WASHINGTON: If there was ever a time for healing, this was it. President Clinton seized his final opportunity to express sorrow before the release of Ken Starr's report Friday at a widely televised
White House prayer breakfast. The stony mask he wore during the August 17 speech to the nation was gone; in its place, glistening eyes and a cracking voice. "It is important to me that everybody who has been hurt know that the sorrow that I feel is genuine -- first and most important my family, also my friends, my staff, my Cabinet, Monica Lewinsky and her family." It was the first time the President had offered his former intern an apology since the scandal broke in January. Said TIME managing editor Walter Isaacson: "It's one of the most remarkable speeches ever given by a president."
That speech, liberally sprinkled with quotes from scripture, played well to the President's audience of religious leaders. "He couldn't be more contrite," said the Presbyterian Rev. Fred Davie. "I love this man," enthused Rabbi Edward Cohn of Los Angeles. And as if to complete his portrayal of a perfectly penitent sinner, Clinton promised to seek "pastoral support and help from others." What could be missing from the apology this time round? Only the timing. With House members voting to release the Starr report just hours after the prayer breakfast, it wasn't too little, but it may have come too late.
