It’s a difficult decision only when you won’t accept the fact that you are not going to win. His wife has about a 20% chance of a 5-year survival and then it goes down. He’s nuts not to spend this time with his wife and children.

Left by kissmyass on March 26th, 2007 at 4:48 pm

I’ve seen Elizabeth on television shows before and I’d bet my last dollar John left it up to her as to whether or not he should quit the campaign and she didn’t want him to. She probably would see that as giving in to her cancer. I think this is more about her than him and although there could come a time when he can’t campaign, well then he won’t and they’ll deal with it. I do wonder, however, if he was the frontrunner, if their decision would have been the same.

Left by dianne on March 26th, 2007 at 5:09 pm

Then I fault him for leaving the decision up to her. What is she suppose to say? I have no doubt they have a good marriage. However, like anyone else in their position, they are in denial about what she faces.

Left by kissmyass on March 26th, 2007 at 5:19 pm

Kiss - I’m not an expert on breast cancer or bone cancer. Your survival rates are grim and not what I heard on television after they interviewed doctors about her condition. Perhaps you’re right, I don’t know if it’s denial or not. However, her doctors are apparently optimistic according to what she said

We all face death. A 30 year old spouse of a candidate can be killed in a car wreck and therefore I don’t think it should be the reason for a candidate to drop out of a race. Now, however, if the candidate himself was given the diagnosis she was, well that is a different story. In that case, I believe the candidate should quit the race.

Left by dianne on March 26th, 2007 at 6:14 pm

Diane: In a situation like this, doctors will try to give you optimism. It doesn’t pay not to be optimistic. Personally, I don’t like being this pessimistic, or should I say blunt, just in case someone with cancer is reading these comments. The difference between your analogy and this situation, is in one you don’t know you are going to die. In the other, you do.

Left by kissmyass on March 26th, 2007 at 7:02 pm

So KMA- should McCain and Giuliani drop out since they have both had cancer themselves? The fact is none of us knows what future medical conditions await the candidates or their families. William Harrison died 40 days after inauguration; Paul Tsongas would have died in office had he won.

Why stop at medical conditions? Should we disqualify Giuliani and McCain since if their pasts are any indication they will be divorced again before they can finish two terms in office?

Left by Preston on March 26th, 2007 at 8:21 pm

I think his campaign means as much, if not more, to her as it means to him. She is very political. Always has been. She’s not quite a Hillary Clinton-type political wife, but she’s very ‘hands on’. As a matter of fact, I believe the infamous bloggers that were hired by Edwards were recommended by Elizabeth.

There is no doubt in my mind that she wants this campaign. And when someone who is very ill (and cancer spreading to the bone is almost always very dire, if not deadly) should have the choice to spend their life doing what makes them feel most fulfillled, and she should do it! If this is what she wants, then she should pursue her/their dream.

And don’t take this the wrong way, but I just don’t want constant “Anna Nicole” type coverage of her illness throughout the campaign. That would be invasive, icky, and ridiculous. Cover him. Not her fight with cancer.

Left by Terr on March 26th, 2007 at 8:39 pm

McCain’s and Giuliani’s cancers are in remission and might actually be considered cured. You can’t say the same about Edwards. Furthermore, her cancer is much more serious. And though no one can predict future medical conditions, Edwards’, unfortunately, is predictable. Based on statistics, the outlook is very very bad.

There is no doubt in my mind that she wants this campaign.

I heard a clip where she said that she didn’t want her illness to deprieve America of the best presidential candidate, blah, blah, blah. Well, contrary to her beliefs, she would not be depriving us of anything. He is not the best and he will not win. He is, however, young enough to delay running for eight years.

Edwards has already put his foot into his mouth. Someone dug up a clip where he said that he voted for the Iraq war because he was distracted by his wife’s illness. He’s also made other contradictory statements about performing his job if elected and his wife. I can’t remember the exact wording but they are out there. This is going to hurt him. Again, not having a snowball’s chance in hell of even winning the primary, why not spend that time with your family?

Left by kissmyass on March 26th, 2007 at 9:06 pm

Just heard that Tony Snow’s cancer has returned and spread to his liver. Poor guy.

Left by dianne on March 27th, 2007 at 9:48 am

This is in response to “KissMyAss”. Your absurd comments that John Edwards was distracted by his wife’s illness could only mean that he was clairvoyant. The vote took place in the Fall of 2002 and
Mrs. Edwards did not find out that she had a lump in her breast until about five days before the election in 2004. Your “someone” dug up a clip - echos the same kind of inane comments as Katie Couric’s “some say” idiocies.

Left by Marcia DiClemente on March 27th, 2007 at 9:54 am

Larry Elder KABC radio remembered Edwards’ comment and had his producer (someone) locate and play the clip. As to any vote, I assumed it was a subsequent vote relating to the Iraq War. If it is not, then Edwards is the one confused, not me. I’m sure they will be playing this clip again on the show today. Show is 3-6 p.m. PST. You can hear it yourself on the internet. Or, you can keep your fingers in your ears and yell, “I can’t hear you!” I predict you will choose the later.

Left by kissmyass on March 27th, 2007 at 11:20 am

I heard a clip where she said that she didn’t want her illness to deprieve America of the best presidential candidate, blah, blah, blah. Well, contrary to her beliefs, she would not be depriving us of anything. He is not the best and he will not win. He is, however, young enough to delay running for eight years.

I don’t care much for John Edwards and I won’t be voting for him. Having said that, if I were facing a terminal illness, there are a couple of things I would want to do. One of them would be pursuing a dream that I have had all my life. There’s no reason I have to wait until I’m terminal for that, but it’s always “next year” or “later”. When you don’t have the certainty of “next year”, then it forces you to put up or shut up.

While I don’t agree with many of the Edwards’ politics, I do believe that she and her husband are dedicated to their ideals. And if she believes that her huband should run for president because it would be good for the country, then I give her credit for pursuing that dream. What is she going to do? Sit around and wait to die? You have to live life until life is taken from you.

I doubt he’ll get very far in the primaries, but it is their choice and their right to try. I will not, and should not, judge the choices made by someone who wants to use whatever time they have left to pursue a dream.

Left by Terr on March 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pm

What is she going to do? Sit around and wait to die?
Go to her scheduled chemotherapy appointments and numerous tests? Puke her guts out? Spend as much quality time with her children, especially, the nine and seven year old?

Left by kissmyass on March 27th, 2007 at 2:14 pm