President Harry Truman, a feisty, no-nonsense sort of guy who came under withering (and largely unjustified) criticism, once famously said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." And, indeed, after a traditionally fairly short honeymoon, the sound of reporters sharpening their knives is one of the sounds all Presidents eventually hear.

I thought of that as I've been reading the syrupy stories whose only purpose is to protect President-elect Barack Obama from any potential fall-out from the burgeoning scandal over the shenanigans involved in the selection of his successor as Senator. These reporters were not out for blood. They were out to staunch any possible political hemorrhaging. MSNBC's Chris Mathews was only saying out loud last month what many reporters privately believe: "Our Job (Journalists') is to Make This Presidency Work."

But that's fine. The truth will come out in the wash. I just hope a little of that give-'em-a-break sentiment spills over into "making the departure of the President {Bush] work."

A piece in yesterday's Washington Post ("Bush's Sensitive Side Is Showing: Aides, President Accentuating The Positive," by Dan Eggen) could have been a lot worse, appearing as it did in a newspaper that has tried to carve its initials in the President's hide for much of his two terms.

Eggen blended sympathy with cynicism in describing the President's "touchy-feely rhetoric" as he exits the White House. "The wave of presidential emoting comes as part of an effort by Bush and his aides to highlight the positive side of his legacy as he nears his final month in office, while also bidding farewell to world leaders and longtime colleagues," he writes.

And perhaps there have been more public demonstrations; I don't know. What I do know is that President has demonstrated his personal touch--his capacity to privately make many caring gestures--on many occasions.

Again, I am no insider, but even I know of many examples. Personally, I remember the time NRLC staff was invited to the White House for a meeting. He was a gracious and generous host, who took enormous pride in showing us the Oval Office and explaining some of its rich history.

There were various gatherings and bill signings. Given the issues we are involved with, they were often times of intense emotion. Based on both what I saw on television and what was told to me privately, President Bush reached out in a way that reassured and lifted up people.

I am thinking particularly of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and a meeting of families at the White House who had adopted embryos who might otherwise have been destroyed, experimented on, or left to eventually die frozen in containers of nitrogen. The President was a tower of compassion and strength and reassuring excitement.

President Bush really is what he described himself as when running for President: a "compassionate conservative." John DiIulio was the first director of Bush's Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives. In 2002 he wrote a confidential memo to Ron Suskind of Esquire magazine that I have kept.

Let me quote you one section from a lengthy memo:

"In my view, President Bush is a highly admirable person of enormous personal decency. He is a godly man and a moral leader. ...He inspires personal trust, loyalty, and confidence in those around him. In many ways, he is all heart. Clinton talked 'I feel your pain.' But as Bush showed in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, he truly does feel deeply for others and loves this country with a passion.

"The little things speak legions," Dilulio continued. "I could cite a dozen such examples of his dignity and personal goodness. I recall how, in Philly, following a 3-hour block party on July 4, 2001, following hours among the children, youth, and families of prisoners, we were running late for the next event. He stopped, however, to take a picture with a couple of men who were cooking ribs all day. 'C'mon,' he said, "those guys have been doing hard work all day there.' It's my favorite--and in some ways, my most telling--picture of who he is as a man and a leader who pays attention to the little things that convey respect and decency toward others."

I have friends who have been the beneficiaries of those "little things" which demonstrate that he IS "all heart," but I will not share their stories out of respect for their privacy.

I write all that to end with this. President Bush is a good and decent man. Right now his national approval ratings may not be high (I personally think future historians will have a far different assessment), but among pro-lifers his standing could not be higher.

He has been a great friend to our Movement and we owe him a lot.

Send your thoughts to daveandrusko@gmail.com

Part Three -- PPFA Fires Aide Accused of Attempting to Skirt Statutory Rape Reporting Requirements
Part One -- Abortion Establishment Presents Obama With Marching Orders