I'm visiting North Carolina and I asked about Edwards

[undeterred]

This is a business visit and I guess the people I am talking to are Republicans. I was told that by 3 different people that he shouldn't be running for president when his wife has cancer- that people find it offensive that he would run for office instead of staying home to take care of her when he can afford to. I was at a loss for words.

[rox63]

1. She wants him to run

He offered to quit the race, and she wouldn't hear of it.

[Lex]

2. I live in North Carolina and I've never heard *one* person say that.

So I'm not sure who you're talking to.

[undeterred]

6. People at the business I'm visiting.

I am an Edwards/Kucinich supporter.

[supernova]

3. Sounds like you are running into Repubs

at work.

And obviously, she wanted him to run. It's her call; not theirs.

[undeterred]

10. Yeah, I thought people got past this.

But if they want to hold something against him, I guess they'll use anything.

[qwlauren35]

43. Even though I feel this way...

It's not my reason for not supporting him.

It's clearly just a mess. Kinda like being Pro-Choice. Some people are just not going to respect the decision that gets made.

The boy on the donkey and the old man walks? The old man on the donkey and the boy walks? Both on the donkey, and the donkey suffers???

She's got cancer. And that's just how it is. But yes, people are going to say what they feel - cancer is emotional.

[Lex]

12. Yeah and what kind of hand-wringing easily offended fuss-budgets

are upset by this anyway. I've never heard anyone say this.

You're absolutely right--it's her call, not theirs.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

4. I posted that I've heard the same thing

from repubs and democrats.

And I'm a staunch Edwards supporter.

[Richard Steele]

5. Sounds like those folks have been issued some official "talking points".

I'm in NC, and I've met plenty of folks who have problems
with Edwards...but I've never heard that argument from anyone. :shrug:

[Botany]

7. If you are looking for a reason to hate you can find one.

Elizabeth wanted to stay in the race. On what could have been the worst
day of their lives they stepped up to keep up with what they see as their
mission, to help people. That is called class.

[Missy M]

8. How ridiculous....

she wanted him to run and she campaigns right along with him. I give them both lots of credit.

[bluestateguy]

9. George Wallace did so in 1968

And Southerners didn't seem to mind

[mnhtnbb]

11. North Carolina is really a purple state. These are the same people

who are threatened by gay unions or marriages. Who cares what they think? How does what John and Elizabeth want to do--how they want to live and focus their life--have anything to do with these people?

They're the type of people who think everyone should live the way they do.

Come to Chapel Hill or Carrboro or Asheville and you'll meet some truly wonderful, progressive people.

[Labors of Hercules]

13. Like US!!!!

:grouphug:

[Lex]

15. ahem, and Durham

:hi:

[Labors of Hercules]

17. Yep! Hey Lex!

:hi:

[Lex]

21. Hiya!

Love your siggy pic. :toast:

[Labors of Hercules]

32. Thanks! Like yers too!

totally Groovilicious!

:toast:

[mnhtnbb]

Of course! Sorry--you know it's because we're Tar Heel supporters

and not Dukies!

:hi:

[Lex]

20. hee hee

you got it! :thumbsup:

[Labors of Hercules]

26. So um... should I take back my grouphug?

I'm so conflicted! Especially when we're gonna beat the snot out of Duke this year. (Kinda makes me feel like extending the hand of sympathy). :evilgrin:

[Lex]

30. I'll grouphug

over the Heels beating the snot out of Duke.

I'm kind of hoping it'll be like the NC State win last Saturday!

[Labors of Hercules]

36. maybe! Makes for a good season!

(We'll see what they do this weekend).

You know, we all ought to invite undeterred over here for lunch! Undeterred, you game??

[mnhtnbb]

56. No, no, I'm in on the group hug--just a little late!

:grouphug:

[mmonk]

47. Some of us are in Raleigh

;)

[Labors of Hercules]

14. Where are you in NC? (If I may ask)...

[undeterred]

16. Raleigh Durham

[Lex]

18. I'm guessing more Raleigh than Durham.

nt

[supernova]

38. Series!!

No way he'd get that answer over here in Durham and Chapel Hill.

[fooj]

19. Interesting. Many Repubs that I know would like to cross over

and vote Edwards in the General Election. Guess that's what really "offends" some of them...

[undeterred]

22. I think the rest of the country let Elizabeth and John

make the decision on this- because I've never heard anyone else say it as an argument against Edwards.

[fooj]

31. Me, either.

Thanks for sharing your experience in NC. No telling WHERE that "talking point" came from, eh? Geez...

[unc70]

23. You see posts like that at www.wral.com and such

I also live in NC and there is the core RW of maybe 25% that talks trash on all our candidates. What you heard is one of the few that might be shareable in your context.

The attacks on Edwards began before his senate campaign where his incumbent opponent was part of the Jesse Helms organization. Since then, it has never stopped. That is part of the reason I think that the RW doesn't have much on him when their TPs are hair, house, and health. In NC, we know all-to-well how dirty campaigns look over the last 60 years.

At least basketball season has started. Maybe that is the problem. Did these people go to NC State? They might have been grumpy since they just lost bit.

BTW former Tar Hell coach Dean Smith is a liberal Dem and an Edwards supporter.

[Lex]

27. OMG, the wral.com comments section is a sewage

of nutbucket right-winger posts. Runs my blood pressure right up.

[unc70]

48. I go to wral.com to see what whisper/email is floating in that sewer

The really scary thing about those postings at wral.com is that those are moderated discussions!

Can't imagine what the deleted posts look like.

I am encouraged that the trash talk about sports is probably worse.

[mmonk]

53. Easy.

Some of us are an NC State family. Besides, one of your big oil graduates and the UNC Board of Governors did in our men's basketball program. That's why I hate the sport and it's political underpinnings. Hockey and football for me now.

[waiting for hope]

24. I live here in NC -

and I have yet to hear anyone mention that - Every person I have spoken too thinks Elizabeth is a wonderful person and that John and Elizabeth make a great couple and a fantastic team. I think you are flame baiting.

[supernova]

37. and nobody cares about their house either

[waiting for hope]

57. I am so close to Figure Eight -

and I never hear about his house - hey - Or GORE's for that matter. I did see Air Force One (Two at the time) about 10 years ago at ILM....pretty neat.

[supernova]

25. Hey NC DUers - January Meetup!!

If you are in or near the Triangle and want to meet us cool DUers, come to our next meetup.

See this thread in the NC forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=170x9602

[Lex]

28. cool

thanks supernova :hug:

[rocktivity]

29. She's not a bedridden invalid

and as far as I know, she hasn't actually been told she has so many months to live. If anything, the campaign might be the best therapy for her.

:headbang:
rocknation

[supernova]

35. Exactly, we all have

to have a reason to get up in the morning. Having something to do is one of the chief illness coping mechanisms

More power to Elizabeth that she wants to work on behalf of all of us.

[zalinda]

44. It may be the best thing for her

Bernie Siegel, a cancer doctor has written a number of books on cancer. He found that sometimes when people "didn't have time for cancer", they went into complete remission or their cancer disappeared. Very interesting reading.

zalinda

[catnhatnh]

33. I asked three people in New hampshire about Huckabee and Romney...

and they laughed their asses off....of course one was Mom....

[KoKo]

34. ELIZABETH...is TOTALLY IN FAVOR! She's a Trooper and knows what's Wrong...she Posted on DU in the

"Old Days." Those two KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. I have "other issues with Edwards" but I'm willing to put his Iraq Invasion Vote behind and that a bunch of us stood outside a fundraiser for him about his support for Bush's Invasion...and he didn't bother to speak to us...to figure that his POPULIST MESSAGE...resonates soooo strong these days that he deserves a vote...and it's ELIZABETH who steers him....But...I think maybe he's FINALLY AWAKENED!!

I'm a Kucinich/Edwards supporter...just so you know...Kucinich FIRST...but Edwards has taken Kucinich's Message...so I gotta support BOTH...

[lildreamer316]

50. Wouldn't that be a great ticket?

I wish it could win...but I don't think it could.
Dreaming....

[stray cat]

39. In other words she should go home and die?

I think she is trying to live with breast cancer. None of us know how long we have....

[Labors of Hercules]

41. That's exactly what these assholes need to be told.

Elizabeth has more fight in her than they ever will, and who the hell are they to tell her how to live with Cancer? If they have cancer and want to dry up in a hole, let them.

[Divine Discontent]

40. do they realize she's not bedridden????

She's out campaigning HARD for John to become president. That should, if they have any reality in their brains about life, see she's not overtly affected by it at this time in her life. I'm sure there are issues, but if she's campaigning hard, then she's alright with it, and obviously, wants John to run. I really wouldn't have held back saying, 'but she's on the campaign trail and told him she wants him to run. They talked about it. She's not rolling over to die, she's living the life she has!"

Thanks for the proof that there are plenty of disgusting GOPers out there. lol

[ileus]

42. My wife has the same concern and she's no RW'er.

[Lex]

45. So does your wife think Elizabeth Edwards has no say

in the matter?

Because clearly Mrs. Edwards has made her own decision about what she wanted to happen. I, for one, defer to that.

[zalinda]

46. Please tell her that Elizabeth Edwards always

speaks up. She is not in the least bit cowed by anyone, which includes her husband. She says what's on her mind, and means it. And John loves her for her honesty.

zalinda

[unc70]

51. Biggest understatement on DU today

Boy does she ever speak up! I dare anyone to try to stop her.

[lildreamer316]

49. That's bullshit. I live here, and he is well liked

by most people I talk to.
However, you gotta remember this is still a red state.
Sorry about your experience.
Come see us next time!!

[mruddy]

52. Heard it here in Iowa

Did a lot of phone banking & door knocking for the Edwards Campaign before the Iowa caucus. Heard several times that they really liked John Edwards but if he were president & lost Elizabeth, he'd be too devastated to run the country. One person admitted they had been helped along with this thought from another campaign.

[unc70]

58. Could you share which campaign?

You might not know which campaign, but if you do could you share that info here or privately.

At least I hope you reported this to the Edwards campaign.

[focusfan]

54. he offered to quit the campaign and take care of her

I heard him say it out of his own mouth.Elizebeth wants him to
keep on with his campaign

[salin]

55. They are republicans, what do you expect... they often cast judgement

in such a way unless it is themselve and then they view themselves as "the exception."

Remember about 10 years ago the case where a British Nanny stood accused of shaking to death a baby? The rw repeated the meme that it was the mother's fault - she was a doctor (who had, iirc, dropped down to half-time work) who "should have been at home with the baby."

Well a Republican relative who is a doc, and married to a doc (who worked full time) told me that republicans were for "someone" staying at home with the kids - even if that "someone" wasn't a parent. This relative totally missed the point that had this happened in his family his WIFE, not the nanny, would have been blamed in GOP "family values" circles (even though it was on full display a year or so before we had this converstation) and that they really meant MOM should stay home -not an au paire (sp) who was paid to stay home. Big Disconnect.

What is my point? THese folks are not the one's who will decide elections. They are the 30% or so who are in full denial and will keep voting republican - even when families like their own are demonized by the republican party. I wouldn't take these folks view seriously per election results. At one time they may have been bellweathers, but now (finally) they are the fringe.