While the remarks were supposedly delivered in jest, Kerry campaign officials have been wincing all week as the ex-president inadvertently reminds America of what happened the last time Democrats ran the White House: Sex scandals at home and unchecked terrorism abroad.

Clinton didn't help matters Thursday night, when he gushed about the prospect of his wife Hillary becoming president, while noting that it won't happen in the foreseeable future if Kerry wins.

"If that happens for our side, there won't be another presidential race for eight years," he lamented to CNN's Larry King.

To be sure, Mr. Clinton made sure to say nice things about Kerry during the interview.

"I know John Kerry well and I believe he'd be a good president. I think he has a lot of good qualities -- not just because he agrees with me, but psychologically he's well suited to be president."

But compare that to the superlatives the ex-president used about his wife.

"I think that I personally have ever known anybody more able than her. . . . If she wanted to present herself and if she got elected, she would be magnificent. Therefore for my country, I would love it. Because she's really able."

What about those promises he made to campaign for Kerry?

Last night Clinton warned that he doesn't wasn't to overdo it, telling King, "I think there's a certain amount that's appropriate and a certain amount where it might even be counterproductive."

No wonder Sen. Kerry is "joking" that Clinton's help isn't particularly helpful.

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