The front-page story by Harris and Grimaldi quoted Clinton as saying the pardons of Rich and financier Pincus Green were "in the best interests of justice" and that he had "legal and foreign policy reasons" for granting the pardons. The story went on to characterize the former president as "mournful," saying that he implied ongoing political hostility toward him was fueling the criticism. The reporters pointed out that the op-ed piece didn't contain anything Clinton had not already said in brief interviews. They ... referred to the column as one element of a "damage control" campaign launched by Clinton loyalists.