U.S. Sen. John Edwards, center, and other senators discuss President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial on February 3, 1999. More than a year later, Vice President Al Gore reportedly put Edwards on his "short list" as a running mate on the 2000 Democratic presidential ticket (before picking Joe Lieberman).
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
U.S. Sen. John Edwards, center, and other senators discuss President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial on February 3, 1999. More than a year later, Vice President Al Gore reportedly put Edwards on his "short list" as a running mate on the 2000 Democratic presidential ticket (before picking Joe Lieberman).
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Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Edwards at a news briefing in Kennedy's office in 2001.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Edwards at a news briefing in Kennedy's office in 2001.
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In 2004, Democratic vice presidential candidate Edwards speaks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
In 2004, Democratic vice presidential candidate Edwards speaks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, greets his running mate, Edwards, at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, greets his running mate, Edwards, at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
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Edwards appears on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" in October 2004.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards appears on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" in October 2004.
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A month later, the candidate for vice president speaks at an Election Night campaign rally in Boston.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
A month later, the candidate for vice president speaks at an Election Night campaign rally in Boston.
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Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, meets with children after a town-hall gathering in Iowa in 2007. She passed away in 2010 from breast cancer after separating from Edwards.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, meets with children after a town-hall gathering in Iowa in 2007. She passed away in 2010 from breast cancer after separating from Edwards.
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In September 2007, Edwards attends a Democratic presidential debate in Hanover, New Hampshire.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
In September 2007, Edwards attends a Democratic presidential debate in Hanover, New Hampshire.
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During his "poverty tour," Democratic presidential candidate Edwards toured eight states. Here he speaks in Pittsburgh in July 2007.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
During his "poverty tour," Democratic presidential candidate Edwards toured eight states. Here he speaks in Pittsburgh in July 2007.
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Edwards campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in Waterloo, Iowa, in December 2007.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in Waterloo, Iowa, in December 2007.
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Speaking to Iowans during a New Year's Day 2008 campaign event, Edwards tries to earn votes for the upcoming Iowa caucuses.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Speaking to Iowans during a New Year's Day 2008 campaign event, Edwards tries to earn votes for the upcoming Iowa caucuses.
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Edwards greets supporters in New Hampshire in January 2008.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards greets supporters in New Hampshire in January 2008.
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Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, Edwards and Barack Obama point to supporters and family members in the audience after a debate in New Hampshire in January 2008.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, Edwards and Barack Obama point to supporters and family members in the audience after a debate in New Hampshire in January 2008.
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Days before South Carolina's 2008 Democratic primary, Edwards speaks to the press in Bennettsville.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Days before South Carolina's 2008 Democratic primary, Edwards speaks to the press in Bennettsville.
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Edwards, who bowed out of the presidential race, speaks to the media with his family -- Cate, left, Emma Claire, Jack and his wife, Elizabeth -- in New Orleans in late January 2008.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards, who bowed out of the presidential race, speaks to the media with his family -- Cate, left, Emma Claire, Jack and his wife, Elizabeth -- in New Orleans in late January 2008.
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Edwards endorsed Barack Obama after Hillary Clinton won the West Viriginia primary.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards endorsed Barack Obama after Hillary Clinton won the West Viriginia primary.
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Rielle Hunter, Edwards' former mistress, holds their daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, in August 2009. Prosecutors accused Edwards of using nearly $1 million in illegal campaign contributions to keep his pregnant mistress under wraps as he ran for president in 2008. Defense attorneys argued the donations could not be considered campaign contributions. They said Edwards was guilty of being a bad husband but had committed no crime.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Rielle Hunter, Edwards' former mistress, holds their daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, in August 2009. Prosecutors accused Edwards of using nearly $1 million in illegal campaign contributions to keep his pregnant mistress under wraps as he ran for president in 2008. Defense attorneys argued the donations could not be considered campaign contributions. They said Edwards was guilty of being a bad husband but had committed no crime.
Raleigh News & Observer/MCT via Getty Images
Former Edwards aide Andrew Young and his wife, Cheri, listen during a 2010 hearing in North Carolina. Defense attorneys argued that Young used the money for his own gain and to pay for Hunter's medical expenses to hide the affair from Edwards' wife.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Former Edwards aide Andrew Young and his wife, Cheri, listen during a 2010 hearing in North Carolina. Defense attorneys argued that Young used the money for his own gain and to pay for Hunter's medical expenses to hide the affair from Edwards' wife.
Raleigh News & Observer/MCT via Getty Images
Edwards and two of his children, Emma Claire and Jack, leave the funeral service for Elizabeth Edwards, who died at 61 after a six-year battle with breast cancer in December 2010.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards and two of his children, Emma Claire and Jack, leave the funeral service for Elizabeth Edwards, who died at 61 after a six-year battle with breast cancer in December 2010.
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Edwards' mug shot was released after the former presidential candidate pleaded not guilty in June 2011 to charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions, falsifying documents and conspiracy.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards' mug shot was released after the former presidential candidate pleaded not guilty in June 2011 to charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions, falsifying documents and conspiracy.
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Edwards enters a Greensboro, North Carolina, courthouse for his federal corruption trial with daughter Cate on May 21, 2012.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards enters a Greensboro, North Carolina, courthouse for his federal corruption trial with daughter Cate on May 21, 2012.
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Edwards addresses the media after his acquittal and mistrial, with his daughter Cate and his parents Wallace and Bobbie Edwards at his side, outside the Greensboro courthouse on Thursday, May 31, 2012. After nine days of deliberation, a jury acquitted Edwards on one count but deadlocked on five other counts in his corruption trial. It's unclear what the Justice Department will do next, but Edwards says his years of service aren't over.
The rise and fall of John Edwards —
Edwards addresses the media after his acquittal and mistrial, with his daughter Cate and his parents Wallace and Bobbie Edwards at his side, outside the Greensboro courthouse on Thursday, May 31, 2012. After nine days of deliberation, a jury acquitted Edwards on one count but deadlocked on five other counts in his corruption trial. It's unclear what the Justice Department will do next, but Edwards says his years of service aren't over.
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