By Samuel Rubenfeld
MINNEAPOLIS–John Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential nominee and twice himself a candidate for president, canceled his scheduled visit to the University.
No reason was given for the cancellation, and Edwards’ spokesman at Harry Walker Agency did not immediately respond to a voice mail message. Edwards has not appeared publicly since he admitted to an affair with Rielle Hunter, a campaign videographer, on ABC’s “Nightline,” after denying it for months despite multiple reports from supermarket tabloid The National Enquirer. He has denied being the father of her 5-month-old child.
“We respect his decision,” said a statement from University.
Tickets were free for students and the public, but the University paid an undisclosed amount for Edwards’ appearance. The University will receive a full refund due to his cancellation, Stu Vincent, assistant vice president for University Relations, said in an e-mail.
Students were not pleased when they heard the news.
“I already had a ticket for this,” Brittany Boehm, a senior public relations major. “I’m really disappointed in him as a political figure because he should be attending an event like this and not bailing on the students.”
“Partisan politics aside, having so many people of influence on campus is one of the highlights of this year and even one less, be it John Edwards or anyone else, is very unfortunate,” said Student Government Association President Peter DiSilvio.
Edwards was scheduled to appear with his wife, Elizabeth, Monday, Sept. 8, at the Adams Playhouse, but she backed out Aug. 30, without citing a reason.
UPDATE: John Edwards issued the following statement: “I have decided to avoid any public engagements until after the election in November. Nothing is more important than electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I don’t want my appearance at these events to be a distraction from the important issues of the election, or from the important purpose of these meetings.”