Over all, the hardworking staff likes what newly arrived columnist Joe Nocera has brought to the New York Times op-ed page: a populist view of economic justice leavened with a pragmatic view of economic reality.

So we were surprised last week when Nocera went all Joe Biden and wrote this:

Tea Party’s War on America

You know what they say: Never negotiate with terrorists. It only encourages them.

These last few months, much of the country has watched in horror as the Tea Party Republicans have waged jihad on the American people. Their intransigent demands for deep spending cuts, coupled with their almost gleeful willingness to destroy one of America’s most invaluable assets, its full faith and credit, were incredibly irresponsible. But they didn’t care. Their goal, they believed, was worth blowing up the country for, if that’s what it took.

In his latest column, though, Nocera came to his senses:

The words I chose were intemperate and offensive to many, and I’ve been roundly criticized. I was a hypocrite, the critics said, for using such language when on other occasions I’ve called for a more civil politics. In the cool light of day, I agree with them. I apologize.

Good for him.

One down, umpteen to go.

P.S. Biden’s moonwalking doesn’t count.