Edwards Fans: Nice artlicle about Elizabeth Edwards

[illinoisprogressive]

DES MOINES — At a recent campaign stop in Iowa, John Edwards spoke about the need for a political solution in Iraq and a withdrawal of American troops. Then he turned the microphone over to his wife, who was sitting in the audience.
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“Elizabeth wants to say something,” Mr. Edwards said, at the stop in Washington, Iowa.

In a telling moment for the role she plays in his campaign, Elizabeth Edwards stood and gave an impassioned narrative that went on for two minutes, nearly as long as her husband’s, about her military veteran father, how the United States helped Iraqis with elections, and about the sacrifices made by American soldiers. The country needs a “true leader” who can say, Now is the time to leave, she said.

“Which is what John says,” she said, sitting down again.



But on the campaign trail in Iowa and California in mid-October, Mrs. Edwards, 58, played a prominent part, one that belies her statements at the forum about her limited influence in the campaign, and one she carries out in spite of her treatments for advanced breast cancer.

Ever since the couple announced in March that they would push on with what Mr. Edwards calls the “cause of our life,” Mrs. Edwards has advised her husband from behind the scenes, defended him in front of audiences and occasionally stolen his spotlight from the sidelines.

She is described by campaign staff members as the one who makes sure he has “mental space,” serves as a good “gut check” during his decision-making, and speaks to him frequently on the telephone when she is not with him on the road.

At events, she speaks up when she has something to add. On the sidelines, women approach her and describe her as a national voice and an inspiration.


for the rest of the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/us/politics/25edwards.html?ref=politics