A couple of weeks ago on this segment I talked about the futility of trying to convict John Edwards on illegal campaign finance charges. Well, let’s just say I told you so. Last week the Justice Department lost out with a deadlocked jury and spent millions of our tax dollars providing the court with a very weak case. It was a seven week trial that included testimony about Edwards’ affair with Rielle Hunter. You might remember that the Justice Department botched the 2008 case against Alaska Senator Ted Stephens. These great prosecutors withheld evidence that was key information for the Stephens defense lawyers. Two of those prosecutors were recommended for suspension related to misconduct a couple of weeks ago. As far as Edwards goes his political future is over with a 3% approval rating. Michael Toner, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission said it best after the trial, “Trying to win a criminal conviction on complex FEC reporting matters is inherently difficult and generally not appropriate for criminal prosecution.” Look, I certainly am not a John Edwards fan. The Justice Department needs to be reminded that it takes strong evidence to win a complex campaign finance trial. Why they were allowed to spend millions of our tax money on the Edwards case makes no sense.John Edwards Verdict