Reubin Askew was my first introduction to a quality that few of us have, but that all politicians must have.

Sometime in the mid Seventies my college singing group was asked to entertain at a reception for Askew, who had an honorary fellowship of some sort. After our set Askew shook hands with all of us, for about ten seconds each.

The next day as I was walking down the street I heard a strange voice say, “Hello, Rick!” There to greet me was Askew. That was not what impressed me. Eight or nine years later, in January of 1984, I went to Iowa to cover the Iowa Democratic caucuses. Askew was making an appearance in a pizza/Greek place in some little town. Afterwards I went to wash up. As I came back into the main room, a voice said, “Hello, Rick!”

I was impressed.