The wife of Democrat presidential candidate John Edwards says that she is afraid of her neighbor Monty Johnson, whom she describes as a “rabid, rabid Republican”. She doesn’t want her kids near him.

Of course, she’s never actually met the man.

“I wouldn’t be nice to him anyway,” Edwards said in an interview. “I don’t want my kids anywhere near some guy who when he doesn’t like somebody, the first thing he does is pull a gun out. It scares the business out of me.”

But Johnson defended the occasion he brandished a gun, saying those on his land didn’t have the proper approval.

“I use the gun for protection, and I considered that an appropriate time,” Johnson said. “Sometimes you have to take drastic measures.”

Johnson, meanwhile, has problems of his own. His tract of land has been in his family since before the Great Depression, but is now looking to sell his property. Partly because of the rising property taxes which the Edward’s 28,000 square foot, $5.3 million estate is prodding sharply upward. Partly because he doesn’t want to be near crabby neighbors that are constantly complaining about him:

Johnson, who has posted a “Go Rudy Giuliani 2008″ sign on a fence just 100 feet from the entrance to the Edwards’ driveway, has criticized Edwards for the scale of their nearby home. The property and home, which includes an indoor basketball court, an indoor handball court and an indoor pool, is valued at $5.3 million.

The Edwardses are still putting the final touches on the property, which they purchased in 2003.

“I thought he was supposed to be for the poor people,” Johnson said. “But does he ever socialize with any poor people? He doesn’t speak to me.”

I hope Monty changes his mind and decides to stay and be a constant thorn in Edwards’ side.

Hat Tip to Knowledge is Power.