It can't be him...

[He] attributed Republicans' control of Congress to Democratic candidates' inability or unwillingness to "stand up and be heard" on issues that matter to people. For example, he said, Democrats too often are unwilling to talk about abortion because they're afraid of virulent reactions from anti-abortion groups.


"So how come we can't talk about it?" he asked. "Because we basically let political ads turn every player in this drama into a two-dimensional cartoon instead of a three-dimensional person."


[He] also criticized political reporters and authors for failing to use reason and common sense in their writing and failing to dig deeply into stories. Instead, he said, reporters let officials get away with saying things that aren't true so stories include comment from both sides.

So who is this wise man?

William Jefferson Clinton.

Yes, I was shocked too. But I know what you're saying. Given his legendary political bravery, surely Mr. Clinton made these remarks in some Democratic stronghold like Rhode Island, right? Not so much.

Texas, baby.

Clinton, whose 2004 memoir "My Life" was a best seller, drew roaring applause during his speech from the several hundred people gathered in the Texas House chamber to kick off the 10th annual Texas Book Festival, an event started by first lady Laura Bush when her husband was governor.


The event, which raises money for public libraries, is expected to draw as many as 30,000 people and authors including novelist Salman Rushdie, historian David McCullough and children's author Lemony Snicket.

(Actually, this explains a great deal. Texas or not, Clinton knew he was speaking to a group of people who were literate, who read. No wonder he felt free to show a little more steel in his speech.) Ah, the reminders of what his presidency could have been...