A Saving Grace

Politics is about true stories. Elizabeth Edwards reminded me of that simple fact at her book signing in Dallas Tuesday night. After she spoke for a while, about building networks of friends that keep you going through tough times, and read heart-wrenching passages from her book, Saving Graces, she took questions from the 100ish people gathered for the event. One spectator asked what kept her going through the rigors of a presidential campaign. She spoke quickly, without even pausing to consider any other answer — it is the stories of the people you meet along the campaign trail.

Mrs. Edwards then recounted the story of a man she met who had a severe cleft palate that left him unable to speak well enough to be understood by people outside of his family. He did not have the defect fixed when he was a baby because his family did not have health insurance or the financial means to pay for the surgery. As a teenager he went to work with his father, and through the help of a nonprofit, was able to have his cleft palate repaired when he was 50.

Mrs. Edwards said it is this man’s story of inadequate access to health care, and hundreds more stories like his, that keeps her and Senator Edwards involved in politics. Her quick answer to a passing question at a North Dallas book signing reminded me of what I often forget when I get caught up in the day to day horse-race and endless fundraising appeals that make a modern presidential campaign: there are real people with real stories in our communities. Many of them remind me of what makes our nation great, and many others remind me of how much more our nation could be.

Mrs. Edwards provided me with a moment of grace tonight. My somewhat jaded and frequently cynical political heart just remembered why I got into this whole crazy mess to begin with: true stories.