Sanders, I-Vermont, has been on the Senate floor since 10:30 Friday morning waging a filibuster-style speech to keep the measure from coming to a vote.
If Watergate made it axiomatic that the coverup trumps the crime, the Checkers speech can be regarded as an occasion when a style of exculpation proved more memorable than the substance of an accusation.
True to his style, Mr Mbeki delivered a dreary, technocratic speech that lasted for over two hours, listing the socio-economic achievements of the past decade.
But he gave a good speech that showed he has grown into his role, the gawky stiffness replaced by a more relaxed style that he has thus far kept private.