I want to applaud President Bush for not going to Whidbey Island (Washington State) for the homecoming of the 24 crewmembers of the downed US surveillance plane.

With the President there, it would have become a media circus focusing on the President. Another photo op. Feathering his own nest.

Without the President there, it was as it should have been -- a media circus, sure, but focusing on our 24 returning servicemembers. They held the spotlight, instead of the Prez, and were able to spend time with their families that would have been lost to cameo-hamming with the Prez.

(PS for what it's worth this POV was courtesy of Cokie Roberts, liberal commentator extraordinaire.)

Alex