"[John Edwards] absolutely does have to [resolve it]. If it's not true, he has to issue a stronger denial. It's a very damaging thing. ... The big media has tried to be responsible and handle this with kid gloves, but it's clearly getting ready to bust out. If it's not true, he's got to stand up and say, 'This is not true. That is not my child and I'm going to take legal action against the people who are spreading these lies.' It's not enough to say, 'That's tabloid trash,' " - Gary Pearce, the Democratic strategist who ran John Edwards' 1998 Senate race.