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A very similar story took place here in Columbus, Ohio. During the 2004 campaign, Mr. Bush came to town. The uncle of my small group leader (that's a Bible study group for those that don't know) attended the speech along with a friend from church. They went very early because they wanted to get a seat along the main aisle.

The President left after the speech and began to shake hands of those near the aisle. My friend's uncle and friend spoke briefly and he reached into his jacket (the Secret Service must have loved that) and pulled out an envelope. Inside was a hand-written note from his terminally ill wife. He explained that she wanted to be there but could not because of her illness. She wanted the President to know she was praying for him.

Thinking the conversation was over, the man was surprised when Mr. Bush turned to one of his staff members and asked for a pen upon which he asked for her phone number.

A short time later, while the most powerful man in the world was motorcading to the airport in the midst of a gruesome campaign, when most men would take advantage of a few precious quiet minutes, a little old lady in South Columbus answers the phone to "Hello, This is George Bush ..."

You don't have to go to snopes to confirm this story, because they don't know about it. It's likely the only people that do know this story are the 10-12 people on my friend's deck that night. And now you know also.

By the way, I asked C's permission to relay this story.

Compare the quietness and sweetness of this story with what the media and pr folks would have done with the philanderer in a similar situation. The stones of Normandy Beach come to mind.