The Edwards Presidential Campaign As Political Rollercoaster
By Laura Matteri

“Tell me about this rollercoaster,” were the words from CBS News anchor Katie Couric’s mouth as John and Elizabeth Edwards defended his presidential candidacy to America in a recent interview on ’60 Minutes’. Last week the couple announced the relapse and spreading of Elizabeth Edwards’s cancer, from breast cancer to bone cancer.

America is wondering whether this “rollercoaster” is taking the Edwardses for too much of a ride. Is it possible for the potential future President of the United States to handle the duties of politics in addition to tending to his fatally ill wife? Couric made sure to ask all of the questions that Americans are wondering.

Couric bluntly asked what Edwards thinks of the evaluations that are going through the press right now regarding his choice to continue running for president. He was thoughtful in his response, graciously accepting all aspects of the criticism.

Upon hearing Couric’s later accusation that “some” have said the Edwardses are capitalizing on the situation, Edwards, once again, cleared the air of any misconceptions regarding his motives in the campaign. He outwardly told America not to vote for him because of Elizabeth’s misfortune. He said that voting out of sympathy would be “an enormous mistake.”

In addition, Edwards gently pointed out that each candidate, Democratic or Republican, has their own lives. Americans have every right to speculate about each of them and decide for themselves whether they’re worthy of winning the campaign.

However, there are several other candidates who have issues that seem to be going against them. Hilary Rodham Clinton is the potential future first female president. Barack Obama is the potential future first black president. Couric said in the interview that “some people” feel that the diagnosis of Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer increases the media spotlight on Edwards’ presidential campaign.

Although the issue of his wife’s illness is an important part of his life, John and Elizabeth Edwards have decided that it is in the best interest of the country if he stays in the race. Edwards appeared in the interview to be a strong man to be up for the challenge of running the country as an incurable disease slowly takes his wife’s life.

If such a man is willing to put his personal life at the same level as his service to the country, it shows how dedicated he really is. Sensitivity is not a characteristic one seeks in a president, so if a man is capable of balancing a deteriorating home life and that of America, may the rollercoaster will zoom forward, full speed ahead.