Creel's Chutzpa

José Antonio Crespo's column yesterday was a thorough rebuke to the objections to Calderón's government from panistas affiliated with Vicente Fox. Examining the content of a letter from Santiago Creel, Crespo demonstrates that while the complaints directed at Calderón may be valid, on issue after issue (support from union leaders, turning a blind eye to dirty PRI governors, et cetera) the foxistas compiled a record that was hardly distinguishable from Calderón's. Here's the finale: 

Now, after their debacle, the PAN won't be able to do what it should have done in 2000. The PAN lost its historic opportunity to lead and direct the democratization of the country. The diagnosis that Creel made of what happened with his party is correct. But neither he nor Fox has the moral authority to protest, because they were the first and foremost responsible for the defection of the PAN, while in government, from its democratic commitment. 

I've always thought Crespo is a bit harsh in his disappointment with the democratic transition, but there's not question that Fox and Creel are two of the last people in the nation with any right to complain.