I also saw, behind the masks of bonhomie, the single-mindedness of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness in pursuit of political advantage. They moved through Washington as smoothly as sharks in warm water. Whatever else they were, or had been, they were politicians to their fingertips, wholly at ease in their surroundings.
It helped, of course, to have powerful friends at court. By contrast, there was something terribly awkward and admirable about the likes of Trimble, Mallon, Alderdyce and the others who were Sinn Féin's political opponents.
After a lunch in March 2001, attended by George Bush and figures from both sides of the Irish divide, I stood at the top of the Capitol steps with the other guests to bid farewell to the president.
As Bush headed down the steps to get into his car, I saw that Adams had somehow managed to insert himself into the small knot of American politicians who were escorting the president.
He had a brief, smiling exchange with Bush. Cameras were flashing and rolling. What a photo opportunity for Adams and Sinn Féin! What a coup!
I whispered to the other Northern Ireland party leaders, standing gauche and uncomfortable alongside me: "For Christ's sake, get down the bloody steps before it's too late!" It was too late.
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/northernirelandassembly/story/0,9061,1637358,00.html