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.