Clinton's Final Apology

WASHINGTON: This time, Bill Clinton stood alone -- this was no Rose Garden pep rally. He kept it short, kept it contrite. "I want to say again to the American people how profoundly sorry I am for what I said and did to trigger these events, and the great burden they have imposed on the Congress and the American people," he said. "Now I ask all Americans, and I hope all Americans here in Washington and throughout our land will rededicate ourselves to the work of serving our nation and building our future."

And then someone (a plant?) asked him a question about his favorite topic -- forgiveness -- and Bill Clinton couldn't leave well enough alone. "When he stopped, I yelled 'Don't go back to the microphone,'" says TIME Washington deputy bureau chief Jef McAllister. "He was great until he said what he really believed." What Clinton said was "I believe any person who asks for forgiveness must be prepared to give it." He was talking about Ken Starr, or maybe Henry Hyde, and it proved that Bill Clinton still sees himself as the victim. It's a good thing that Republicans are in no position to be upset.