John Edwards’ reluctance to refute allegations that he had an affair and child with his former videographer could jeopardize his potential role as a Democratic National Convention speaker and surrogate for his party’s presumptive nominee.

The former North Carolina senator has been relatively low-key since dropping out of the Democratic presidential primary race in January.

But his reputation as a passionate populist who trumpets social issues most dear to the Democratic Party would arguably make him a shoo-in as a top speaker in Denver.

Edwards’ role at the Democratic convention, where Barack Obama will be formally nominated for the presidency in late August, has not been solidified — but his silence on tabloid reports alleging he had an affair with video producer Rielle Hunter could make him Kryptonite to Democrats.

“If he’s going to be a spokesman on working-class issues … in the fall, he’s going to have to get it resolved. It ain’t going away,” said Democratic strategist and FOX News contributor Bob Beckel.

Democratic convention hosts and the Democratic National Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but Beckel, a former convention planner, said the lack of a categorical denial by Edwards of an affair and love child could hamper his ability to speak out on poverty and campaign for Obama in the lead-up to the November election.

Beckel said Edwards probably wouldn’t be featured too prominently at the convention anyway, but that his silence raises suspicion.

“Let’s put it this way, if you believe perception rules in politics … the fact that it has not been knocked down raises more questions every day. … Then people say, ‘Why isn’t it knocked down if it’s not there?’ … I would not want to necessarily be in the Edwards’ bedroom in the morning, you know, that is not what I would consider a safe zone.”

Edwards denied the allegations when they first flared late last year. But in recent weeks he and his inner circle have clammed up, either trashing the tabloid nature of the stories or refusing to answer reporters’ questions.

He dodged questions on the matter from FOXNews.com last Wednesday at an AARP conference in Washington, D.C., and will not return calls placed by his local newspaper in North Carolina.

“If he wants to have a role in the convention or any other significant role in the Obama campaign or a potential Obama administration, I think he has to credibly respond to it,” Don Fowler, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told FOXNews.com.

“The silence is probably going to accentuate how much that rumor is repeated,” Fowler added. “I have great admiration and empathy for (Edwards) and I certainly hope that it all gets cleared up in an acceptable and satisfactory fashion. But the reality of politics is … that these kind of things do get into the media and they require response.”

Just weeks ago, Edwards was floated as a possible running-mate pick for Obama. Now his name is rarely mentioned on that list, as the speculation turns more toward current office holders like Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh.

Obama parted ways with his top running-mate screener Jim Johnson following reports that he may have gotten sweetheart deals from a mortgage lender. The presumptive Democratic nominee is bound to be even more stringent in making sure his vice presidential pick is squeaky clean.

Temple University professor Marc Lamont Hill, an author and Obama supporter, said convention planners can hardly deny Edwards a speaking role, but unless he unequivocally discredits the charges, his role will be diminished.

“It would be sort of party suicide to take someone with that kind of scandal and place them up,” Hill said.

“At a moment where the Democratic advantage partially hinges on not only the public dissatisfaction with the Bush administration but also the wide range of scandals … over the last three years of the GOP … it would be unwise for the DNC to prominently position someone who has ethical issues swirling around,” he added.