Comments on: Katie Couric's Interview With John and Elizabeth Edwards

[ronmwanga]

Well said, katywithay. Running for President of these United States is running for the most important position on the Planet, especially in this time of the global War on Terror. Not only were those hard questions necessary, they were, as katywithay has said "expected" -- as they should by any politician who knows how to play hardball at the presidential level. John Edwards himself welcomed the scrutiny that an informed electorate is required to give to someone who wants to take on the leadership of this nation at this pivotal moment in American history. Elizabeth Edwards is a fine, courageous woman in an unjust situation; it would take a heart of stone to not feel wretched at the amount of tragedy that she and her husband have experienced in their lives. But let us not allow emotion to opaque the cool gaze with which we are required to view the potential candidates for President of America, in the hour of the wolf.

[katywithay]

I am astounded that so many people are being critical of Katie's interview of the Edwards. I believe the Edwards knew that she was going to ask those questions and by hearing that some people may believe that they are being power hungry etc. is the reason they had to be asked and answered. Ms. Couric used a soft and sensitive tone, she was not hard on them at all. Many have criticized Couric for saying..."some people..."what was she supposed to say, "my mother and father, my neighbor down the street." Come on! I was glad to see the interview, it was a bit hard to listen to because as a former cancer survivor I don't think I could have been as positive as they were. My children were 2 and 5 at the time of my diagnosis. How lucky her children are that they have such a strong and positive mother, and father as well. We all want this to have a happy ending, but face it...who knows? I applaud the Edwards for their courage and I equally applaud Katie Couric for taking on an interview that must have brought back personal memories that were very difficult. Way to go Katie!

[garsh548]

I know you are trying to interview the Edwards but your question that some people say. I would like to know, who are these people? Anyone who would think that the Edwards would use their situation for political gain, must be sick in the head. You of all poeple, should understand what they are going though. I believe John Edwards is a wonderful caring human being. He will be a very wonderful President. He truly cares about this country and it's people. In some ways, he reminds me of John F.Kennedy.

[babookyra]

I was amazed at Katie Couric's lack of interviewing skills. She projected her take constantly, never "hearing" what the Edwards were saying to her. She even seemed to get angry that they weren't sitting home feeling sorry for themselves; that that constituted exploiting cancer? My goodness! Ms. Couric really needs to take some lessons from real journalists, like her predecessor, on professionalism while interviewing.

[babookyra]

I was amazed at Katie Couric's lack of interviewing skills. She projected her take constantly, never "hearing" what the Edwards were saying to her. She even seemed to get angry that they weren't sitting home feeling sorry for themselves; that that constituted exploiting cancer? My goodness! Ms. Couric really needs to take some lessons from real journalists, like her predecessor, on professionalism while interviewing.

[babookyra]

I was amazed at Katie Couric's lack of interviewing skills. She projected her take constantly, never "hearing" what the Edwards were saying to her. She even seemed to get angry that they weren't sitting home feeling sorry for themselves; that that constituted exploiting cancer? My goodness! Ms. Couric really needs to take some lessons from real journalists, like her predecessor, on professionalism while interviewing.

[globug1000]

Katie!

are you INSANE?

What MORONIC questions you posed to Sen. and Mrs. Edwards last night!!!

Did you not HEAR HER say, with PROFOUND seriousness, that 1)she and her husband and family had discussed this extensively, 2) SHE (tking all ownership) made this decision to go forward, 3) AND: she gave us all her #1 reason: "This country - and its future" - are more important (TO HER) than her illness.

She said that right now, she feel perfectly fine. John Edwards stated that - at a future oint in time - IF his wife needs him, HE WILL BE THERE.

Why on earth, at this point in time, do you probe for any more information than this? WHY do you need to imply such things as "raw ambition"............didn't you hear Elizabeth? Why look at John Edwards and say this/imply this?

How callous of you!

This is NOT how you go about improving your ratings.............asking things 1) that have already been answered, and beautifully, I might add; and 2)that others haven't (or won't) ask...............you insensitive and opportunistic idiot!

To me that interview was an example of many of the problems Ms Couric has with being an anchor on network evening news. These were a couple who had made a heart wrenching decision and were due at the very least common courtesy if not outright compassion. Instead she tried to force her opinion by questioning them in an inappropriately accusatory manner, seemingly insisting that they were trying to take advantage of Ms Edwards' tragic illness to gain sympathy for political gain. Has she completely forgotten her beloved husband's cancer death.

By contrast, in his recent interview with the increasingly smug, manipulative and blatantly deceptive Tony Snow, Harry Smith displayed admirable restraint while not conceding to his subject's specious arguments. It just occurred to me, when the inevitable is finally addressed and Ms Couric is replace, should Bob Schieffer not be available how about considering Mr. Smith. After all as Charles Gibson has confirmed the old guys seem to be making an excellent connection with the viewers.

One last observation: If nothing else Ms Couric needs to loose that syrupy, condescendingly cloying voice she uses when trying to establish her superior judgement. Even when her position is valid this delivery makes me desperately want to disagree with her.

[mark1209]

I am writing to reply and defend the Katie Couric interview with the Edwards'.Don Imus on his radio program Monday morning was personal and unprofessional in attacking her interview.He is at a New Mexico cattle ranch helping kids with cancer so you might think he would understand Katie's judgement having lost her husband and sister to cancer.She asked the right questions and did not personally criticize their decision as politicaly expedient. Maybe those of you who do not like Katie because she earns too much money at CBS News or her style,think it is okay to bash Katie as Don Imus did Monday morning. No,it isn't.60 Minutes is one of the few news documentary programs on commercial television we still trust for balanced reporting. Katie did nothing wrong and while she is not a regular reporter there,neither was Dan Rather(remember him) after he became the anchorman.You do not have to like Katie Couric's style but after all those years at NBC News,I think she knows how to be a fair journalist.Don Imus and Charles McCord on WFAN/MSNBC disgraced themselves on Monday morning and I won't allow it to go unchallenged.

[jacquelineeb]

I was sickened by Katie Couric's interview with John and Elizabeth Edwards last night - and because of this I will no longer tune into her broadcasts on 60 minutes or CBS News. Now I understand why so many have turned away from Ms. Couric%u2019s evening news program. In a desperate attempt to try to improve her ratings, Ms. Couric hit bottom in her cold and hostile interview. It wasn%u2019t the questions she asked %u2013 it was HOW she asked them. Ms. Couric lacked compassion and was extremely judgmental. I cringed for Mr. and Mrs. Edwards when she clearly showed her disapproval in some of their decisions; however, I applauded the couple in responding in a confident and non-defensive manner. How dare she judge them about their parenting choices and the decision to stay in the race? Who is she to infer that Mrs. Edwards is not making a good decision by leaving her children while she is on the campaign trail? Excuse me? This is coming from one of the most ambitious journalists in the industry who has left her own children over the years while on the road! And how dare she criticize the couple for their choice to continue working while Ms. Edwards confronts her illness. I wonder how Ms. Couric would have responded if she had been judged in the same manner when she continued to work when her spouse was ill. By the end of the interview Ms. Couric had shown her true side %u2013 self-centered and arrogant. And Mr. and Mrs. Edwards showed theirs %u2013 eloquent, poised and honest.