You will hear about this story for a day or two, although I suspect it will do John Edwards' presidential campaign more good than harm, at least compared to Hillary's singing, Joe Biden's mouth and Obama's "newness."

As The Washington Post blog, The Sleuth, reports:

Former Sen. John Edwards, the "working man's" presidential candidate, is getting some grief for his new, plantation-sized estate outside Chapel Hill in Orange County, North Carolina. Even a few folks who are close to the Edwardses have expressed "alarm?" to political reporters about the 29,000-square-foot house and connecting recreation-and-media arena.

But that's nothing. The rural estate near Chapel Hill in Orange County, North Carolina, is worth a mere $6 million, a drop in the bucket for many rich lawyers or oil men who run for public office with estates in more expensive realms such as Florida, California, or even Texas.

The Raleigh News and Observer quoted Elizabeth Edwards, wife of the former senator, as insisting the estate in no way contradicts her husband's campaign rhetoric about the plight of poor people. She compared her family to the Kennedys, who similarly, she pointed out, were both rich and fighters for the working poor.

Unlike former President John F. Kennedy, however, Edwards did not inherit his wealth, according to the newspaper, which quoted an Edwards' spokeswoman in his defense.

"As Senator Edwards has said, he has lived the American Dream and has had everything this country has to offer," Jennifer Palmieri said. "He worked hard to do well, but he did not succeed on his own. He had the support of his country; a good family, good public schools and loans for college. Too many of those opportunities are closed off to working class people today. He is running for President to make sure everyone has the same opportunities he has had."

The main house on the compound is more than 10,000 square feet, joined to a large red barn by a long enclosed walkway housing a large photo gallery. "The Barn," as it's called on the Edwards' building plans, houses a basketball court, a squash court, a four-story tower, two stages and a swimming pool.

Yet operatives say the stages in the recreation barn are amphitheaters that will function as presidential debate prep rooms.

Looks to us like a great place to prepare for the presidency...

photo by Don Carrington

The Edwards' new estate near Chapel Hill in Orange County, North Carolina