An interview with Elizabeth Edwards (she mentions DU)

[AP]

CP: I read that your father was very involved in ROTC on your college campus, UNC-Chapel Hill, during the Vietnam War what was that like?

EE: My dad was actually the head of the Navy ROTC program at Chapel Hill. He had previously been head of all Navy ROTC programs and he used to come home with his head in his hands and say, you know, the protestors bombed Michigan, they burned something in the ROTC unit at Berkeley. He was trying to navigate a course, dad was a good Democrat and he was not intolerant about the protests and so he would not do anything to provoke people, he just tried to keep his head down and do his job. And for me, since my last name at the time was Anania and it was pretty unique, everybody that I came in contact with knew my connection with my father. I would warn them to lay low if there was a campus protest coming their way.

...

CP: What new challenges do you see for young people in college now?

EE: Well, I know this from talking to my daughter Cate. A lot of times on the campaign trail, she would say that she felt she was part of the first generation that was looking towards a worse life than their parents as opposed to a better life. That’s not what we’re supposed to be about. And that changes your attitude, your perspective, your optimism about your own future. People might be feeling a little hopeless in terms of their possibilities of success or the pressures of diminished opportunities, she feels like people are just putting more attention on their own personal success as opposed to focusing on communal success.

...

CP: I hear you are an internet news junkie. What’s in your media diet?


EE: After the recent election I’ve been spending a lot of time on channels that have to do with garden landscaping because it was just easier for me, less heartburn. I just get very frustrated listening to mainstream media, like they will report that the new budget increases {sic? decreases?} money for Pell Grants. I just want to say, I beg your pardon? They’re cutting off 90,000 people from those grants, and it isn’t even part of the discussion.


I do listen to CSPAN in the car and Air American and Talk Left radio. I read the Washington Post and the New York Times. But I go to a lot of websites, I spend a lot of time on the internet. I get a lot of information from blogs, I have a whole list including Talking Points, Daily Kos, Democratic Underground and more. Sometimes I check out the right wing sites to see what they are talking about. I have a whole folder of sites and I open them all up every day and see what catches my eye.

http://campusprogress.org/features/127/five-minutes-with-elizabeth-edwards

[CottonBear]

1. Isn't she just great!

I so wish that she would run for office someday. What a lucky man John Edwards is!

[AP]

2. ...and if she doesn't want to run for office, I'll vote for anyone she...

...endorses.

[elehhhhna]

5. same here.

[calimary]

34. Yes she is! Hi Elizabeth!!! Hugs!!!

Thanks for mentioning us! Here's hoping you're in splendid health and feeling great happiness! And also, thanks for being a superb role model!

[peacetalksforall]

3. She's a rarity allright - she 'hears' her daughter.

Thanks for posting.

[Justitia]

4. Hiya Elizabeth! On the campaign trail - I liked YOU the BEST

of everyone on stage (no disrespect to the other three...). You just always really stood out to me, and spoke to me.

I was continually impressed with your obvious intelligence, clarity, empathy and magnanimity.

All my best thoughts for your continued recovery, and PLEASE don't go silent on us! I really want to hear more from YOU in the future, I think you have great contributions to make and I would love to be around for them.

Take care :hi:

[i miss america]

23. Same here. Elizabeth, stay strong & please keep fighting the good fight

:yourock: :loveya:

[FreedomAngel82]

6. Nice interview

I'm glad she's doing well. :)

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. I love Elizabeth. I hope she's doing well?

She is one feisty little lady! I love her style. She always says it like it is and is always well versed in what she talks about. She's a GREAT lady!

Hi, Elizabeth! :hi: Please know we are still thinking about you and praying for you!

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Keep fighting Elizabeth!

I hope we see a lot more of her in the future. Now I wish I had spent more time in the garden section of DU. BTW, if you're listening, EE, I'm into water features in the garden. Don't know if that is a feasibility where you are, but it sure is fun to put together and great exercise.

[DUgosh]

9. Hi Elizabeth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:

[roguevalley]

10. Hi Elizabeth! You are loved from Alaska! Take care, honey.

[WI_DEM]

11. She was a huge asset on the campaign trail

I saw her when she came to Madison. Very poised, attractive and intelligent.

[AnnInLa]

12. What a class act!

It would have been so nice to have her as 2nd lady....sigh.

[iamjoy]

25. I Wanted Her For First Lady

I mean, first in the primaries, and then I kept thinking Kerry would win, get re-elected and then we could have Edwards/Obama 2012.

sigh

[elperromagico]

13. It is one of my great regrets that this lovely, intelligent woman

is not our current Second Lady.

But she is - and will remain - always a lady.

[Just Me]

14. She really is quite impressive.

Smart, strong, compassionate, articulate.

I am so glad I got to meet her.

I am so glad to see that we are on her blog list!!! :bounce:

[saltpoint]

15. In a much better parallel world --

-- Elizabeth Edwards would have been in charge of the public school system in my hometown.

Also she would have taught me math, English, Science, History, and social studies.

Also she would have coached my little league team.

Also she alone would be allowed to select judicial replacements during Republican administrations.

Also she will be the next woman of the White House.

I do not believe the term "national treasure" is too strong.

[AP]

35. Like Normal Rockwell did for the 50s, you just painted...

the picture I have in my mind of the ideal version of the 21st century.

[saltpoint]

37. Hi, AP. Nice to see you again on DU.

I'm not a cockeyed optimist who thinks everything can be perfect, but things can be better. We can't undo everything and change it to some perfect state, but we can surely tackle the things within our reach.

I perceive that John and Elizabeth are evolved beings. They strike me as their children's friends as well as parents, and they can convey that sense to audiences. Americans have not had a deeply emotional respect for their White House family since JFK. We need that back.

The report of the meetings Elizabeth and John had at Wendy's... A lot of people talked about that. People knew that Wendy's wasn't really the point -- the point was these two very evolved and capable and loving grown-ups were spending time together and planning a family or just talking about things -- whatever it was. And whatever it was, it worked.

I imagine Cate as a universal model of an American young person instead of the Bush twins. I hate to make it personal, but the contrast is enormous, and the phrase I would use to describe Cate's poise and personableness is "great parenting." The Edwards household and the Bush household produce VERY different sorts of things across the board.

I want these people in the White House, immediately if not sooner.

[AP]

38. I think you couldn't script a more appropriate cast of characters for

this historical moment -- for the reasons you note -- yet, there is no possible way these people were scripted. They must recognize themselves all the forces which make it appropriate for them to step forward.

That life could produce these people at this moment makes me think that there's a lot of richness that life and humanity can still deliver. It sounds really trite, I know, but they do give me a lot of hope.

[saltpoint]

40. I couldn't agree with you more.

I just could not agree with you more. They were unscripted and yet totally right-on.

When either of them is speaking on the radio or televsion or in the press, I come away with the feeling that each person can make a difference. I don't get that feeling with the Bushes or the Cheneys, etc.

Nothing you said sounds trite. If you run into anyone who says it is, SuperGlue his britches to a bus seat.

[proud patriot]

16. Awesome

:thumbsup:

[Disturbed]

18. In spite of the fact trhat she is a lawyer and a Dem...

jus kiddin'. She is national treasure.

[MelissaB]

17. What a lady!

I'd love to see her in the WH, too! :toast:

[blue neen]

19. She is truly an asset to our party.

We all hope you are feeling better, Elizabeth. :hi:

[AP]

20. What makes her an asset, though?

It's her utter averageness.

I mean, what comes out of this woman's mouth -- she could be me (except with milliions in the bank and a husband who could easily be president).

In her interview she shows that she cares about the middle class being able to stay middle class. She cares about the collective more than the individual -- she doesn't just want to make sure that her daughter can get ahead. She wants to make sure that everybody's sons and daughters can get ahead (and sees as entirely compatible the idea that Cate can do well and that everyone else can do well too).

Like many of us, you can't stand reading the MSM, because when you do you keep asking yourself, "what planet am I on?" But you try to perservere through the WashPost and the Times.

You see dignity in your parents' resolving their committment to progress with their patriotism in a way you see as incredibly noble and heroic, even if it's in ways that would never make the front page of a newspaper.

I mean, this is the American experience. What she's saying isn't so interesting because she's so unique. It's interesting because it is so common -- and she's giving a voice to it.

[kiraboo]

21. Love you Elizabeth! From a supporter in Maine! n/t

[kanrok]

22. I LOVE her.

n/t

[fleabert]

24. Hi Elizabeth! LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!

saw a townhall on CSPAN, you were incredible!

[Gloria]

26. I'll take 1 Eliz. Edwards for every Hillary Clinton and Joe Lieberman....

I wasn't enamored of her husband, but I've always loved Elizabeth. The best of them all.

[CBHagman]

27. The country definitely needs her.

With all the mendacity, posturing, hypocrisy, and just plain meanness thriving in statehouses and offices all across the country, we need an Elizabeth Edwards, and we need her NOW. That's my reality TV -- a person with scars and heartbreak and a functioning heart and brain. Come back, Mrs. E., because -- (cue Mick Jagger) -- I miss you!

[libodem]

28. Good for her!

this is a real way to get back to the grassroots of America

[flyarm]

29. HI ELIZABETH ..I PRAY YOU ARE WELL!!! I MET YOU

as a delegate to fla in boston and i met your parents here in st pete ..i seated them next to the stage!! i worked the vip section when john was doing the rally in st pete..both your parents were lovely!!
and i got to talk to you quite a while at the fla breakfast in boston!! i wish i knew how to post the picture..but i am computer illiterate!!
i live next to the hotel you stayed at , at the sheraton on the beach!!( sand key)
i have prayed for you dear lady..you touched my heart and soul!! and i wish you only good health and peace.
i remember you saying at our breakfast in bos..that there was no time to sleep or rest until after nov 2nd...i hope you are getting your rest now, you earned it!! and please take care of yourself..we need you for the long haul dear lady!!
you really have a special place in my heart!!
fly

[Blue_Roses]

30. She's fantastic and I have such great respect for her

I hope she's doing alright. She's been through so much in the last few years and she stays so positive.

[caligirl]

31. So how do we top Elizabeth and John, how often do truely decent

people run for Pres and VPres?

Elizabeth and family stick around please.

[PopSixSquish]

32. I Can't Begin to Explain How Much I Admire This Woman

She's intelligent and loving with a great sense of humor. Godspeed Elizabeth. Should we lose you, our party and our nation would be the lesser for it.

[kentuck]

33. A brave and courageous woman...

She's great!

[elshiva]

36. I love you, Elizabeth Edwards!

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

Hugs and Kisses!

[Andromeda]

39. She's a gem all right.

John is a lucky man to have her in his life but I'm sure he knows that.

I love the Edwards family and I'm sad that they're not living in Cheney's house.

[pearl]

41. Here's to you Elizabeth

Thank you for being a part of us and a voice for us.

[lonestarnot]

42. Elizabeth, you sweetheart, we love you. n/t

:hug:

[SmokingJacket]

43. She's such an inspiration....

So smart, tough, and **human**, with integrity to spare.

Sigh. She would do this country so much good...

[ginnyinWI]

44. no, "increases" is right

She is saying that the media is reporting increases for Pell grants, but that it is wrong--they are actually decreases.

[AP]

46. Oh right. They're increasing the size of the awards, but reducing the....

...number they give out, and reducing the total size of the program.

It's so Bush can brag that he helped students when he actually hurt them real bad.

[GOPBasher]

45. Hey, that's cool! Hey Mrs. Edwards, I love you and your husband!

And thanks for that statement about Pell Grants.

:bounce: :hi:

[ernstbass]

47. Elizabeth you are the best!

Please get well and stay well. America needs you!

[wryter2000]

48. Hey, Mrs. E.

Didja get the romance novel I sent you? :evilgrin:

[bigwillq]

49. Way to go Elizabeth! Thanks for the support!

:bounce:

[Rainscents]

50. I love you, Elizabeth!!! You are the best!

:bounce: :loveya:

[tinfoilinfor2005]

51. NO WONDER YOUR HUSBAND IS NUTS ABOUT YOU...ME TOO!

[ChiciB1]

52. I've Said Hear Before...

This is One CLASSY LADY! And sooooooo intelligent. I recall watching her on C-Span shortly before the Fraudulent Election and was extremely impressed with her. She answered ALL the questions put to her with great finesse and straight forwardness.

Not answering like you see so many OTHER POLITICIANS doing. Very poised and composed. I simply LOVE her and think she would make one of the very BEST FIRST LADY'S EVER!!

She's a SMART Cookie!!! Personally, she OUTSHINES Hillary and Hillary can handle some hot potatoes. Hillary has gotten much too reticent lately and has become more of a regular Pol to me.

Just for you Elizabeth Edwards, I know you've been here before because you've said so in other interviews!
08) :toast: