Limbaugh, the president, the mayor, and the friend

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio talk show host, was having dinner last night at a New York steak house when former President Clinton came over to say hello. Limbaugh recounts this story on his website:

"This looming presence, I look up, and, golly, if it isn't former President Bill Clinton. He's got a big smile on his face, and I look up, and I imagine I was somewhat startled. I looked up, and I couldn't hear what he was saying because of the noise in there. So I'm turning my head, my left ear to him so I could hear a little bit more, and he said, 'You're looking great. You're tan, fit, you look very good out there.' I reached out my hand, 'Mr. President, it's a pleasure to meet you.' "

After the former president left, someone else came to the table: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who appeared excited to meet Limbaugh. The mayor (pictured with Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London) was in New York for a climate-change conference but returned today.

Then someone else approached Limbaugh: Los Angeles billionaire Ron Burkle, a Clinton friend. The talk show host continues: "I'm very familiar with Ron. He's a big Los Angeles guy and so forth, and then they left. I guess it was 10 minutes, as I say, or so after that, I left. As I get to the front door, there is a photographer out there in the street and the flash is going crazy, taking pictures, and I said, "Whoa! Why didn't I think of this?"

(Photo: David Karp/AP)