Katie's Interview: John Edwards Responds

By: Greg Kandra
Topics: Hot Links

(Getty Images/Sara D. Davis)

Yesterday, John Edwards weighed in on some of the reaction to the interview with Katie on "60 Minutes".

The Edwards campaign released a statement:

The Edwardses appreciated the opportunity 60 Minutes afforded them to respond to tough questions which have been raised in response to last week's diagnosis that Mrs. Edwards' cancer had returned. Mrs. Edwards also called Ms. Couric today to thank her for the interview and to say that she and Senator Edwards thought the interview was both thorough and fair."

During a roundtable today in San Francisco to discuss his plan to halt global warming, Senator Edwards was asked about the matter and said: "My reaction was that Katie Couric asked questions that the American people are asking themselves, and I think they were completely legitimate questions. And I think the American people deserve answers from me and from Elizabeth to those questions. I mean, I'm asking America to support me and vote for me as their next president, and I think part of the evaluation of a candidate for president is a personal evaluation of the character and integrity and honesty of a candidate. So, no, I thought the questions were fair. Tough. I thought they were tough, but they were fair.

For more reaction -- and comment -- browse around the CBSNews.com website. Everybody, it seems, has an opinion, including the folks over at the Columbia Journalism Review.

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by miznurse36 March 28, 2007 10:48 PM EDT: I think the Edwards are courageous people. Shame on Katie Couric for the way she came at them. I mean she of all people should know what it's like to deal with cancer. I mean it's not like she stopped working when her husband had it then died. And what's with the "some people" who are these people and what sources did Katie use to quote them. Best wishes to the Edwards family.

~S

P.S. I never really cared for Katie Couric on the Today Show and I rarely watch her on CBS News.; Reply to this comment


by voodre March 27, 2007 11:06 PM EDT: Ms. Couric,

While I agree you asked Mr. Edwards, fair and reasonable questions, the way in which they were asked were smug and biased. 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 obligation to interview in an objective manner, not a persuasive manner. If there is one thing I took from the interview, it is that CBS clearly sees John Edwards destined to fail as a presidential candidate because his wife has cancer.

Sincerely,
Amanda; Reply to this comment


by 3DogSound March 27, 2007 10:51 PM EDT: Well thats the worst non-Fox piece of Television "news" segment assault piece that I can remember. Nothing has made angrier in recent memory from any of the former news outlets.
Katie this STENCH and SHAME will never leave you. This is YOUR LEGACY, this is your low speed getaway ride in white bronco OJ moment, Katie - just like w/ OJ all of America is watching. The difference is, at that point, we didn't want him to pull the trigger to escape the glare. As for you CancerousKatie With you SOME WOULD SAY....anything that causes extreme suffering and lasts for eternity will do. Here's to NEVER EVER watching you on any show ever again.
That's what some people are saying.; Reply to this comment


by todd_somers March 27, 2007 9:30 PM EDT: Re: John Edwards' Response Statement

An Open Letter to the Senator Edwards

Dear Senator Edwards,

Did you actually see the interview that aired, 03-25-07, on 60 Minutes? Given your statement, I'm not so sure that you have. You know...a lot of things may have been done in post production that you're not aware of. If your interview was shot with one camera...you're in for an eye opener, Senator. This, because, Ms. Couric has a ton of "face time" in your interview. "Face time" that shouldn't be there if your interview was shot with one camera. (The "face time" I'm addressing includes Ms. Couric asking you questions [in a bit of an unruly tone] while the camera is on her. This could have been filmed and edited into your interview -- long after the interview was over). This would explain why you don't understand what all of the fuss is about.

If you actually did see the 60 Minutes interview that aired on 03-25-07, please accept my apologies for disturbing you with my concerns. It's, just, that I (and, so it seems, a great deal of Americans) found Ms. Couric's demeanor quite disturbing.

My prayers go out to you, Elizabeth and your family.

Wishing You, Elizabeth and Your Entire Family Much Success (Always) in Life,

Todd

Todd Somers
Pasadena, CA; Reply to this comment


by twopenny2 March 27, 2007 8:19 PM EDT: A fascinating interview,good questions and good response. Sure, John Edwards will be a 100% focused President irrespective of Ms. Edward's state of illness. Also, let us not delude ourselves thinking that the President's job is something that is onerous as to call for undivided attention. Clinton demonstrated ability to compartmentalize and function effectively. If I have some reservations, it is that the media will dwell to much on an ailing Ms. Edwards if she becomes the First Lady. If indeed she does, John Edwards should prevail on the media almost to ignore Ms. Edwards, from that time onwards.; Reply to this comment


by missg53 March 27, 2007 8:10 PM EDT: Katie
I am very disappointed in you. Where is the compassion you once displayed when you were the host of the Today Show. Many times you interviewed people who faced many heart-wrenching things including some serious health issues. You always allowed your voice to resonate the compassion many of us watching could tell you felt. But the tone of this interview lacked compassion and your attitude came across as quite INSENSITIVE and you appeared very CALLOUS and SELF-RIGHTEOUS. Has it been that long since you faced a similiar issue with your own husband's health issues? How would you have felt if someone asked insensitive questions of you after you returned to your job after only a brief absence when he passed away. I lost my husband in 2003 to diabetes complications and still feel concern
for anyone I hear has suffered similiar consequences. Katie, I was a fan of yours when you were on the Today Show, but in what seems like an all out effort by CBS to portray the Evening News in a serious light, it has caused a once likeable personality to appear very hard-nosed and calloused. Lighten Up, CBS and Katie Couric or you will never be number 1.; Reply to this comment


by ramos937 March 27, 2007 6:48 PM EDT: I have no comment on the interview since I did not see it. I do on Mrs. Edwards. I firmly belive she is a beautiful, courageous and fine lady. She defines class.

On the Edwards campaign - Sorry, but it will peter out sometime in 2007. Why? You cannot run a presidential campaign without huge resources. These resources will evaluate the risk that Mrs. Edwards will get worse and that her husband must curtail his campaigning or quite altogether. No choice, cruel as it is. Without these resources ($, paid staff, volunteers, etc), the campaign will cease.; Reply to this comment


by zykracosmos March 27, 2007 6:43 PM EDT: Katie,
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 going 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?
Does it make your squint, looking death in the face?
Are you starting to feel dead yet?; Reply to this comment


by shameoncbs March 27, 2007 6:35 PM EDT: Shame on you Katie! YOU WERE THE ONE THAT IS CALLOUS. WHHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? I was thinking of watching you AT CBS but after the interview, I cannot watch you anymore. I am not a journalist, but even I know THERE WAS A BETTER WAY TO ASK THESE TOUGH QUESTIONS. What happened to your grace, integrity and compassion!!!? Did you forget what you went through with your own husband? Did you forget about leaving your own kids? I WILL NOT WATCH CBS AT ALL ANYMORE AND TELL OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. WE NEED TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT THERE MUST BE A LINE OF VALUES THAT SHOULD NOT BE CROSSED EVEN FOR THE SAKE OF JOURNALISM. GOD BLESS ELIZABETH EDWARDS AND MAY SHE BE COMPLETELY HEALED OF HER CANCER. SHE HAD A GRACE UNDER FIRE THAT MANY PEOPLE SAY KATIE DID NOT DISPLAY. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT THE EDWARDS. WE ARE NO ONE TO JUDGE THEIR DECISION. GOODBYE CBS! GOODBYE KATIE!; Reply to this comment


by willjeffrie1 March 27, 2007 5:59 PM EDT: I thought Katie Couric did a great job in her interview, worthy of the tradition of hard-hitting interviews on "60 Minutes." I'm a journalist and realize that nonjournalists find it hard to understand why Katie had to press the issue, but to do otherwise would be an insult to John Edwards and a disservice to his campaign. Soft-ball questions would have made Edwards look weak and he would have been criticized for using a soft, friendly forum to answer those important questions. It would not only have called into question his ability to handle a tough interview, but also his ability to be president. Katie's interview allowed John and his wife to eloquently respond to what most people are thinking, and also put the matter behind them.
Would Mike Wallace and his personal life be questioned if he had done the interview? Unlikely.
I really like John Edwards, so let's dignify him and focus on his answers instead of on Katie.
By the way, bravo to Katie!; Reply to this comment