Edwards will stay in presidential race
3:05 PM
By Charlotte Eby, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Thursday, March 22, 2007
Democrat John Edwards announced Tuesday he would stay in the presidential race after his wife, Elizabeth, learned the cancer first diagnosed in 2004 has returned.
The couple, appearing at a news conference in North Carolina, said they would not suspend campaign activities as she begins treatment.
"The campaign goes on. The campaign goes on strongly," John Edwards said.
Doctors found cancer on a rib after she went to the doctor for treatment of a cracked rib. Elizabeth Edwards described her condition as asymptomatic, and said she would continue to assist her husband’s campaign.
"I don’t look sickly. I don’t feel sickly," she said.
Rob Tully, co-chair of Edwards' Iowa campaign effort, said he expected the revelation would only solidify support for Edwards in Iowa. He believes the situation humanizes them to others who have dealt with cancer.
"They’ve shown a great courage that I’ve always known them to have in their continuing to go forward," Tully said.
Sioux City Democrat Al Sturgeon, who is backing Edwards in the caucus race, was surprised and pleased Edwards would stay in the race after early news accounts reported he would suspend his campaign.
"I think that’s probably a decision that was largely Elizabeth's," Sturgeon said. "I just think it shows what a woman of great courage she is."
He described how she has been a fixture on the campaign trail in Iowa, and said many activists view the couple as a team.
Sturgeon believes Edwards has the strongest campaign organization in Iowa and other states with early primary contests and doesn’t think the setback in Elizabeth Edwards' health will hurt the campaign.
"I don’t think it’s going to be a factor," Sturgeon said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or {M3chareby@aol.com.
The couple, appearing at a news conference in North Carolina, said they would not suspend campaign activities as she begins treatment.
"The campaign goes on. The campaign goes on strongly," John Edwards said.
Doctors found cancer on a rib after she went to the doctor for treatment of a cracked rib. Elizabeth Edwards described her condition as asymptomatic, and said she would continue to assist her husband’s campaign.
"I don’t look sickly. I don’t feel sickly," she said.
Rob Tully, co-chair of Edwards' Iowa campaign effort, said he expected the revelation would only solidify support for Edwards in Iowa. He believes the situation humanizes them to others who have dealt with cancer.
"They’ve shown a great courage that I’ve always known them to have in their continuing to go forward," Tully said.
Sioux City Democrat Al Sturgeon, who is backing Edwards in the caucus race, was surprised and pleased Edwards would stay in the race after early news accounts reported he would suspend his campaign.
"I think that’s probably a decision that was largely Elizabeth's," Sturgeon said. "I just think it shows what a woman of great courage she is."
He described how she has been a fixture on the campaign trail in Iowa, and said many activists view the couple as a team.
Sturgeon believes Edwards has the strongest campaign organization in Iowa and other states with early primary contests and doesn’t think the setback in Elizabeth Edwards' health will hurt the campaign.
"I don’t think it’s going to be a factor," Sturgeon said.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or {M3chareby@aol.com.
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Terence J. Miles wrote on Mar 22, 2007 9:15 PM:
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