Edwards Fights on Despite Wife's Cancer ; WORLD

Mar 23, 03:00 AM

Current Headlines: By Rupert Cornwell

Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards defiantly announced yesterday that he would continue his second campaign for the White House, despite the grim tiding that his wife Elizabeth's breast cancer had returned, in an incurable form.

Resolutely upbeat and smiling, the couple broke the news as they appeared together before reporters in Chapel Hill, in their home state of North Carolina which Mr Edwards represented in the Senate between 1998 and 2004, the year he launched his first bid for the Presidency. "The campaign goes on, the campaign goes on strongly," he said, refuting earlier rumours he would either suspend his bid or pull out.

Composed and articulate, Ms Edwards left no doubt that she backed her husband to continue. She said: "I have all the energy you want, I don't look sickly, I don't feel sickly." Any tiredness she might experience would be due to looking after their six- and eight-year old children, than to cancer treatment, she said.

But this sad new turn in the Edwards' private fortunes cannot but have a major political impact. The first reaction yesterday, from friends and foes alike (including the White House spokesman Tony Snow, a survivor of prostate cancer) was sympathy for a couple who have known more than their share of tragedy. In 1996 their first son, Wade, was killed in a car accident at the age of 16. Then came Elizabeth's first cancer diagnosis, on the eve of the 2004 election in which her husband was John Kerry's vice-Presidential running mate. Yesterday they drew inspiration from setbacks. "I've already been through the worst day of my life," Ms Edwards said, referring to Wade's death. As her husband put it: "We know from previous experience that you have the choice either to cower in the corner and hide, or be tough and go out there and stand up for what you believe in." Ms Edward's prognosis is uncertain, medical specialists said. Some 80 per cent of women with similar diagnosis are still alive 10 years later.

The cancer is bound to lessen the role Ms Edwards - an immensely open, likeable, and able woman - can play in the campaign, which had already been overshadowed by the headline-grabbing battle between the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But his efforts have won much praise among political professionals.

Polls show that Mr Edwards, the lone Southern candidate, has a shot at beating both Ms Clinton and Mr Obama in Iowa, whose caucuses next January open the primary season. He has also offered the most detailed and plausible plan for universal health care.

Unlike his two high-profile opponents, he has run a populist campaign, positioning himself as defender of the little man, and champion of organised labour. That stand has won support in unionised state Nevada, where another key early primary will be held.

He did much the same in his "Two Americas" campaign in 2004, highlighting the widening gulf between rich and poor in the US. But this time he has developed a coherent set of policies to tackle the problem.

The Edwards camp calculates that feuding between Ms Clinton and Mr Obama would undermine both, creating an opening for him to win.

But his wife's illness will complicate things. "From our perspective, there was no reason to stop," Mr Edwards declared yesterday, "I don't think we seriously thought about it."

But a White House campaign is a non-stop, gruelling affair. This one has started earlier than ever, in anticipation of what is shaping up as a virtual "national primary" on 5 February, when voting will take place in over 20 states. Fundraising will place extra demands on Mr Edwards' time and energy. He promised nonetheless that "any time, any place I need to be with Elizabeth, I will be there - period".

If he were forced to withdraw, the consequences would be hard to predict. Supporters might switch to one of the front runners. Or his departure could give a chance to an outsider.

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