The most powerful man in the world decides to visit. And what does he do?

Holds a grieving widow from Wilkes-Barre up to nationwide ridicule by using her husband's death to make a point.

And he didn't even have the facts right.

On Thursday, speaking about medical malpractice reform at the University of Scranton, the president blamed trial attorneys and juries for what he feels are excessive awards in medical malpractice cases. And he called for a $250,000 cap on damages for pain and suffering.

Then Bush ad-libbed, doing what smooth politicians do all the time - try to bring their point home to a local crowd.

To Dorothy Thornton's embarrassment.

Without a cap, Bush said, "you've got excessive jury awards, like those in Pennsylvania. One was just described to me today.''

Bush referred to the lawsuit following the death of Dorothy's husband, Frank. He was told of the Thornton case briefly during a round table discussion with doctors prior to the speech.

During his speech, Bush didn't mention Thornton by name, but he referenced a full page ad that was placed in a Scranton newspaper Thursday by the Committee for Justice For All, which cited Thornton's death as an argument against caps.

Bush also said the ad was ``paid for by an excessive jury award.''

Wrong.

The case involving Thornton, a retired welder, veteran, church deacon, husband, father and a grandfather, never went to a jury.

It was settled with wrongdoing admitted by those who cared for Thornton and a public apology. Mercy Hospital went so far as to promise a program be established in Thornton's name to promote a patient's right to know.

And yes, the family and Thornton's lawyers did get $7 million.

Sometimes money makes a point.

Bush sure didn't.

Medical malpractice is not a simple issue. Bush's plain speak didn't work in Scranton.

He glossed over complexities in Thornton's case, did an injustice to the rights of patients and did nothing to solve the malpractice insurance crisis, which is the very reason the president said he came to our area.