I WOULDN'T WALK TWO MILES IN HIS SHOES!!!

Even though I sometimes loathe the people who work for them, I occasionally find myself feeling sorry for the individuals I cover.

Former president Bill Clinton was the object of my sympathy on July 4th at a parade in Clear Lake, Iowa.

I was seated, chatting with some locals, when the motorcade came speeding to the parade staging area. Out came Clinton wearing jeans and Cowboy boots. I felt terrible and uncomfortable looking at him. He was not wearing the type of jeans that one wears around the house. He was wearing the type that one wears when they go out. The ones that hurt a little bit under the best conditions. He smiled, he shook, he walked, he signed, he posed and he was dripping. He could not hide in a corner, take of his shoes, or just stop. Quitting wasn't an option so he persevered and I painfully watched. The last few blocks he hastened his step, posed a little faster and practically dove into the air-conditioned black SUV for some relief minutes after finishing the parade.

Beware icons of the 21st century: cowboy boots, tight jeans and 4th of July parades don't mix well.