character. he was honest, fair, and civilized in all the times we were together, i never heard him say a by gigoted word toward anyone. saw this most clearly during the 2000 campaign when the woman made an offensive statement against then senator barack obama. to me what was most impressive about john s reaction was that it was peer reflex. it was who john was. he didn t need a consult anyone. he immediately defended his opponent s name and honor and thereby elevated for that moment our politics and made us a more perfect union. personally, i can tell you that john was a real friend and accommodating to him what were my unusual practices as a religiously observant jew. whether it was walking with me