Boyhood destiny fulfilled, Clinton's presidency will live on in mission to rehabilitate scandal-tainted legacy

AS President Bill Clinton wrapped up his last major address to the American people on Monday - merely the usual shimmering Clinton brilliance - he bounded off the podium to one of his old campaign standards: Fleetwood Mac's Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.

But as this political giant without peer in his generation prepares to vacate the stage at the height of his powers - he is just 54 - for much less captivating, inspiring or even worthy men, it somehow sounded like Can't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.

A poor boy from Arkansas who overcame his humble beginnings to enter Britain's elite Oxford University, and who happily claimed the White House as his destiny from an early age, the presidency for Mr Clinton has been the sum of his life.

On their good days, few presidents have ever looked so content and at ease in the job. Despite his upbeat address, the nagging, bittersweet question of the lesser life that lies ahead overshadows his every public move.

A few months ago he appeared as withdrawn as Mr Clinton ever can, as his wife, Hillary, and Vice-President Al Gore started to claim the political stage as their own. There were rumours around Washington of the President playing rounds of golf by himself on wet Sunday evenings; of bitter, reflective evenings in the White House.

No more. He has thrown himself into the stuff of legacy - Middle East peace attempts and a renewed push to get China into the World Trade Organisation. Watching him work a crowd, greeting every well-wisher like he has known them for years, it is clear Bill is back.