What Edwards said in 2007

John Edwards said it is "reasonable" for voters to consider infidelity when choosing a president.

In an interview with Katie Couric that aired on Dec. 19, 2007, Edwards said that his parents considered it part of how to judge a person.

"I mean, for a lot of Americans, including the family that I grew up with ... it's fundamental to how you judge people and human character: Whether you keep your word, whether you keep what is your ultimate word, which is that you love your spouse, and you'll stay with them," he said.

He said that the most important qualities in a president are "trustworthiness, sincerity, honesty, strength of leadership," and that marital fidelity is "part of that" but "not the whole thing."

"There have been American presidents that at least according to the ... stories we've all heard, that were not faithful, that were in fact good presidents. So I don't think it controls the issue," he said. "But I think it's certain ... something reasonable for people to consider."