It was classic Clinton to wipe away the phony tear.

Newsweek's HOWARD FINEMAN, the magazine's deputy Washington bureau chief, defending a speech he gave to a doctors' group in which he ripped President Clinton's "insincerity." In the remarks, Mr. Fineman said, "I've decided Bill Clinton is at his most genuine when he's the most phony.... We know he doesn't mean what he says." The Newsweek writer referred to an incident after a memorial service for Ron Brown, the commerce secretary who perished in a plane crash, in which Mr. Clinton was seen laughing, then upon noticing a bank of television cameras appeared to wipe away a tear.

I used to be a Democrat, but they've become so pro-abortion that I usually support Republicans now. I'd vote for a pro-life Democrat, but I'm sure not going to vote for Clinton.

ANANDI NICHOLAS, quoted by the Atlanta Journal/Constitution, at the Washington for Jesus rally.

I didn't have anything to do, and the government was paying for it.

Former business partner to President Clinton, JAMES McDOUGAL, explaining why he accepted a government paid trip to Washington to watch Mr. Clinton give videotaped testimony in Mr. McDougal's fraud and conspiracy trial. The president, who was allowed to testify via videotape because of his busy schedule, gave Mr. McDougal a personal tour of the White House Map Room after the deposition.

The foot in the door is a good thing.

Aide to Sen. Edward Kennedy, NICK LITTLEFIELD, explaining to Washington Post reporter David Broder how his boss's legislation, which passed the Senate 100-0, requiring insurance companies to provide coverage to those with preexisting medical problems and thus driving up insurance costs, will lead to more government control over health care. He said, "It may be that ultimately the effect of our bill is to lead the government to take further steps to increase coverage and control costs of health care."

[Clinton] lies shamelessly... and it's tough to go against a person who is shameless.

WILLIAM BENNETT, speaking to the conservative GOPAC meeting, analyzing Bob Dole's uphill political battle against the president, who is enjoying double-digit leads in opinion polls.

It's the perfect thing to follow the O.J. verdict. It's a dumb-and-dumber legal system.

Subway vigilante BERNHARD GOETZ, in an interview with The New York Post following a civil judgment against him for $43 million.