BRIEN: I do.

RODRIGUEZ: Why?

Ms. O'BRIEN: I don't see any other explanation. She would not have a child with someone that she didn't love, and she loves him.

RODRIGUEZ: She's still in love with him. Does she think this is going to work out?

Ms. O'BRIEN: I believe she hopes it will. I belive she hopes it will.

RODRIGUEZ: Do you think she will continue to pursue it?

Ms. O'BRIEN: I'm not sure that she has pursued it. I think it's been mutual. I can't stress that enough. I think she will continue to have love for this person and feel that she is in a relationship with him as he has led her to believe.

RODRIGUEZ: Despite the fact that he has a wife? Has she even mentioned Elizabeth Edwards?

Ms. O'BRIEN: Yes. Mm-hmm.

RODRIGUEZ: What are her feelings when she thinks of Elizabeth Edwards?

Ms. O'BRIEN: Well, she knows how committed--it's hard to miss how committed the Edwardses are to one another and how central role Elizabeth plays in Mr. Edwards' life, so she's aware of him as a married man and as a partner in this very profound relationship. And she talked sometimes about those things. She's very aware of it. There are other circumstances--their affair, their connection, their love--that seemed to make it OK and comfortable for her to pursue the make with him. From the outside it doesn't look like we would make those same choices; she was comfortable making those choices and confident in those choices.

RODRIGUEZ: All right, Pigeon O'Brien, thank you.

Ms. O'BRIEN: Thank you.

RODRIGUEZ: Appreciate your time.

Comments

[Charles]

Can we say Bill Clinton - "I did not have", Yea, Yea, do you see any difference between Edwards and Clinton - Of course not... They will lie to cover up their political agendas.

[beenthereincalifornia]

Becoming the third person in a marriage is NEVER the right thing to do. Not until the divorce is final.That some people will whitewash willfull, selfish behavior with some spiritual, soulful paint makes me sick. These narcissistic people use the word love but will never know anything about it. It almost makes me feel sorry for her. Almost. Reille is a world class skank.

[Julia]

I assure you that if Rielle Hunter thinks that she and John Edwards have a future together, it is for no other reason than that he MADE her believe that. I have no doubt he fell in love with her and promised her the world. This is what married men do to the women they seduce. Have you ever seen "Match Point"? Watch it. I believe John Edwards was the relentless pursuer in this affair. Also, he must still be telling her that he loves her and that they will be together, otherwise she'd expose his lying, cheating ass to the world, get the baby a DNA test, then write a book and get rich.

[DogT3]

It's all so sordid. Everyone has an angle. Including Elizabeth. She is calling these reporters tabloid trash, too. She is protecting this creep, who not only played Father of the Year (literally accepted the award in 2007), he used her cancer to raise money for his campaign (which financed Hunter's stupid "webisodes.") Imagine. Edwards was perfectly willing to allow this creep to use her cancer that way, prey on people's sympathy to get votes, knowing that her days could be numbered.

What, finally, would become of her small children if this creep had actually become president? What was she thinking?

I think Elizabeth is less of a stellar person than we all think, too.

[Jenny]

Oh please.. Rielle Hunter refuses to have a dna test conducted, because she knows the baby isn't Edwards'. Her "friend" is lying because she's looking for a payout.

John Edwards should never have hired any one from the leftist blogger community, those people are scumbags who despise the poor and are only out to exploit politics for their own gain. Rielle Hunter has been shown to be little more than a scrounging prostitute.

[Allia]

Quote: "John Edwards should do the only respectable thing that a real gentleman would do..."

Correct answer:
Dump Rielle Hunter and focus on restoring his marriage (honoring his marriage vows) and taking care of his own kids.

[shell]

Pigeon resonates the truth. I'm grateful that Edwards' bimbo and baby mama is as flakey as she seems to be. It makes him look like more of a jackass. I wish Elizabeth would kick him to the curb. Just once, I'd like to see one of these wives act like a mensch, no wimps. He paraded her around, using her terminal cancer diagnosis like another campaign prop. He disgraced her and brought shame to her life, possibly causing her death from stress and accelerating her cancer. Edwards is 100% shmuck. I'd like to see him go to prison for ripping off his campaign donations to support his ho.

[Terry]

The affair was bad enough in regard to Mr. Edwards integrity . . but then . . the LIES . . . . that made the entire situation even worse. As much as I would have lost respect for Mr. Edwards for preaching about HIGH MORALS, I would have regained a little bit if he had come CLEAN and been honest about it and remorseful . . . .NOPE . . . .another SLICK WILLY in the making . . .and that man has NO INTEGRITY as far as I am concerned. I am so sorry for Elizabeth and the kids. Ther IS no perfect person . . . we are ALL falliable . . but . . . we can't ACT PIOUSLY RIGHTEOUS, FALL and then LIE OUR FACES OFF and expect others to not think less of us. There should have been an acknowledgement, an apology, and then remose . . . he should have liearned from MR. "I CAN'T KEEP IT IN MY PANTS" Billy Boy himself . . . let's hope others learn from Edwards and . . . I do pray for all involved . . . especially the baby . . if it is his . . . with no one wanting to really TELL THE TRUTH . . who knows. TRUTH seems to be a LOST ART. SO VERY SAD.

[Kevin]

I found it very difficult to concentrate during the CBS interview - Am I the only man who finds Pigeon O'Brien strangely appealing?

[Maybe]

Maybe it should be a requirement that all future presidential candidates dislike and abstain from sex. Ghandi did, and he was married. That should take care of the problem.

[Maria Gonzalez-Sanchez]

Thank goodness Edwards was not nominated. It would've been a horrible mess. How could Edwards have gone on with this charade and still run for president?

Also why do these women have names like Pigeon and Reille?

Who would name their child "Pigeon"?

[Maria Gonzalez-Sanchez]

Interestingly Reille believed that Elizabeth Edwards was going to pass away because of cancer and she was going to marry John Edwards. Sometimes a woman has a child with a man believing that if she does, the new child will 'anchor' the man with her. Sad.

[Tiffany]

A real gentleman? A real gentleman doesn't get himself involved in this sort of issue. He shouldn't bring more heartbreak on his family just because he fathered another child in what appears to be an accidental situation. That won't make the situation better. He should stay the course with Elizabeth. If he truly believes in scripture as he says, he made a committment to God and Elizabeth that he should keep. Also, he is committed to the children he first had with Elizabeth as much as this other child. Unfortunately, all will suffer for this choice.

Sad indeed.

[Sean L.]

I actually went out to see and hear him in New Orleans. I feel betrayed personally by his actions, because I've had similar circumstances. My wife is a longtime fighter of stage 4 cancer. Back when I returned injured from Vietnam, she took care of me at the VA for 10 months. We have no VA or Charity Hospital do to Katrina, and I was laid off and my Cobra ran out. The issue of universal healthcare was very important to me because we can not get coverage, and only Edwards and HRC stood firmly on that commitment. I would sooner cut my heart out then to betray my vows and cheat on my love of my life. Especially do to the fact she's not well. I certainly have had the opportunity, because I was the GM of a large local company that closed after Katrina. There is nothing he can say or do to repair his image to me, but I was just a supporter. I feel terrible for his wife and family. There are some mistakes in life, that are just inexcusable. I certainly don't want to interject religion into this affair, so I will avoid proselytizing. Being I live in an area that's known for the most corrupt politicians and hypocritical philanderers like David Vitter, this is an all time low in my book.

[Rose]

Upon reading Ms. O'Brien's comments once again a question presents itself. If Ms. Hunter cut off contact with her back in 2006 how can she now know the feelings behind all of Ms. Hunter's thoughts and actions?

She is either telling more than she knows, or knows more than she is telling.

Also of interest is Val's comment that Ms. Hunter moved out of her Santa Barbara home earlier this week. I suppose there is more to be disclosed in this story.

[janie volpe]

It just amazes me that someone is so ignorant to say that Rielle has intregrity..maybe Pigeon should look up the word in Websters.

[Bruno]

I think the lying about this is worse than him fooling around. Its the lies on TV with a straight face.

[a thistle in Caroline]

I was shocked for Elizabeth's sake and angry as this just happened to me in 2006 (Democratic man)(and previously in 1996, Republican whom I divorced)and I am so tired of it. Here are my observations.
What this means is that John Edwards manner and approach to things will always now be associated with "trailer trash". People who behave like his bimbo are in this category no matter where they come from. When people in the future look and talk like him no matter what their intentions, the audience will remember the lying John Edwards and dismiss the conversation. No credibility in saying you grew up poor and you're different and you're not greedy or disparate. I just don't believe it. Look where you come from... Therefore, his actions will quash the help from people who did not grow up in poverty to reach out to those who are there now. You can't make a silk purse out of a pig's ear.
This means John Edwards is no gentleman.
This means even if it never happened before and even if it never happens again, Elizabeth will lose that special "rush" in her blood when he comes in the door. She will just look at him differently. None of his private winks, sayings, signs etc to her will mean the same. He probably just behaved the same way with the bimbo. Shared experiences are no longer personal. Anything he gave her, any experience they shared during the time period of his affair will be meaningless now and painful-a reminder of lying. And when he says "Wasn't that fun or an interesting we did together..." remembering that time period, she will have to fight remembering that he left that afternoon and joined her after a tryst with a tramp.
She may eventually get over wanting to check that d*** blackberry, text messages, etc. or even asking who attended the events he goes to when she can not. However, no rush.

If he wants to mend that marriage, it will be harder than being president. (Thank the Lord above he will not be President Edwards and I was saved from voting for him.) She has to turn her attention to her kids and health. He has to bear this burden completely alone.

May God have mercy on his soul.

[TMTT]

Elizabeth should get to her divorce attorney asap, serve The Cad with divorce papers WHILE HE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF PROFESSING HIS UNDYING LOVE FOR HER ("She is and has been, for 32 years, the love of my life") ON TELEVISION, ask for sole physical custody of the kids as well as support from "The Cad" and the divison and return to her of all of her money that was hers going into the marriage.

[Edwards supporter]

The difference between Edwards and McCain seems to be that McCain deserted his wife in a time of crisis (a devastating car wreck in which she lost four inches off of height because her body was crushed so badly) and Edwards committed adultery but did not leave. There also seems to be a disconnect between what Hunter and Edwards believe happened, love vs. just sex, which is the oldest story in the book when it comes to men cheating.

After watching this I am questioning whether Pidgeon O'Brien is in fact gay and obsessed with Hunter herself. Something very strange is going on, that comes through in the video though not in the transcript, as the author noted. This is a sad state of affairs but nothing we as Americans haven't come to expect from our elected officians, more human than human, so to speak.

What I find amusing about this is that republicans threw the weight of their flack brigade behind Clinton and Obama, knowing that on the face of things John Edwards was the most electable candidate in the field during the primaries. I never thought I would say this, but thank you, republican millionaires and press pro's, you really saved democrats from a complete disaster.

[DoGoodinNC]

How about some love and understanding for all involved? John Edwards did something very human, perhaps something no worse than most of us have done. He still had a great campaign message and still has a great deal to offer our society. Rielle Hunter may become his next wife for all we know. I am most impressed, as I think we all are, with Elizabeth Edwards. I wish all of them well. I just wish all of them had enough love in their hearts to all accept one another, perhaps even live together in that huge house if, by some chance, John Edwards loves both women and the baby is his. We all need to be more loving and understanding. Society has no business being mean and nasty to these people. It's really not my business what my co-worker, Army buddy, president or anyone in public service does in one's private life as long as one does one's job. John Edwards should not feel that he has to lie becauses of societal pressure. He should be able to say he at least liked a woman with whom he had an affair. At least give her that. And if the child is his, it would be good for the child to know it has 2 parents that love it. It would be good if he could proudly admit it if it is his, for the sake of that child, too. He can love all involved and be proud. We should be ashamed to have so much mean-spiritedness and so little love and understanding when people act in very human ways that are really not our business.

[sirpatrick]

Rielle reminds me of another celebrity stalker who also got pregnant: Bonnie Lee Bakley

[Sean L.]

a thistle in Caroline: Please accept my apologies for the rotten men you've had problems with in the past. My brother who's a surgeon, was always held in a higher regard by my parents and I was the 'Black' sheep so the expression goes. Partly because I was drafted after college, and then went on to do a 2nd tour. To which, I was almost killed and needed a lot of TLC to recover. My brother was a CO (conscientious objector), and avoided service. I realize that was after I recovered I became somewhat of a loner, but I always loved my parents and treated them with respect. I've also been faithful and devoted to one woman for over 35 years. She first got lymphoma when I was in the VA, and we were only 22. My brother cheated on his first wife who was his high school sweetheart, and he had 2 daughters with her. About 25 years ago her met at a social event and she was an Italian Ballerina who danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov. He was 15 years older then her, but pursued her like flies on poop. Well, history has a way of repeating itself. He cheated on her last year. He's a Dr at a prestigious hospital in North Carolina, so I'm sure he makes a half a million a year or more. My dad is now gone and never knew about the #2 indiscretion, but I still hear my mother crow about him constantly. My other brother is also a cheat and they live in Chappaqua, NY and his wife looks the other way. Being a hedge fund broker, he makes big bucks also. That gains him unconditional respect also. I'm sorry to say that we're not the sum total of our deeds in some peoples eyes. I can honestly say, I can look at myself in the mirror and know I never betrayed my wife and that counts for something. At 60+ years old, I don't think I need to be in a popularity contest anymore. We just live in a society that many people only looking out for their own piece of the pie. I hope you find peace one day, if you haven't already.

[Bobby D]

Ultimately, this shows what we're REALLY interested in politics for - tintilation. Just look at the pages of comments by those being tintillated by the Edwards scandal. THAT's what we enjoy most about American policians-their high potential to land in situations which make us shake our head in disgust and tut-tut.... just before we rush back to read the latest developments!

[burke]

This woman is a cartoon character on so many levels I don't have the energy to go into. She would make a great SNL skit. Sad people.