Bill Clinton's 'Bittersweet Goodbye'

Jan. 21, 2001 — -- Bill Clinton left office on Saturday with a soaring popularity rating and a long list of presidential accomplishments, but also with a legacy of presidential dalliances and scandal.

He may have fallen short of arranging peace in the Mideast — and detente between presidential pets Socks the cat and Buddy the dog — but he worked until the very end, issuing pardons and executive orders.

"You gave me the ride of my life," he told well-wishers before departing the Washington area, "and I tried to give as good as I got."

In the morning hours on Saturday, a skeleton staff prepared the White House for the new president. E-mail had been shut down, computers reprogrammed and pictures removed from the walls.

True to his word, Clinton worked until the last possible moment. At 10 a.m. ET, the White House announced he was pardoning or commuting sentences for 176 people, including Susan McDougal of Whitewater infamy, his half-brother Roger Clinton and former CIA Director John Deutch.

Moments later, radio stations broadcast Clinton's last weekly radio address, in which he touted his accomplishments in office and thanked his staff, allies, White House employees and the American people.

"We've had more than 400 of these Saturday conversations now, soit's fitting that this last one comes on my final day in office," Clinton said.

"As my time in office comes to an end, the most important thing Ican say is a simple, heart-felt thank you," he added. "Thank you for theopportunity to serve as your president and as commander-in-chief toour fine men and women in uniform. Thank you for the honor of workingwith you to build our bridge to the 21st century. Thank you for theprayers, love and support you've extended to Hillary, Chelsea and meevery single day."

In the Republican response, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio touted the new president, George W. Bush, and wished the Clintons well.

"We wish President Clinton and his family the best as he leaves office,and we welcome President Bush and his family as they settle into theWhite House," Boehner said.