Bill Clinton: No Class Treating UCLA Class of 2008

With just three days to go before graduation ceremonies, former President Bill Clinton cancelled the commencement speech he was due to give at UCLA this Friday.

His excuse? A "long-running rift between the university and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees," which has meant "Contract talks have sputtered for months."

If they've been sputtering for months, then President Clinton could have cancelled with a great deal more notice, allowing the university time to find a replacement speaker.

Instead, the university's chancellor will speak.

I suspect the cancellation has more to do with the fact that Hillary just left the Presidential race than genuine concern for the union workers.

Now, if it were me, I would have been relieved not to be subjected to one of Bill's narcissitic, meandering speeches on a day meant to celebrate the graduates. But I'm sure at least some of the students will be disappointed they will no longer have the opportunity to see a former President.

And the last-minute cancellation, with a brisk statement from Clinton's office wishing the graduates "the best of luck," was just plain rude.