Way back in December we ran a couple of items about a woman named Rielle Hunter, who was alleged to have had an affair and a baby with John Edwards. (The “I talk about two Americas” guy, not the “I talk to your dead relatives” guy.) The story broke in the National Enquirer, which caused many people to dismiss it. This, despite the fact that the Enquirer has legitimately broken a lot of stories in the past, including Jamie Lynn Spears’ pregnancy at 16, Monica Lewinski’s infamous blue dress, Rush Limbaugh’s fondness for pills, Dog the Bounty Hunter’s “n-word” tape, and many others. They may be sleazemongers, but that doesn’t mean they’re always wrong.

And if their latest Edwards/Hunter story is true, boy oh boy:

Vice Presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards was caught visiting his mistress and secret love child at 2:40 this morning in a Los Angeles hotel by the NATIONAL ENQUIRER.

The married ex-senator from North Carolina — whose wife Elizabeth continues to battle cancer — met with his mistress, blonde divorcée Rielle Hunter, at the Beverly Hilton on Monday night, July 21 — and the NATIONAL ENQUIRER was there! He didn’t leave until early the next morning.

Again, just in case you missed it, this is from the NATIONAL ENQUIRER. Oh, and this part is just perfect:

Rielle had driven to Los Angeles from Santa Barbara with a male friend for the rendezvous with Edwards. The former senator attended a press event Monday afternoon with L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the topic of how to combat homelessness.

Here’s a great way to keep from being homeless: Get knocked up by a millionaire with presidential aspirations. He’ll make sure you’ve got a roof over your head and all your bills are paid, as long as you keep your mouth shut.

Read the whole story. I don’t know if it’s funny or sad, so I’m gonna say both. If Edwards spent half as much time covering his tracks as he does on his hair, he might not have gotten caught. Say hi to Gary Hart, John…