Obviously, Ann Richards. . .

. . .is still walking around with the President's silver boot in her axe-handle-wide maximus. But, it apparently taught her the wrong lesson. It's the same lesson the Democrats took away from the Reagan Era. That is to say that the only reason either of them succeeded in politics was that they were willing to exploit the natural sympathies and goodwill of the simpleton population to their political benefit. In other words, "It's the mouth-breathing crowd, stupid!"

Vainglorious self-condolence: The hallmark of defeated liberals for over a generation.

"As a consequence, we see issues in less simplistic terms than the president. The president speaks in terms that are so simple on the most complex issues that it sort of leaves you with your mouth hanging open,' says Richards, who was unseated by Bush 10 years ago this fall."

That's an attempt at magnanimity. Except, it's like saying, "It's wrong to think that Bush is stupid. The public is stupid, and Bush just happens to be right up its alley." Of course, the always self-congratulatory liberal mindset is accommodating to that view.