John McCain Called Me yesterday!

Ok, it was a recorded message. But it put a smile on my face. Not that I've decided who I'm voting for next week on "Super Tuesday" here in California...but it did bring back a memory.

I met Sen. McCain once during the days I was a tour guide at the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. It was a dinner where Henry Kissinger was receiving an award. Julie Nixon Eisenhower was there and so was Sen. McCain. He was the keynote speaker and I enjoyed his speach very much. I was just a 'seat-filler' at the dinner. You see, they didn't want any seats empty. It wouldn't look good. So I volunteered to get all dressed up look pretty and sit at a table and enjoy the great food. They had a reception line before the dinner and I got to shake hands with Sen. McCain and Julie Eisenhower. Lastly, I was to shake hands with Henry Kissinger. I was instructed to refer to him as "Dr." Kissinger. I said, "You're kidding, right?" I shook his hand and said, "Good evening, Hank!" No. Not really! I was respectful and called him "Dr." Kissinger! I behaved myself that evening...after all, I was just a seat-filler!

My seventeen year old Baby Boy will not be able to vote next Tues., but in the presidential election he will. He's really looking forward to it and has taken an active interest in the candidates. We've had some great political discussions. Here's a picture of him shaking hands with former Vice-President Dan Quayle. Remember him? Well, he was at the Nixon Library one day promoting his book, The American Family--Discovering the Values That Make Us Strong" (I just noticed on the Amazon site they have 281 used copies, starting at .01!...mine's autographed...is it still only worth .01!...do I hear .02 anyone?)

On this day in 1996, my Baby Boy was just six. I took him out of school for the day to go shake hands with Dan Quayle. He didn't want to go, and kept complaining while we stood in line. I bribed him with a trip to McDonald's afterwards. Poor kid, only shook hands with Dan Quayle for a Happy Meal!