First of all let me state clearly and unequivocably that I wish the Edwards family all the best in getting through Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer. I have a great deal of respect for anyone who has the courage and strength to fight through such a horrible illness and the prayers of me and my family are certainly with them.

That being said, something needs to be explained to me.

Two weeks ago, he came out and announced that Elizabeth’s cancer had returned, this time in the form of bone cancer. He then proceeded to reassure everyone that the campaign was going forward regardless.

My question is if he wasn’t stopping his campaign, why bother making what amounts to a public announcement of a private matter?

It goes a bit further now, because on 60 minutes tonight, he said the following:

“Do not vote for us because you feel some sympathy or compassion for us. That would be an enormous mistake,” Edwards told CBS’ “60 Minutes” in an interview airing Sunday night. “The vote for the presidency is far too important for any of those things to influence it.”

Maybe someone can explain the rationale for releasing Elizabeth’s health into the public because I’m seriously confused.

If you don’t want sympathy, and you don’t want it to affect the election, and you haven’t pulled out of the race because of it, what was the point in telling everyone in the first place? I mean, it’s completely possible that he released the story to get the sympathy vote and doesn’t want to own up to it, but that seems a bit on the low side no matter who does it.

Any theories?