You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Home Front: Politix
Edwards will stay in presidential race
2007-03-23
Democrat John Edwards announced Tuesday he would stay in the presidential race after his wife, Elizabeth, learned the cancer first diagnosed in 2004 has returned. The couple, appearing at a news conference in North Carolina, said they would not suspend campaign activities as she begins treatment. "The campaign goes on. The campaign goes on strongly," John Edwards said.

Doctors found cancer on a rib after she went to the doctor for treatment of a cracked rib. Elizabeth Edwards described her condition as asymptomatic, and said she would continue to assist her husbandÂ’s campaign.
Posted by:Fred

#14  Chemist - more power to you and best wishes for your wife and family! My mother (69 yrs old and in great shape) had it, and while she had mastectomys, is cancer-free to this day. It can be beat. As I said best wishes, good luck, and stick to your priorities - hint, work prolly isn't it right now, but you already got it :-)
Posted by: Frank G   2007-03-23 23:25  

#13  apparently one of the Two Americas™ needs him more than his wife and children do. Also apparently, it's not the America I live in, cuz I could go my entire life without hearing or seeing his lying pedantic pandering mug ever again. He shoulda quit the race.
Posted by: Frank G   2007-03-23 22:01  

#12  My wife is currently fighting breast cancer. It is a tough game. I'm spending as little time as possible at work (we have a 2 yr old son & a 9 yr old duaghter). I can't imagine why anyone would want to take on a large new project during such a time.
Posted by: Chemist   2007-03-23 21:53  

#11  James Taranto, in today's Best of the web, quotes blogger Dean Barnett, who has cystic fibrosis, who said that people/couples go through several stages when faces with this kind of thing. The first stage is to refuse to allow it to change their lives, as the Edwardses appear to be doing. The second is when they accept the diminution of the afflicted party's abilities, and make life changes to accomodate that -- like dropping out of the race. I was appalled by Mr. Edwards decision, but now I'll wait to see how it plays out -- I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. Steve is right. I still would never vote for him, though.
Posted by: trailing wife   2007-03-23 20:22  

#10  Apparently the expected additional life of Mrs Edwards, based on the diagnosis and current medical technology is 2.5 to 5.0 years. She will have to undergo a pretty strict schedule of treatments. After some of these treatments she will be in very weak shape.
Posted by: mhw   2007-03-23 18:24  

#9  It's their call, but I wouldn't have done it. Kinda makes me wonder what his priorities are, and I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering.
I wish her luck.
Posted by: tu3031   2007-03-23 15:01  

#8  Running for president is a family affair -- a person does NOT embark on this journey without the full consent of spouse and children. I'm completely confident that Mrs. Edwards has been an integral part of the Edwards campaign, and that she wants John to be President as much as he does (whether he should be, of course, is another matter).

Yep, Gephardt (the man with no eyebrows) quit his run because one of his children went into chronic renal failure and wasn't up for it. I admired his choice.
Posted by: Shipman   2007-03-23 14:57  

#7  My mom pretty much feels this move will lose the women's vote for him. He should be by her side even if she's pushing him to run.

My gut is he should drop out in a week or so and then see if he gets any VP offers going into the primary. She might be in better shape by then or it will be clear that it's not in the cards at all.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2007-03-23 11:21  

#6  And in the end, Edwards will still lose for the same reason: he's a putz.
Posted by: Dreadnought   2007-03-23 10:56  

#5  Lots of folks have to help their spouses beat cancer. Not many get to help their spouses beat cancer *and* run for President. Good luck, Mrs. E.
Posted by: Seafarious   2007-03-23 10:53  

#4  Now wait.

Running for president is a family affair -- a person does NOT embark on this journey without the full consent of spouse and children. I'm completely confident that Mrs. Edwards has been an integral part of the Edwards campaign, and that she wants John to be President as much as he does (whether he should be, of course, is another matter).

And if you want something that much, you keep going in spite of the many setbacks along the way.

I wasn't there, of course, but I'm betting that Elizabeth is the one who told him to stay in the race.
Posted by: Steve White   2007-03-23 10:41  

#3  Remember, John Edwards is at heart still the trial lawyer and he's treating the voting public as the jury he want's to win over. Nothing like the suffering wife by your side to tug at the heart strings. I'm waiting for the interview where she says; "I hope I live to see John sworn in before I die."
Posted by: Steve   2007-03-23 09:37  

#2  Idiotic decision; Edwards should have called it quits, taken his wife to Tahiti, enjoyed her remaining 4 years or less, and left the dusty den to the other snakes and vipers. Everyone knows he will only be thinking of his wife during times of crisis, both his wife's and the nations, and Elizabeth's failing will surely haunt Edwards, despite his say to the contrary!
Posted by: smn   2007-03-23 09:03  

#1  I wish Mrs Edwards well.

However, if she decides campaigning is more important than making sure she gets each cancer treatment on time, she is going to be in trouble.
Posted by: mhw   2007-03-23 08:08  

00:00