It was just announced that Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, has passed away due to her cancer. There are so many reasons to love Elizabeth – she was tough, smart as hell, progressive, caring, warm, and just a presence in a room wherever she went.
I had the privilege to meet her during the 2008 campaign, in NH, before her husband dropped out, and before revelations of his extra-marital affair with a campaign staffer which produced a child. She handled her illness, and her marriage, and her life under such public scrutiny, with grace and dignity. There are many many fans of Elizabeth Edwards and I am one of them…she shone, even as the luster tarnished on John Edwards. People stopped believing in him, but they always believed in Elizabeth.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for your example about what a great human being should be. Rest in peace.
Rest in Peace, Elizabeth. Cancer sucks.
Embodied the best of the American people. And particularly the best of all of the American women who are extraordinary heroes everyday supporting their families, communities, nation and highest good with acts of giving….giving…..giving.
<
p>My thoughts and blessings honor her great intelligence and everlasting spirit. May her family find peace.
but her life ending today, for some reason has a profound effect on me. She seemed like a wonderful person, acted courageously during her marital problems and fought the fight against cancer that so many of us couldn’t begin to fight.
<
p>My prayers go to you Elizabeth, and your family and to all others struggling with the curse of Breast cancer (and all forms of cancer).
<
p>Please support research for cancer.
It’s not “research for cancer”. It’s “research for cancer cure” or “research AGAINST cancer”.
I think we all knew what he meant. “For” just means “regarding” or “concerning”, not necessarily “in favor of” as if he or anyone else were in favor of people getting cancer.
For those interested, that poem is over in the side bar.
<
p>I met Elizabeth several times, but I don’t claim to have been a close friend, or more than a mere acquaintance. I admired her grace under pressure and in handling her incurable illness.
<
p>Yes.
<
p>Cancer sucks.
with a profound ability to discuss matters and convey messages in a clear, calm and sensible way. She inspires me still, and always will. She will be missed. Her inspiration live on.
Rest in peace Elizabeth.
<
p>Respectfully,
Wayne Wilson
Edwards Delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention
9th Congressional District
Deserved so much better out of life than what John gave her, it should have been her fighting for progressive policies on the Senate and in the White House. More importantly though, now is a time to hope her family can stay together and be taken care of, and to hope she has found peace. May God bless her and her family.
I’ll never forget her answer to an interviewer who asked her if John would be suspending his campaign when her cancer resurfaced, what with her facing death and all. She calmly answered, aren’t we all facing death in one way or another?
<
p>To me, that answer brought home the point that there are no guarantees in life – all of us are one blown tire away from death on the highway, or any other misfortune that may befall us. I’ll never forget those wise words and her courage. Rest in peace, Elizabeth…
Classy because of her intelligence, dignity, and care for others.
<
p>RIP Elizabeth.
She was talking to a group of Iowan women. What amazed me was her ability to discuss complex issues in language that was down to earth, intelligent and understandable. She easily translated issues like universal health care and education to make them relevant to the everyday lives of the people she was speaking to. I was supporting Howard Dean at the time. But if she had been a candidate, I would have switched in a heartbeat.
<
p>In 2007, I got to meet her in person in New Hampshire. I was at the bloggers’ meeting with Elizabeth at St. Anselm’s College along with Lynne, Blue Hampshire bloggers and my co-bloggers at Below Boston. We still have the video in our archives. She talked about home schooling and campaign financing and media consolidation and creating a “bench” of solid Democratic candidates, all with great perception and creativity. But, aside from her comprehensive knowledge of the political and social landscape, she was funny and charming. Before asking a question, Lynne introduced herself with a disclaimer about being “undecided” rather than an Edwards supporter. Elizabeth said that that was fine and she was welcome to ask questions anyway. Then Lynne added that she was from Massachusetts and Elizabeth laughed and said (this may not be exact quote), “Oh, you’re not from New Hampshire. Forget about it then.”
<
p>A great, classy lady. I will miss her voice.
on NPR’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me last year.
Rest In Peace.