Here’s former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry responding to a criticism from Whitehouse Press Secretary Tony Snow over something he said in California to a group of students:

“This is the classic GOP playbook,” Kerry said in a harshly worded statement. “I’m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did. I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium.”

Awesome. It’s nice to see some of the fiery passion Kerry made a name for himself with back in the 70s when protesting against the Vietnam war. So where the hell was this Kerry two years ago? And where the hell are the Democrats right now? I agree with Esquire’s recent (albeit slightly sexist) evaluation of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, whom I otherwise admire: “… The Dems are saddled with a leadership better suited to organizing a candlelight vigil at Swarthmore than to restoring the balance of powers.” A candlelight vigil is not the kind of fire I’m looking.

If the Democrats win the House and/or Senate next week (which I am hoping and praying they will, though it may not change a God damned thing) it won’t be because of their amazing leadership or grasp of politics. And, what with Phil “I was inspired by a ‘Dump Nixon’ poster” Angelides (who is so ineffective I literally had to look him up on Google because I forgot his name) and Cruz “I’m not fat anymore - vote for me!” Bustamante each currently running this season, the California Democrats seem to be the worst of the bunch. This has not been a proud decade in the party’s history.