Edwards to Suspend Campaign

[kpete]

March 22, 2007

Edwards to Suspend Campaign


John Edwards is suspending his campaign for President, and may drop out completely, because his wife has suffered a recurrence of the cancer that sickened her in 2004, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, an Edwards friend told The Politico.

"At a minimum he's going to suspend" the campaign, the source said. "Nobody knows precisely how serious her recurrence is. It’ll be another couple of days before there’s complete clarity."

"For him right now he has one priority which is her health and the security of the two young children," said the friend.

As for the campaign, "You don't shut this machine off completely, but everything will go on hold."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0307/Edwards_to_Suspend_Campaign.html

[LizW]

1. :cry:

:cry:

[bdamomma]

thanks kpete, Sam Seder just said Edwards was just suspending

the campaign also. But this is not a pullout.

[William769]

2. This sucks!

Of all the reason to have to suspend a campaign, this has to be the worst. :(

[maddezmom]

3. oh no

:cry:

[medeak]

4. what a loss for us..

a candidate who has priorities in order.

lit a candle for Elisabeth.

[TheLeftyMom]

5. Good for him

Too bad that a man who truly has his priorities in order, isn't our front runner and may not finish the race in February.

Wish all our candidates had their priorities straight.

Best wishes to their family.

[bryant69]

6. oy that sucks on so many levels

I of course feel terrible for Edwards and his family; but I also feel sorry for the people who's jobs might have just ended because of this medical situation. Sad news all the way around.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Fridays Child]

7. Damn. Get well, Elizabeth.

:(

[bigtree]

8. no words

prayers

[helderheid]

9. oh no

All my best to their family.

[aquart]

10. As it should.

Wouldn't it be so nice, so peaceful, so pleasant, IF, as a gesture of respect...everyone else also suspended their campaigns? For, say, a year?

[TwilightGardener]

16. I'd love it if we were only just now talking excitedly about who MIGHT run...

--very sad about Edwards and his wife--may she regain her health. Hate to lose a well-qualified candidate for our team, as well.

[Ron Green]

11. It's a real loss to the political scene, but the right thing to do and perhaps

a boost for cancer awareness. I wish Elizabeth the best of health and hope.

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Dang. This is exactly what I suspected last night.:^( *Hugs and prayers to all the Edwards*

[robinlynne]

13. oh how sad. He was my candidate, of the 3. god I hope Gore runs!

[Catherine Vincent]

14. This is so sad.

I hope everything works out for this family.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

15. I was afraid of this

may she seek therapy that will cure her of the disease.

[Maddy McCall]

17. Wishing Elizabeth a swift, pain-free recovery.

I'm so sad about this. Cancer bites.

:(

[Beetwasher]

18. THIS Is Family Values

His family comes first.

I hope Elizabeth pulls through. My thoughts to the Eward's family.

[WiseButAngrySara]

31. Yes, indeed! ....n/t

[Mrs. Overall]

37. Yes, it is family values. Wasn't there a Republican whose wife had cancer

and he left her during the illness for a younger woman? I'm thinking it was Gingrich--is that right?

[riderinthestorm]

19. Heartbreaking.

For us, for them. Speedy recovery Elizabeth!

[Nickster]

20. He's doing the right thing. He obviously has his priorities straight. n/t

[cali]

21. Feel like crying

My best to Elizabeth, John and family, with wishes for a speedy recovery.

[MelissaB]

22. .

:cry:

[WiseButAngrySara]

23. Oh damn! I was so worried that this was the case. Bless

them both! I'll never forget the thrill of Elizabeth posting here after the elections.

[Kajsa]

24. Oh, No!

Haven't they been through enough?

Good thoughts and prayers are going out
to the Edwards family.

I hope Elizabeth has a speedy recovery.

[firefox_fan]

25. I thought the press conference was at noon...

Is this official?

[firefox_fan]

56. As I was saying... Do not believe rumors.

Only official sources. No idea why Politico felt it was OK to put words in Edward's mouth.

[NJCher]

I feel devastated

For her, for him, for their family, for all of us who believe he is the best candidate.

Most of all, I hope the docs can do something for her.

I will be lighting a white candle for Elizabeth and meditating on her behalf.



Cher

[earthboundmisfit]

Best wishes to Elizabeth for a speedy and full recovery

Someone at DU yesterday commented on how John was demonstrating REAL family values, and this underscores it. Damn, I hate the news, though. Stay strong, Elizabeth & John - you've got everyone's best healing energies directed to you!

[FourScore]

26. I am praying for you and your family, Elizabeth!

You can beat this thing! I know you can!:hug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. Damn. *BIG SIGH* and tears.

:cry: This breaks my heart.

[JitterbugPerfume]

28. how sad

I don't know what else to say

[IWantAChange]

Take note Repukes - That is what the term Family Values really means

not the lip service you pay to it..........

[Blackhatjack]

29. If this is true, that does not mean he is dropping out of the race....

It is a long time before the Democratic nominee is selected, and Edwards has a tremendous ground organization in place.

Taking a 'time out' is the right thing to do if Elizabeth's health has taken a turn for the worse, but that does not mean he will drop out of the race. His issues and ideas will continue to spread even if he makes less public appearances.

[myrna minx]

30. Elizabeth, my heartfelt wish is for you to get better.

May you and your family have strength and love during this difficult time. :hug:

[Firespirit]

32. Don't forget, Kerry had prostate cancer

He learned about it early in the campaign and was given a clean bill of health before the primaries rolled around, and we all know the rest of that story.

Unless they say they are *dropping out*, I will keep this in mind.

[blogslut]

33. Get better, Elizabeth

Good thoughts.

[Eurobabe]

34. This is horrible for his wife, I really feel for her.

And for all the Edwards supporters, you have my sympathies too -- I know what it feels like when your candidate drops out. It sucks. :hug:

[Greeby]

35. Damn

:cry:

[Bake]

36. Damn. Just damn.

I have so much respect and admiration for both John and Elizabeth Edwards. How awful for them and their family, and what a loss for the nation if John ends up dropping out altogether. He's the ONLY candidate who has a coherent set of policy proposals, especially on healthcare.

Best wishes for her full and speedy recovery!

Bake

[Czolgosz]

38. I pray Elizabeth has a speedy and complete recovery, and I pray Newt is taking notes about what a

real man with true family values does when his family needs him and his wife is sick with cancer.

Of all the candidates, Edwards has consistently showed the greatest care for those most in need - and, today, the one most in need is his wife Elizabeth.

[cally]

39. My heart goes out to Mrs. Edwards and Sen. Edwards

Both of you have been and will continue to be an inspiration. I wanted Sen. Edwards for President. I hope his ideas and values are carried on by another candidate.

[Norquist Nemesis]

Aww, S&*t!!! And not because of the campaign

but for the Edwards family. This is beyond sad. :( I feel so sorry for those kids.

[gollygee]

40. Oh no :(

this makes me teary

My best wishes to her and the whole family.

[Arugula Latte]

41. Dammit dammit dammit.

Well, I guess I don't have to be torn between Obama and Edwards now. :cry:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

42. In tears here. This is so sad. She is such a beautiful woman, in all ways.

Sending out healing and loving thoughts to Elizabeth and her family.
:hug:

[progressivebydesign]

Wait.. I thought the press conference wasn't for another 15 minutes?

And no one was talking about it before that? Do I have my time zones messed up?

[Beelzebud]

43. As always. Edwards shows he's a man of great integrity.

My thoughts go out to their family. :(

[ronzo]

44. Bad news/Good move, John

I'm sorry to hear this and am still hoping politico blew the report- but if this is the case, he's doing the right thing... he's a good man.

The coming wingnut response is predictable, isn't it?

[Breeze54]

45. I'll wait for the press conference. C-Span will carry it.

THIS WEEK ON C-SPAN

http://www.c-span.org/

Thursday, March 22

News Conference with
John & Elizabeth Edwards
At 12pm ET, Network TBD

Thursday, March 22
Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) at
the Nat'l Press Club
On C-SPAN3 at 1pm ET

[Roxy66]

46. Elizabeth, you are such a shining light. I am praying for you.

We love you Elizabeth. :cry: :grouphug:

[WinkyDink]

47. A sad day for Elizabeth, her husband, her children---and the poor, for whom Edwards spoke.

[Blackhatjack]

48. John's future plans will be decided by the both of them ... she is a fighter

I suspect that the provisio that we should ' not assume the worst' is meant to allay fears about rumors before John and Elizabeth have even made their own decisions about his continued campaign for the Presidency.

I do not for a minute question John Edwards' priorities, and Elizabeth and his kids are at the top of his list. But there is much to consider, and much to be learned before informed decisions can be made.

[Cameron27]

49. Very very sad day.

This is beyond politics and touches everyone's heart. My prayers are with Elizabeth, John and their family.

[bdamomma]

50. oh geez, I feel so bad for the both of them

they are such good people. :cry:

[AndyA]

51. Edwards has been my favorite so far, but I understand his need to do this.

Sending good thoughts to both John and Elizabeth that things are not as bad as they may think, and that she will have a speedy and full recovery.

Both are top notch people, and deserve the best. Neither have had an easy life.

I'll also add what a contrast this is to the "conservative, caring, Christian" Republicans: When Newt Gingrich's wife was in the hospital recovering from cancer, she was served with divorce papers because Newt had been out screwing the ever lovin' hell out of a younger woman.

When John Edwards' wife is striken with cancer, he goes immediately to her side and suspends his campaign for Presidency to support her during her illness.

Now which side is the pillar of family values again? Actions speak louder than words.

[medeak]

52. CNN reporting Political.com report untrue

Edwards camp is denying story...

[Cha]

53. Really?!

WOW!

[WinkyDink]

54. Nope. The campaign MOVES ON. God bless the Edwardses.

[nadinbrzezinski]

55. No he will not and god bless them

if you believe in prayer, this is the time folks

[benny05]

57. Politico is turning into Townhall.com

I'm glad they got busted.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0307/Getting_It_Wrong.html