Edwards' Heart-Felt Connection

[Catchawave]

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/01/politics/horserace/entry3562311.shtml

December 1, 2007, 6:32 PM
Edwards' Heart-Felt Connection
Posted by Vaughn Ververs| 1


(AP)A report from CBS News' Aaron Lewis, on the campaign trail with John Edwards:

Dan Ketchum was one of the several dozen Iowa voters who braved the cold, icy conditions in Des Moines to listen to John Edwards speak at the “Every Child Matters” forum this morning. But the weather was hardly an obstacle compared to what he had to overcome just last week.

Ketchum was in Des Moines on November 20th to attend the last of the five performances by Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt, who were touring with Edwards through Iowa in the final days before thanksgiving. But before the music started, Ketchum’s heart stopped and he collapsed in the aisle of the auditorium. Thanks to quick action from a nurse in attendance and fast response from EMTs who performed CPR, Ketchum was successfully transported to Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

That night, Senator Edwards came to visit Ketchum in his hospital room to check up on his status. It was a visit that Ketchum only vaguely remembers.

“I really did appreciate the fact that he came and offer support to my sister who was there at the hospital,” said Ketchum

Ketchum, who had a heart bypass operation 8 years ago, stayed in the hospital through the Thanksgiving holiday and was released a week ago today. He looked happy and healthy at this morning’s event, standing on his feet throughout the entire event, even with plenty of empty seats to be had.

But does the heart that just won’t quit tell him to vote for Edwards?

“I’ve kind of been going back and forth between different candidates,” said Ketchum, an ESL teacher, who’s also considering Obama. “But I’ve been going more to (Edwards’s) direction the last few weeks.”

[asdjrocky]

1. Great human interest-

Thanks Wave!


Working hard for labor

[Hieronymus]

3. He got far more contributions from Labor than Hillary ..

Edwards 53% from Labor 4% from Business
Hillary 11% from Labor 56% from Business

[sam sarrha]

2. he's the ONLY anti-Fascist candidate

[Nutmegger]

4. Thanks Catchawave!

:thumbsup::kick:

[waiting for hope]

5. Thanks C!

I love hearing on what's going on in Iowa - they are seeing a truly genuine servant of the people!

:patriot:

K&R!

[jamess]

6. that's a great human interest story

thanks catchawave

why doesn't the MSM report on stuff like this?

[Catchawave]

7. It made it to the CBS blog....we're getting closer !

I do agree, I wish the MSM would report more human interest items on the candidates than their bs/non-issue snipping at each other.

[asdjrocky]

8. People are starting to notice-

Speaking of taking notice, take a look:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/asdjrocky

For daily reports on our Intrepid Volunteer, Yannick.

This race is about dedication.

[Inspired]

9. Thanks for this update...I was in the audience too.

I didn't know until I read this how things turned out for this man. It was a scary situation. Staffers were running around asking if there was a doctor in the house. Edwards came out on stage, by himself, before the event started to let the audience know what had happened.

[Catchawave]

10. Mr. Ketchum is a very brave man !

I don't think I'd be going to campaign events a week out of the hospital....way too much excitement for me :D

[Stop Cornyn]

11. Thanks for posting this

[Beaverhausen]

12. Oh- what a great story

thanks :hi:

we need this - especially with all the crap being flung around this forum tonight!

[Czolgosz]

13. nice