Bill Clinton

She has been a very credible voice for us on the economy.

I believe that was clearly the right decision.

We had an economic strategy that focused on the expansion of trade, technology, and educational opportunities.

No, it should have been about my standard length. We thought it would be about 45 minutes, 50 minutes. Mr. Lamb. How did it get so long?

I saw the copy. It comes out Sunday, I think. Mr. Lamb. It does, and by the time people hear this, they will have already read it, but there was just one line in there I wanted to ask you to explain. You said, ``I think we did a good job…

Sure, I could conceive of that. You know the--I met Lincoln and Douglas; your Lincoln and Douglas came to Galesburg, Illinois, when I was there at Carl Sandburg Community College, and they warmed up the crowd for me. And I thought it…

Oh, sure. I don't know if people would watch it that long, but I think they would watch them for an hour. Look at the Presidential debates in the election. They were watched for a long time. And I think, you know, having discussions with…

It was great. Mr. Lamb. But it was 3 hours. Could you ever see yourself, either in a conversation or in a debate, spending 3 hours with an opponent or somebody that you could go through the issues with?

We talked about golf and what was going on. We talked a little about Bob Hope and what an amazing man he was--astonishing that he could be 92 and out there playing golf. Still has a great swing; he made some great shots that day. It was…

Yes, I had a great time. And I had a great time out there playing golf with President Ford and President Bush and Bob Hope. Even though it was the worst golf game I've had in about 3 years, I still had a great time.

It's just crazy. I mean, how can you possibly reflect on someone--I mean, you know, I've given a lot of thought to--that's another thing, Kennedy had Arthur Schlesinger in the White House, you know. But you didn't have people out there…

Well, they were subject to the same criticism, but by and large, it wasn't nearly as intense or public. There wasn't as much news. And the news rules were different then; they were different. I suppose Jefferson---- Mr. Lamb. Like what?

I would ask for his advice about what we could do to restore at least a measure of the optimism and the sense of trust that existed when he became President, because he had more space, in some ways, to govern and to be President, even…

Of course you do. You can't help imagining how you would have done in their time, how they would do in your time, what strengths did they have that you could perhaps develop, what errors did they make that you could perhaps avoid, how…

Yes, I just read--interestingly enough, I just read Benjamin Thomas' biography of Lincoln, which was written in the fifties, I think, and it's a biography I had never read. You see over there on my desk I've got a new biography of…

Well, of course, that's the famous headline from the Chicago Tribune. I got it when I was in Independence, Missouri, at the Truman Library. And I'm a big admirer of President Truman. He was my neighbor--you know, Arkansas and Missouri…

He's the best Commerce Secretary we've ever had. And he's gotten more results. That ought to be the test. He's a good Commerce Secretary. The questions that have been raised about what happened before he became Commerce Secretary are being…

I have said, there is no decision made. I have made no decision. I've had no meeting. And when I do, I'll let you know. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown

No. I don't know what the--let me just say this. I don't know what the source of that story is, but I want to make it very clear: We have made no decision about the May schedule. And there are lots of issues involved, because there are…

Yes. A shot might help--if I had a shot. [Laughter] I still need a shot. Thank you very much. It's good to see you. It's great. Meeting With President Boris Yeltsin of Russia

You know, I've got a basketball court down here in the backyard. Do you think I should wear this? [Laughter] Good length, too, don't you think? [Laughter] Mr. Olajuwon. Well, I would just like to thank Mr. President for this, an honor for…

Thank you so much. That's beautiful. Thank you. Mr. Alexander. Now I'd like to introduce one of the great coaches in the world, Rudy Tomjanovich, and of course the greatest player in the world, Hakeem Olajuwon. Mr. Tomjanovich. Thank you…

Thank you. Mr. Alexander. Thank you, Mr. President, for having us here today. I'd like to present you with a championship ring with your name on it, and it says, ``To the number one fan in America, from the Houston Rockets.''

I need an extra large. That's great. [Laughter] Mr. Stern. With that, I'd like to introduce the owner of the Houston Rockets, Les Alexander. Les.

What do you think this will do for my image, guys? [Laughter] I love this. I love this. Mr. Stern. It's an extra large, Mr. President. [Laughter]