granted, edwards was a successful politician first, and democratic senator from the south, and rich trial lawyer, but a spokesman for the poor, and smart but homegrown and talked such a good game he got picked up as john kerry's running mate in 2004. >> i have chosen a man who understands and defends the values of america. >> reporter: but it didn't work out. so next election cycle, edwards jumped into the race for the white house once again, and by early 2008 -- >> it is time for me to step aside. >> reporter: he was out, but not before getting entangled in a messy relationship with a woman named rheal hunter. she eventually gave birth to edwards' child. edwards denied having the affair and then denied being the father, but last year, he finally admitted it. the story reached a sleazy low point that is reported to show hunter and edwards having sex