UPDATE, 8:13p: Here are web extras from the GQ Hunter interview.
1:51p: GQ has published a long interview with Rielle Hunter in its April issue, her 1st ever about her affair with “Johnny” Edwards.
If this is the sort of story that piques your interest – and I confess this was right up my alley, I’d recommend pouring yourself a cup of coffee and printing out the 13-pg piece mini-tome to read in the comfort of your favorite easy chair. Otherwise you’ll get a headache from computer eye strain.
And if you are a pop culture/political dirt junkie like me, reading the interview will be worth your while. Hunter has quite a provocative way of thinking about things. She’s a new age flake but an intriguing one. She mixes just enough sound theology to make what she says sound wise – in spots. It is easy to see how Hunter would entice someone like Edwards, and a lot of men really, IMO.
But for those repulsed by this sort of tabloid drama, I’ll post the abortion-not-abortion part of the piece. This will give you a good sample of my aforementioned analysis of the entire interview….

Hunter is right, for instance, that despite the circumstance of a child’s conception, God views the amazing person who will result from this once-in-all-of-eternity meeting of particular egg and sperm and delights immediately in that “product of conception” and his or her unique place in history. Hunter called this “divine timing” but seemed to imply there were reincarnate forces at work.
But Hunter strangely doesn’t get the ramifications of Edwards’ wish for her to abort. At one point she seems to say he never really asked her to and in another seems to say he did, but she refused. With all of Hunter’s concern that her child love her “Da-da,” does she not know someday Quinn will read all this?
Ah well, here are the relevant passages….
Interviewer: … The child is gorgeous and, yes, looks exactly like John Edwards, but she also has her mother’s spirit. Which is to say, a combination of serenity and spunk….
Interviewer: So Elizabeth’s cancer comes back in March. When do you think you got pregnant?
Hunter: Quinn was conceived in May, and I knew in July.
Interviewer: And on July 30, John and Elizabeth renewed their wedding vows. What was that like for you?
Hunter: Um… it was challenging. When you’re in love with someone who takes actions that go against your belief system, it’s extremely challenging to continue loving, instead of becoming righteous and judgmental. But see, I believed, and believe, that what I see in him is there and correct. He’s a good man and he will figure it out. And he has and is figuring it out….
Interviewer: What was your reaction when you found out you were pregnant?
Hunter: I was shocked. I was 43 years old, you know, and pregnant? And I had never been pregnant in my life. Didn’t think I could get pregnant.
Interviewer: And how did you tell him?
Hunter: He already knew. Because I felt different. He suspected I was pregnant. And I kept thinking I wasn’t. But he felt that I was. And so when I told him on the phone, he wasn’t shocked. It was just the official “Yeah, I am.”
Edwards: And what was his reaction?
Hunter: He was always very gracious about it. And always said that he would support whatever decision I made. But I believe on some level he was hoping I would get an abortion. Because he didn’t – he wasn’t happy about the timing. Which is understandable. [laughs] He was married and running for president. And I find it interesting that my daughter thought that would be a good time to come into the world. That daddy was running for president and married to someone else. “Gee, I think now’s the perfect time.” There’s something to be said for divine timing.
Interviewer: So first you were shocked, but what was the next feeling?
Hunter: Oh, complete happiness. Because I felt with all of my being that I needed to bring this little child into the world. That I was blessed. And it just happened to me. And I love her daddy. She was conceived in love. She is a love child.
Interviewer: So he was gracious, really? There were no fights about it?
Hunter: No, there were no fights. He was very gracious, but I always felt the underlying discontent in his graciousness. I remember one time in Miami – or was it Orlando? [laughs] I traveled a lot to see him. But he said to me, he was like, “There’s just nothing I can say to make you change your mind about this.” and I said, “Nope.” he said, “Guess I’m just gonna have to accept it.” very teasing and sweet.
Interviewer: Wow.
Hunter: Yeah. And I just felt like Quinnie needed to come into the world and this wasn’t our timing, this was divine timing and he needed to get on board. And figure that one out. And it’s interesting, because it’s not over yet. That’s the other thing. Everyone has such judgments about “He’s lost everything.” But you know, life isn’t over. He’s gone through an amazing transformation. And who knows what’s gonna happen….
Interviewer: Tell me what he’s like as a father.
Hunter: Um… he’s sweet. He’s very loving.
Interviewer: And does she call him daddy?
Hunter: She calls him Da-da.
Interviewer: And she’s now just starting to talk, so do you talk about daddy? I saw you have a picture of him in her room.
Hunter: She’s always known who Da-da is. Yeah. She’s never had Da-da missing from her life.
Interviewer: Do you feel that he’ll do the right thing in terms of supporting Quinn?
Hunter: He is doing the right thing. And he’s a great father. Once Johnny and Elizabeth separated, we were able to move forward quite quickly. And it has to do with him not hiding in order to see his daughter. He very much wants to be in her life full-time, and he doesn’t want to hide.
Interviewer: So what was he like when you went through your pregnancy, while he was campaigning for president?
Hunter: Oh, he was – he is so loving. I remember the day I found out it was a girl. He was thrilled about that. He thought that was very cool.
Interviewer: And when you gave birth – I know it was an emergency C-section – what was he like?
Hunter: Johnny called me in recovery, and we spoke all night on the phone from the hospital. He went through the whole process with me.
Interviewer: And how did you name her?
Hunter: Well, her name is Frances Quinn Hunter, and I love the name Frances. Johnny wasn’t over the moon about Frances. So I was coming up with names, and Quinn is a name that I loved, and that was the only name that he thought was cool. And so I named her Quinn because Daddy really liked it.