Katie Asked, They Answered

By: Greg Kandra
Topics: Katie Couric

(CBS)

Reading over some of the comments on Katie's interview with John and Elizabeth Edwards, you can't help but be struck by a recurring theme: viewers didn't like the questions and how they were asked. You would think that Katie was the only one doing any talking.

Which led me to wonder: well, what about the answers? The purpose of an interview is not to create memorable questions, but to elicit compelling answers. Did the answers shed any light on the Edwards' decision? Did they offer insight into the character of the man who wants to be President? Did they give others who are facing this kind of crisis some perspective? Did the answers have any value or add to our knowledge? (Well, among other things, Elizabeth Edwards revealed for the first time that the cancer had spread to her hip.)

Herewith, a few of the answers that came out of the Edwards interview. You can read a full transcript right here.

Elizabeth Edwards: You know, you really have two choices here. I mean, either you push forward with the things that you were doing yesterday or you start dying. That seems to be your only two choices. If I had given up everything that my life was about – first of all, I'd let cancer win before it needed to. You know, maybe eventually it will win. But I'd let it win before I needed to.

And I'd just basically start dying. I don't want to do that. I want to live. And I want to do the work that I want next year to look like last year and... and the year after that and the year after that. And the only way to do that is to say I'm going to keep on with my life.

Elizabeth Edwards: I... I... I... I think that it is our intention to deny cancer any control over us.

And though I know there are people who live short lives, I feel optimistic, not because I've got rose-colored glasses on, but because I know that I have only low-volume... a small amount of cancer in my bones.

John Edwards: We don't understate or misunderstand the seriousness of this. I mean, this could kill her, and we know it. And what we won't choose to do is... we choose to live our lives fully, and with strength and optimism. We get to make that choice.

And that's what we choose.

John Edwards: I say all of those judgments and questions are entirely legitimate. I mean, you offer yourself up for service to the country as the President of the United States, you deserve to be evaluated. I am perfectly open to that evaluation. I think that I know, when I'm running for president, I'm running for president because I want to serve this country, and because I want all people in America to have the same kind of chances that I've had.

I've come from nothing to now have everything. And I think everybody in this country, no matter who their family is, or what the color of their skin, ought to get that chance.

But, throughout this process, people will be able to see very clearly into what we do, what we say, how we behave, and they can evaluate for themselves whether they think I'm, in fact, doing this for the right reason.

We know the truth. We know the truth, but I think it's a fair judgment for Americans to make.

Elizabeth Edwards: Cancer took a lot away from us a few years ago. It took a year of my life and a lot of John's. I didn't want it to take this away not just from me but from those people who depend on our having the kind of president he would be.

Katie Couric: Here you're staring at possible death...

Elizabeth Edwards: Aren't we all though.

Katie Couric: And you're thinking, "I don't want to deprive the country of having my husband lead us."

Elizabeth Edwards: That would be my legacy wouldn't it, Katie. That I'd... that I'd... that I'd... that I'd taken out this fine man from the possibility of giving a great service. I mean, I don't want that to be my legacy.

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by fafa781 March 28, 2007 9:14 PM EDT: The need to send Katie packin'. Not only has she NOT brought viewers to the network---she WON'T ever do so. I guess in her case the old adage,"you get what you pay for" is MORE than a tad "off the mark!!"; Reply to this comment


by king77shaw March 28, 2007 1:44 AM EDT: I really miss Bob Schieffer on the Evening News - just can't watch Katie ... CBS made a big mistake signing her ... bring Bob back !!; Reply to this comment


by migrainegram March 27, 2007 9:14 PM EDT: Sorry Greg -- she still blew it...; Reply to this comment


by migrainegram March 27, 2007 9:01 PM EDT: If only she had been as tough with King George.

Katie, I advocated for early on -- back in September -- when comments about you on the boards were far from flattering.

You sliced and diced John and Elizabeth Edwards with your condescending attitude. I was embarrassed by your rudeness and lack of sensitivity.

"People who live in glass houses should not throw stones."; Reply to this comment


by gcoundou March 27, 2007 5:59 PM EDT: what's next for Katie? a hard hitting interview with Tony Snow?; Reply to this comment


by bl540611 March 27, 2007 5:56 PM EDT: Katie,

When you first started, there were": freespeech segments, Dr. John Lapook and his medical stories, "this week on the web segments, less smiling, and other subtle changes. You and Rick Kaplan are doing great to "toughen" up the broadcast. Your questions were straightforward and to the point. But Katie, sometimes these "tough" questions should be reserved for criminals, like when Ann Curry just recently interviewed thes African president in Sudan. Those questions were intensive and eye-opening. On the last day of "TODAY", I remember they aired these exclusive clips of hard questions that you fired to presidents, prime-ministers and etc. But Katie, to have a successful broadcast, you need these tough questions and at CBS News you've got them here. Good Luck Katie.; Reply to this comment


by zykracosmos March 27, 2007 5:39 PM EDT: Katie,
Go back to a morning show, any show. You are a likeable person, but you are not meant for prime time hard news coverage. Here's what I came away with from your interview:
So, how does it feel to know you're going to die?
How did it feel to tell your children you're goint to die?
Is it selfish to run for president when she's going to die?
Will you be able to concentrate on the campaign when she's about dead?
How do you cope with thinking you're getting better, but you're going to die?
Are you starting to feel dead yet?; Reply to this comment


by magyart March 27, 2007 5:24 PM EDT: This interview with the Edwards' is just another nail in Katie's coffin. She was insensitive to two people dealing with a death sentence. I think Katie thought this was her "big chance" to make a name for herself in the news, unfortunately, it has backfired. CBS made a big mistake hiring a morning "cutie pie" to report the evening news with polish and flare and I will be switching the channel off CBS News.; Reply to this comment


by tlfeig March 27, 2007 4:41 PM EDT: to checkmoot....
I had the same response. I wonder if it is Katie or CBS leadership? Someone needs to critique the shows. Katie's smile was inappropriate for an interview with an incurable-cancer patient. In hard news, the smile is rare and only when obviously caqlled for.; Reply to this comment


by tlfeig March 27, 2007 4:34 PM EDT: I know Katie is trying real hard to make a good show at the more serious anchor at CBS. And I believe that was the impetous for her questioning of the Edwards on 60 Minutes.
Once the question (regarding continuing the campaign with the new cancer diagnosis) was asked and answered, Katie should have done her job as journalist by allowing a bonafide candidate to differentiate himself from the other Presidential candidates -- "Why should you get the vote for President of the United States over the other candidates?"; Reply to this comment