Edwards Discourages Sympathy Votes

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

Edwards Discourages Sympathy Votes

Mar 25, 3:37 PM (ET)

WASHINGTON (AP) - John Edwards says voters shouldn't throw him their support because his wife has cancer.

"Do not vote for us because you feel some sympathy or compassion for us. That would be an enormous mistake," Edwards told CBS'"60 Minutes" in an interview airing Sunday night. "The vote for the presidency is far too important for any of those things to influence it."

Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, who has been diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer, defended his decision to remain in the race. She said she couldn't live with denying him the chance to be president.

"That would be my legacy, wouldn't it, Katie?" according to a transcript of the interview with Katie Couric, which was taped Saturday in Las Vegas and released Sunday before broadcast.


Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, right, and his wife Elizabeth are seen at the New Leadership on Health Care Presidential Forum held at The Cox Pavilion, Saturday, March 24, 2007 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070325/D8O3CVEO0.html

[az chela]

1. Elizabeth looks so beautiful,but what a price to pay!!!!!!!!!

I have always loved her and John but no sympathy vote here,I will vote for him because I truly
believe in him
JOHN EDWARDS_____2008
Peace now
END THE WAR !!!!!!!!!
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME

[demnan]

2. He's the best choice

precisely because he would say something like that. We need that kind of character in the White House.

[w4rma]

9. I agree. (nt)

[checks-n-balances]

3. No problem-has been my choice all along, since his 2004 pres. campaign

They have always been a great Pres & First Lady team. Hope to see them both living in the White House by 2009 - America and the world needs them!!

[booley]

4. Oh well that's just great!

:banghead: Now I want to vote for him even MORE then before. His announcment is going to have the complete opposite effect!

Good going John, you honourable jerk!!

:sarcasm: to my :sarcasm:

[stray cat]

5. I liked him before and like him even more today

Best to both of them - I'd love to see him win in 2008!

[Pastiche423]

6. O-kay

He won't get my sympathy vote.

[frogmarch]

7. Edwards is tops in my book

He's got my vote.

I don't dislike any of the other Democratic candidates, and I'll vote for whomever wins the Democratic nomination - but I like John Edwards the best.

[still_one]

8. He isn't my first choice, obama is, but the more I hear his positions on healthcare

and of course the Iraq war, the more I like him

It has nothing to do with the tradgedy their family is going through, if I vote for him it will be because I like him on the issues, and BELIEVE HE MEANS IT

You can be sure he won't veto a stem research bill

[iamjoy]

10. And Feel Free To "Attack" Him, Too

as long as its fair. I know many people on this board don't like Edwards, or have other candidates they prefer. That shouldn't change based on this.

But don't question his ability to do the job based on Elizabeth's illness. I will furiously defend that. I will also defend his decision to continue the campaign.

I hope we can focus on the issues and his wife's health should not be one - either in sympathy or as cause for rejection. That's tough, I know right now it's hard for me to stop thinking about it. I think in time we'll turn back to the issues that affect most or all Americans, not just a handful.

[high density]

11. Don't worry, you didn't have my vote in the first place. NM

[truthisfreedom]

12. I had forgotten he was running.

I'm not kidding.

[mzmolly]

13. I have a feeling Elizabeth will have many years to build her "legacy."

Thoughts and prayers are with them once again. I think an Elizabeth avatar would be nice?

[wageslave71]

14. He's got my vote

I intend to vote for him in the primary and for any Dem that wins it. I do believe that a candidate, such as Edwards, stands a better chance in the general election than Clinton or Obama, however. I'm sure there are plenty who would argue with that.

By the way, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with John's parents in '04. Modest car, clothes and character; the antithesis of the pair that spawned the evil residing in the WH now.

[qwlauren35]

15. My mom has a theory...

Continuing in the race probably keeps Ms. Edwards saner through the madness she's going through than dropping out would. As one who has seen more cancer deaths than I would ever want to, I think it's the right choice for THEM.