John Edwards Denied Affair But Balked at Signing Affidavit

John Edwards' presidential campaign staff staunchly denied a National Enquirer report that he had a pregnant mistress, but when an affidavit was drawn up so Edwards could put his denial in writing, the candidate refused to sign it, a former campaign spokesman testified today.

Mark Kornblau, who is currently the spokesman for U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, was the latest witness in a series of political pros who worked on Edwards' campaign for the presidency from 2006 to 2008.

Kornblau worked as Edwards' national spokesman and issued a strong denial that succeeded in keeping the Enquirer's story about Edwards' pregnant girlfriend Rielle Hunter from being picked up by the mainstream news media.

Having the story spread, Kornblau said, "would be a terrible outcome for Mrs. Edwards. I believed it to be untrue. Thirdly, it would be damaging to the campaign."            More