Introduction

The scene: the White House Correspondents Association annual dinner, April 2000.

Cuing up is the now famous "The Final Days" video detailing how President Clinton is spending his time in the waning days of office.

Cut to press secretary Joe Lockhart, who says, "With the vice president and the first lady out on the campaign trail, things aren't as exciting as they used to be around here. In fact, it's really starting to wind down."

Cut to Clinton standing at the podium in the White House pressroom:

"There's bipartisan support for it in Congress...and at least the principles I set out in my State of the Union. If they send me the bill in its present form, I will sign it. Okay, any questions? Helen? [Then a little desperately] Helen?"

Camera pans over to me sitting in my chair, my head back. I wake up, lift my head, and see the president standing there: "Are you still here?"

A dejected Clinton leaves the podium and the camera follows him out — and in the background you hear Frank Sinatra crooning "One More for the Ro ... read full excerpt from: Thanks for the Memories, Mr. President: Wit and Wisdom from the Front Row at the White House ebook