Exclusive: John And Elizabeth Edwards

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

(CBS) 

Elizabeth Edwards:
Cancer took a lot away from us a few years ago. It took a year of my life and a lot of John's. I didn't want it to take this away not just from me but from those people who depend on our having the kind of president he would be.

Katie Couric:
Here you're staring at possible death...

Elizabeth Edwards:
Aren't we all though.

Katie Couric:
And you're thinking, "I don't want to deprive the country of having my husband lead us."

Elizabeth Edwards:
That would be my legacy wouldn't it, Katie. That I'd... that I'd... that I'd... that I'd taken out this fine man from the possibility of giving a great service. I mean, I don't want that to be my legacy.

Katie Couric:
Politics, as you know, can be a cynical business.

John Edwards:
No!

Katie Couric:
You didn't know that?

John Edwards:
Yeah, I was not aware of that.

Katie Couric:
Glad I... (laughter) I’m glad I could teach you something today. Some have suggested that you're capitalizing on this.

John Edwards:
Here's what I would say about that.

First of all, there's not a single person in America that should vote for me because Elizabeth has cancer. Not a one. If you're considering doing it, don't do it. Do not vote for us because you feel some sympathy or compassion for us. That would be an enormous mistake. The vote for the presidency is far too important for any of those things to influence it.

But, I think every single candidate for president, Republican and Democratic have lives, personal lives, that indicate something about what kind of human being they are. And I think it is a fair evaluation for America to engage in to look at what kind of human beings each of us are, and what kind of president we'd make.

Katie Couric:
Some people watching this would say, "I would put my family first always, and my job second." And you're doing the exact opposite. You're putting your work first, and your family second.

John Edwards:
But this is not work. Work is what I did as a lawyer. This is service. This is... this is a country that I love – both of us love, as much as we love our lives.

Katie Couric:
I guess some people would say that there's some middle ground. You don't have to necessarily stay at home and feel sorry for yourself, and do nothing. But, if given a finite – a possibly finite period of time on the planet – being on the campaign trail, away from my children, a lot of time, and sort of pursuing this goal, is not, necessarily, what I'd do.

John Edwards:
Well, but we all... we are all different, number one. Number two, we all have a finite period time, and the idea that we know what that finite period is, is a fantasy to begin with.

Elizabeth Edwards:
We learned that in ’96.

John Edwards:
As we learned in 1996, with our son. We don’t know what’s gonna happen. We don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow. We have to live today the best way we know how. And that's exactly what the two of us are doing. I do think, though, that we have to be very sensitive about the tension that exists between our wanting to serve our country, and our children.

[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.

[mle75749]

The Edwards' mispoke the quote that talks about gifts you give your children...Elizabeth might want to look it up before making life decisions for her children. THe phrase is "the best gift you can give your child is ROOTS and WINGS". Liz and John, your kids can't use their WINGS if they haven't been given the ROOTS. A 6 and 8 year old aren't through the ROOTS stage yet. IT displays the narcisism of the Edwards to put their campaign ahead of their children. I'd spend my time giving my children all the love the attention they need to be ready for a life without their mother. THey're pathetic and selfish and exemplify the selfish society we live in where we have children, yet we aren't willing to give them what they need to be moral, healthy, productive members in society.

[ellenwb]

njva17420 writes:

And they don't know the difference between "prosecute" and "persecute".
--------

Maybe it's because this administration does both???? I guess it's hard for some to keep up when they are prosecuting (then executing) down in Texas and persecuting(and God knows what else ) at GITMO!

[jsal1996]

Sometimes good journalism will remove the ROSE COLORED GLASSES to see what really motivates candidates. Even though actions do speak louder than words...sorry to say - the actions do not look good no matter what type fo glasses we choose to see through.

[njva17420]

And they don't know the difference between "prosecute" and "persecute".

[njva17420]

Hardly just a spelling error.

[jsal1996]

NCGal2.....TOUCHE'!! Do not let njva get to you. This looks like a little intimidation factor going on there because you have your own opinion and not like their's. Good for you!! I agree with everything you wrote..and listen to others opinions as well. But I won't ridicule you because you may not share mine.

[ncgal2]

thats your comeback? a spelling error? thats all you've got. weak :)

[njva17420]

OK, NCgal2, do you mean "prosecuted" or "persecuted"? Just a Freudian slip, I suppose, tho' possibly a telling one :-)!

[rdkg49]

oooooo,,,catfight. cool

[ellenwb]

LOL, Wow, LOL ~~ NCGal2 --

I don't think you and I will ever end up on the same page of reasoning...and that's great! But FYI, Ann Coulter's name calling is just ONE example of her unpleasant attitude. (That comment, which seems to be front and center in your mind, has long since been chalked up by most of us as coming out of the mouth of an idiot.) Thus, I don't waste energy thinking about it.)

It was the hostile, unpleasant, uncaring attitude of one being to another that I was referring to. OK??