To Run or Not to Run

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Published: April 9, 2007
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Visitor Comments: 27

(27) (: Yoshe, May 6, 2007 2:05 PM

Take care of family

Husband and wife are one flesh. He must tend to her needs to exemplify kindness and caring for self and others. Running for office and serving in office are highly stressful for the person doing it and the family. Take care of your wife Senator Edwards, and your family. Get out of the race and seek the family's healing. :)

(26) Alan, May 6, 2007 3:18 AM

No to Edwards

John Edwards' decision to keep running should come as no surprise to anyone who has observed his "political " career. He self-financed his Senate run buying himself the seat as a sort of extension of his all too big ego. During his single senate term, he introduced NO major legislation nor was he the guiding force behind any significant social or political movement. He spent that term on a singular quest: to make himself the Democratic candidate for president in 2004.Every action was calculated from that vantage point. Facing poor public opinion polls in his home state which indicated that he would have problems seeking re-election, he stood down. After his defeat for Vice President,in a run where he couldn't even carry his home state for the Democratic ticket, he has spent the last 2 years on a full time quest for the nomination again. He has not taken this time to engage himself in any great social issue as a leader. As a Jew, I am also suspicious of him based on his statements on Iran & his choice of David Boniors, a notorious Israel basher when he served in the House,as campaign manager speaks volumes about Mr Edwards. Now we see that to Edwards running for president is more important than being that comforting force to his wife says something more about his character. That this decision is consistant with his past behavior tells us 1 thing about him: he is an opportunist, exploiting the sympathy for his wife in his campaign, but not being the comfort to her that someone with a life-threatening disease needs. Frankly America can do much better than John Edwards.

(25) Bonnie, April 14, 2007 6:51 PM

I always cringe a little....

....when I hear statistics of breast cancer, particularly when it has metasticized to bone as with Mrs. Edwards. For you see, that is my diagnosis as well and for almost two years I have chosen to live with cancer, but not letting that fact diminish who I am or what can be accomplished in my life. My surgeon told me I could live without bones and that I should see about getting disability. I give all the thanks to a might Hashem, for I live pain free (with a grumpy muscle here and there) and have a smile on my face and encourage anyone I can. I am not sitting around waiting to die (something that we are all in the process of doing anyhow!) My first grandchild is on the way, I speak publically as an advocate for Israel and I praise the G-d who made me and for what is happening in my life--may He use it for His purpose.

I suspect that Elizabeth Edwards is grasping hold of life with both hands and living to the fullest capacity. And I am sure she has some of the best medical advisors anyone could have. We are to occupy this earth and live life before our Maker and fellow man, to serve each in the capacity we have.

Two years ago I could not pick up five pounds and walk across a room without being in agonizing pain. Yet on two trips to Jerusalem in the last year, I walked all over the city, day after day...and this last time I walked the rampart with its uneven steps. You just don't know what your outcome will be, but this couple needs to make their own decisions and I have a feeling that right now she wants to surge onward into the life they have planned and she is willing to take the risk on how long and how well she is a part of that.

I have friends who just lost their most precious 7-mo baby girl to SIDS. Anyone can have an unplanned tragedy to deal with....the Edwards have a planned one with an unpredictable deadline. I say: choose life...and live!

(24) raymond bastarache, April 14, 2007 10:23 AM

to run or not to run?

I AGREE WITH YOU 100% . WE CAN ONLY TAKE OUR FAMILLY TO HEAVEN NOT CAREER,POSITION OR WEALTH.....

(23) jr zahler, April 13, 2007 12:31 PM

Edwards Decision

I know that most feel that Edwards should stay home with his wife, or are they just not wanting to see him run again. That is the question. J. Edwards has done many great things throughtout his community and worldwide, too many to go into in this brief comment. The Edwards Family is a good christian family and I'm sure that they have prayed many times over again for the correct answer.None of us know when our time will be up and a man who wants to to try and make it right for the better good of this country should not be condemed, but embraced! Support the family and their decision and pray for them.

(22) Joey, April 13, 2007 11:45 AM

This is obviously a hard case, and I do understand that it's not really our place to question them---after all, the they know Ms. Elizabeth's health better than we do, and the more complex issues.

I have to admit, I hope he loses---it seems to me like it will be the best thing for his family.

God bless.

(21) Daniel Golden/former Aisher, April 13, 2007 7:51 AM

I agree

Hands down I agree 100% with your view that he definitely (I know you didn't say definitely but I do - maybe you meant it but just couldn't say it)should be staying at home with his wife with a lower but still sufficient paying job; as Chazal says, "Don't worry about focusing on making a huge nest egg. Put your bitachon in Hashem that He'll provide." Also, one of our Sages (I forget which one) says not to seek high office nor try to befriend someone in high office. Thus, in light of these and possibly more, and the fact that I can't think of any Gemara's that will support pursuing Presidency, of course unless John Edwards were the Moshiach, then I can't see any reason why the right thing to do would be to forget about high office since, like you said, he's not an old guy, and to just stay home with his wife and give her a little Shalom HaBeis for her last five years.

(20) Anonymous, April 12, 2007 10:31 PM

Power & fame make us lose our perspective.

We are entitled to a President who is not distracted, and his wife is entitled to her husband who is not distracted.

I beleive he is using his wifes illness as a political pitch for our empathy to gain the Presidential nomination, and eventually to be President. But it will not work to his advantage. Unfortunately his desire for power overides his family loyalty.

Hashem created a woman with the intrinsic desire to please her husband, and be an Ezer K'negdo. She is a devoted, and loyal wife which just magnifies the her husbands inadequacies as a devoted spouse.

How unfortunate.

(19) Jacqueline, April 12, 2007 9:37 PM

My opinion

For me he should really stay with her wife, if he doesn't he'll probably regret for the rest of his life. But we have to consider that not all of the men in earth are good from heart, and maybe he has different prioritys. For him i wish he has a good heart, and most important that he can make her wife happy for the rest of her days, that's what marrige is about, making your wife or husband happy for ever, making every effort posible for that reason. I'm sorry about my english, i'm from argentina and i speak english as second language.
best wishes to the rab

(18) Carol Abbott, April 12, 2007 9:21 PM

Edwards needs to give his wife first priority.

I agree with the Rabbi. I believe he is showing his true character by not immediately withdrawing from the race. Being a wife, I believe Elizabeth is very hurt by John's lack of consideration. I suspect this is nothing new.

(17) irene Brandt, April 12, 2007 4:57 PM

I totally agree with his comments.

Councilman Mark Schoenfeld is right on in my opinion.I feel sadness for the Edwards Family, of course, but I feel badly about lots of things and other people too that I would NEVER consider running for president of The USA.

(16) Sharon, April 12, 2007 11:54 AM

I agree

Family first is what our Heavenly Father has always been teaching. Edwards needs to be with his wife and family. Presidential races come and go but family is about forever. She needs him the children need him. As you said we can wait another four or eight years. Thank-you.

(15) Councilman Mark Schoenfeld, Ret., April 12, 2007 1:14 AM

John Edwards Candidacy

Rabbi Salomon, I agree with your comments, especially having been through a similar situation with my wife who recovered. I get the feeling you have not told us all of your inner feelings. I don't think Mr. Edwards is the best choice of a candidate that supports Israel, or opposes the liberal elected officials who appear to have lost the one time loyalty elected officials of the past have displayed in supporting Democracy, Human Rights, and Judeo Christian values of the United States and Israel. It is sad to see Elizabeth's cancer return, and my prayers are with her, but Mr. Edwards never had what it would take to earn my vote.

(14) David S. Levine, April 11, 2007 9:15 PM

Edwards is Treyf

For Jews the Edwards candidacy should be judged by who staffs his campaign organization because it is an indication of who will staff his prospective administration and what his policy priorities will be. It is instructive indeed that his campaign manager is David Bonior, a long time Israel basher. When Bonior was a member of the House of Representatives he voted against every resolution in support of Israel that came to a vote, one of approximately 35 to do so, approximately 30 of whom were his fellow Democrats. No Jew has to even reach the question of Edwards' possible distraction as President over his wife's unfortunate illness.

(13) Jacqueline Price, April 11, 2007 8:26 PM

Stay in the race!

Please encourage John Edwards to continue to run. If he stays the course on subjects like the lack of jobs and the demise of the middle class and how to turn it around, he'd win hands down!

Thank you,
Jacquie Price

(12) Sherry, April 11, 2007 6:43 PM

Disappointed

I believe this is their matter to resolve and their choice of direction. May I respectfully disagree with a previous poster "that he lacks the staminia to support his family." The white elephant in the center of the room when you know he can't respond.

Several Republican candidates have had or have cancer and that doesn't appear to be an issue.

I find this video politically motivated and THAT is disturbing.

(11) Anonymous, April 11, 2007 5:08 PM

Edwards bad for the Jews

The comments so far have overlooked 4 important facts.
1) In a recent speech on foreign policy, Edwards said that the greatest danger in today's world was that Israel might attack Iran. He did not say that the greatest danger was that Iran would wipe Israel off the map, which it has promised to do as soon as it develops nuclear weapons, an event likely to occur early during the next presidency. Edwards's ignorance and instinctive siding with the jihadist nuclear terrorists should arouse the opposition of all Jews.
2) For a while, the Edwards campaign employed a viciously anti-Catholic blogger on his staff. While he finally dismissed her, Jews should be worried about the tolerance of anti-religious hostility this shows in Edwards. Judaism is much smaller than Catholicism and can ill afford this kind of bigotry.
3) Edwards's standards were on display when his campaign used the e-mail addresses of all the people who had written to his wife in order to do fundraising. He has since retracted that practice.
4) In the 2004 campaign, Mrs. Edwards made a vicious comment about Mrs. Cheney, saying that the latter was not a good mother for upholding traditional Christian family values (despite her daughter being homosexual). Upholders of traditional Jewish family values, such as the readers of Aish.com, may not appreciate this.
Other than that, I appreciate the rabbi's attempt to clarify a difficult decision.

(10) Anonymous, April 11, 2007 4:51 PM

Yes, he should run.

As you so eloquently pointed out it is about family values and his family starting with his wife Elizabeth said that she wants him to continue the campaign. We can speculate and have opinions, but it is a decision that only the Edwards can make and have done so with both class and strength. I would have respected Mr. Edwards if he had pulled out of the race, but he didn't. And he has my vote, support and the family has my prayers.

(9) ray rudolph, April 11, 2007 4:25 PM

It is their personal choice to run or not

As the surviving spouse of a cancer patient I believe it is their personal choice to "run or not run" and the public should mind their own problems

(8) Lee Stein, April 11, 2007 3:43 PM

Limielees@mac.com

As a retired oncology social worker, I believe that it is lElizabeth Edwards decision - she must have a reason to fight - and for her, this is it...

(7) Shmuel, April 11, 2007 12:21 PM

Disagree..no right to an opinion w/o info

I disagree with the premise. How can one have an opinion without enough information? A posek or dayan interviews all parties involved, witnesses etc. before making a p'sak. How can anyone judge a person's personal situation based on media blurbs and articles? Of course family comes first. Your family, and their best interests. You can't project those on others.

(6) David Shapiro, April 11, 2007 10:51 AM

Edwards' wife, according to your research, wants him to run. Were this situation one with which I was forced to contend, I would do everything possible to honor my wife's requests. To be honest, in their world, living in the spotlight in the pursuit of worldwide adoration and respect may be the greatest feeling they can know; if so, assisting her husband in striving for the Presidency of the United States may be the ultimate way to spend one's final days.

(5) Lyn Morrison, April 11, 2007 7:51 AM

Thanks for Clarifying Issues Involved

The Edwards' dilemma has been too painful for me to consider, and so I accepted her words at face value. Now you have squarely verbalized the deeper implications for the family if John continues his public path, and I realize how crucial his presence in leadership of his young children and at his wife's side in the many medical treatments she will face. No one can take his place at home if his heart is in it. If not, well where is it? His priorities define him, as is true of all of us. I needed your help and clarity and courage to champion true family values, even when political forces pull hard in the other direction.

(4) Margarita, April 11, 2007 7:04 AM

everyone should choose what's right for them

I think that everyone should choose what is right for them. If John knows that his wife would be very sad to see him sitting at home and looking after/at her all the time, than he is making the right decision. It's hard to admit, but may be in his situation it's the best thing to do - keep things for his family as normal as possible (which in his case may be running for president). Nobody is ever has immunity from the family drama. At least in this case you know how John Edwards will address it. May be honesty about it is one of the best things he can bring to the White House?

(3) Marilyn a writer/author, April 10, 2007 9:47 PM

America Needs A Fully Committed President

John wants to serve his country, however he lack the stamina to serve his wife/family with love in longsuffering. I also say, John Edwards can't steadfastly serve America if he can't first serve his wife and family. Family First! Always!

(2) Linda Higgs, April 10, 2007 2:09 PM

His choosing to run feels wrong.

What does this say about the man? He has a very sick wife and three children, two of them very young. His place is with them. But he does not seem to have the heart for choosing them before his personal ambition. Perhaps this is a harsh assessment. I hope his heart is more tender toward his family than it appears to be.

(1) Donald, April 10, 2007 11:05 AM

Family Values

I too listened to all of the opinions regarding this issue, and wondered. And so, it was great to hear your halachic insight about the emphasis that Torah Observant Judaism places on the family. Your points about distraction, that Sen. Edwards is still a young man; so far as presidential candidates go, and that there will be another race in 2012, seemed very insightful. Thank-you so very much for your Torah scholarship, compassion, and wisdom. HaShem has truly blessed you in this regard, and your column, and numerous others here, are well read. Needless to say, Aish.com is always my homepage when I open up and internet browser window.

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

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