Joe Conason’s profile of Bill Clinton in the new Esquire is notable mostly in how blandly soundbite-ish the rhetoric of the ex-president it declares “The most influential man in the world” is. There are, however, points of interest here and there, not least of which is when Clinton notes in defense of George W. Bush that “when you’ve been president and troops are committed and lives are on the line, I think we have to be very careful what we say.” Whoa! When did Ari “watch what they say, what what they do” Fleischer start coaching Clinton? And when will the left side of the blogosphere start condemning the 42nd president for this attack on their right to dissent? Is someone at Daily Kos even now photoshopping a picture of Bill Clinton lighting the Bill of Rights on fire with a cigar? Can I expect an online petition and fundraising request from MoveOn.org in my inbox this very day?

Joesph McCarthy, you wily rascal, the latest form you’ve taken on is your most dastardly yet!

Another interesting quote from Clinton: “You know, I have an interesting relationship with President Bush, and I believe when a president asks you to do something, if in good conscience you can do it, you should do it.”

Yeah, priggish White House interns, he’s talking to you. Now somebody call Dominos.