[silent_jonny]

President Bush: I appreciate being joined by Melinda Doolittle, of American Idol. (Applause.) I've gotten to know Melinda because Melinda is not only a great talent, Melinda has got a huge heart. And it's interesting, isn't it, that she has garnered all this publicity and acclaim, all to channel it into helping other people. And I love your example and I thank you for your leadership. (Applause.)

Standing in front of a mosquito net, U.S. President Geroge W. Bush speaks about preventing malaria during a visit to the Northwest Boys and Girls Club in Hartford, Connecticut April 25, 2008. Standing beside Bush is Melinda Doolittle, a former American Idol finalist and spokeswoman for Malaria No More.

With Milwaukee Bucks basketball player Charlie Villanueva, right

President George W. Bush addresses his remarks in honor of Malaria Awareness Day Friday, April 25, 2008, during his visit to the Northwest Boys & Girls Club in Hartford, Conn., where the Boys & Girls members were learning about the cause and prevention of malaria. Earlier in the day President Bush signed a proclamation on the United States commitment to help fight malaria in Africa and around the world. White House photo by Chris Greenberg

[Palladin]

Melinda is a wonderful person. It’s great to see her get this acknowledgment from the President.

[silent_jonny]

Seeking to capitalize on the popularity of American Idol, Senator John McCain had Carly Smithson's husband brand him with a new tattoo.

[Miss Didi]

Great news, jonny...thanks for posting. Always loved my “Melinder.”

[Wolfstar]

President Bush: I appreciate being joined by Melinda Doolittle, of American Idol. (Applause.) I've gotten to know Melinda because Melinda is not only a great talent, Melinda has got a huge heart. And it's interesting, isn't it, that she has garnered all this publicity and acclaim, all to channel it into helping other people. And I love your example and I thank you for your leadership.

Thank you for the ping, Jonny. It never ceases to amaze me how this much-maligned President makes friends across such a wide, wide array of people from so many walks of life. Melinda is very talentend, but like Michael Johns this year, she didn't fit the demographic profile of most AI voters. But I think she'll have a fine career anyway.

By the way, I think you'll enjoy this photo. It's of the Pope shaking hands with Kelly and slipping her a small gift:

In addition to Kelly offering her talents for the Pope's youth rally, and Melinda's charitable efforts with President and Mrs. Bush, Ruben Studdard is doing gospel music. Carrie, Kelly, Josh Gracin and Kellie Pickler have gone to overseas to entertain our troops. And Clay Aiken does a lot of charitable work for kids. Nice to see.