Strength and Bravery

If there was ever any doubt that John Edwards was a strong, brave man, it was eliminated today.

If you turn off the sound at today's news conference, you would never be able to tell that it was about bad news. The way John and Elizabeth Edwards conducted the press conference, it almost seemed as if they were talking to members of their own family or a group of friends. They made us feel confident and optimistic of Mrs. Edwards' condition. It was easy to picture a President Edwards speaking to a nervous nation in the event of natural disaster or national calamity, should there ever be one. I always thought John Edwards' leadership ability was underestimated, and I wasn't the least bit surprised by their actions at today's press conference.

Some may argue that Edwards is being selfish or cares more about political ambition that his own family, but in the eyes of Elizabeth, John's campaign is just as if he was a construction worker going to the job site everyday or a store owner opening and closing his store. This is the life they signed up for. Elizabeth said it wonderfully when she said we need to get this election right and she believes her husband is the right choice and while that is debatable, you have to admire her passion. This is not about her husband's ambition; this is about the country, the nation. Some may say family comes first, but these people are not politicians (at least the good politicians,) the people who dedicate their lives to serve their country. Some serve in the military, others in public office, many in both, this is John's dedication…to his country. I am sure John would have dropped out of this race without a blink of an eye if Elizabeth had asked him too, and I personally believe John thought about it even after Elizabeth told him to go on.

Will he win? I think he still has a chance. If he does well in Iowa, he can easily overtake Clinton and Obama, who by the way both showed class today by putting get-well messages to Elizabeth Edwards on the front page of their websites. If not during the primary, I'm sure his wife's condition would become an issue in the general election. I'd love to see Ann Coulter's face now; I'm sure she'd feel terrible if she had an ounce of empathy in her heartless body.

If Senator Edwards and his wife can stare Stage IV cancer in the eyes, laugh, and fight it with every ounce of their being, imagine what he would do with terrorists. He is far from a defeatist, cut and run liberal pacifist, he is a brave, courageous, strong and selfless leader.