UPDATE: POTUS Visit
From the Cincinnati Enquirer:In a moment largely unnoticed by the throngs of people in Lebanon waiting for autographs from the president of the United States, George W. Bush stopped to hold a teenager's head close to his heart.
Lynn Faulkner, his daughter, Ashley, and their neighbor, Linda Prince, eagerly waited to shake the president's hand Tuesday at the Golden Lamb Inn. He worked the line at a steady campaign pace, smiling, nodding and signing autographs until Prince spoke:
"This girl lost her mom in the World Trade Center on 9-11."
Bush stopped and turned back.
"He changed from being the leader of the free world to being a father, a husband and a man," Faulkner said. "He looked right at her and said, 'How are you doing?' He reached out with his hand and pulled her into his chest."
Matt's Chat
This is the man I want in the White House. A guy who knows when to stop being the leader of the free world for a minute and just be a supportive American. This was George W. Bush's day and that he had the sensitivity to comfort this child is indicitive of the character and integrity that is needed in the White House.Mark's Remarks
This is a President who is genuine. He knew he had to say something and do something when this came up. It was not a planned photo op. He put aside the mantle of candidate and sitting leader of the Free World for a moment to simply be another American sharing grief and supporting someone in loss. This President cares, and he doesn't need a photo op to do it. Remember 9/11? He forbade any photo ops from his visits to families of victims. He simply went quietly and listened and wept and supported.
In Ohio this week, we saw once again the passion and compassion that make George W. Bush more than a politician, more than simply another incumbent seeking office; he is a leader, and one who is forthright and full of conviction.
This was an extraordinary moment in the campaign to reelect the Right Man, George W. Bush.
