John and Elizabeth Edwards 60 Minutes Interview

Whether you like John Edwards or his wife Elizabeth Edwards and their politics, it seems to me that any reasonable person would agree that it is their decision to make and no one else's. The decision to stay in the Presidential race in spite of Elizabeth Edwards' reoccurence of cancer, I mean.

Unfortunately, we're not talking about reasonable people when it comes to politics these days. The two extremes are so shrill in their opposing views that those of us somewhere in between are often totally turned off to the whole process even though politics and politicians control so much of our lives.

It seems to me that John Edwards' decision along with his wife Elizabeth Edwards should be respected. Not necessarily applauded or condemned, but at least respected. That seems too much to ask in the internet age where seemingly everyone's life is supposed to be an open book, with the public voting on their every action like American Idol or some so-called "reality" show.

If John and Elizabeth Edwards believe that they can care for their children and each other while on the campaign trail, so be it. As the former Senator from South Carolina said in the interview it is up to the public to decide whether he should be the next President or not, anyway. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, as the Edwards well know after losing their son a few years ago to an accident.

The biggest problem I had with the whole interview was Katie Couric. Couric seemed so determined to play "devil's advocate" to shore up her journalistic credentials that it was downright irritating, at least to this viewer. John and Elizabeth Edwards answered all queries with grace and at times, humor, such as when John Edwards feigned surprise when asked about cynicism in politics.