Exclusive: Edwardses Rebuff Critics, Underscore Importance Of Talking About Cancer
Exclusive: Edwardses Rebuff Critics, Underscore Importance Of Talking About Cancer
ThinkProgress spoke with the 2008 candidates who attended Saturday’s New Leadership on Health Care presidential forum. We’ll bring you some highlights from those interviews this week.
The New York Times speculated this weekend that there are “cons” attached to discussing Elizabeth Edwards’s health condition. In her 60 Minutes interview, Katie Couric told John Edwards as a matter of fact that, “You’re putting your work first, and your family second.” In our conversation with John and Elizabeth Edwards, they soundly rebutted critics who have questioned their motives, and underscored the importance of talking about Elizabeth’s health condition.
Elizabeth said the “baseline” reason they moved quickly to inform the public about her diagnosis was because “one of the important things is to tell the truth to people about what’s going on.”
She added that not allowing cancer to disrupt her routine has helped move the discussion “past what is happening with me to the fact that there are so many people in this country not dying with cancer but living with cancer. So we’re allowed to have a national dialogue about that, which helps people. I hope will help people tomorrow get this diagnosis and the next day get the diagnosis to see that in fact you can — you have a choice a choice about how you live the rest of your life and one of them is to live your life with cancer as fully, and live your life as fully as you possibly can.”
Watch it:
A recent USA Today poll finds that Americans support the decision of Edwards to stay in the race by a 2-1 margin.
Transcript:
ELIZABETH: Of course, in our case, people knew what was going on. John cancelled events and we had to — one of the important things [is] to tell the truth to people about what’s going on, and that’s sort of the baseline. Aside from that, what we’ve seen is the extraordinary dialogue that’s taken place. It’s moved — thankfully, it’s moved past just what’s happening with me to the fact that there are so many people across this country not dying with cancer but living with cancer. So we’re allowed to have a national dialogue about that, which helps people — I hope will help people tomorrow get this diagnosis and the next day get the diagnosis to see that in fact you can. You have a choice a choice about how you live the rest of your life and one of them is to live your life with cancer as fully, and live your life as fully as you possibly can, and all the medical people speaking about the possibility of doing that, I think has been, I hope has been inspirational to everyone facing it around the country.
NICO: So you and Tony Snow had a –
ELIZABETH: Actually, you know, that’s another thing that it does, is it — I think we disagree on so many things across this country, and instead of starting with the things we disagree on, maybe it’s a useful dialogue to start with the things that we do agree on, and health care, for example, and the forum that’s taking place today is one of those things. We all agree that we all should have good health care and we want good health for everybody regardless of their political persuasion.
FAIZ: Senator Edwards, you’ve had an Iraq redeployment plan for a quite a while now. It seems that one of the last strawmen the right has is what happens when we leave. [They say] chaos will erupt, that’s why we can’t do it. What’s your response to that specific argument about what happens when we leave?
JOHN EDWARDS: Well, first of all, anything could happen no matter what we do, and we need to start by being honest about that. Second, I think we have to prepare. As we’re orderly — in an orderly way redeploying out of Iraq, we need to engage the Iranians and the Syrians into this effort to help secure Iraq. We need to maintain a presence in the region, already have troops in Kuwait, we need to have a presence in the Persian Gulf, naval presence in the Persian Gulf. We’ll probably need to put some troops into Afghanistan, although most troops will be able to come home. And then I think over the long term we have to prepare for the worst, which we haven’t been doing until now, which is we have to have a plan for containment in the event that things go in the wrong direction. We have to do this in a smart, responsible way. But at the end of the day, the Iraqis have to decide whether they’re going to reach a political reconciliation between Sunni and Shia. Without that, there cannot be peace in Iraq.
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And by choosing to live with cancer, Elizabeth has a better shot at living too!
March 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pmElizabeth said the “baseline†reason they moved quickly to inform the public about her diagnosis was because “one of the important things is to tell the truth to people about what’s going on.â€
Kick ass, Elizabeth!
March 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pmShe also said that this is a good way to prove to the American People how he handles adversity.
I don’t necessarily agree with him continuing to run (in the light of her illness), if that’s what he and Elizabeth have decided…more power to them.
And Katie was being very two-faced. Harping on him about his continuing to run while, when Katie’s husband was very ill she continued to work on the TODAY show.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pmPrayers for Elizabeth.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:19 pmApparently, Katie Couric’s husband died of colon cancer at 42. Did she give up her career when he was diagnosed? And, as someone noted on another blog, will she be asking McCain and Guiliani about their own cancer?
March 26th, 2007 at 4:21 pmJake, that’s the first decent thing I’ve seen you say in a while.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:24 pmCongratulations on passing the humanity 101 class.
“one of the important things is to tell the truth to people about what’s going on.†Clearly, the Edwards have no business in politics.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:24 pmOnly in the current USA is telling the truth cause for ridicule and lying is deemed acceptable and normal behavior.
I do not know enough about Mr. Edwards yet to have formed an opinion on his candidacy and I will educate myself thoroughly on that before making a decision in the voting booth.
However, for the truthful and upfront manner in which the Edwards’ have addressed this extremely difficult issue, they have my respect. And Elizabeth Edwards has my best wishes and morale support for her difficult battle ahead.
Shame on you Couric, Limbaugh, and all the other heartless and soulless exploiters of this situation.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:29 pmMy father had cancer for 12 years (3 bouts and two remissions).
In that time I, went to high school, graduated, went to college, graduated and started a career. What would have been the point in not doing those things because my father was dying from cancer?
Cancer is not a reason to stop living your life. It’s why my father got 12 years instead of the 6 weeks the doctors initially gave him.
Elizabeth Edwards is a selfless woman who sees that talking about her condition is better than hiding in some hospial feeling sorry for herself and dragging everyone down with her. I admire her courage and strength.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:29 pmFor the record, I posted we should all be praying on one of the first cancer recurrence threads too — before Podesta’s thread, which I thought was my best chance to ask him a few relevant questions on another topic. If anyone (NOT on the “Ignore List”) has any questions about that, let me know.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:29 pmWould his critics feel better about it if he took the Newt Gingrich route and announced he was divorcing her while she was lying in a hospital bed?
March 26th, 2007 at 4:30 pmWould his critics feel better if he took the Newt Gingrich route and served her with divorce papers while she is lying in a hospital bed?
March 26th, 2007 at 4:32 pmPrayers for Elizabeth.
Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
I don’t think prayer works. How about sending her an email or letter telling her you admire her courage and hope for her recovery? Or donating to cancer research (either directly or by voting for people who support Federal funding for it which is a real threat to life and not terrorism). Those things will actually matter and make a difference. I’ve yet to see prayer matter in such, if any, situations.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:33 pmJake,
The best way to ask Podesta a question is to email him.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:35 pmDon’t offer up your lame excuses here.
That’s the problem with you trolls, you can’t seem to figure out what the hell stay on topic means.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:36 pmElizabeth Edwards makes Laura Bush look like the soulless, wooden stick figure that she is.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:38 pmNo thanks, unbelievable — I also sent Podesta an e-mail — that I will agree with you doesn’t work ; )
March 26th, 2007 at 4:39 pmYes, John Podesta should take time out of his day to answer questions from trolls. Oy!
March 26th, 2007 at 4:41 pmI really hate how the question of whether John should or should not run for president while his wife suffers from Stage IV cancer is a matter of debate. As far as I’m concerned, it’s between John and Elizabeth and their children, and nobody else’s opinion matters.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:42 pmNo thanks, unbelievable — I also sent Podesta an e-mail — that I will agree with you doesn’t work ; )
Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
You aren’t willing to do anything pro-active – in favor of wishful thinking that has been proven by independent studies to actually do more harm than good (because the person being prayer for feels stressed to get better), but you are willing to email someone for the sake of what? A reaction? I don’t get you Jake.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:48 pmAs far as I’m concerned, it’s between John and Elizabeth and their children, and nobody else’s opinion matters.
Comment by Yachts and Lattes — March 26, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
In a nutshell, I think you’re right. It’s their decision – period.
The Right is just so desperate for ammunition against Edwards (because he’s led such a moral life), that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel here…
March 26th, 2007 at 4:49 pmthank you for this, TP !!!
March 26th, 2007 at 4:54 pmi’m looking forward to reading it when i get back in from the garden…
…
unbelivable:
I e-mailed Mr. Podesta (and other Clinton officials) to see if they would deny that Clinton ever fired U.S. Attorneys for political reasons — I see Mrs. Clinton today dismissed ANY comparison between the firing last fall of eight U.S. attorneys with the replacement of 93 U.S. attorneys when her husband became president in 1993. “That’s a traditional prerogative of an incoming president,” Clinton said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Also, I think knowing whether one’s vote for President of the United States — arguably the most important job on the planet — will eventually force that man to choose between his dying wife or his job is pretty significant. YMMV.
March 26th, 2007 at 4:56 pmThe Right is just so desperate for ammunition against Edwards (because he’s led such a moral life), that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel here…
Comment by unbelievable
Is this the guy who they mock as Breck Girl? Just because he’s got hair, or what? He and Elizabeth look like the kind of people that bring over a casserole when you move into your new house in the suburbs. What the hell is wrong with these people?
March 26th, 2007 at 4:56 pmI saw this interview yesterday with Katie and the Edwards. She kept saying “some people say…” then all the B.S. above. I felt like choking her! Is THAT her idea of an interview? God, it would be SO NICE to have actual, qualified and trained REAL journalists! Paula Zahn is another one that drives me nuts. And these people are on so-called “liberal” networks. What a F****ing joke!
March 26th, 2007 at 4:58 pmJake,
What an ass, give it a rest, this is a different thread discussing a different topic, you have a half track mind. Grow up old man.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:07 pmKatie Couric:
When her husband was dying of cancer, did she give up her career to look after him? She’s supposed to be a journalist, how dare she inject herself into the interview and make that kind of value judgment!
March 26th, 2007 at 5:08 pmJake, please get over yourself and stop hijacking threads about Elizabeth Edwards’ battle with cancer.
Had you stopped after comment #4, you would have earned yourself some respect from most people here. As it is, you’ve squandered any good will and more with your rationalizations since.
I’m proud of Elizabeth Edwards and her husband for bravely facing both her illness and the media scrutiny (some of it inappropriate) that comes with it. Dignity is inspiring.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:08 pmWTF is wrong with Katie Couric?
Didn’t she lose her husband to cancer? And her sister?
By her logic, she also put her job first and her family second because she didn’t quit her job.
What an inane statement to make.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:09 pm“You’re putting your work first, and your family second.â€
So the bitch finally comes out. Do you have to be souless to sit behind a news desk? Didn’t she decide to continue to further her career and put work first while her husband battled colon cancer?
March 26th, 2007 at 5:10 pmJake,
For the record, Mrs Edwards is not dying of cancer.
Enough with the idiotic talking points already.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:10 pmchoose between his dying wife or his job is pretty significant. YMMV.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:11 pmChoose what? Loser.
The issue with Edwards is not his wife’s illness. We all wish her well.
The issue with Edwards is he is not qualified to be President.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:11 pmThe issue with Edwards is he is not qualified to be President.
Comment by Liberals Heart Terrorists — March 26, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Why? Because he hasn’t failed as a businessman? He hasn’t been a part-time governor in a “weak-governor” state? He hasn’t failed to find oil in Texas?
Because he can speak the English language as if he were educated?
March 26th, 2007 at 5:19 pmThe issue with Edwards is he is not qualified to be President.
Comment by Liberals Heart Terrorists
Are you saying he doesn’t pass the George W Bush test? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
March 26th, 2007 at 5:24 pmThe issue with Edwards is he is not qualified to be President.
Comment by Liberals Heart Terrorists — March 26, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Why? Because he actually has a brain and knows how to use it? Because he is a self-made millionaire instead of being the spoiled spawn of a very wealthy and influential family? Because he did nor run his business ventures into the ground? Because he is TRULY compassionate? Because his eldest daughter attends Harvard Law School instead of getting drunk in clubs all over the world like some twins we know?
March 26th, 2007 at 5:36 pmLHT,
Yeah, and little Georgie Bush was. He’s failed at everything he’s done. He has a long storied history here in Texas, of failure.
Daddy, and Daddies friends, and Daddies money, and Daddies friends money, That’s Dubyas qualifications
STFU LHT
March 26th, 2007 at 5:38 pmSorry, but unbelievable asked the question, so I have to answer since he / she is not on the “Ignore List”.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:46 pmWhy? Because he actually has a brain and knows how to use it? Because he is a self-made millionaire instead of being the spoiled spawn of a very wealthy and influential family? Because he did nor run his business ventures into the ground? Because he is TRULY compassionate? Because his eldest daughter attends Harvard Law School instead of getting drunk in clubs all over the world like some twins we know?
Comment by Devil’s Advocate
Sorry, but being a “self-made millionaire” only counts if you’re a Republican. Those guys are bringing good business sense to the table, and because they’re successful they’re obviously smarter and more capable than the rest of us.
It’s they’re self-made millionaire Democrats, then they’re just damn hypocrites. Jeeze, try to keep up.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:41 pmKatie Couric is useless, and has in turn rendered the network of Uncle Walter and Dan Rather irrelevant.
Congratulations, CBS.
You know, when a person has a serious illness of any sort, but especially a terminal one, it is often very important to the person to “accomplish something” during his or her remaining tenure on this planet. A good example of this are the number of women stricken with breast cancer who do the three-day walk for a cure.
I suffer from bipolar disorder, and while that isn’t fatal, it certainly does figure into my daily life. I could roll over and make nothing of my life. Instead, I write, I lobby, I own my own business, I LIVE.
Elizabeth Edwards is an inspiration. Katie Couric is a useless piece of trash.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:05 pmI just watched the 60 minutes (I have Tivo) and I have to say that I think Katie Couric is going to rue the day she ever did that interview. She came across as callus and uncaring. Her slitty eyed looks at them made her look positively evil. The Edwards both showed grace and integrity in answering her snarky “some people say” questions. I just wish at the end, one of them had asked her who “some people” were. Perhaps they did and it was edited out. If I was Elizabeth Edwards, I would have walked up to Couric after the interview and told her that she is an unmitigated bitch not to mention a hypocrite. She continued to work while her husband was dying of colon cancer. So, who in the hell does she think she is judging the Edwards. She continued to work to advance her entertainment career. The Edwards are staying in the race because they care about this country and they are committed to that service. Before this interview I was on the fence between Edwards and Obama. I’m off the fence now. Edwards is my man. Actually, I think an Edwards/Obama ticket would be unstoppable.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:13 pmI have “no comment” on the Couric interview.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:29 pmI have “no comment†on the Couric interview.
Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
You seem to be under the false impression that someone cares, or what you say is *relevant* to anyone but yourself. Dum bass.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:33 pmElizabeth has always been a fierceless campaigner for her husband, and she wants to live to see him President. Her decision makes sense, because she’s not just some housewife standing on the sidelines while her husband hits the campaign trail. She DIRECTS his campaign, she makes speeches, it’s part of her life and work.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:41 pmGeez, I wonder how Lincoln managed to save the Union after his son died and his wife went stark raving mad.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:55 pmI wonder how FDR managed to lead the country while suffering with polio.
Did Betty Ford’s boozing and breast cancer distract Gerald from important issues?
How did Nancy’s breast cancer negatively impact the Gipper’s performance while in power? More improtantly, how did his recovery from a gun shot wound impair his performance? ( Actually, I can think of a few examples here.)
Are we going to be asking how Mitt can handle the pressures of the presidency while his wife suffers from MS, a progressive neurological disease?
Will Mccain’s cancer recur? How about Rudy’s?
John and Elizabeth Edwards HAVE BOTH CHOSEN TO EMBRACE LIFE AND FIGHTING OVER DEATH AND DEFEAT—-WHAT MORE CAN ANYONE SAY TO THAT??????
March 26th, 2007 at 8:33 pmTell CBS they have no class or humanity.
Couric is an ass.
http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml
March 26th, 2007 at 10:47 pmJohn and Elizabeth Edwards HAVE BOTH CHOSEN TO EMBRACE LIFE AND FIGHTING OVER DEATH AND DEFEAT—-WHAT MORE CAN ANYONE SAY TO THAT??????
Comment by Raymond Funamoto
Not a thing, Raymond, not one damn thing.
They’re a great team.
March 26th, 2007 at 10:50 pmIf “some people say” that John Edwards should not run for president because he would be “distracted” by having a wife with cancer, then I guess “some people say” that neither McCain nor Guiliani should run because they have both had a bout with cancer. As evidenced by both Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow, cancer can come back and when it does, it’s usually much worse than the first bout. I wonder if the evil Ms. Couric would say “some people say”… to McCain and Guiliani if she was to interview them. Nah….
March 27th, 2007 at 11:02 amTRI-PAC Health and Wellness Advocacy is appalled by fomer Senator John Edwards shameless exploitation of his wife’s terminal illness.
March 27th, 2007 at 12:58 pmPlease see my posting on ” Shame on John Edwards” on http://www.DrDorodny.blogspot.com
March 27th, 2007 at 1:05 pmPlease see my posting on blog: “Shame on John Edwards”
Dr.Dorodny
March 27th, 2007 at 1:06 pmphd business administration
Good post. I am looking into these issues on my blog.
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