A Page for Rep. Dr. Page

It's official, and so hard to read.

"The race for lieutenant governor ended with incumbent Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder retaining his post with 1,400,625 votes, or 49.9 percent of the turnout compared to Democrat Sam Page, who received 1,326,591 votes."
(http://www.news-leader.com/article/20081105/BREAKING01/81105005/-1/newsfront2)

I've known Representative Dr. Sam Page since he was just Sam. Twenty years ago, we were medical school contemporaries -- he in Missouri, I in Pittsburgh. We would see each other twice a year at the Medical Student Section of the American Medical Association meetings. It was the organization that first whetted my appetite for politics. (Something I eventually lost a keen interest in for a variety of reasons. But that's a discussion for another time.)

In my political days, I was in awe of Sam.

He had instinctual political prowess. He could read the map, look at the numbers, and see how to manipulate delegates to optimize a vote count. He knew who all the right players were at all the right times for all the right reasons to make great things happen.

I remain in awe of Sam. Many of us who engaged in the politics of the AMA have retreated to the hustle and bustle of medical practice and life, or maybe kept a hand in it through local medical societies. But Sam has done it for real: city council, state house, and now a bid for Missouri's lieutenant governor.

I wish things had turned out differently for him in this contest. It's never easy to lose, especially when you put your heart and soul into it, as I know Sam would. I am still, and always, so exceedingly proud of him.

We continue to exchange Christmas cards, and I look forward to hearing about his family, and his latest political efforts. I expect bigger and better things from him. Whatever he decides to do, I am honored to have known this good man and good friend for half my life.