Intelligence vs Wisdom: Senator John Edwards

     The public figure I have chosen that I think acted unwisely is Senator John Edwards. Senator John Edwards was married to Elizabeth Edwards for 33 years and they had five children from their marriage, although one child died.  In 1998 John Edwards was elected to the U.S. Senate from the state of North Carolina. In 2004 Senator Edwards became the running mate of Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts as the Democratic candidate for vice-president. George W. Bush was elected President that year, so Senator proceeded to run for The President of the United States in 2008. During 2008 campaign Senator Edwards had an extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, who at the time was one of his campaign workers. This extramarital affair, lead to the birth of a daughter and lead to Senator Edwards using campaign money for personal use to pay Rielle Hunter and to cover up the affair.

Emotional Intelligence

     Senator Edwards lacked and still may lack emotional intelligence. Senators Edwards lack of emotional intelligence lead to him having an extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, fathering a child with her, and by the way he abandoned his wife Elizabeth Edwards and their four children. Senator Edwards’ interpersonal relationship with his wife and children he had with his wife showed a lack of insensitivity toward their feelings and family status. Senator Edwards showed arrogant behavior by having an extramarital affair in the first place, because he was married with four children. Senator Edwards showed toward his wife and children a lacked emotional perception and expression, emotional understanding, emotional facilitation of thought,  and emotional management, because he forgot what it meant to be married and to have children from said marriage.

Successful Intelligence

      I think Senator Edwards also lacked successful intelligence. As a lawyer, as a public figure, as a Senator, and as a Presidential candidate Senator Edwards lacked successful intelligence. By using public funded campaign funds to pay Rielle Hunter and to use said funds to cover up his extramarital affair. Senator Edwards did not think wisely in the three different ways that makes one successfully intelligent, which are analytically, creatively, and practically.

Conclusion 

     Senator Edwards’ unwise judgments were the lack of emotional and successful intelligence.

Reference

Bolt, M. (2004). Pursuing human strengths: A positive psychology guide. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/06/20/john-edwards-life-in-exile-ex-senator-seen-as-snake-and-scumbag-in-hometown-chapel-hill.html