Saturday, March 24, 2007

Elizabeth and John Edwards to Discuss Cancer on "60 Minutes" with Katie Couric



According to Drudgereport, Elizabeth and former Senator John Edwards will be appearing on CBS' "60 Minutes" on Sunday to discuss the return and spread of the cancer that is unfortunately no longer in remission. Katie Couric is particularly well-suited to this important interview for many reasons evident, we believe, in the above "Reporter's Notebook" graphic.

One, Katie has a long history reporting on cancer, from its devastating effects to advocating preventative screening. Colon cancer, in particular, has been a major subject to her since her husband, Jay, died in 1998.

Two, health reporting, in general, is Katie's strength. No other anchor has increased health reporting and made it a staple of the Evening News. Health reporting is something she braught over from "The Today Show." If there is any discernible difference in CBS Evening News since Couric took over -- at this early, early date for judgements -- it would be the noticeable addition of health reporting.

Three, Katie is unique in that she reports on stories like this with compassion. We know, we know, Katie's "informality" has left some of the traditional viewers of the Evening News cold. She doesn't speak with the "Voice of God" that one expects from the musty, hyper-masculine newsrooms of the past (So brilliantly parodied in "The Legend of Ron Burgundy") Katie represents a pleasant change from the back-slapping locker-room culture of the old newsrooms. The Corsair welcomes this generational change, this "Voice of Compassion," which, in this emotionally intense and multifaceted story, is the right approach. From CBSNews:

"Presidential candidate John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth will discuss her recent cancer diagnosis and his presidential bid in an interview with Katie Couric. The interview will be broadcast on 60 Minutes on Sunday, March 25 at 7:00 PM, ET/PT.

"The Edwardses announced a recurrence of Elizabeth's breast cancer at a news conference on Thursday. John Edwards said a biopsy of his wife's rib showed that the cancer had returned.

"Her illness is no longer curable, but it is treatable, they said.

"'We can suppress it, we can even shrink it, but we can't eradicate it,' said Dr. Lisa Carey, Edwards' oncologist.

More (CBSNews)

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