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Friday, 8 December, 2000, 17:35 GMT
Clinton dreams of third term
President Clinton
Clinton's weekly radio broadcasts: Missing them already?
With only a short time left in the White House, President Bill Clinton says the American constitution should be changed to allow a president to serve more than two consecutive terms.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Mr Clinton says: "I probably would have run again."

He is asked if he thinks he would have won a third term in office.

"I do," he says, "but it's hard to say because it's entirely academic".

Ronald Reagan
Reagan also wanted a third term
Echoing Ronald Reagan's idea that "two times isn't necessarily enough time", Mr Clinton suggests the constitution could be changed.

He says it could be modified to just limit presidents to two consecutive terms - this would allow him to run for the presidency in 2004.

In the Rolling Stone interview, the outgoing president also talks about drugs, his impeachment and plans for the future.

Exonerate

The president, who famously admitted to smoking marijuana, but "not inhaling", tells the magazine that he backs a re-think of drug sentencing policies.

The possession of small amounts of marijuana has "been decriminalised and should be".

Speaking about his impeachment, President Clinton tells the magazine he believes history will exonerate him.

"One of the things I had to learn... was that at some point, presidents are not permitted to have personal feelings," he said.

Post-White House

The president adds: "When you manifest your anger in public, it should be on behalf of the American people and the values that they believe in."

What plans does Mr Clinton have for after 20 January?

He says he will probably work on projects fighting racial and religious discrimination at home and around the world.

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See also:

07 Dec 00 | Northern Ireland
Clinton 'will not negotiate' in NI
05 Dec 00 | Northern Ireland
Clinton links up with students
18 Nov 00 | Asia-Pacific
In pictures: Clinton's Vietnam visit
27 Sep 00 | Entertainment
Clinton scores at premiere
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