The story never published
After some unsuccessful Googling I am at least 90 percent sure that this post qualifies as the very first Upsider world exclusive.
One of the things that I like about President Bush is his sincerity with the people who make sacrifices for the greater good. He doesn’t turn meetings with soldiers or their families into political opportunities.
This morning I was covering the story of three Lakes Region EMS employees who received resolutions of appreciation from the state for their outstanding work in the wake of the bridge collapse, which you can read about here. One noted that, during the president’s visit to the site, he suddenly and unexpectedly grabbed an emergency radio and addressed everyone on the network, telling them what a great job they did. I understood from the description of the event that it was a touching moment.
It is easy to doubt the sincerity of politicians when they turn every handshake, every congratulations, into a photo opportunity or press release. Bush’s impromptu message to rescuers would have made a great story for the White House, but I can find no such story. Regardless of what you might think of the man or his policies, he knows the difference between being a politician and a human being - especially when it comes to the people who dedicate their lives to helping others.