Clinton labeled Starr, who turned him into the only elected U.S. president ever impeached*, a tool of "the perpetual right ... which seeks to consolidate power and wealth in their own hands."

But when it came to Kerry, Clinton didn't seem to have much passion. He told the NYU audience that Kerry's chances to oust Bush were about 50 percent.

When the New York Daily News asked directly how he thought the Democratic nominee was doing, the best Clinton could muster was "I think he's doing just fine."

*Lincoln's vice president, Andrew Johnson, who was impeached in 1868, was not elected.

Editor's note: