Look at that. They're hugging. That's sweet, but also wholesome and manly. There's nothing gay about this, so don't even start.

Besides, $600,000 makes up for a lot. Nixonian approval rating? Tell it to my bank account, O'Donnell says. And the $50,000 or so local governments have to shell out every time Air Force One touches down? Torchiere on the crème broulee.

You'll recall that last time the President was in town, things got a little...well, icky. That's why it's important to point out that the relationship between President Bush and Rick O'Donnell is completely platonic, despite what any misleading liberal media pictures may indicate (see above).

All and all, it was a good day for Rick O'Donnell -- neat plane ride, lots of cash, details kindly handled by the locals. One can only hope, as I'm sure he does, that Yeats was wrong about that whole "the center does not hold" thing. After all, there are some people (65% of Americans) who don't think President Bush deserves a hug. O'Donnell knows it, but you won't see that plastic smile moving a tick when the checkbooks come out.