Pros and Cons of Elizabeth Edward's Announcement

[Polly]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/

Do you agree or disagree with the pros and cons listed in the article?

Polly

[Lori]

I don't know what to think of it politically, but I'm very saddened to hear this. :(

[Sarah]

It's just such a sad situation. As for how I feel about it politically, I don't think he should get special treatment because of it, but I don't think he should be looked down upon for continuing his campaign. More that likely, that's what Elizabeth wants him to do. At least, that's how I'd feel if I were to get sick, I'd want Chad to keep doing whatever it is he's doing.

[Lori]

Sarah, I agree. If I were to get sick, I wouldn't want Sean to quit his job and drop out of school. I would hope that Edwards isn't looked down upon for continuing what they had planned on, but I also don't see any reason for special treatment, either.

[Mary]

I agree; no special treatment should be given. I'm just sad about the whole thing. I am glad he's not dropping out; he's my guy to watch. I've been very interested in learning more about him.

[Jejune]

I hate that California always comes so late in the primary that we make no difference in the result. I want to vote for Edwards and actually have it count for something. He's the only Democratic candidate I really like so far.*

*And I do have quibbles with some of the stuff from the previous election. But I still like him best.

[Lori]

I like Edwards a lot, and pragmatically I also feel like he's the only truly viable candidate. I like Obama, but as a VP candidate; I just don't think he has the experience to be a viable presidential candidate. I have no problem with Hillary Clinton, and I think she could be a good leader, but she's so polarizing and so absolutely reviled by a segment of the country that I would honestly start to think that the DNC has no desire whatsoever to actually win a Presidental election if she gets the nomination.

I can see this having a big effect on the campaign though, particulary since it doesn't sound like there's a whole lot they can do for her.

[Polly]

Do I think no special treatment should be given? Yes. Do I think it will anyway? You bet. Why? Perception of voters thinking that any candidate that attacks Edwards is scum.

I do really feel for John Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards. Stage four cancer is no joke. I didn't know it was stage four until I read the article. That is never a good thing to hear. One of my friend's father received that diagnosis right before my friend's wedding. His (my friend) aunt came up to DH and our friends at the reception and told us that his dad was just diagnosed with cancer and it was stage four. The aunt didn't know what that meant. My dh and our friends just looked at one another with a sinking feeling-we all knew what it usually meant. His dad passed less than a year later.

Polly

[Christine]

I'm very, very saddened to hear the news about Elizabeth Edwards. From what I've seen of this couple, they are still very much in love after all they've been through.

I do think negatively of him for continuing to run though. I think family should always come first and with something THIS serious, maybe it's time to step back.

[gr8mommy]

I'm very, very saddened to hear the news about Elizabeth Edwards. From what I've seen of this couple, they are still very much in love after all they've been through.

I do think negatively of him for continuing to run though. I think family should always come first and with something THIS serious, maybe it's time to step back.


This. I'd much rather see him back away now, and then perhaps run in the future. He's a young man, he has time to run later. I also wonder how focused he could actually be on running his campaign, or being in office should he win, with her being so ill.

[Lori]

I don't have any problem with him continuing to run, and I respect it. I think that politicans should, ideally, serve the public, and serving the public should mean, at times, making sacrifices. I very much respect that John and Elizabeth Edwards are making a decision to continue to serve the public in the way they feel it should be served, despite it meaning a personal sacrifice.

The thing I like most about Edwards (aside from finding him extremely charming) is that he seems to truly take seriously the idea of politics being service. And when you are dealing with a public that is facing very serious issues that needs to be served, then I can completely understand feeling like it was necessary to keep doing that even in the face of personal tragedy.

[Christine]

Personally, I don't buy it. I have a hard time believing that people run for president for the good of the nation. There are so many other ways you can serve that wouldn't take you away from home as much.

And what if he DOES become president? How would he run this country and tend to his wife? What if she passes while he's president and then we've got a grieving man sitting in office. I have issues with something so huge taking away from the job they're supposed to do. He's walking into this situation knowingly, which I find even more troublesome.

[Kristi]

I agree with Christine. I would think that he should drop out of the campaign and spend time with his wife. He can always run for president later but his wife will not always be around. I guess it is hard to judge though when you really don't know how she feels about it. I mean maybe she is pushing him to stay in the race. Maybe she wants to see her husband become president before she dies. You just never know.

I like Edwards but if I were in his shoes I think i would put my presidential career on hold to spend time with and care for my wife.

Either way I think it is very sad. They always seemed very happy together and she seems like such a nice woman.