The perception that John Edwards will have to battle in the primary

[cali]

is that he will not be able to fulfill his Constitutional obligations as President due to Elizabeth's illness.

I don't know if this has been covered in the MSM or elsewhere, but I think it will enter into the minds of a substantial number of primary voters.

And before anyone accuses me of slamming Edwards, let me make it clear: Although I haven't decided on a candidate, Edwards is high on a very short list for me. He's not perfect (what candidate is?) but I find him very compelling and courageous.

[mmonk]

1. No slam here,

but Elizabeth is a strong individual who is asymptomatic.

[cali]

3. Yes, I know.

And that's wonderful, but I don't think that in and of itself, will stop voters from worrying about this issue.

[mmonk]

4. I'm sure some will worry as you say.

Maybe as the primaries go along, John can reassure them (as well as Elizabeth).

[Bukowski Fan]

2. I was thinking about this tonight as well

My girlfriend, who is not totally involved in politics like I am, but is a liberal, posed this question to me. And before anyone slams ME, although I haven't thrown my support behind Edwards totally, at this point, he leads the candidates currently in the race for me.

I think this is definitely something to worry about for Edwards as it is something I'm wondering about myself. The meme will definitely come up, if not through the MSM, than through the Repubs, and it will have to be addressed. What could be a possible counter-point to this?

[cali]

5. I think the most effective response

would be to take this head on the first time it comes up. John and Elizabeth could say that they've discussed this in depth and that no matter what turn her illness takes, have a deep conviction that John would not lose his focus on the priorities of the country; that he can both love and support his wife and family and put his mind to the task at hand. They could also add that they have a wide and supportive circle of friends and family.

[Blackhatjack]

8. There are two counterpoints to this concern the OP raised....

If we want a President that identifies with the people, and will put the needs and interests of the people first, then we want someone who has live through the struggles that millions of Americans face every day. Someone who is insulated from tragedy and dealing with life and death problems is less likely to appreciate the enormity of those challenges and to understand the very important role good government can play to help people overcome them. John Edwards fills the bill on this point having lost a child, and now dealing with Elizabeth's cancer recurrence. Overlooking both of these obvious examples, John Edwards grew up in a home with modest means and spent the major part of his professional life representing people who were hurt through the negligence of others and helping those people put their lives back together. If I did not know of his actions personally, which I do, I would still take comfort knowing that he understands the urgency of helping those who struggle to get by.

Second point, it is nothing new for a President to have a spouse who is ill or even to pass away while they are serving in that capacity. It is surely a concern when a loved one is facing health problems, but most people understand that the way a person handles problems like these reveals their true character. No matter who we elect as President, there is no guarantee that their spouse will not find themselves in the same position Elizabeth Edwards is in today. Take a look at the obituary page and you realize noone is guaranteed tomorrow. We should not elect a President because we think we can predict the future of their health, or their spouse's health.

I believe the American people are observing two very strong individuals who have faced tragedy before and survived. Those are the type of people we want to handle our most important problems.
Elizabeth's survivability should not be a negative, but rather an inspiration to us all.

[Bukowski Fan]

11. Great response, thank you! n/t

[CTyankee]

12. Thank you! The idea that presidential candidates cannot or should not

have family illness is just stupid, as well as unrealistic and undesirable for exactly the reasons you cite so well.

As a matter of fact, one of the reasons I am now more drawn to his candidacy is the graceful, courageous way the Edwardses handled their press conference. I was reminded of what kind of people they are. And I think lots of people saw what I saw: decency, honor, devotion to one's spouse and bravery.

Anyone who disses them deserves the slime pit they will end up in with the rest of the RW scum.

[Gabi Hayes]

6. He can hire Katie Couric as a special advisor. She can show him

how to go to work every day, do his job, while his spouse is DYING.

she was an expert that

then, after she dies, he can take some time off, just like Couric, and let VP Sanders take over for awhile

pinch me...I must've drifted off

[mmonk]

7. Or maybe Newt can be the family spokesperson.

[CTyankee]

14. Newt is the "anti Edwards." What a contrast! I can't wait to see

Newt scramble around trying to justify his crappy behavior.

Wasn't it interesting to see Newt's "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" statement about how we shouldn't go into candidates' private lives at about the same time of the Edwardses announcement?

That was a good one!:rofl:

[Blackhatjack]

17. I am still trying to fathom how Dobson could say Newt is a viable candidate....

That tells me more about Dobson and the agenda he is pushing than about Newt. We already know Newt for his deeds.

I cannot imagine the backer of marriage and family values could stand up and endorse Newt for any reason other than preserving his political power over his followers.

[saltpoint]

9. I believe John and Elizabeth Edwards know what they're doing.

This is a case of "They appeal cuz they're real."

Our current president has had everything handed to him and money grew on every tree, even if he snorted coke up his nose and got shitfaced drunk every night and skipped Guard duty.

If John Edwards becomes president, he will have paid his emotional dues and then some.

I'm not concerned.

[cali]

10. I believe they know what they're doing too

and I'm sure they've thought about this. That doesn't mean it's not a real concern. It's impossible to know how much of a factor it will be, but to pretend that it isn't a factor doesn't make much sense.

[saltpoint]

15. I would assert that they're ahead of the curve. Cancer diagnoses in the

past social history of the United States have brought isolation, secrecy, and a premature end to social contacts, sometimes even within one's extended family.

These Edwardses are of another era entirely.

Their knowing what they're doing is reinforced by their doing it together, and in public.

[Orsino]

13. That's only one of the memes he'll fight.

There's also the girly-man/gay theme the knuckle-draggers love, along with good old-fashioned lawyer hate. Only the last of these will ever really be articulated, but they'll all be humming along in the background of MSM coverage.

[Blackhatjack]

16. John and Elizabeth have put the issues of mortality and priorities on the table for discussion...

Our culture reinforces the message that accumulation of wealth at all costs and satisfying our personal desires must be paramount.

The truth is that we cannot take any of our wealth with us when we pass on. And the accumulation of wealth to satisfy personal desires will ultimately leave us empty, searching for meaning in our lives.

John and Elizabeth have faced the fact that we are all mortal, and no one is promised tomorrow. As a result, we have to ask the same question. Facing an uncertain future, how will we spend our remaining time?

I believe they decided together to make their lives count by reaching out to help others, and they believe if John is elected President that he will have the power to make government serve the interests and needs of the people again, not just the desires of the wealthy and the powerful.

The true measure of a man is not how wealthy he became, but whether he made a difference in the lives of those he touched. John and Elizabeth will touch many lives no matter the outcome of the 2008 Election. However, we will all benefit if John Edwards becomes our next President.

[cali]

18. Absolutely true n/t

[npincus]

19. All true- and Guiliani is a (prostate) cancer survivor

will the MSM fuel the perception that he is living under the shadow of having had cancer?