His popularity is rated as at 15 percent by Public Policy Polling. And now, he’s admitted what seemed conventional common knowledge by now:

The following was released by John Edwards this morning:
I am Quinn’s father. I will do everything in my power to provide her with the love and support she deserves. I have been able to spend time with her during the past year and trust that future efforts to show her the love and affection she deserves can be done privately and in peace.
It was wrong for me ever to deny she was my daughter and hopefully one day, when she understands, she will forgive me. I have been providing financial support for Quinn and have reached an agreement with her mother to continue providing support in the future.
To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry.
John R. Edwards

The only useful commentary may be simply be of the Brit-Hume-to-Tiger-Woods sort. But I’ve always thought John Edwards — and the collective disdain for him — isn’t worth reflecting on. Why are we — and liberals! — so shocked by him? There’s a lot of shocking out there, afterall.

UPDATE: Master Tweeter Jim Geraghty adds: “Just to clarify, John Edwards went on the Today Show to ask for the media to respect his privacy?”