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Judy, Judy, Judy


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CNN's Judy Woodruff ends a 12-year run at the network Friday.

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Politics is supposed to be a bad word.

When you ask people why government can't solve problems, they say, "Too much politics."

If you can give politics a good name, you've really accomplished something. Like the political Play of the Week.

Judy Woodruff brings something to politics that's become all too rare. Call it a touch of class. You can see it when she interviews presidents:

"You're saying U.S. troops on the ground, what would be their mission if they were to go there?" she asked President Bill Clinton in 1993.

"Our policy is, we have decided not to use force. All I said is we can't rule it out anymore," Clinton replied.

And when she interviews presidential impersonators:

"Well right now, tell us about your Middle East policy. You and I were just discussing that," Woodruff said to President Bush impersonator Steve Bridges

``Well, Judy, I've been criticized about some inconsistencies. And I want to clear that up. I do. I want to clear it up right here and clear it up right now," he said. "But before I do, I just want to ask you, do you have any ideas?"

In Judy Woodruff's political world, women are empowered. And respected. For their personal skill ...

"You described yourself as a good listener. But he listens to you, I assume," she said to first lady Laura Bush.

"Sure. Of course. He does, absolutely," the first lady said of her husband. "I mean, I can't give you examples. I won't even tell you what we actually discuss. But you know, I have influence on him, just like he has influence on me."

...and their determination to make their own way:

"A lot of Democrats are saying its you and John Edwards spoiling for whatever in 2008," she said to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2004.

"You know, Judy, I just don't see politics as a zero sum game like that," the former first lady replied.

Judy has dealt with some of the foremost political minds of our time. Including eight-year-old Praveen Polamraju:

"What would you like to be when you grow up? Do you have any idea yet, Praveen?"

"A president," he replied.

"You want to be president?

"And then a dentist," he said.

"And then a dentist. I see. Now why president first?"

"Because I can get more money."

Well, they say politics is crass. But Judy Woodruff is class. Classy enough to merit the political Play of the Week.

As Cary Grant used to say, ``Judy, Judy, Judy.''

From one class act to another.

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