Via CNN: Edwards: Wife’s cancer returns, campaign goes on
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Thursday his wife’s cancer has returned but his bid for the White House will go on.“The campaign goes on,” John Edwards said at a news conference outside the couple’s home, contradicting earlier media reports to the contrary.
John Edwards said tests this week had shown his wife, Elizabeth, had cancer in a rib on her right side. He said the cancer is treatable but not curable.
“We are very optimistic about this,” he said, noting that the tumor is small in size and has a “relatively minimal presence.”
Elizabeth Edwards said she was “incredibly optimistic” and said her expectations about the future were unchanged.
Several thoughts:
1) I hope that Elizabeth Edwards has a swift, full recovery.
2) The earlier reports appear to have been wrong.
3) I am a little surprised, to be honest. Given Edwards’ wealth, the time needed for a campaign, and the long odds for anyone running for President, I would think that perhaps he would have at least suspended the campaign. The decision, obviously, in theirs–but I still find it odd.
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March 22nd, 2007 at 1:33 pm
On a personal level, it makes sense to me. My wife wanted us all to pretty much keep doing what we were doing, at least insofar as possible. I suspect she is at least as political, and ambitious, as he.
God be with them.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
First off, I am very sorry to hear about your wife in this regard.
Second, my point simply was that from my personal POV if I was a) very wealthy and b) involved in an activity that had a high chance of failure and that took me away from home a lot whilst taking all of my energy and attention that I would likely forgo the activity if my wife were seriously ill.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Yes, but you are not a narcissist with an ego the size of a planet.
March 22nd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Well, there is that…
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:35 pm
“…my point simply was that from my personal POV if I was a) very wealthy and b) involved in an activity that had a high chance of failure and that took me away from home a lot whilst taking all of my energy and attention that I would likely forgo the activity if my wife were seriously ill.”
Even if your wife very much wanted you to continue, and her emotional and physical well-being were more likely to be negatively affected by suspending or giving up the campaign than by continuing with it? And were you aware that Elizabeth Edwards will be traveling with her husband wherever they go?
I watched the entire video of the Edwards press conference, and I received the strong impression that John and Elizabeth Edwards have an exceptionally strong, committed, and loving relationship. So I’m not certain where the statement that John Edwards “is a narcissist with an ego the size of the planet” comes from.
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Note: I said if it were me. I am not saying what Edwards should do.
(While the ego comment wasn’t mine, I will say that anyone who runs for President has at least a planet-sized ego…that’s just a given).
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:46 pm
The depressing thing is the cancer is inoperable. The Edwards might think treatment isn’t going to be effective. If it were they’d take the time needed to fight it. And Mrs. Edwards doesn’t want to push off her husband’s best chance at the Presidency. Very sad but also selfless.
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:30 pm
This all reminds me way too much of The American President
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:45 pm
The “narcissist with an ego the size of a planet” comment was mine and it was, as Dr. Taylor rightly points out, directed at presidential candidates in general, and I think it is as true of Edwards as much as it has ever been true of any of them.
March 22nd, 2007 at 10:16 pm
[...] –Attytood:“Whatever you think of the politics of Elizabeth Edwards and her husband, it is simply impossible not to admire their personal courage.” –Steven Taylor: 1) I hope that Elizabeth Edwards has a swift, full recovery. [...]