How a son's death sparked a political career

In the final  part of a “Today” interview, host Katie Couric talks to Sen. John Edwards and his wife about how the family is handling the national spotlight, why they celebrate their wedding anniversary at Wendy's, and how their son inspired a political career. Couric starts off by asking Mrs. Edwards if she pays attention to attacks against her husband since he was chosen as John Kerry’s running mate.

Elizabeth Edwards: “Well, first of all, I honestly don't read them and – or pay attention to them. Though I [do] want Americans who do hear them to understand that I married this man 27 years ago because he was the single most optimistic person I've ever known.  He honestly believes that if people of good will put their effort in something, if you worked hard enough, anything was possible. And that quality has not diminished in any respect.”

Katie Couric: “Is that what attracted you to him?”

Mrs. Edwards: “Absolute no question. It's a pretty face, but that's not it. (Laughter) It's was what was inside … that is unbelievably appealing.”

Couric: “What would you say is your role in this political partnership?”

Mrs. Edwards: “I'm the wife. (Laughter) It's pretty straightforward.  I'm the person that he knows he can count out on to be the most honest with him about everything.”

Couric: “You an honest broker in a sea of suck-ups?” (Laughter)

Mrs. Edwards: “Yeah, can I get a sign that says that.” (Laughter)

Couric: “A little button.  And what was it about Elizabeth?”

Sen. John Edwards: “She is … from the first moment I ever met her, she was smart, warm, courageous and probably most important to me, she is my conscience. I mean she is – she does and says what she believes, regardless of the consequences. She's the love of my life and she's the mother of my children.  And we are connected at the breast bone, the two of us.”

One Frosty, two straws
Couric: “I know you'll be celebrating your 27th wedding anniversary. I understand there's a – you go through a romantic ritual every year to commemorate that date.”

Mrs. Edwards: “Yes.”

Couric: “Share it with us, will you.”  (Laughter)

Sen. Edwards: “Wendy's.”

Mrs. Edwards: “It's…”

Sen. Edwards: “We go to Wendy's for our anniversary.”

Couric: “That's just so weird. I'm sorry.” (Laughter)

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Mrs. Edwards: “When we got married, the weekend before, on Saturday, and I started work on Monday. So when my job was over, a year later, it was also our anniversary time again. And we were in the middle of moving. We were grungy and awful. And so instead of trying to go some place fancy – my parents were helping us move – we just went to Wendy's. And then the next year, for some reason, we found ourselves at Wendy's.”

Couric: “And then (laughter) every year for 26 years so far.”

Sen. Edwards: “You could question our sanity.”

Couric: “So, is it one Frosty two straws?” (Laughter) I'm just curious – suddenly you have found yourself in the national spotlight. Is it a bit overwhelming?”

Mrs. Edwards: “It's really not. I think that people think there's a lot of intrusion. We've been really open as a family. Our house was always the gathering spot. So people were always in and out of our lives. And most of the rest of it is people are asking me what books you like or something.  Most people would die to have somebody say, you know, ‘Tell me what you're interested in?’  And sit down and actually ask them questions.”

Couric: “How do you do it with two small children, both of you? You have Emma Claire, who's 6, [and] Jack, who's 4.”

Mrs. Edwards: “Right.”

Couric: “Kate, of course, just graduated from college and now is setting off in the world. But it must be difficult, given the rigors of a campaign, to balance everything?”

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Mrs. Edwards: “You know my dad was in the Navy 30 years – he [served in] World War II, Korea, Vietnam – and we traveled with him.  But sometimes he was gone for long periods of time. Right now we have families who have a parent, maybe the only parent, in Iraq or Afghanistan.  And they have some serious juggling to do. We are not in a position to complain.”

Sen. Edwards: “And how could you complain?  I mean what an enormous opportunity for us … and for our kids to.  I mean …”

Couric: “Are they overwhelmed or oblivious on this?”

Sen. Edwards: “They pretty – they’re actually handling it all pretty well. Emma Claire's a little hesitant about getting on the stage in front of thousands of people. I think it makes her nervous.”

Mrs. Edwards: “Not Jack.”

Sen. Edwards: “Jack, (Laughter) on the other hand, who's four what it is every time he gets on the stage that will cause the cameras to focus on him. They're handling it pretty well.”

Bringing the sexy Senator down to earth
Couric: “Let me ask you – when your husband was voted sexiest politician by People magazine where you like … (barfing noise then laughter) or were you like, ‘Hey, that's my man!’”

Mrs. Edwards: “You don't mind if I don't make that sound do you.”

Couric: “No. (Laughter) But I do it well, don't you think? Did you think [how’s his] ‘head going to fit into the door?’”

Mrs. Edwards: “Kate and I took care of that.”

Sen. Edwards: “Yes, they did.”

Couric: “Really?”

Mrs. Edwards: “Really.  (Laughter) Yeah, just bring him back down to Earth.”

Sen. Edwards: “Yeah, you remember when I called Kate?”

Mrs. Edwards: “Yeah.”

Sen. Edwards: “I called Kate to tell her – she was at college at the time – and I said, ‘Kate, you know …’”

Mrs. Edwards: “Just to prepare her.”

Sen. Edwards: “Yeah. ‘This magazine's coming out and they said this.’  And Kate said, ‘Dad, this is got to be mistaken.’ (Laughter) I said, ‘No, it's not. I promise.’” 

A son’s inspiration to get into politics
Couric: “I know that you were inspired to get into politics, Sen. Edwards, by your son Wade and I know it's something you all do not talk about very often.  But I wonder if you could just share with us – I'm sure you can't even put into words the pain of losing a child – how he has inspired you in what you all do every day.”

Sen. Edwards: “Well, Wade … was my best friend.  He was my oldest son, for those who don't, may not know. He died in April of 1996.”

Couric: “He was just 16-years-old?”

Sen. Edwards: “Sixteen-years-old at the time. And he and I were very, very close. And we're very proud of him. And he was an extraordinary young man of heart and warmth and thoughtful, sweet young man. And beyond that … we choose to keep that private. I think it’s better kept there. Like we are with each other, we're attached to him the same way and I think it's best kept within the family.”

Couric: “Can you just tell me how he inspired you to get into politics and why?  I read an essay he wrote which was really quite beautiful.”

Sen. Edwards: “It was.”

Couric: “And he wrote quite a wonderful essay about voting.  Can I just read a teeny bit of it?”

Sen. Edwards: “Of course.”

'I was very proud of him. There are a lot of feelings in him that are in that essay.  Starting with equality and everyone being treated the same and getting the same chance. And his great love for this democracy.' — Sen. John Edwards talking about his son Wade

Couric reading:
"There is no place in America where equality means as much as in the voting booth. My father took me that day to the fire house. Soon I will be voting. It is a responsibility and a right. It is also an exciting national experience. Voters have different background, dreams and experiences, but that is the whole point of voting: different voices are heard. As I get close to the time I can register and vote, it is exciting.  I become one of the voices. I know I will vote in every election. I know that some day I will bring my son with me and introduce him to one of the great American experiences: voting." 

Couric: “You must have been so proud of him.”

Sen. Edwards: “I was very proud of him. There are a lot of feelings in him that are in that essay.  Starting with equality and everyone being treated the same and getting the same chance. And his great love for this democracy. And of course we were proud of him.”

Couric: “What do you think he would think of all of this – the fact that you are the Democratic vice presidential running mate?”

Mrs. Edwards: “It's almost hard to put in words.  If I can put it in a different context that might make it easier for you to get it out without breaking.  His class in Latin graduated and they all …got the names of gods. His name was Atticus. And as in his junior year they were to get the names of gods for their senior year.  And I could see them all lined up. And I could imagine him in the back row just laughing just saying, ‘isn't this great.  I'm finally here.’ And so sometimes when we're doing something, I can imagine him too.  Just standing there just saying, ‘isn't this great.’”

Couric: “I'm sure he'd be proud of both of you too.”

Mrs. Edwards: “Yeah.”

Sen. Edwards: “And we were very proud of him.”

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