HOSP GETS A LEAN BILL OF HEALTH (there's less of Bill Clinton to love these days)

NY Post ^ | December 24, 2004 | JOE McGURK and BILL HOFFMANN

[No Surrender Monkey]

Bill Clinton showed his doctors yesterday that he knows how to follow orders — stopping by the hospital that diagnosed his heart problem and wowing the crowd with his stunning weight loss. As these photos show, there was a lot less of Bill Clinton on display at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, where the ex-president cut the ribbon on a new cardiac center.

Just four months ago, Clinton flashed his best greasy-burger smile at a Post photographer during an outing to the Central Park Zoo. But yesterday, he was a shadow of his former self, thanks to a strict regimen.

After the heart scare in September — when doctors performed a quadruple bypass after learning that the 42nd president's heart arteries were 90 percent clogged — Clinton was put on a strict diet and ordered to lose weight.

Clinton has credited the South Beach Diet for helping him trim down — but yesterday, he thanked the doctors who saved his life.

"I am a clear beneficiary of quality care," Clinton told the beaming staff.

"I feel deeply indebted to the people here and to the people who do this work around the country."

As he made the rounds to thank cardiac unit director Dr. Anthony Pucillo and his team, Clinton told them how the publicity surrounding his near tragedy had brought increased awareness of heart issues to the public.

"This may have affected more people than anything I did when I was president," he quipped.

[No Surrender Monkey]

Bill's girlfriend could probably use a shot glass of whatever he's got. It ain't just heart disease.

[Gritty]

From the looks of him, it seems the likelihood of p!ssing on Bubba's grave is becoming "sooner" rather than "later" - not that it matters, mind you. I plan on living to do it in either case.

[No Surrender Monkey]

"Ladies and gentlemen, It is my great pleasure to announce the 44th President of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton..."

[No Surrender Monkey]

Should be 43rd, of course, computer glitch.

[ozzymandus]

Gee, he looks like a burned-out old druggie. Wonder why?

[Defiant]

"Hehehe. Silent but deadly".

[momf]

My Goodness, she really does!!!

[libs_kma]

"He looks like he could be Jimmy Carter's twin brother."

I thought the same thing!

[patton]

Pardon my rant, but I really dislike it when people rag on the children of politicians. It is in extremely poor taste.

Say anything bad you wish about the sinkmeister - but leave his kid out of it.

Same goes for the Bush twins.

[fire_eye]

If that happens, there may not BE a 44th.