George W...drawl-less?

Texas' most favorite son (while not exactly Austin's favorite son), G.W., was recently called out by the Wall Street Journal as having lost his charming Texas accent that got him through two elections. (note: You'll need a WSJ account to read the actual article.) This is a step to make him appear more serious, and intelligent, so that he can push through his new social security plan, among other things.

While he was raised primarily in the Northeast, Bush has always claimed to be a Texan through and through. But going to middle school here does not a Texan make.

Unfortunately, for his detractors, President Bush's un-affected accent leaves him more accurate in his prose:

The more careful speaking style also has meant fewer verbal slip-ups. Jacob Weisberg, who filled four books, numerous Web entries and a calendar series with Bush malapropisms, says his supply of new material has slowed to a trickle. "In a press conference in his first year I might get five" bloopers, says Mr. Weisberg, who is editor of Slate, the online magazine. "Now I'm pretty lucky if I get one or two."