Speak to the press, kiddo, or else a time out!!!

Note: The author of post originally under this title has replaced it with the following. --Ed.

The New York Times had a cover story this past Sunday about how politicians this year -- or at least several of them -- are dragging their kids along the campaign trail.  The biggest offender: John Edwards, who was quoted forcing his seven-year-old son to speak to the press against his wishes:

“'I don’t want to do this,' Jack protested to his father, John Edwards, the Democratic presidential

candidate and former North Carolina senator.

“I don’t care whether you want to do this,” Mr. Edwards replied.

A moment later, Jack hid his face in his hands.

The meanest part was when the Times snarked that the Edwards won't be keeping the kids at home in their North Carolina "28,000-square-foot pleasure palace, with a basketball court and a room dedicated to arts-and-crafts projects."  Instead, "This fall, the children will not be there much; instead of their routine of school, sports and friends, they will travel with their parents, spending days on buses and nights at Comfort Inns."

The reason:  Edwards says that if he leaves his kids at home, he'll miss them too much: “'For long periods of time to not see my children is not good for me,' [Edwards] said, adding a beat later that it did not benefit them either."

The article was mean-spirited, and I had the response it was intended to create: one of great anger at the Edwards family.

Personally, I don't think it is fun to have your kids in the press. I know this from recent experience.  But what the Edwards family wants to do is up to them.

I hope people will select their candidate on the issues and on the way that the candidate reflects what they believe.  I am a Democrat but my favorite candidate is not John Edwards.  He seems like he has a nice wife, however. 

Have a great day.  I will be offline for a week.  Happy Labor Day. I hope we all use this as an opportunity to think about bigger issues. I know I will.