After spending a considerable part of his last four years as president contriving his "legacy," Bill Clinton's last days in office made Americans just want to forget him as soon as possible.
Clinton, his wife Hillary (who will continue to "serve" the people as a senator from New York), and his administration left the White House the same way they left the nation -- like a hurricane that blows through people's lives, sucking up all it can, and leaving the wreck behind while they scurry on with a smile to the next opportunity.
During his last days in Washington, Clinton accepted $191,000 in gifts from wealthy backers. His staff vandalized White House offices, trashing furniture, leaving pornography in printers, and playing more juvenile pranks than a frat house during initiation week. Clinton, his wife, and his daughter made off with thousands of dollars worth of public property that they considered their own: furniture, paintings and art, and office equipment. And in a last great act of benevolence, Clinton used his presidential authority to grant pardons to 140 criminals, most of whom coincidentally had been sentenced for crimes committed while part of his administration, or who had given liberal financial support to his and his wife's political campaigns. Or in the case of cocaine dealer Roger Clinton, is Bill's half-brother.
Most audacious of all, Clinton granted a full pardon to Marc Rich, a wealthy financier who in 1983 was indicted for creating the biggest tax evasion scam in American history. Ordinarily pardons are granted after a wrongdoer has paid his debt to society and reformed. Not necessary with Marc Rich, who simply fled to Switzerland after being indicted, where he lived a life of luxury, and contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Bill's and Hillary's campaigns through his ex-wife Denise.
The Washington Post called the pardons "indefensible", while The New York Times called them "a shocking abuse of presidential power."
It should go without saying that a president should never use his pardon authority to repay favors to well-connected people. But that's what the Clinton White House was all about. The self-obsessed getting and repaying favors, breaking the trust of the people without so much as flinching.
All this -- a remarkable finale to eight ethics-challenged years of scandal -- in the span of three whirlwind days in January. No wonder George W. Bush's vow to restore integrity to the oval office resonated with so many Americans worn out by Bill Clinton.
Good riddance, Bill. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. That is, if you didn't take the door with you.
Last updated on 7/12/03 by David Younker.