Elizabeth Edwards

Okay, so the Edwards’ insist that cancer won’t get the best of them — at least not yet.  And it’s obvious that they are getting some very good PR advice.  Giving their first interview to 60 Minutes was a very savvy move.  No one can say they went for a softball interviewer.  (See previous post about Katie’s line of questioning.) 

I’ll bet Edwards’ PR team is now encouraging the Edwards to give more interviews.  Won’t be surprised to see them pop up on Larry King tonight, although that will cut into the insightful analysis Larry’s panel will undoubtedly offer on the Anna Nicole Smith autopsy and DNA tests. 

Also look for photos of Elizabeth rollerblading or riding a roller coaster or something.  A picture says a thousand words and right now, they need pix of Elizabeth doing healthy things like working out, or ordinary fun things, like taking her young kids to Disneyland.  Pix that show her vibrant and alive. 

We’ve come a long way since the days when people would never say “cancer” out loud, for fear that the dread disease would come after them.  But it will take a lot to get Americans to widely subscribe to the attitude that the Edwards are demonstrating. 

Katie Couric / Elizabeth Edwards

Great interview between Katie Couric and John and Elizabeth Edwards on 60 Minutes last night.  For everyone who thinks Katie is just a bubbly morning gal, here are some of the questions she put to the candidate and his wife: 

Viral Videos – Katie Couric on 60 MINUTES aggressively questions John and Elizabeth Edwards after announcement that Mrs. Edwards has cancer and that he will stay in the race:

“Some people wonder if you are in denial.”

“Some have suggested that you’re capitalizing on this.”

“You’re putting your work first, and your family second.”

“The president can not be distracted by caring about his wife’s situation.”

Teresa Heinz Kerry

Did Teresa Heinz Kerry have a major fight with her husband before they went on the Today Show this morning?  Boy, she looked p.o.’d.  She was looking everywhere BUT at her husband when he was talking to Meredith and she seemed reluctant to participate in the interview, even when Meredith questioned her directly and her husband encouraged her to talk about the book they co-wrote that is newly published. 

In the MT 101 playbook, Teresa blew it.  She had a chance to show the TV audience a good side of herself and instead, came off haughty and oddly disinterested.