On a Saturday afternoon, in Washington, D.C., Senator John Kerry's campaign manager visited the cardinal of the Catholic cathedral. He told the cardinal that John Kerry would be attending the the next day's sermon, and he asked if the cardinal would kindly point out Kerry to the
congregation and say a few words that would include calling Kerry a saint.

The cardinal replied, "No. I don't really like the man, and there are issues of conflict with the Catholic church over certain of Kerry's views."

Kerry's manager then said, "Look, I'll write a check here and now for a donation of $100,000 to your church if you'll just tell the congretation
you see Kerry as a saint."

The cardinal thought about it and said, "Well the church can use the money, so I'll work your request into tomorrow's sermon."

As Kerry's manager promised, Senator Kerry appeared for the Sunday sermon and seated himself prominently at the edge of the main aisle.
And during the sermon, as promised, the cardinal pointed out that Senator Kerry was present. Then the cardinal went on to explain to the
congregation, "While Senator Kerry's presence was probably an honor to some, he is not my favorite person. Some of his views are contrary to
those of the church, and he tends to flip-flop on many other views. I could never again trust the man after he turned on his buddies in Viet Nam.
He also has a reputation for shirking his senatorial obligations both here, in Washington, and in Massachusetts. He simply isn't to be trusted."

The cardinal completed his view of Kerry with,
"But, when compared to Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Kerry is a saint."