Animal House at the White House.(Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service)

The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, 1-28:

X X X

Bill Clinton apparently never heard the show-business adage: "Always leave the audience wanting more." Given the embarrassing way the Clinton administration made its departure, even many of its friends are bound to feel like they've had more than enough.

First there was the flood of pardons and commutations issued in the final hours _ many of them to miscreants who happened to be Democratic pols, Clinton cronies and other well-connected big shots. Some of the acts of clemency were wise and humane, but the overall impression was of Clinton paying back political and …