That was his sermon, which did double duty as his seduction line for women. He was a tragic figure because his energy and charm were destined to be played out in an arena where conflicting behavior was condemned as hypocrisy. Clinton's is a tragic figure because he is not condemned by the congregation and so must live with hypocrisy in his soul, and in its purest form, as self-deception. Yet both characters truly believe that love is the morning and the evening star. They are no less themselves as preachers than as sinners.
Gantry rails against demon booze from the pulpit, and downs a quart with the boys in the backroom.
Clinton proselytizes for the V chip. Of course, he can't. Or, to put it more generously, he understands that the truth contains lies and that both are confused in love. I feel so powerful and full of love, I'm about to explode. I do explode.