Y’all talk funny

So, I’m from Texas. I was born in Texas, and I grew up in a small town. And yet, incredibly, I don’t speak in a slow, syrupy drawl. Or at least I don’t when I’m talking to a buncha damn yankees. (That’s a joke.) In the years I lived in NYC, I was constantly asked: “Where’s your accent?” I guess alla them cosmopolitan types figured I’s sposeda talk like I just got back from shootin an episode-a Hee Haw or somethin’. I really couldn’t say.
Anyway, the question made me pay a lot of attention to accents. I’ve always been interested in George W. Bush’s accent. You’ll notice that while he was born up north, went to prep school and college up north, and “summered” (a word that didn’t exist where I grew up) in Maine, he has an accent. Real folksy. Down to earth.

His brother Jeb, who was born in Texas, and did all his schooling in Texas, hardly has an accent at all.

Curious, no?

I bring up this completely random topic because, perusing the Dallas Observer’s blog, I came upon this entry that links to clips of Hillary Clinton doing what I guess she figures is a southern accent. It’s pretty funny. There’s also a link to Barack Obama sounding a lot more southern-accenty than I’ve ever heard him before.

I guess southern accents are hot. I better see if I can work one up.