By Jon Ralston

Fri, Jun 13, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Amid the scathing criticism and relentless jokes about the

man The New York Times referred to as “Nevada’s Texter-in-Chief,” one piece of information seems to have been forgotten: Jim Gibbons was once in line to be the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and was even mentioned as a possible CIA chief. Intelligence Committee! CIA! A man so careless that he texts a lady friend on a government phone? Can you imagine the conversations that took place: “Well, Mr. Speaker, he does seem to be texting a lot during the committee hearings. I’m not sure how secure that is.” Or, “Mr. President, I’m not sure if we want al-Qaida intercepting his texts.” Dodged a bullet there, didn’t we? Speaking for the country, that is, not the state.