Comments on: Katie: Meeting The Edwards

[beckyib]

Interesting comments. Perhaps Ms. Couric was playing devil's advocate in order to give the Edwards an opportunity to answer all the questions swirling around their decision to forge on... even the heinous ones.

Personally, I was going to vote for John Edwards before. Their decision only supports what I believe about Mr. Edwards and his family... strong, honest and perfect for America.

[tkjtda]

I was disgusted by Katie's interview. She was so callous and heartless. Add to that hypocritical since she herself continued to work while her husband was gravely ill. My heart broke for Elizabeth Edwards, and I had this image of her breaking down in tears after the interview. I always liked Katie, but I will never see her through the same eyes again. God bless her children with a cold mother like that.

[bucksfarmboy]

Katie, you have the tact of a shark in a feeding frenzy. Despite your worst efforts, the Edwards handled you with their characteristic class and grace. To paraphrase your own words, you have a finite amount of time on this planet. Do us all a favor and go home and spend it with your children. Please.

[unpeudeparis]

Nora Ephron's post on the Huffington Post pretty much says it all for me.

The use of the phrase "some people", to ask a question may be easier than asking taking direct responsibility for a query in questionable taste, but it smacks of ducking responsibility. Ms. Couric didn't do herself any favors by coming across as tough and unfeeling.

Of Abraham Lincoln's sons, two died in childhood, one while he ws in office. His wife Mary, was often highly irrational and difficult. Four of her brothers fought for the Confederacy with one wounded and another killed in action. Lincoln himself suffered from profound bouts of melancholy. Perhaps we can be grateful that the journalistic phrase "some people" wasn't in vogue then.

Have we devolved into a culture believes that only people who appear to have no personal problems, are the only ones qualified to hold high office? Doesn't happy-go-lucky, George W. Bush, belie that?

[myinsanity-2009]

Katie, your comments with John and Elizabeth Edwards were pathetic on so many levels. This interview reminded me why I dislike you.

[ddscsgrl]

Katie, what were you thinking? You callously repeated questions that were already answered, and at every opportunity tried to get your agenda and opinions inserted. Elizabeth Edwards is planning to devote the rest of her life to something she passionately believes in (shouldn't we all be doing that, whether our lives be long or short?)She will face her cancer bravely while loving her family and doing what she feels is best. As I recall, you didn't roll up the carpet and sit home while your husband fought his brave battle. Thanks for letting the Edwards tell us what they are thinking, but next time you interview someone, please remember that it is not all about you and listen to the answers, then process the information and ask a question based on that!

[leftisright1]

Some people say...

that Katie Couric doesn't hide her political leanings very well.

I was very offended by her assault on John and Elizabeth Edwardson Sunday. It seemed callous and self-aggrandizing.

[johndpa]

I have been battling prostate cancer for 14 years
and presently undergoing hormone treatments to control the cancer. I strongly believe that anyone with cancer must continue with their life with a positive attitude. For me, this attitude is an important part of survival for any cancer patient. For this reason, I am appalled by the questions Katie Couric asked the Edwards on 60 minutes last night. Their decision for John to continue on with his presidential campaign under the situation with his wife battling cancer is important for every cancer patient in this country. Cancer is not a death sentance. I was lucky to learn that lesson when my wife had lukemia in 1989 and that lesson did me well when it was my time to deal with cancer. (My wife is still alive and doing quite well.)

The lowest point of the interview was when Ms. Couric insinuated that the Edwards made this announcement to get sympathy for their campaign. Cancer patients do not need sympathy from anyone. Ms. Couric should know that.

[explorationz]

Katie- I could care less what the Edward's said afterwards. That interview was just flat out wrong, you were not taking situations and questions of what the general public was saying. You were taking the questions of what the Rush Limbaugh/Bill O'Reilly crowd is saying, which is a very tiny fraction of the population...especially these days. Its horrendous to even ask a question suggesting John Edwards is staying in this race simply to get more sympathy or questioning why they are not taking time off from their job. You certainly have lost me as a viewer ever again.

[pcaranson]

Katie, I would like to read/hear the other half of your interview with the Edwards family. Read short versions on other web pages. I'm a 19 year clean bill of health for BREAST CANCER!!! On my end was only your grilling and the video cut off before the Edwards could respond. Remebre your husband?! Get off your high horse and come back down to reality.

[bucksfarmboy]

Katie, you have the tact of a shark in a feeding frenzy. Despite your worst efforts, the Edwards handled you with their characteristic class and grace. To paraphrase your own words, you have a finite amount of time on this planet. Do us all a favor and go home and spend it with your children.

[tasmhs]

I thought that all of Katie's questions were right on the mark. Why is it so unfathomable that a politician might use illness for political advantage? Am I the only person who thinks John Edwards would play the sympathy card? Give me a break. Good job Katie.

[debeades]

KAtie Couric is the worst excuse for a newsperson I have ever seen. She is a hypocrite for all her "some say" questions about why the Edwards should continue to campaign while she never left her job at the TODAY show while her husband was dying at home of cancer. I never watch CBS news since Bob Schiefer left and if I see she is on 60 Minutes, I turn it off. What on earth was CBS thinking to let a real newsman leave the evening news for a perky blond cheerleader trying to be "tough" with insensitive questions. I cant believe John Edwards didnt get up and smack her. I sure wanted to! Disgusting. Shame on CBS.

[laschwarz]

The line of questioning was hard nosed and to the point and lacking the Katieism that made her what the public loved. Isnt it time to stop the "act" and attempt to push a square peg in a round hole. Trying to be "tough" and ask the tough questions will not make you a "serious" journalist in the public eye. Compassion for the Edwards personal sideline is a human one and even the media shouldnt make it less than it is and disect it into "some people say...isms"

Ms. Couric, in her interview of the Edwards's, presented several things that 'some people might say' about what the political couple has done. However, there was a very important point of view not presented with respect to their children:

"some people say" that children learn the deepest lessons from their parents' actions. I am one who says that their children are learning (and will learn more as they see this as adults) about how deep their parents' commitment to work is. There is nothing wrong with that, if it's the Edwards's family value. As many have pointed out, by Katie's actions in her own situation with her husband, Katie demonstrated a similar family value.

It is odd that Ms. Couric did not present her own point of view as one of the valid ones that people might be considering. Just as with John and Elizabeth, Katie did not have to work full bore when her husband was dying - her children will also learn deeply about her deep commitment to excellence, to success (not an evil concept, btw), to continuing what was a normal life for her.

Remember, too, that the Edwards's will probably see more of each other than many married couples with a similar cancer scenario. I dare say they'll also have the freedom to have their kids go with them a good bit. Again, this is their decision.

So I say, in conclusion, that Katie alluded to almost every thing "some might say" except what she herself actually said through her own actions.

[wrensis1]

There is a huge difference between probing and mean. Katie Couric was mean. Please take her off 60 minutes so we can watch someone professional.

[NickNine]

I was very disappointed in the apparent adversarial approach that Ms. Couric took in this interview. The questions were appropriate but asked with such vitriol it seemed as the reporter was trying to find fault not answers. As is often the case with her delivery of the evening news Katie brings too much of her own ideology to what should be an objective, unbiased process.

[scott4261]

(Part 2 of 2)

The choice to continue the presidential campaign was a decision made between John and Elizabeth Edwards. They are obviously a team.

Their children have living grandparents, a sister in her mid-20s, and other relatives and friends that I'm sure are already taking care of the kids due to the campaign schedule. The positive example that the Edwards seem to be giving to their children is that life goes on - you cannot just cower in the corner. You must keep moving and living your life as you have been. Not to do so WOULD be death. Those living with cancer usually do not want to be considered victims and it has been my experience that they want to keep living life as fully as possible for as long as they can. This is the path that the Edwards have chosen together and we should respect their decision.

I admire the integrity in which they have handled this issue now and in 2004. I was really impressed with how the Edwards handled the questions in this interview and their positive attitudes about living with cancer.

I came out early in my support of John Edwards because his views on social and domestic issues closely mirror my own. My support for him has been further solidified. We would be lucky to have him as President of the United States. And Elizabeth Edwards would make a wonderful and inspiring First Lady.

Scott Easterly
Little Rock

[bgrlbl]

Why not hire Ann Coulter and let her share the Evening News with Katie. This way we would have the "Queens of Mean" together. I'm sure Ann could add some really warm, tender and compassionate views on the Edwards.

I'm sorry, but I don't see what all the fuss is about. Katie asked questions that allowed the Edwards to express their thoughts and feelings. I didn't see anything mean and I'm sure she drew from her own experience as to what "some" people are asking. She's heard it all and thanks to the interview, the Edwards had the opportunity to address these issues now instead of later.
I think Katie did a great job.