January 2010 would not necessarily be a month that Elizabeth Edwards would want to remember. Not that she's probably had many memorable months in the last two years. The recent revelations in the book "Game Change" about her demeanor, and the plotting of how to use her cancer diagnosis on the campaign trail, was followed with her husband's admission of fathering another woman's child.
There has been outrage over the plotting of how to use her cancer diagnosis on the campaign trail. As a five-time cancer survivor I say--leave it alone.
We call it playing the cancer card. And for all we go through with surgeries and treatments, on-going pain and most of all, the emotional ups and downs of living with cancer, if you haven't walked in our shoes, don't judge us.
I've played the cancer card myself a few times (especially when bill collectors call). Playing the cancer card doesn't mean lying or being dishonest. In fact, its just the opposite. Its being honest. I have cancer. And because of that I can't go on a long hike right now because my medication gives me fatigue. And because of that I have so many medical bills that I might be late on my credit card payment.
And because of that, the public may have a great deal of sympathy and the polls might actually go up.
So what?
Leave her alone. Leave them alone. They are suffering in more ways than we'll ever know.
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I think it's pretty low for people to bring up Elizabeth Edwards' cancer and talk about how she used it in the campaign trail. The woman has been through more than anyone could imagine and if in fact she does want to play up her cancer card--she has the right to. She can use the cancer card, the my husband had an extramarital affair and fathered a child card, and the I'm Elizabeth Edwards card. People should let her be. She should not be the one facing bad publicity right now-- her soon to be ex husband should.
February 2, 2010 - 6:11amThis Comment
Well said, Mary. Well said.
February 3, 2010 - 10:23amI agree with "playing the cancer card" when necessary, because it simply DOES affect one's life - every aspect of one's life : physically, emotionally, financially and more...
However, I believe Elizabeth Edwards was very wrong to endorse her husband for the Presidency when she already knew about the affair (and possibly others?). I'm not sure how one can play any kind of card, when they stand up and endorse a man by calling him honest, with high integrity, a true family man and a man with strong morals who has what it takes to lead a nation. She knew much of this was not true, yet said it anyway. It had nothing to do with needing him to get the Presidency for the money (to help with her treatments etc)- he was a very rich lawyer to begin with and his job paid a lot more than the $400K a President makes.
Cancer is a dreadful affliction but it should never have an influence on who is picked as the leader of the free world. Let's be practical here. The President's health (not his family) is important in terms of being the most powerful person on the planet. We cannot let our emotions dim this reality.
Cancer aside, she publicly endorsed her husband as being a loyal, competent man and of high moral character, when she knew that to be absolutely false. Why she chose to do that, we may never know but she sure as heck had no outstanding bills or anyone harassing her for payments. I pass no judgment on her but she - and he - both lied, over and over again. I don't believe she gets to play the "cancer card" on this one.
I wish her (and her kids) the very best and hope that somehow she makes it through and goes on with her life, with HER in charge, not her (ex) husband's political ambitions and incredibly devious personality.
February 3, 2010 - 1:23pmMary, as a fellow cancer survivor I appreciate your post and understand it. On the other hand, as a public relations professional I see things a bit differently. Any public figure needs to understand how their "personal brand" is going to play to the public. Yes, Elizabeth Edwards' cancer could be said to have enhanced her public image and to have been "used" for political purposes but at the same time a serious illness can also be a negative in a country that wants a visible, vibrant and globe-trotting first lady. If I had worked for her I would have planned ways to work with her diagnosis on the campaign trail, but that's just business and can hardly be characterized as "plotting" as some have done.
The whole sordid situation that she's been touched by, including the tell-all book that apparently puts her in a negative light, is sad to see and takes away from her ability to take care of her health and her children. I totally agree with you that people need to leave her alone, and to stop judging or speculating on what she did or didn't do. She didn't run for office. She didn't have an affair. She didn't lie to the public or to her family. She is a cancer survivor who needs, and deserves, support to live out the rest of her days as best possible without interference.
February 3, 2010 - 5:34pm