The jaded among us [raises hand] might have heard about Elizabeth Edwards’ much-touted appearance on Oprah today and thought, "Well, well, what a convenient way for one to plug one’s new book." But it’s hard to keep up that bias after hearing Edwards recall how her 10-year-old daughter recently asked her, "Did you know romaine lettuce was good for cancer?" The terminally ill Elizabeth struck the strongest chord when she put her husband’s affair with Rielle Hunter in perspective as it concerned her children: "Maybe the cancer’s a bigger thing in their lives than this woman passing through."
Their interview definitely picked up steam as it went on — the entire premise was awkward given that both Elizabeth and John were there to greet Oprah with hugs at the front door before the two women would proceed to discuss John’s infidelity at length inside the Edwards’ home. "He’s not going anywhere — I just saw him in the kitchen," Oprah joked uncomfortably at one point. The most noteworthy part, for me, was when Edwards attempted to justify the photo of her husband holding Rielle Hunter’s baby, outside a hotel room at night, thusly: "We’re politicians. Holding babies is our business." Cringe.
The meat of their discussion, though, was really Elizabeth’s game plan for how she should react to the whole ordeal. She only showed anger at one point, when she seemed to address Hunter (who Edwards refused to call by name) directly: "You can’t just knock on the door, say ‘You’re out, I’m in. How ’bout your husband, honey?’… There’s no excuse for women to do this." Edwards was much easier on her husband. "I’ve done terrible things, too. Who am I to say only this one thing counts?" she asked. "I want to protect him."
Toward the end of the hour, Oprah kept teasing her teeny tiny interview with John Edwards with clips featuring extended silences that didn’t really happen that way in real life. Maddening! But then there the former senator was, bragging about having played basketball with President Obama in his home’s full court. Regarding his wife’s book, Resilience (in which she recounts how she stood by her husband during his failed presidential campaign), "She definitely wrote it," said John. That’s a relief.
Did you see Elizabeth Edwards on Oprah? What did you think?
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I actually DID watch. And I even had to rewind the TiVo at times to listen more closely. I feel sorry for this women. She is dying of cancer and trying to keep things together for her kids. It really wouldn’t be a good time to leave her husband. That wouldn’t be fair for the kids since her time on the planet is so limited.
All I can say is he is SUCH a jerk for doing this to a woman that has stood beside him throughout their long marriage and his political career. They had enough heartache with their son dying and her cancer — they didn’t need this on top of it all.
If you’re asking how’d I rate the interview — I though Oprah did a pretty good job — and I thought Elizabeth was very eloquent in her answers.
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While Im no saint…and we are all human…blah blah blah..cheating on your terminally ill wife and having a baby… just shows what a scumbag he really is…never trust a guy with hair that shiny and still! 10 out of 10 times they are creeps….by the way that goes for all parties…democrats and republicans…
Hope she beats the big C and kicks smiley to the curb!
Elizabeth Edwards was a class act as always! What I don’t understand is why Hunter is supposedly so upset she’s being bashed. Most women would have said far, far worse things than Elizabeth Edwards did. Besides, did Hunter think she’d be invited to tea? She a freak and a flake anyway but she isn’t worthy of having her name spoken by Elizabeth Edwards!
To stand behind him on the campaign when she knew about the affair is dishonest. To blame the woman and to refer to the baby only as “it” is dissapointing. Clearly Elizabeth is as good at faking charm and integrity as her husband. I also wonder why she wrote this book. What is about to be revealed about him?Campaign fund abuse? Go away Elizabeth and John.
Elisabeth Edwards is delusional. Her husband John Edwards is a narcissist. He lied to her and to Rielle Hunter. Narcissists are pathological liars and he will continue to lie.
Here are the symptoms of pathological narcissism:
1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance
2.is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
3.believes that he or she is “special” and can only be understood by, or should associate with, people (or institutions) who are also “special” or of high status.
4.requires excessive admiration
has a sense of entitlement
5.is interpersonally exploitative
6. lacks empathy
7.is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her
8.shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
Narcissists see other people as a source of supply to exploit. John Edwards exploited Elisabeth Edwards and Rielle Hunter, probably telling each one what she wanted to hear. See him for what he is, Elisabeth. Wake up.
Elisabeth Edwards is delusional. Her husband John Edwards is a narcissist. He lied to her and to Rielle Hunter. Narcissists are pathological liars and he will continue to lie.
Here are the symptoms of pathological narcissism:
1. has a grandiose sense of self-importance
2.is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
3.believes that he or she is “special” and can only be understood by, or should associate with, people (or institutions) who are also “special” or of high status.
4.requires excessive admiration
has a sense of entitlement
5.is interpersonally exploitative
6. lacks empathy
7.is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her
8.shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
Narcissists see other people as a source of supply to exploit. John Edwards exploited Elisabeth Edwards and Rielle Hunter, probably telling each one what she wanted to hear. See him for what he is, Elisabeth. Wake up.
Gee Whiz – Elizabeth is being so generous. She wants to protect that lying lowlife. She is either stupid, or thinks the public is. Ha…she knew what he was for years, but went along with his campaigns for power and the presidency. Realistically speaking, if her death is imminent, she should be redoing her will and making sure that scummy husband gets none of her money.
I watched, and I like Elizabeth Edwards. She is classy. But she is terminally ill – and still in denial to some extent. I agree that this ONE thing should be the deciding factor in whether she fights to save her marriage. But this is not ONE thing. This is a “lying confession”. He let her cry and suffer over a lie. A two-part confession divided by a year and a half is not a confession. It is a smokescreen – he admitted the only thing he thought she might find out. I don’t believe for a minute that this is his only indiscretion. He has been proven to be a liar on several different aspects of this affair (and baby). A liar is a liar is a liar. He is slick. I’ve seen his type many times and he doesn’t deserve his wife. I hope she can continue to believe and be blinded to the real sleaze that he is. She deserves as much peace of mind as she can have in her remaining time. He deserves what he gets. He will be tied to a skank for at least 21 years!
What an amazing woman. I teared up several times during the interview. “What his name” doesn’t deserve a woman with this much grace and strength.Why can’t politicians keep their pants on? I guess the ego just gets out of hand.
Although I feel for Elizabeth for what she has been through (cancer, loss of child, cheating husband,) I question what her goals are at this time by writing this book and promoting it. Doesn’t this further hurt her children? (Does she need the money?) Dad is either a complete jerk, or at the minimum did a completely despicable thing, but to dredge this all up again and publicly flog him yet again… their kids are half John, afterall. I feel sorry for their kids.
This women is an honorable fighter battling cancer and ignorant remarks like some left here in this comment section. We all make mistakes…
Look, I can understand why she decided to stay with him. She is dying, and her children will not be able to cope with that and a divorce on top of it. Like she said, he was there for her the first time she got cancer, and she can’t forget it.
What did shock me was to hear her say that if the baby turns out to be her husband’s, it doesn’t affect her life. Oh, please! Talk about lying to yourself! That is absurd. A child always changes everything.
I think she is full of anger, but has chosen to “supress” it because she is dying. I am convinced she would kick him to the curb otherwise. Did you notice the look on her face when Oprah was talking to John and he was saying there was a lot of love there? If looks could kill! She has not forgiven him and will never trust him again. That love is dead and gone. He definitely threw away his life.
I’m sorry, but cancer aside, Elizabeth Edwards is out of touch. Her husband cheated on her, yet she’s blaming “that woman”. The thing is that Rielle Hunter never made a vow to Elizabeth; John did. Why doesn’t she hold him accountable? It’s awfully convenient that she blames Rielle rather than John (and “cries for” John!) given that John’s the one who pays the bills and gets her the book deals and gets her on Oprah.
Overlooking what John did is not acceptable. If she’s going to blame Rielle, she has to blame John too. And EVEN MORE SO, given that John was the one who broke the vow to her.
Yeah, it’s obvious that she stays with him because she’s sick and they still have small children.
oh yeah, that other kid looks just like John Edwards.
i thought the show was great a women who has suffered from much but still wants to put all the puzzle together.one must put all of the pieces together then see if she wants to go on.they love another and it shows.
When my mom passed from cancer I was the only family member in the room. It was a rainy dark day in Woodland California, 1986. The room was very dark. Just before my mom passed I felt something or something come into the room. The room lightned in apperance. My mom passed at that moment and I felt her leave the room. I know an angel came for her and took her spirt to heaven. I am never afraid of death now. Not for myself or for others I love. I am at peace with this as we all should be. Your humanity as shown on Oprah shows you are loved by many. You have great faith and courage. God will bless you. God will bless your family because you love them so.
I would dump him, dieing or not and I have 3 kids. I would never want to leave this earth letting my kids think it’s okay to betray our family. JMHO
Elizabeth Edwards is fragile..waiting to break. striving to hold her world together for herself, her children, and her husband. Remember, she made a vow and she has chosen to honor her’s..for better or worse. Her comments about Rielle Hunter’s baby not having anything to do with her life is on the mark. Her days are short, why should she concern herself with someone else’s child when it is obvious her children need her and she needs them. Why did she write the book.. for her children… especially the young ones… to let them know she loved their father despite the hurt and anger and distrust… she loved him. Good luck Elizabeth..go with God.
I think Mrs. Edwards is a strong woman and it is truly sad that she has to deal with not only her imminent death but her husband’s affair in public. I am going through the same situation and I can only say from personal experience that it is easy for all of you to judge her when you are not in her situation, however, I know she forgave because she is at her worst and she does not want to leave this world having ill feelings towards the man who will take care of her children. I think she should have acknowledged that the child is her husbands and it “will” change not only her life but her children’s . I am not going to defend Rielle hunter because what she did was dishonorable but I am a christian and her child has nothing to do with the sins of his parents. I am praying for Elizabeth and her children but I know in my heart that he will be judged divine justice and anger is fruitless. She is a remarkable woman despite all this trajedy and a fighter.
Just to add, I’m an Irish women with an Irish temper. A Canadian too. Cheating men find their cloths in a garbage bag in the front yard and locks changed up north. “Get with the program, or get LOST!!!!”
Elizabeth was eloquent, gracious, and authentic. She is working to keep the good parts of their life rather than focus exclusively on negativity. I couldn’t respect her more and completely understand her choices. Everyone makes mistakes. She has tried to understand and then make the best choices for her family. A truly great woman.
I don’t know what hopes I had for this interview, but I was disappointed when it ended. She really is in denial if she is blaming the woman Who Shall Remain Nameless (yeah, right!!) rather than her own husband. Good Grief! The question that really should have been asked but wasn’t is “Is hubby still stepping out with this bimbo or not?”
Of course, I guess we’d never get a straight answer to that one–after all, he’s a politician. They hug babies…….
I was an early Edwards supporter (I guess there weren’t many bandwagon jumpers) – but I feel/felt betrayed by both of the Edwards. I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt Elizabeth was a big part of the draw, they could have walked away at the time of the return of the cancer, but instead continued to feed the fiction that he was still an honorable man. The final straw for me was when Edwards agreed to an interview with ABC at 10 p.m. on a Friday night (against the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics). He’s a fraud. I still hope their family can find peace.
What happens after Elizabeth dies, he hooks up with this women and introduces his children? Hey, it happens, Prince Charles story. Think about it.
It makes me sick what he did, but I’ve always had the greatest respect for Elizabeth. She has had more then enough tragedy in her life.
Although it would be hard to forgive, perhaps the world would be a better place if couples tried a little harder to keep the family together, and didn’t rush to divorce court.
I admire her and wish her Gods Speed.
I recently lost my mother. Elizabeth Edwards’ comments on resilience — on accepting that things have changed — helped me. I loved her before I loved John Edwards, before I gave him money and hoped to vote for him. I cried for her last summer and I wanted to hit him. Now here she is again, giving me advice that helps me find solace — she who has cancer and has lost a son and has had a hurtful husband. I LOVE ELIZABETH and wish her peace.
Not our family…not our job to judge
As a cancer survivor I am broken hearted over this interview. I cried a couple of times during it. The physical and emotional pain from battling caner is enormous. It affects you- it affects more your family.It is a time of extreme stress.
All the agony is only slightly lessened when you feel as you go through treatment that you will live. Elizabeth Edwards knew she was terminal. John Edwards knew his wife was and he still did what he did. You can call him a dog. I called him a dog when the story broke. But the psychological attitudes of both of these people have to be considered. Was he afraid himself? Is that why he strayed. Or would he have done it if she was well? Who knows? I just know that is one strong woman. I don’t care about those of you who think she is in denial. All of you who are in judgement- god forbid that you have to battle cancer and worse incurable cancer -only then do you have the right to judge as to whether she is in denial or not.
Elizabeth is a mean spirited delusional woman. Is it necessary to degrade Rielle and her husband’s child to make herself feel better? I lost all respect for her. The poor child has no father thanks to Elizabeth. The Edwards family is so fake, concern about poverty yet live in a 28,000 square foot house on 100 acres. Why the excess? And yet he can’t support his poor child. These people disgust me.