Kerry had some tough words for Bill Clinton Friday .

WASHINGTON (CNN) — John Kerry, the Democratic Party’s 2004 nominee for president, took aim at Bill Clinton Friday, telling the National Journal the former president does "not have a license to abuse the truth."

The Massachusetts senator, who endorsed Barack Obama’s White House bid earlier this month, said Clinton’s attacks on the Illinois senator have been "over the top," and suggested the former president is getting "frantic."

Targeting Clinton’s recent spate of attacks on Obama, Kerry said, "I think you had an abuse of the truth, is what happened. …I mean, being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that over the last days it’s been over the top.

"I think it’s very unfortunate, but I think the voters can see through that," Kerry added. "When somebody’s coming on strong and they are growing, people get a little frantic, and I think people have seen this sort of franticness in the air, if you will."

The former president has faced criticism for aggressively interjecting himself into the race between his wife and Obama of late. On Monday, Obama said he feels as if he is running against both Clintons, a charge the New York senator’s campaign said was borne out of frustration. The former president himself later dismissed Obama’s comments, saying “I thought he was running against me.”

Kerry formally endorsed Obama on January 10, saying then that Obama "isn’t just going to break the mold….Together, we are going to shatter it into a million pieces."

The endorsement was seen as a blow to both John Edwards — Kerry’s running mate in 2004 — and both Hillary and Bill Clinton, who had campaigned on behalf of Kerry’s presidential bid.

 

WASHINGTON (CNN) — A few weeks ago, I ran into Dan Bartlett on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, and the former presidential counselor looked like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

Former Bush counselor Dan Bartlett is more open now that he has left the White House.

He was tanned and rested from a long summer vacation, thrilled to be spending more time with his family and eager to start reaping the greener pastures of the private sector after leaving the White House in July.

The newly liberated Bartlett casually chatted about a range of subjects, unburdened by staff meetings and press calls, just standing near a Starbucks shooting the breeze. But when I steered the conversation to questions about President Bush’s search for a new attorney general — which was then in the final stages — Bartlett politely clammed up.

"I’m still on message," he said, half-jokingly, of course.

Well, imagine my surprise this week to find the veil of secrecy is finally starting to be lifted. Bartlett is now on the paid lecture circuit — earning $10,000-$30,000 per speech depending on the audience and location — and the big dough has loosened his lips.

Bartlett’s speaking agent, Leading Authorities, posted video of one recent speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce online to drum up business. But the video is also providing rare insights into key players like Vice President Cheney. Continue reading »

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