Wife's diagnosis won't deter Edwards

The Democrat, running well in early-voting states, will stick with the '08 presidential race.

By Linda Feldmann | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

from the March 23, 2007 edition

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WASHINGTON - Democratic candidate John Edwards's decision to continue his 2008 presidential campaign, despite a diagnosis of a recurrence of illness in his wife, adds a new dimension to an already complex battle for his party's nomination.

Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with cancer again on Wednesday, after being given a clean bill of health last year following her earlier bout with breast cancer that began in 2004. At the Edwardses' press conference Thursday afternoon in their hometown of Chapel Hill, N.C., the couple spoke about her diagnosis and about how it would affect the former senator's presidential bid.

Former Senator Edwards, with Elizabeth standing at his side, said the rigors of the campaign would not affect his wife's treatment or her prospects, promising that he would be with her whenever he needs to be.

"Both of us are committed to the cause," the candidate said. "We are committed to changing the country that we love so much, and we have no intention of cowering in the corner."

Edwards has been polling a strong third in the Democratic primary races, and in some early nominating states – such as Iowa and South Carolina – was making a serious play for first among Democratic voters. Edwards was born in South Carolina and won his only primary victory there in 2004.

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