Edwards, wife cancel upcoming Salem State speech

SALEM – Less than a month after a sex scandal sent former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards into political exile, the ex-North Carolina senator and his wife, Elizabeth, have pulled out of a speaking engagement at Salem State College.The couple had been scheduled to appear as part of the college’s popular Speaker Series on Sept. 23 to discuss the upcoming presidential election and Elizabeth Edwards’ battle with cancer.Salem State College spokeswoman Karen Cady said the Edwards did not give a reason for canceling the appearance.”John and Elizabeth Edwards have chosen to cancel their appearance this month, and the college is actively pursuing alternate speakers,” Cady said Tuesday. “This isn’t the first time this has happened so we are prepared. It isn’t easy, but these things happen.”Cady said the college would honor all tickets sold when a new speaker is scheduled or refund the money to those who no longer wish to attend the event.John Edwards admitted to a long-rumored affair with former campaign employee Rielle Hunter on Aug. 8, but denied he was the father of her infant daughter.The affair was especially damning to the Edwards family as it allegedly took place while Elizabeth Edwards was in remission after breast cancer treatment.Originally, Salem State said it intended to move forward with the event in light of the accusations and continued to advertise and sell tickets for the event throughout the month of August.Cady said the date of the event may change once a replacement speaker is scheduled.