BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

This morning on CBS' Early Show, I was asked to discuss the political future of John Edwards - an intriguing concept, no doubt, for people who may assume that, with respect to this particular politician, "political future" is a contradiction in terms. But if we' ve learned anything about politics in America, it' s that anything is possible.

There are at least three fundamental steps Edwards must now take on the road to political recovery (at whatever level of political activity). The first step must directly address the impending paternity test now threatened by Rielle Hunter. Edwards must unequivocally welcome it - embrace it, in fact, as a way to establish the truth and thereby determine what his future moral responsibilities are. By embracing the event, he gets past it. In short, he must run to the light.

Second, he must be interviewed on national television and gracefully accept whatever public punishment awaits him there. The best advice is to return to Oprah, the scene of his wife Elizabeth' s high-profile appearance last month. The symbolic value of his now returning - alone - to that venue will reverberate powerfully among diverse audiences. Future interviews and appearances should include Elizabeth, to demonstrate her support and forgiveness, but this single, most important, act of repentance with Oprah should be done solo.

Finally, with these key tactical steps behind him, Edwards can then take the decisive strategic leap, which is to identify himself with a major cause, institution, or organization, chosen carefully as a necessary platform to underscore his credibility and future leadership potential. Perhaps something connected to the labor movement will provide such as role, considering his persistent popularity in those quarters and the revitalized clout of organized labor under the Obama administration.

It' s easy to scoff at the notion that a man can scramble back up the political ladder after cheating on his wife while she struggled with a potentially fatal illness. But with a heartfelt act of contrition, acceptance of responsibility, demonstration of trustworthiness over a few years, and a touch of luck, Edwards could come back yet, perhaps to serve as a senior statesman, if not a public official.

Gene Grabowski is Senior Vice President of Crisis and Litigation at Levick Strategic Communications and a contributing author to Bulletproof Blog.