I didn't know Edwards lost a teenage son

[Jack_Dawson]

in a car accident. Have I had my head in the sand? All I've heard from him is "millworker" references.

[AP]

1. Sometimes, when you settle on a candidate, you don't go looking for info

on the other candidates.

Edwards never mentions this, so if you're listening passively, you wouldn't know.

But I don't know anyone who hasn't taken the time to learn something about Edwards who doesn't know about it.

[agitpropagent9]

2. yes

it's a testament to his character that he's not been trying to score political and/or sympathy points for this. i can only imagine the heartbreak and i admire him keeping it a private family matter.

now, if i could only embrace him as a candidate. :)

[Maddy McCall]

3. I don't think it's pivotal in his campaign...

That's terrible, though.

I think his "millworker's son" comments are important in his campaign, because he wants voters to know that he came from working class roots.

Very sad about his son, though.

[Jack_Dawson]

4. That's why he went into politics, the article said

[Maddy McCall]

6. The original poster asked why he doesn't mention it as he campaigns...

I think it would play as a sympathy line if he repetitively used it.

It's sad, any way you look at it.

[AP]

8. He has said that this isn't why he went into politics.

However, a NC'ian I met said the rumor in NC is that his son was very upset by the way Helms disenfranchised black voters in the 90s and often discussed with his father the idea that he should run and break the Helms grip on politics.

[Edwards4President]

5. He doesn't talk about it

and when he's asked, he usually says that this is something very personal for him and his family that he'd rather not discuss.

But you'll notice that he always wears a lapel pin. Some think it's his Member identification pin. But it's Wade's Outward Bound pin - he wears it everyday in tribute to his son.

[katieforeman]

9. I didn't know that.

[Edwards4President]

10. It's very sad . . .

John Edwards is gulping down lunch, surrounded by noisy peers in the Senate Dining Room. Well-wishers pump his hand whenever they pass his table. They notice that, as usual, Edwards is doing an interview. Between bites, the senator is discoursing on his admiration for the citizens he represents while politely knocking down questions about how he got here in the first place.

He is like a good attorney handling a deposition. As he's said before, he just won't talk about Wade's death in the context of politics. But he's wearing Wade's Outward Bound pin on his lapel. Yes, he says. He wears it in memory.

At the funeral, he read from Wade's diary, which told how much he learned in Outward Bound. Wade also wrote how much he loved his friends and family. And he wrote about the future: He wanted to become a father. A good father, he said.

Recounting this, the senator starts to cry silently. He dabs at the tears with his napkin. He isn't hiding it. At this moment he is not a politician in control. He is a father remembering the birth of his first son on this very day, 22 years ago. He is a father who loved that child, and learned from him, then lost him. He is a common man who was changed forever by the wind.

"An Answer That's Blowing in the Wind; John Edwards's Political Rise Followed Tragedy, And Much Joy," Washington Post, August 7, 2001

[Cuban_Liberal]

7. http://www.wade.org

That's the website.

[JohnLocke]

17. It's in my sig line (nt)

[Mr Switters]

11. Character indeed

It does show respect and class for Edwards not to use this to his political advantage. Although I would stop before heaping too many kudos on him for it... the children of presidents and presidential candiates have been treated with much more respect in the last 20 years. This just might be a continuation in the press that children are off limits, whether they be living or dead.

It is refreshing, however, that his campaign hasn't urged him to capitalize on it. I think it resonates with potential voters when they learn about it through word of mouth rather than having it shoved at them in campaign speeches or through the press.

The republicans are scared or Edwards... wonder why?... he beats "W" hands down!

[katieforeman]

14. Welcom to DU, Character Indeed.

well said.

[JohnLocke]

18. Welcome to DU, Mr. Switters!

:toast: :yourock: :toast: :yourock: :toast:
--------------------------------------------
You'll like it here. :)

[Mr Switters]

20. Thanks... Edward's empathy

Thanks for the kind words!

Profound loss like Edwards' experienced imparts a deep sense of empathy. I share it with others that have lost a parent at an early age (as I did many years ago), and I can only imagine the pain caused by the loss of your child.

This is the kind of empathy that comes through in Edward's speeches. He C-O-N-N-E-C-T-S with people.

The primary is over in my state, but let us hope that the remaining primary voters can see Edwards as not only our best chance for beating Bush, but also the best candidate for the job of President of the United States... let us remember we are voting for a president, not just to get "W" out of office.

[ShaneGR]

12. It was his reason for getting into politics, though he doesn't talk of it

understandably.

[AP]

13. He said he isn't on some mission for Wade. He's running becuase he wants

to run. However, I think it's pretty clear that his son's passion for the ideals of public service influenced him.

Furthermore, Clinton said something interesting about Edwards and himself -- people who lost others in their life before their time should have been up (Clinton's father died before Clinton was born!). Clinton said that an experience like that puts things in persepective. You realize the ephemerality of life and that, if you really want to make a difference in the lives of people, you have to get moving.

[Edwards4President]

15. That may help explain why

Edwards didn't heed the advice of those who insisted that he should wait till a later time to run. He probably understands better than most that tomorrow is promised to no one.

[AP]

16. Right. It's not promised to yourself or to the people you want to help.

[Nashyra]

19. Didn't know that about Edwards

It does say alot about the fact that he could keep this personal. I've lost a child, changes your perspective on life.

[Blue_Roses]

21. so sorry for your loss

I think this would be the one thing that would send me over the edge. A parent should not have to bury their child.

[Blue_Roses]

22. I first heard this when Edwards was talking about his book

and I was so impressed with him then. I admire him for not using it in his campaign, but then I know he wouldn't anyway. I really like Edwards.

[citizen snips]

23. Maybe that event in his life is too emotional to talk about.

Even if Edwards did add it to his stump speech people would blame him for using his sons death as a political advantage.