Maybe all the heroes are not gone?
You said it, V's wife! Every once in a while, someone quite unique comes along, and Bret Schundler is that person.
As Alan Steinberg said in that wonderful piece posted on another thread: "Bret Schundler projects a unique combination of three elements: an encyclopedic intellect, an uncanny populist instinct, and an absolutely untainted personal morality."
And besides that - he is just a plain nice guy. When you talk with him, he gives you all his attention -- and he can speak on anything. We were discussing baseball VS football on the bus one day and he knew all his stuff. A few minutes later I had a nine word conversation in Chinese with him!!! Shortly after that he was speaking to the crowds. Yes - he is incredible.