The Clinton Voice Index

THROAT CLEARING Bill Clinton’s doctors gave him a clean bill of health Saturday, except for swollen vocal cords. A history of his troubled larynx:

1992 Vocal cords shut down three times during election campaign, including eve of polling. Doc’s note says this is due to “nasal allergies, mild esophageal reflux and overuse of voice”

1993 In February, coughs and wheezes through weekly radio address. Treats throat with hot tea and lemon

1994 Voice cracks during record 63-min. State of the Union, which is followed by a two-week bout of laryngitis

1995 During the year of Newt, Clinton takes a backseat–and his voice, seldom heard, stays the distance

1996 Re-election trail and 12-day Asia trip reduce voice to whisper. Vocal cords examined with fiber-optic probe; given drug to keep stomach acid out of throat

1997 Hoarse again after allergies and marathon-talking efforts in favor of fast-track trading powers

1998 During the year of Lewinsky, Clinton speaks very little. No hoarseness recorded

1999 In September, strains voice during 20-hr. flight from New Zealand making many Hurricane Floyd-related calls; later, voice breaks twice during speech at the U.N.