Clintons' Whining Comes at Inappropriate Time

The headline in our paper today is particularly striking — Bill Clinton whining that "It's just not fair," the way his wife is being depicted for her Iraq war vote — over a picture of the Edwardses sharing a chuckle at their news conference announcing that Elizabeth has terminal cancer.

After losing her first-born son, then years later facing down cancer immediately following her husband's defeat as John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 presidential election, Elizabeth Edwards had already been dealt blows more horrible than most people face in an entire lifetime. Yesterday she was not stoic but peaceful, hopeful and genuinely inspiring. Her ability not only to embrace what life she has left but to articulate her feelings so clearly so early after learning her fate is astounding and should be an example to us all.

Back to the Clintons. In light of the devastating news about Elizabeth Edwards and considering the juggernaut they have built in the governor's mansion, White House and Senate is stronger than any other in politics, perhaps Hillary and Bill will take a breather and put their complaints on pause. For those Democrats who are still on the fence but are sick of the past, whining from the Clintons is the last thing they want to hear.