It was only three weeks ago that John Edwards was fielding media questions on his chances of filling the Democratic Party’s vice presidential slot on Barack Obama’s ticket or a potential Cabinet position in an Obama administration.

On Wednesday, however, the former U.S. senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee was eager to duck the press when the questions took a tabloid turn.

About a dozen reporters and photojournalists attended a speech Edwards gave to an AARP Foundation symposium on poverty and aging in Washington. Afterward, he avoided most of the waiting reporters, at least some of whom wanted to question him about recent reports in the National Enquirer that alleged an inappropriate relationship with a former campaign videographer.

Citing unnamed sources, the Enquirer published a story in October claiming that Edwards was having an affair with a woman who filmed a series of campaign videos. The story resurfaced last week in the online version of the Enquirer, which claimed that Edwards had visited the woman and their “love child” July 21 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.

In October, the woman posted an online statement denying the first story. In December, an Edwards campaign worker claimed to be the father of the woman’s then-unborn child.

On Wednesday, Edwards apparently ducked out a side area used by the kitchen staff in the fourth-floor ballroom of Washington’s historic Hotel Monaco. Edwards emerged from a lower-level handicap ramp near the rear of the hotel with two men. When approached by a Charlotte Observer reporter, Edwards said, “Can’t do it now, I’m sorry” and quickly walked past.

Asked what he was doing at the Beverly Hilton last week, Edwards said “sorry” and got into a waiting car with the other men.

No photographs or video of the alleged California hotel incident have been released by the Enquirer, which described in its online story its reporters’ attempts to chase down Edwards. The tabloid reported he hid in a restroom to elude them.

The story has prompted some buzzing in the blogosphere but little public response from Edwards. At a July 23 speech in Houston, Edwards responded to a reporter’s question about the Enquirer story by referring to it as “tabloid trash.”

Investigation of GOP group sought

A campaign finance group wants an investigation of the Republican Governors Association.

Democracy North Carolina filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Board of Elections arguing that the method the national GOP group is using to raise money is unlawful.

According to campaign finance reports, the RGA’s North Carolina 2008 Political Action Committee has raised nearly $390,000 to assist the campaign of Republican nominee Pat McCrory.

Democracy North Carolina head Bob Hall says the association raised money from out-of-state donors who aren’t being told the money is going to North Carolina. He argues that state law doesn’t allow that.

Elections Director Gary Bartlett said that the board will investigate the complaint.

New spokesman for Perdue

Beverly Perdue has a new spokesman.

The Democratic gubernatorial nominee announced that she has hired Tim Crowley, who previously served a similar function for her at the lieutenant governor’s office.

Crowley is a former journalist who was host of “Legislative Week in Review” on UNC-TV and was a reporter for the N.C. Public Radio Association.

Perdue stretches her lead

Perdue has opened up a wider lead.

According to a recent survey by Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee had 46 percent support, Republican McCrory had 37 percent, and Libertarian Mike Munger had 6 percent. Eleven percent were undecided.

Perdue’s support was higher than in previous polls, which pollsters said could be due to former rival Richard Moore’s recent endorsement.

The survey of 823 likely voters was taken July 23 through 27, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.