CNN

Speaking of Photos of John and Elizabeth... TAKE NOTE... in every photo where they both are pictured (on CNN) – ELIZABETH has the microphone.

Go back to the older articles on this blog and you will see.

A picture is worth a 1000 words (spoken by Elizabeth – that is)

Maria from Houston:

I don't think anyone is saying that political spouses, including Mrs. Edwards, are comprehensively prohibited from speaking. The people who object to her recent pronouncements appear to be doing so because they find the content of her speech (as opposed to the fact of her speaking) unhelpful, negative, and divisive. In addition, they seem to believe that the CANDIDATE should bash the other candidates rather than leaving it to his wife.

As for President Clinton: he has already declared several times that he has nothing bad to say about any Democratic candidate, that he likes them all, and is enjoying a Democratic primary season in which he doesn't have to be against anybody (except the Republicans). Apparently, those who haven't criticized his speech find these sentiments inoffensive.

What a photo. John is blurred so you can't see his wrinkles and Elizabeth looks like she's about his mother's age. I'd like to meet the person who selects the photos for the Political Ticker. They're always so appropriate for the topic (as CNN sees it, anyway). Great job, Mr./Ms. photo picker.

MRS EDWARD'S has the right to air her opinion as long as she could back it with facts if not it will backfire on their campaign, i strongly believes she has a share interest in her husband victory, that's what makes this democracy best. clinton supporters u don't tell someone to shut up, u simply disagree with her if u find her comments troubling.

Maria Houston, it depends on what you speak out. Hillary's husband gave us useful issues like domestic and international policies for our Country. Elizabeth is talking gossip and attacking Hillary.
The lowest human talk about person, middle class human talk about events and the most wise people talk about IDEA. Now do you understand who is the bunch of nonsense? Please be quiet if you are not sure.

what's with the prominent sharp Elizabeth front of out-of-focus simpering John ? when oh, when will these candidates start talking about their experience so we can judge them not on peripheral issues but on track records?

Fact: Elizabeth Edwards has never GIGGLED to avoid answering a question.

Fact: Elizabeth Edwards has never said "I refuse to answer that question" while running for the highest office in America.

She shoots straighter than HRC. Gotta be worth something.

So Laura Bush, who has never said a negative word about any of these people, is on the menu since you can't directly insult her husband on this subject??? Georgia Milano has it right, I don't think anyone is telling Mrs. Edwards to shut-up, she has vocal cords and is free to use them. But she does have a responsibility as someone in a partnership with a candidate running for public office, to show some tact and diplomacy. Like or not, decency should still prevail in the people who are interested in representing our country to the rest of the world. She's there to support her husband, not speak for him. If she has her own agenda and wants to make her own platform, then she needs to add her name to a ticket somewhere. There's an old saying, I'm sure you all have heard, "if you can't say anything nice..."

Elizabeth Edwards should stop acting like Johnny's mother ( she is 5 years older than he) and John should act more like a man and stop being so VAIN about his hair. Elizabeth acts like she is running for president. I am tired of hearing from her. She should be concentrating her remaining time on her two small children.

I'd rather have a strong woman like Elizabeth Edwards in the White House then the foggy first lady we have now!

Elizabeth, I think it is wiser to be 'diplomatic' in political world than merely speaking up your mind!

John, wake up and smell the coffee, she is hurting your campaign, I am so sick to death of hearing her cry foul when she isn't even in the game that I could scream. Everytime she opens her mouth I see just how weak you are. You will not be an option for me on primary day and I am not a party of one.

Sometimes I wonder which Edwards is the one running for President.

Elizabeth, You go girl! Women should speak up more and we need more of it. Look at all the damage men have done to the world. It is time for women to take charge.

...than how about " the spouse" Bill Clinton? Shouldn't he keep quiet, too?

What a bunch of nonsense. Some of you people are so brainwashed when it comes to Clintons, that your reasoning is seriously impaired. Just be careful when driving without supervision.

This goes to show the Sexism that still exists in this country.

The reason Hillary is so disliked is because she is an intelligent and outspoken woman. She was the first 1st Lady that had no desire to emulate Jackie O. Eleanor Rooservelt was another strong 1st Lady and she took heat for it then and people are still cracking joke about it now.

This country does not like people that dont "stay in their place" apparently a womans place is still in the kitchen.

If you don't want to hear the woman talk, change the channel or hit the mute button. Deal with it people

I think by any of the democratic candidates who are 2nd or 3rd in polls have a tendency to criticize the front runner. Though each and every one of them are well qualified than their republican ones, by whining amongst themselves they look weak. And chances of someone getting even VP nomination will get dim. So, the spouses should shut up and let their husbands do the talking on policy issues.

What would be unexpected is if she say nothing but nice things about Hillary. She is your wife for 'God sake'.

Elizabeth, Pleeeeaaasssee park your inappropriate mouth on the nearest sideline. Your husband will have a long uphill battle to even be on this ticket. The very firstrule in politics, you never attack your own party. You and Ralphy the idiot might very well give us another George idiot. Chill lady chill for the sake of your country. Hillary will be our next president, believe it, I do.

To dismiss the criticism coming from the public about Mrs. Edwards opinionated voice shows a lack of respect for what the public thinks. This is exactly why Bush has such a poor public rating: not being in touch with his constituates. Mrs. Edwards constantly crosses the line of civality and fails to offer solutions. It takes no talent to sit back and cricise in the belief that her negative rhetoric will lower the rating of their rivals. JL

I can appreciate Elizabeth Edwards speaking her mind on the issues. However her delivery is distracting, and at times overshadows her husbands reactions and comments. Liz needs to tone it down a bit so we can hear her husband, too.

Connie, TN:

I'm sorry, I think I must have missed a portion of the article that spoke of the First Lady, Laura Bush. Can you help me locate where there is even one reference to her?? Why do people like you insist on taking any topic and throwing a Bush family insult into it? Oh, I know, because you have no better defense for this woman's childish behavior, or your own for that matter...

I am really starting to dislike both of the Edwards. He is having her do all the dirty talk about other candidates. He seems very weak to me. I saw them on Jay Leno, and it was the same. She did all the negative talk. John couldn't get a word in.

Well, Hilary and John are candidates. Elizabeth is not. And while she can exercise her right for free speech, it is clear that whatever she says is associated with her husband's campaign. If she doesn't realize it – too bad. And imagine if Edwards becomes president – is she going to open her mouth whenever she wants again? Then the whole world will associate her words with US policy. Think about it before voting – first lady (or frst laddie) is a job and a tough one.

Ron in Texas, I'm a republican and I'm sick of Mrs Edwards. She isn't running for president. Her husband is. She's a strong willed person but she comes across as a shrill shrew of a woman. She is not someone I would want representing my country as First Lady.

I don't mind her being an active participant in his campaign but her constant sniping is a real turn off for many voters, not just Hillary supporters.

Hillary will say whatever seems to be politically correct on any given day. She blows with the wind. She has been literally all over the map on the Iraq war. Does anyone have a clue about what she will really do. We need people to speak up like Elizabeth. It makes no difference whether she is a candidate or not. John Edwards is the strongest candidate in this field and would be getting a lot more attention if it were not for the media's fascination with the controversy of having a woman and a black as candidates for president at the same time.

Maurice, you miss the point here, many of the Clintonista's love Hillary and have ALWAYS loved Hillary for her speaking out in the 1990's as she is "a strong woman who speaks her mind".

The non-Clinton sheep on this site of which many are Democrats are sick and tired of hearing these same people who held Shrillary in such high esteem for speaking her mind, now tell Liz Edwards to "shut up".

When one did it, it was fine, but now someone has the UTTER GALL to be speaking ill of the QUEEN, and she needs to "be quiet or shut up".

Sorry sheep, I know that you or Hill can't use the tried and true "right-wing conpiracy" to attempt to silence her, but telling her to shut up speaks volumes about all of you.

Good for him. It sure is a departure from the current first lady who only speaks when her husband and in-laws tell her to.

Well put Kay from Las Vegas. And to you Slimegreen, there is nothing ironic about people attacking Elizabeth Edwards who is a strong willed woman with her own opinions while embracing Hillary Clinton with similar qualifications. Do you know why? Hillary is running for President. She is a candidate. She is fair game to any other candidate. If Elizabeth was a candidate no one will question her when she takes such cheap jabs at Hillary but Elizabeth Edwards is not a presidential candidate. She is the spouse to one.

Elizabeth please be quiet before your husband's ship finally sinks. It's almost there...

Both Elizabeth AND John Edwards are making some very valid points about the weakness of Sen. Clinton as a candidate. The Clintons and their supporters seem to be overly sensitive to criticism. John Edwards may very well be the strongest Democratic candidate.

Headline: Edwards defends wife

Edwards was quoted: "My wife knows when to keep his mouth shut, too, or I'll backhand him across his pretty little face. He knows I wear the pants around here."

Sorry Kay but what this country needs is more straight talk, not what's politicaly correct. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Keep it up Elizabeth...

Elizabeth Edwards just needs to stop talking....I am really starting to dislike her.

I'd vote for Elizabeth Edwards for President
in a red hot minute if I could.
She talks her talk and walks her walk.
Hillary and Bill speak their minds...[which
are not melded]....and Elizabeth and John
should be equally entitled to speak theirs.

Her biggest critics are Hillary Clinton supporters. Anyone see the irony there? "Shut your mouth woman! Let your husband do the talking! Gooo Hillary!"

Of course you're two different people, dummy...but, while you're the one running for office, she's the running her mouth! She doesn't need to ask you if she can speak, but she does need to ask herself if the public wants to listen! She won't like the answer...

So now we are attacking one strong willed women with her own opinions while embracing another with similar qualifications, isn't it ironic..

We all know she is a strong woman, John. We just don't think you're a strong man or strong candidate.

The problem is that John sends Elizabeth out to make all the attacks he is afraid to make himself.

It's like she is his attack dog.