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They did not make the decision I hope I would make in the same situation. I would choose time with family - esp. those children - while their mom is still fairly able bodied. Running for President is more than a full time job. I hear what they said about John wanting to serve his country, but I think serving his family should be first at this time.

"I hear what they said about John wanting to serve his country, but I think serving his family should be first at this time."

Exactly. While I have no love for this Doofus, and wouldn't vote him in as my local Dog Catcher, if I were to plan a 'political strategy' for myself were I in his shoes, it would be this:

1. Step out of the 2008 race and care for my wife and kids.

2. Adjust to being a widower with the kids coming first above all.

3. After the kids are grown, or he remarries and they again have a stable "Mom" in their life then...

4. Renew my political career.

Good Lord. It's not like the guy "needs" to work. And it's not like the country can't survive without him. A one-term Senator? A failed VP bid? John? No. One. Wants. You. Stay home where you belong.

Do we want a man like this serving as President? One who can't even set priorities for himself, let alone a nation? Yikes!

I don't think this guy sees any further ahead than the current reflection in his compact mirror while he checks his hair. *Rolleyes* Me, me, me, me, ME!

My husband has metastic melanoma, stage IV. It is a full time job just taking care of the doctor appointments, keeping a journal and living by the clock for his meds.

I just got out of the hospital, missing two weeks of his time left. We were devastated. I cannot fathom a mate that would leave his sick wife, who is going to be a lot sicker than she ever imagined, and two small children to the care of outsiders.

John Edwards is one of the last people that this country needs to be in charge, if he won't even take care of his own family.

It sounds to me as if they BOTH made this decision together.
I think John is doing the best thing he can for his family right now....to keep going. Is he supposed to drop out of life and sit around waiting for his wife to die? She could live for years! I wouldn't want someone putting their life on hold for me if I were terminally ill. It's not a healthy thing to do. As for spending quality time with her and the children, that should be done by all of us, whether we face a terminal illness or not. I think they made the right choice. I wish them both happiness.

"I hear what they said about John wanting to serve his country, but I think serving his family should be first at this time." Perhaps they are trying to put on a brave front for the kids by keeping things business as usual. But to frame this as him needing to continue as a service to his country is misguided, if not arrogant. Even by liberal standards, there are any number of people who could serve our country in that capacity. There is only one person who can serve as the kids' mom and only one person who can serve as their dad. There will be plenty of other opportunities for Edwards to serve his country -- right now, these kids need their mom.