Edwards' mistaken identity defense won't wash

The National Enquirer's publication of photos of John Edwards and his alleged love child has certainly succeeded in getting more people talking about the story. However, a surprisingly large segment of the blogosphere remain unmoved by the photographic evidence, claiming that the man portrayed in the "spy cam" photo is not, in fact, John Edwards.

Obviously, in the age of photoshop, there is no way for a member of the general public to be certain the photo is legit. That said, it amazes me how willing people are to believe that a successful business enterprise like the NE would be willing to throw away millions of dollars in legal costs, damage awards, and future news stand revenues in order to publish a doctored photograph that would almost certainly be revealed in short order to be a fake.

Frankly, if I were inclined to give Edwards the benefit of the doubt, I would be more focused on the possibility of an innocent explanation, such as the possibility that he was only visiting Rielle Hunter as a friend, and had to do so in the middle of the night, and in such a secretive manner, because he was afraid how it would all look if people saw him hanging out with her. That story may sound far-fetched, but it's unlikely the NE has any evidence on hand to disprove it.

Anyway, as for those who claim the picture doesn't even look like John Edwards, I would offer this photograph from CNN as Exhibit A. Note the shape of Edwards' nose and forehead in partial profile. Note also the distinctive angle of his right ear. It's clearly the same guy.