Katie: Meeting The Edwards

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric

(CBS)

I'd taken my daughters away for weekend. But before we took off, I called the office to find out if CBS would be interested in an interview with John and Elizabeth Edwards. When I landed, there was a voice mail from Jeff Fager, the Executive Producer of "60 Minutes," asking if I could go to Las Vegas the next morning for the interview.

I'd interviewed Elizabeth two and a half years ago, when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, and I had been impressed ( as I've written before) by her strength, and no-nonsense unpretentiousness.

I also felt that I have an inherent understanding of the physical and emotional toll that cancer takes on a family, given that I have lost both my husband and my sister to this disease.

Flying on the plane to Las Vegas, I was surprised at the repercussions of the Edwards' decision-–the ripple effect that had caused so many conversations among so many people about family, love, commitment, responsibility, priorities, mortality. In other words, the real stuff that transcends politics.

I was also surprised to read an article in the New York Times about how people viewed this story through their own personal prisms – some in a negative way. I really used some of those voices as a framework for my questions. I knew that everyone was reacting differently to this, and I wanted the Edwards to have a chance to elaborate and respond to issues people were raising. When the interview was over, the biggest complement came from Senator Edwards, who thanked me and said: "You asked all the questions that were out there." I think they appreciated having an opportunity to respond.

I found them both in really good spirits, but clearly completely sanguine about the prognosis. I understood exactly what they were talking about when they recounted the story of looking at the bone scan and seeing the so-called "hot" spots. I understood the pacing, the anxiety, the willing it to go away. The anguish and fear that the worst would happen.

In some ways, I feel it's their decision and no one else's. But their eyes are wide open when it comes to the ramifications of their choice. They understand that some people will feel more comfortable than others as they continue their campaign.

But they also feel very strongly about service to their country. They were united, resolute, and clearly after 30 years of marriage, very much in love. No matter where you stand politically, you can see that they are, at their essence, two people dealing with a tough situation in the way that is right for them.

I know from personal experience that maintaining a sense of normalcy is very important for dealing with a life-threatening disease. I think for John and Elizabeth Edwards, serving their country is their "normal." I get the sense that stepping away from politics, and the opportunities it offers, would just feel wrong to them.

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by katie-couric March 31, 2007 8:19 PM EDT: THIS%u2026 is for the network top brass.

Guys. You %u201CDO%u201D %u2026realize what you have here ?
What a coup. Stealing her from NBC. And worth every penny.
A brilliant decision on your part.

Now. Stop wasting her at 6:30PM in the wrong format hiding behind a desk.
At least let her STAND full frame. Or better yet. Let her do
PRIME TIME specials. Covering topical subjects.
(Like her NBC interview with Laci Peterson%u2019s mother.)

KC%u2019s inherent talent: %u201Chomespun%u201D charm, adorableness - whatever - %u201CDISARMS%u201D the
most reluctant or wary of guests. Result: revealing interviews that no one else
could come close to. Interviews that audiences will be talking about the next day.
I submit this avalanche of comments as proof. And the negative comments.
As one commenter pointed out: those people are the %u201Cpast%u201D CBS viewers.
The demographic you no longer want. The negative %u201Cnever satisfied%u201D complainers.
Viewers that the sponsors don%u2019t even want. %u201CThey want refunds.%u201D %u201CThey%u2019ll boycott.%u201D
%u201CThey%u2019re victims; they%u2019ll sue.%u201D Who needs them!

(Check my sign-off at the end of this comment.)
I took the KC username weeks ago as a lark when the username I really wanted wasn%u2019t
available.
But you guys got the real deal here.
Handle her right. And she will turn into a ratings & advertising revenue bonanza.

signed: an impostor. Not the %u201Creal%u201D %u2026; Reply to this comment


by flavoter March 28, 2007 12:36 PM EDT: Now that Tony Snow has announced that his cancer has recurred will Katie ask him the same questions that she asked Elizabeth Edwards? Why would he continue working when he has small children that he could be spending time with? Is he choosing to stay at the White House to further his political career? etc.

All the same questions with slight rephrasings apply equally well to his situation. If this is truly a non-partisan network, Katie should show that by doing the same interview with him.; Reply to this comment


by lion_rampant March 28, 2007 7:48 AM EDT: Ms. Couric,
Hey, press is press. Right? The weight of the world must be on your shoulders, having to produce compelling news every night, knowing you are fixed in last place with your news program. I cannot imagine the pressure you have to endure, not to mention having to hear all this negative talk about your style. The Edwards interview didn't help you much with likability points.

You're too stiff. And, you move your head too much. And, you need to be aware of what your eyes do. You need to be a little smoother. You can still ask the questions you think we want to ask, but if you just lighten up, people will want to listen to you. If you're likable, you'll get away with a lot more.

I do hope you find your voice, and your audience-- for, whatever you are doing, isn't working. I'm rooting for you as a person. And, no more bizarre comments/questions/hairstyles during Super Bowl! That segment was awful as well.; Reply to this comment


by ernestgough March 28, 2007 2:30 AM EDT: Dear Katie,

You did a fantastic job with the Edwards. If not for the difficult questions you asked them, the opportunity to discover just who they are and to fully appreciate them as a couple, would've been left to conjecture and criticism.
I lost my 34 yr old wife to misdiagnosed breast cancer in May 2004. I was left widowed at 42 with three daughters to raise, ages 12, 5, and 14 months. My wife was a nurse and it was paramount for her to continue working, cooking and paying the bills. Like Mrs. Edwards she didn't want to die before she had to. As her husband, I thank God that I allowed her to call the shots with respect to how "We" were going to handle the cancer, even though I wanted her to just stay home and "take care" of herself.
My girls and I struggle with our loss every day. I can't believe our lives with Chris are over. We do our best to face each day but it isn't easy. So, unless you've faced what the Edwards, Katie, and my family has then you have no idea what cancer does to a family. I applaud Katie for the non pollyanaish questions and thank the Edwards for their candor.

Ernest Gough
Waynesboro, Georgia; Reply to this comment


by kerry_zaputz March 28, 2007 2:29 AM EDT: Katie is creepy; no doubt about that. But her interview w/the Edwards was fair. Watch the video again: the Edwards rationalized their arguably selfish run for the White House and abandonment of their young children as "helping the children learn to fly on their own wings", or words to that extent. These poor kids are 6 and 8--they didn't ask for this. Good for Katie for exposing them.; Reply to this comment


by lynie2 March 28, 2007 1:20 AM EDT: Gee, your "baby birds" only rate a weekend? And then you LEFT THEM for a job?! I thought you said YOU would never do such a thing.
Some people think your post offers too little, too late. Why did this tone not come through in your interview?
Most people think John Edwards is gracious, forgiving and Presidential. Most people see Elizabeth as more than being defined by a disease. She offers hope to others in living life to its fullest.; Reply to this comment


by voodre March 27, 2007 11:16 PM EDT: Ms. Couric,

While I agree you asked Mr. Edwards, fair and reasonable questions, the way in which they were asked were smug, biased and tinged with doubt. You repeatedly harped on the negatives of John Edwards moving forward with his career. The use of the phrase "some would say..." means to the average viewer "I would say..." and as a journalist, it is your public oblligation to interview in an objective manner, not a persuasive manner. If there is one thing I took from the interview, it is that CBS sees John Edwards destined to fail as a presidential candidate because his wife has cancer.

Sincerely,
Amanda; Reply to this comment


by maryjaneblac March 27, 2007 10:26 PM EDT: Re: Edwards Interview
When Katie asked the Edwards why does she not want to spend every moment with her children.
Katie then said, before Mrs. Edwards could reply, "I would". Thought that was the only distastful remark made by Ms. Couric.
I bet those words echo in Elizabeth's mind.
I am sure that Elizabeth would like to spend every moment with her family also. The Edwards
have decided that some seperation now is better for their children. Thought Katie should have beeen supportive and respectful of their plan of care for Elizabeth and the children. NOT atime or place for her oppinion.; Reply to this comment


by frb01 March 27, 2007 9:44 PM EDT: Yes, Katie did you take a leave of absence from the Today Show when your late husband was battling the disease? Given what you have done for the cause in recent years, I am surprised you wouldn't be commending the Edwards and helping them fight the fight.; Reply to this comment


by murrowcries March 27, 2007 9:25 PM EDT: "... I also felt that I have an inherent understanding of the physical and emotional toll that cancer takes on a family, given that I have lost both my husband and my sister to this disease..."

Katie,

As an RN who worked in oncology and surgical oncology clinics in major medical university settings for years, your statement of expertise and history is what makes your Edwards interview particularly cruel and inhumane. After loosing loved ones to Cancer, you proceeded in lethal fashion to relentlessly grill the Edwards taking hope away from all those fighting the good fight and struggling to endure, enjoy, and prolong what time they have left. How dare you devalue life and the desire to live it fully by self-appointing yourself to judge others time use on earth?

With the Edwards interview you reached a new low. Without conscience, you selfishly took hope away from so many battling the ravages of Cancer because of your ruthless and selfish desire to succeed. Knowing your personal family Cancer history makes your actions towards the Edwards particularly unforgivable. It says you are a being lacking humanness. It says you are unfit to serve in the media .

Shame on you.

Shame on anyone who sponsors your undertakings.

Shame on CBS.

Shame on the low regard you hold for the value of human life and all ill Americans.

As opposed to your "some people are saying", these are my thoughts and solely my thoughts and opinions which were said by me.; Reply to this comment