Edwards back on circuit; no reference to affair

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – John Edwards didn’t have to dodge tough questions from an Indiana University audience Tuesday, when the former presidential candidate returned to the stage three months after admitting to an extramarital affair.

The Democrat’s speech covered politics, poverty and his hopes for America and the world and he later discussed President-elect Obama and other topics from the audience.

But the question-and-answer period featured only written queries that had been submitted before his speech – and the affair he has acknowledged with filmmaker Rielle Hunter didn’t surface.

He praised Hillary Rodham Clinton’s leadership and said his favorite superhero is Superman.

Edwards also said the intense and exhausting primary season helped Obama.

“That long, drawn-out, tough process played a role in making him a better candidate,” Edwards said.

Edwards said he wants to continue working for poor people in America and abroad, whether he remains in politics or not.