It's gettin' a bit old

I've just read an article in the New York Times about the influence of Elizabeth Edwards on her husband's campaign. There are some who say that she is the feared school teacher of the campaign - that she dresses down aides and argues openly with her husband. Recently, she has taken to expressing her own views rather than the party line. She participated in Pride events in SF and said that she believes in same-sex marriage. She called into a talk show to confront Ann Coulter (yay!). She drops into the campaign offices frequently.

There are those who believe that her recent diagnosis of inoperable cancer is responsible for her letting go of worrying about what others think of her. There is a nice freedom in that.

But, I'm struck by the fact that just like with Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Carter, the public seems all to eager to cast Mrs. Edwards as a harpy, a monster, and a liability to their husband's leadership. Frankly, it's getting old.

In most marriages or partnerships - it takes both members to make it possible for either (if not both) to excel in their chosen careers. No politician makes it to a position of leadership without the assistance and balance of a good partner. And, leadership requires input from trusted people - and who is more trusted than the person who helped you get this far?