Okay, I'll admit it -- I like women's beach volleyball. It's a great sport that moves fast, the rules are easy to understand, and let's be honest the women are beautiful -- long, lean, tanned and athletic.
Earlier this week, President Bush stopped off to see U.S. gold-medal contenders Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, who traded a few volleys with the president and offered up a few tips -- along with one more thing.
It's a tradition in beach volleyball, ostensibly, for players to pat one another on the behind for luck. And keeping with that tradition, Misty turned around and offered the president a swat, with a playful "want to?"
As the
LA Times observed in recounting the tale, "Want to has nothing to do with it in public life."
The president, choosing propriety and judiciousness over irresistible temptation but not wanting to insult or jinx the athlete, instead brushed his hand across her lower back.
I stand in respect of the man's incredible restraint.