Exclusive: John And Elizabeth Edwards

Edwards Open About Cancer, Unconditional About Couple's Decision On Presidential Run

(CBS)  When John and Elizabeth Edwards announced this past Thursday that her breast cancer had returned and spread to her bones, and that his presidential campaign would continue, they sparked a national discussion about the choices involved.

At this stage Elizabeth's cancer is incurable and treatment doesn't always prolong life. Was it the right decision to stay in the race? Can John Edwards run for president and care for his wife and family, a family that has already suffered the death of a son more than a decade ago? Can John Edwards be president without being distracted by his wife's illness?

Those are some of the questions 60 Minutes correspondent Katie Couric asked the couple this weekend after a campaign event in Las Vegas.

Katie Couric:
Elizabeth, first and foremost, how are you feeling?

Elizabeth Edwards:
Actually, I feel fine. I mean, except for a cracked rib that is completely unrelated to any of the more serious issues I face, I feel terrific.

Katie Couric:
Have you found that people are relating to you a bit differently with this news?

Elizabeth Edwards:
Well, I mean, I had somebody... hug me... in the last hour with a tear going down the side of her face. And I'm actually hoping that's one of the things that this discussion will fix. That people will see that – that you're not necessarily dying of cancer but you can also live with cancer and that – and you can live a full life. Concentrate on the things that matter to you.

We're all going to die. And I pretty much know what I'm going to die of now. But I – I do want to live as full and normal a life as I can from this point on.


Katie Couric:
Have you received any additional information the last couple of days about where the cancer might have spread other than this area of your ribs?

Elizabeth Edwards:
That was... there... we... there are a couple of hot spots, on the bone scan, in my right hip, for example. And one of the questions is whether or not to do radiation to reduce the size of that – of the cancer in that location and for fear that it might weaken my bone and that I might break my hip. But their consensus was that it was too small an area for that to be a risk.

So, you know, we were on a real roller coaster, the two of us, on Wednesday.

[anitabachrac]

I have been a viewer of "60 Minutes" for over 25 years .Its"my hour" the only TV program I watch on a regular basis.
However, this interview has changed my high opinion of "60 minutes" as a "hard news program" and what's its focus is.Actually,it was painful to listen to. Your questions were like verbal blows to the Edwards. As a former Cancer patient and as a woman I resent your questions aimed at in your face reaction is unworthy of "60 Minutes" and not news. Are Cancer patients to go home and wait to die ??Or, stand firm and continue their lives. Katie Couric is the "Jerry Springer" of 60 Minutes.
Very truly yours,
Anita Bachrach
Long Beach, NY

[books403]

Katie's treatment of Elizabeth Edwards was, in one word REPREHENSIBLE!!!! You owe all cancer patients everywhere a huge apology, Ms. Couric.

You did everything during that interview except fill out Mrs. Edwards' death certificate.

I have a question for you, Ms. Couric. How do you think you would have felt if, during your husband's tragic illness, a member of the media had been as callous, cold, and unfeeling as you were with Senator and Mrs. Edwards??

As the daughter of both a cancer statistic and a 2-time breast cancer survivor, I am ashamed of Katie Couric, 60 Minutes, and CBS. All of you have permanently lost the viewership in my household.

[channelhop]

Re: 60 Minutes on 3/25/07 - Katie Couric's interview with John and Elizabeth Edwards

Katie Couric's questions were extemely rude and insensitive. Her whole conduct was absolutely appalling and I was thoroughly disgusted. I still like "60 Minutes" in general, but I'm not going to listen to anything again that Katie Couric has to say, and that includes the CBS Evening News.

[fafa781]

They need to send Katie packin'. Not only has she NOT brought any new viewers to the network---she WON'T ever do so. In this situation the old adage "you get what you pay for" is MORE than a tad "off the mark!!" GET RID OF HER--PLLLLLLLLLEASE!!!!

Katie Couric's interview with the Edwards was a bit off. Although it is fair to ask questions regarding their decision to continue the campaign for Presidency - to grill them on it - was just lame.

I wish Katie ( and the media in general) had the guts to go after the real stories and the real villains. I guess I'll have to stick to NPR and the BBC for real news.

....and btw having Cancer is not a death sentence people. There are many cancer survivors walking among us living full and productive lives. I'd rather have a gifted leader in the Whitehouse who has survived Cancer than a self-serving destructive idiot with a clean bill of health.

[ellenwb]

To tgrichter
I'd better 'splain!!!!

I'd better indicate which of your posts I was replying to before those who so quickly judge others jump in! Your "getting up and *****slapping" comment was hilarious. Thanks for lightening things up!

[ellenwb]

To: tgrichter : )

Now THAT would have been fun! Love it!

[mle75749]

I wouldn't vote for any of the "do as I say, not what I do" folks. They want things for you they won't have for themselves. Get a real education on the issues from ALL sources and vote on issues not on appearance, hardship, or any single issue. There is more at stake for our country and it's future than that. No Hillary, No Osama...oops Obama and No Edwards.

[wolfie2z]

Maybe I am in left field but I think a perfect ticket would be Edwards as Pres and Hillary as VP. But that would make to much sense and we don't work that way. Oh about the Cancer biz should we euphanize Mrs. E. befor or after the election, just to get rid of the clutter of course. It's a good thing we didn't put Betty Ford to sleep. Look how much we would have lost in education of a serious problem most people cover up.We have learned and gained by her frailty. Go for it Mrs.E. teach us how to live with a human weakness, how to gain strength with an adversary. Help the scared people who pass up living by dwelling on dying.Then we can consider the real issue how good will the man be? How good was he as a Senator or in all his yrs of politics. This couple has already showed us they have the strength and ability to govern our country.

[jsal1996]

mle7574 Thank You! Could not have said it any better. Many in the nation back what you just wrote. This situation is not the time or place to test a childs endurance..just to attempt a campaign.