You know, John Edwards is a smart guy.  He's a trial lawyer who has made a gazillion dollars "helping" folks.

But, I have to say, this campaign stuff must be taking its toll on his grey matter.

I mean, first, we have $400 haircuts for the Silky Pony and visits to The Pink Sapphire salon.  For Pete's sake, Johnny, who suggested you go to that place?  Check out their Mission Statement:

Our mission is to provide an avenue into the intriguing world of makeup...Pink Sapphire offers the essentials to treat your body from head to toe, whether your feet deserve a little pampering or you just have to find that perfect shade of lipstick...

You can't make this stuff up.

But on a more serious note, after John and John lost the '04 election, Silky began a center to study poverty, traveled to New Orleans to shake his head dramatically about the poor there, and basically toured the country trumpeting his "Two Americas" theme.

But he also did something else.  He went to work for a hedge fund.  Now a hedge fund has nothing to do with landscaping.  Rather, as the AP notes, they "traditionally cater to the rich..."

The fund for which Johnny worked, Fortress Investment Group, was founded in 1998, with other $35 billion in assets.  Yeah, that's billions with a "B".  Fortress managers were among Edwards' most loyal donors.

OK, I don't fault the guy for trying to make some money.  More power to him.  If he's not practicing law, he probably needs to get out there and make a living.

But with a hedge fund?  A vehicle synonymous with rich folks trying to shelter their piles of cash?  And John is supposed to be a proponent for the poor?  How in the world do you square that circle?

Well, a week went by before he could come up with an answer.  And this is where additional grey matter loss (or poor staff selection) is showing.  You ready?

Edwards says that he took the job at the hedge fund to .... (drum roll) ... to learn more about poverty!

OK, while you clean up the milk, coffee or other beverage that just came out of your nose, let's think about why most people would go to work at a hedge fund: TO MAKE MONEY.

Heck, just admit John and move on.  The tortured attempt at an excuse you are giving is really providing comic relief.  It's also showing Edwards for what he is.  More opportunistic than sincere.