Former President Bill Clinton apologized last night for reading what he called a severely abbreviated version of his Convention speech, saying that he had planned to read a very educational and interesting nine-hour version but lost his nerve. I dont know what happens to me when I get up in front of a crowd like that, he said. I kind of tighten up and feel the need to rush through things. Mr. Clinton said that the longer version of his speech was packed with good stuff, including a detailed proposal to fix the United States Postal Service, an elaborate discussion of Americas fisheries and waterways, and a complete recitation of the Fleetwood Mac back catalogue. As it was, the shortened version of his speech was interrupted by standing ovations many times, including for his reading of a section of the Manhattan phone book. Mr. Clinton acknowledged that his speech went over well with its intended audience of diehard Democrats, who responded with many congratulatory e-mails and over twenty thousand proposals of marriage. Photograph by J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo. 