Edwards Says Wife’s Cancer Has Recurred
Edwards Says Wife’s Cancer Has Recurred – washingtonpost.com
Just as the title says, John Edwards’ wife’s cancer has recurred. As I read this article I was thinking, Edwards just shot himself in the foot. But now I am not sure what to think. Why? My initial reaction was his campaign is now over, Edwards is putting his presidential campaign before his own family. Then again it may work for him. The one thing that will make or break him will be how he handles this. I would argue this is a very very slippery slope. Any way that Edwards discusses or does not discusses his wife will be spun by opponents in a negative way. The reasoning behind why I say this is quite simple. In my mind there is only two areas where he can discuss his wife’s cancer, at the beginning or when he talks about health care.
Well, if he uses 2-3 minutes at the start of every speech to give a health update, his opponents will just say he wants the sympathy vote. If he uses a little time during his health care plan/idea, he will just be made out that he is just out to save himself a buck. Which then that would lead into some background information about him, like that he made x amount of money back when he was a jury lawyer, so he is rich. Then tacked onto that, the possibility of some scandal breaking.
Then if he basically ignores his wife during all public appearances, meaning the ones she isn’t at his side, that would be looked upon negatively also. By basically ignoring his wife’s cancer during his speeches, he means the impression that he is giving off is roughly: I have a private life with my family and a public life being your president-elect, I can keep the two separate, and do an outstanding job at both still. But of course opponents would heckle him to dropping out, or would say “The President who is a strong person, who can lead, but also can take a step back when needed. Some of those needed times is when your family is in need. The President should be a well rounded individual, and very family-oriented. Clearly Edwards is putting is own wants before his own family. Do you want somebody who puts his own desires before others?” Then maybe something connecting him and the Bush administration. All-in-all, this doesn’t look too good for Edwards. He has only 11.7% of the Democratic vote according to Real Clear Politics.
Technorati Tags: politics, John Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, presidential election, cancer, breast cancer
Related Posts: