Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "William Jefferson Clinton" - New World

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'''William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton''' (born '''William Jefferson Blythe III''' on August 19 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States. Clinton served five terms as the Governor of Arkansas. His wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is presently in her first term as the junior [[United States]] Senator from New York.
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'''William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton''' (born '''William Jefferson Blythe III'''<ref name="whitehouse.gov bio">[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/bc42.html Biography of William J. Clinton], ''[[The White House]]''</ref> on [[August 19]] [[1946]]) was the 42nd [[President of the United States]], serving from 1993 to 2001. Before his election as President, Clinton served nearly 12&nbsp;years as the 50th and 52nd&nbsp;[[Governor of Arkansas|Governor]] of [[Arkansas]]. His wife, [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]], is the junior [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] from [[New York]], where they both reside. Clinton founded and heads the [[William J. Clinton Foundation]].
  
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Clinton was the first baby boomer president and the first [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] president to be re-elected since [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] in 1944.  Clinton was the third youngest president in history at 46, while Vice President Al Gore was 44. Clinton was one of only two presidents in American history to be impeached. The vote to impeach was along party lines in the Republican-dominated Congress. He was acquitted by a vote of the United States Senate on February 12, 1999. Clinton remained popular with the public throughout his two terms as president, ending his presidential career with a 65% approval rating, the highest end-of-term approval rating of any president in the post-[[Dwight D. Eisenhower|Eisenhower]] era.
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== Early life ==
  
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==Early life==
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'''William Jefferson Blythe III'''<!-- Authoritative birthname. See Talk page for more information. —> was born in [[Hope, Arkansas|Hope]], Arkansas, and raised in [[Hot Springs, Arkansas|Hot Springs]], Arkansas. He was named after his father, [[William Jefferson Blythe, Jr.]], a traveling salesman who died in a car accident three months before he was born.<ref name="whitehouse.gov bio">[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/bc42.html Biography of William J. Clinton], ''[[The White House]]''</ref> His mother, born [[Virginia Clinton Kelley|Virginia Dell Cassidy]] (1923–1994), remarried in 1950 to [[Roger Clinton, Sr.|Roger Clinton]]. Roger Clinton owned an automobile dealership business with his brother, Raymond. The young Billy, as he was called, was raised by his mother and stepfather, assuming his last name "Clinton" throughout elementary school but not formally changing it until he was 14. Clinton grew up in a traditional, albeit blended, family; however, according to Clinton, his stepfather was a gambler and an [[alcoholism|alcoholic]] who regularly abused Clinton's mother and sometimes Clinton's half-brother [[Roger Clinton, Jr.|Roger, Jr.]]
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'''William Jefferson Blythe III''' was born in Hope, Arkansas, and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was named after his father, William Jefferson Blythe, Jr., a traveling salesman who died in a car accident three months before he was born. His mother,Virginia Dell Cassidy, remarried in 1950 to Roger Clinton. Roger Clinton owned an automobile dealership business with his brother, Raymond. The young Bill was raised by his mother and stepfather, assuming his last name "Clinton" throughout elementary school but not formally changing it until he was 14. Clinton grew up in a traditional, albeit blended, family; however, according to Clinton, his stepfather was a gambler and an [[alcoholism|alcoholic]] who regularly abused Clinton's mother and sometimes Clinton's half-brother Roger, Jr.
 
  
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Bill Clinton as a child went to St. John's Catholic School and Ramble Elementary School. While at Hot Springs High School, Clinton was an excellent student and a talented saxophonist. He considered dedicating his life to music, but a visit to the [[White House]] following his election as a Boys Nation Senator led him to pursue a career in politics. Clinton was a member of Youth Order of DeMolay International|DeMolay but never actually became a Freemason.
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Bill Clinton as a child went to St. John's Catholic School and Ramble Elementary School. While at [[Hot Springs High School (Arkansas)|Hot Springs High School]], Clinton was an active student<ref>{{cite web | last = | first =
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  | title =President Bill Clinton's Hometown Homepage | publisher = | url =http://www.hotspringsar.com/info/clinton/ | accessdate =2007-02-01 }}</ref> and [[saxophonist]]. He won first chair in the state band's saxophone section and briefly considered dedicating his life to music, but as he noted in his [[autobiography]] ''[[My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)|My Life]]'':
  
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Clinton received a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., where he became a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, worked for Senator J. William Fulbright, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and won a Rhodes Scholarship to University College, Oxford. While at Oxford, he played rugby union as a lock, and later in life he played for the Little Rock Rugby club in Arkansas. There he also participated in the Vietnam War protest movement. After Oxford, Clinton obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School in 1973. While at Yale, he began dating classmate Hillary Rodham. They married in 1975 and their only child, Chelsea, was born in 1980.
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{{cquote|(&hellip;) Sometime in my sixteenth year I decided I wanted to be in public life as an elected official. I loved music and thought I could be very good, but I knew I would never be John Coltrane or Stan Getz. I was interested in medicine and thought I could be a fine doctor, but I knew I would never be Michael DeBakey. But I knew I could be great in public service.<ref>{{cite book | last =Clinton | first =Bill | title =My Life | publisher = Knopf | date =June 22, 2004 | location = | pages =52 | url = }}</ref>}}
  
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==Arkansas political career==
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Among influential moments of Clinton's life contributing to his decision to become a public figure was visit to the [[White House]] to meet then-President [[John F. Kennedy]] following his election as a [[Boys Nation]] Senator and [[Martin Luther King, Jr.|Martin Luther King]]'s speech ''[[I Have a Dream]]''.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | title =It All Began in a Place Called Hope | publisher = | url =http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OP/html/Hope.html | accessdate =2007-01-02}}</ref> Clinton was a member of Youth Order of [[DeMolay International|DeMolay]] but never actually became a [[Freemasonry|Freemason]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | title =Famous Non-Masons | publisher = | date = | url =http://www.masonicinfo.com/famousnon.htm | accessdate =2006-12-20 }}</ref>
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In 1974, his first year as a University of Arkansas law professor, Clinton ran for the House of Representatives. The incumbent, John Paul Hammerschmidt, defeated Clinton with fifty two percent of the vote. In 1976, Clinton was elected Attorney General of Arkansas without opposition in the general election.
 
  
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In 1978, Bill Clinton was first elected governor of the state of Arkansas, the youngest to be elected governor since 1938. His first term was fraught with difficulties, including an unpopular motor vehicle tax and popular anger over the escape of [[Cuba]]n prisoners from the Mariel boatlift detained in Fort Chaffee in 1980.
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Clinton received a [[Bachelor of Science]] in Foreign Service (B.S.F.S.) degree from the [[Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service]] at [[Georgetown University]] in [[Washington D.C.]], where he became a brother of [[Alpha Phi Omega]], worked for Senator [[J. William Fulbright]], was elected to [[Phi Beta Kappa]] and won a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] to [[University College, Oxford]]. He watched [[Chelsea F.C.]] in the 60's and became a fan.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first =
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  | title =Your Chelsea - Celebs | publisher = | date = | url =http://chelsea2.chelseafc.co.uk/yourchelsea/frame_celebs.htm | accessdate =2006-12-20  }}</ref>  While at Oxford, he played [[rugby union]] as a [[Rugby union positions#4. & 5. Lock|lock]], and later in life he played for the Little Rock Rugby club in Arkansas. There he also participated in the [[Vietnam War]] [[Opposition to the Vietnam War|protest movement]]. After Oxford, Clinton obtained a [[Juris Doctor]] (J.D.) degree from [[Yale Law School]] in 1973. While at Yale, he began dating classmate [[Hillary Rodham Clinton|Hillary Rodham]]. They married in 1975 and their only child, [[Chelsea Clinton|Chelsea]], was born in 1980. Clinton is a member of [[Kappa Kappa Psi]] National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc.
  
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In the 1980 election, Clinton was defeated in his bid for a second term by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] challenger Frank D. White. As he once joked, he was the youngest ex-governor in the nation's history. But in 1982, Clinton won his old job back, and over the next decade he helped Arkansas transform its economy. He became a leading figure among the New Democrats, a branch of the Democratic Party that called for welfare reform, smaller government, and other ideas that reached out to Democrats and Republicans alike.
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== Arkansas political career ==
  
 +
{{Infobox_Governor
 +
|name=Bill Clinton
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|image=
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|caption=
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|order=50<sup>th</sup> & 52<sup>nd</sup>
 +
|office= Governor of Arkansas
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|term_start= January 9, 1979
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|term_end= January 19, 1981<br>January 11, 1983 &ndash; December 12, 1992
 +
|lieutenant= [[Joe Purcell]] <br /> (1979-1981)
 +
[[Winston Bryant]] <br /> (1983-1991) <br />
 +
[[Jim Guy Tucker]] <br /> (1991-1992)
 +
|predecessor= [[Joe Purcell]] (1st)
 +
[[Frank D. White]] (2nd)
 +
|successor= [[Frank D. White]] (1st)
 +
[[Jim Guy Tucker]] (2nd)
 +
|birth_date= [[August 19]], [[1946]]
 +
|birth_place= [[Hope, Arkansas|Hope]], [[Arkansas]]
 +
|death_date=
 +
|death_place=
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|spouse= [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]
 +
|religion=
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|profession= [[Politician]]
 +
|party= [[United States Democratic Party|Democrat]]
 +
|footnotes=
 +
}}
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In 1974, his first year as a [[University of Arkansas]] law professor, Clinton ran for the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. The incumbent, [[John Paul Hammerschmidt]], defeated Clinton with 52% of the vote. In 1976, Clinton was elected [[Attorney General]] of [[Arkansas]] without opposition in the general election.
  
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===Presidential campaign===
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In 1978, Bill Clinton was first elected [[Governor of Arkansas]], the youngest to be elected governor since 1938. His first term was fraught with difficulties, including an unpopular motor vehicle tax and popular anger over the escape of [[Cuba]]n prisoners (from the [[Mariel boatlift]]) detained in [[Fort Chaffee]] in 1980.
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Clinton prepared for a run in 1992 against incumbent President [[George H. W. Bush]]. In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, Bush seemed unbeatable, and several potential Democratic candidates&mdash;notably New York Governor Mario Cuomo and Senator Al Gore&mdash;passed on what seemed to be a lost cause. Clinton won the nomination, beating out Senator Tom Harkin, California Governor Jerry Brown and former Senator Paul Tsongas.  
 
  
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Clinton chose Al Gore from neighboring Tennessee as his running mate, surprising pundits who had expected a geographically balanced ticket.  
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In the 1980 election, Clinton was defeated in his bid for a second term by [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] challenger [[Frank D. White]]. As he once joked, he was the youngest ex-governor in the nation's history. But in 1982, Clinton won his old job back, and over the next decade he helped Arkansas transform its economy. He became a leading figure among the New Democrats, a branch of the Democratic Party that called for welfare reform and smaller government, a policy supported by both Democrats and Republicans alike.
  
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Many character issues were raised during the campaign, including allegations that Clinton had dodged the draft during the Vietnam War, and had used [[marijuana]], which Clinton claimed he had pretended to smoke, but "didn't inhale". Allegations of extramarital affairs and shady business deals also arose. Clinton displayed the resiliency in the face of these partisan attacks that would later be pivotal in his presidency.
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Clinton's approach mollified conservative criticism during his terms as governor. However, personal and business transactions made by the Clintons during this period became the basis of the [[Whitewater scandal|Whitewater]] investigation, which dogged his later presidential Administration. After very extensive investigation over several years, no indictments were made against the Clintons related to the years in Arkansas.
  
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===Presidential election===
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===Campaign for the Democratic Nomination===
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Clinton won the 1992 presidential election against Republican [[George H. W. Bush]] and billionaire populist H. Ross Perot who ran as an independent, on a platform focusing on domestic issues; a large part of his success was Bush's steep decline in public approval. Previously described as "unbeatable" because of his approval ratings in the eighty percent range during the Persian Gulf conflict, Bush saw his public approval rating drop to just over forty percent by election time.
 
  
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Clinton was victorious for several reasons. Polls showed discontent with Bush, with voters complaining he seemed out of touch with ordinary people and focused too much on foreign affairs. By contrast, the younger, telegenic Clinton projected an image as highly sympathetic to the concerns of ordinary families.
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There was some media speculation in 1987 that Clinton would enter the race for [[United States presidential election, 1988|1988]] Democratic presidential nomination after [[Governor of New York|then-New York Governor]] [[Mario Cuomo]] declined to run and Democratic frontrunner [[Gary Hart]] bowed out due to revelations about marital infidelity. Often referred to as the "Boy Governor" at the time because of his youthful appearance, Clinton decided to remain as Arkansas Governor and postpone his presidential ambitions until 1992. Presenting himself as a moderate and a member of the [[New Democrat]] wing of the Democratic Party, he headed the moderate [[Democratic Leadership Council]] in 1990 and 1991.  
  
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Clinton was the first Democrat to serve two full terms as President since [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]]. His election ended an era of Republican rule, including 12 consecutive years in the [[White House]] and 20 of the previous 24 years. That election also brought the Democrats full control of the political branches of the federal government, including both houses of Congress as well as the presidency, for the first time since 1980.
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In 1992, Clinton was the early favorite of [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] insiders and elected officials for the presidential nomination; therefore, he was able to rack up scores of [[superdelegate]]s even before the first nominating contests were conducted. In spite of this, Clinton began his 1992 presidential quest on a sour note by finishing near the back of the pack in the [[Iowa caucus]], which was largely uncontested due to the presence of favorite-son Senator [[Tom Harkin]], who was the easy winner. Clinton’s real trouble, however, began during [[New Hampshire Primary]] campaign, when revelations of a possible extramarital affair with [[Gennifer Flowers]] began to surface. Clinton and his wife Hillary decided to go on [[60 Minutes]] following the [[Super Bowl]] to rebut those charges of infidelity, which had started to take their toll, as Clinton had fallen way behind former [[Massachusetts]] Senator [[Paul Tsongas]] in the New Hampshire polls. In fact, his campaign was beginning to unravel. Their TV appearance was a calculated risk, but it seemed to pay off as Clinton regained some of his lost footing. He still finished second to Tsongas in the New Hampshire Primary, but the media viewed it as a moral victory for Clinton, since he came within single digits of winning after trailing badly in the polls. Clinton shrewdly labeled himself “The Comeback Kid” on election night to help foster this perception and came out of New Hampshire on a roll. Tsongas, on the other hand, picked up little or no momentum from his victory.
  
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==Presidency, 1993-2001==
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Clinton used his new-found momentum to storm through the Southern primaries, including the big prizes of [[Florida]] and [[Texas]], and build up a sizable delegate lead over his opponents in the race for the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination. However, there were still some doubts as to whether he could secure the nomination, as former [[California]] Governor [[Jerry Brown]] was scoring victories in other parts of the country and Clinton had yet to win a significant contest outside of his native South. With no major Southern state remaining on the primary calendar, Clinton set his sights on the delegate-rich New York Primary, which was to be his proving ground. Much to the surprise of some, Clinton scored a resounding victory in [[New York]]. It was a watershed moment for him, as he had finally broken through and shed his image as a regional candidate and as centrist Democrat whose standing with Northern liberals was questionable. Having been transformed into the consensus candidate, he took on an air of inevitability and was able to cruise to the nomination, topping it off with a victory on Brown’s home turf in the California Primary.
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[[Image:Clinton.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Official Presidential Portrait of President Bill Clinton]]
 
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===Domestic policies===
 
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====Economy====
 
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During Clinton's tenure, the U.S. enjoyed continuous economic expansion, reductions in unemployment, and growing wealth through a massive rise in the stock market. The reasons for this growth are debated, but Clinton supporters cite his 1993 tax increase, which they believe assisted in reducing the annual budget deficits every year of his tenure. These deficit reductions stimulated consumption and consumer spending and strengthened the dollar, which encouraged foreign investment in the United States economy. Alan Greenspan supported the 1993 tax increase, which was approved by Congress without a single Republican vote.  
 
  
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[[Image:ClintonGore2.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Clinton and Vice President Gore talk while walking through the Colonnade at the White House.]]
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===Presidential election===
  
 +
Clinton won the [[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992 Presidential election]] (43.0% of the vote) against Republican George H. W. Bush (37.4% of the vote) and billionaire [[Populism|populist]] [[Ross Perot|H. Ross Perot]], who ran as an independent (18.9% of the vote) on a platform focusing on domestic issues; a large part of his success was Bush's steep decline in public approval. Previously described as "unbeatable" because of his approval ratings in the 80% range during the [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf conflict]], Bush saw his public approval rating drop to just over 40% by election time due to a souring economy.
  
 +
Additionally, Bush reneged on his promise ([[Read my lips: no new taxes|"Read My Lips: No New Taxes!"]]) not to raise taxes when he compromised with Democrats in an attempt to lower the Federal deficits. This hurt him among conservatives. Clinton capitalized on Bush's policy switch, repeatedly condemning the President for making a promise he failed to keep. 
  
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====Healthcare reform====
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Finally, Bush's party base was in disarray. Conservatives had previously been united by anti-[[communism]], but with the end of the [[Cold War]], new issues would have to emerge. The [[1992 Republican National Convention]] was perceived by some moderate voters to have been usurped by religious conservatives, and did not inspire them.<ref>{{cite web| last = Le Beau| first = Bryan| authorlink =| coauthors =| title = The Political Mobilization of the New Christian Right| work = | publisher = [[Creighton University]]| date =| url = http://are.as.wvu.edu/lebeau1.htm| format =| doi =| accessdate = 2006-12-01 }}</ref> All this worked in Clinton's favor. Clinton could point to his moderate, 'New Democrat' record as governor of Arkansas. Liberal Democrats were impressed by Clinton's academic credentials, his 1960s-era protest record, and support for social causes such as women's abortion issues. Many Democrats who had supported [[Ronald Reagan]] and Bush in previous elections switched their allegiance to the more moderate Clinton.
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The most important item on Clinton's legislative agenda was [[Clinton health care plan|a health care reform plan]], the result of a taskforce headed by [[Hillary Clinton]], aimed at achieving universal coverage via a national healthcare plan. Though initially well-received in political circles, it was ultimately doomed by well-organized opposition from conservatives, the [[American Medical Association]], and the health insurance industry. Despite his party holding a majority in the House and Senate, the effort to create a national healthcare system ultimately died under heavy public pressure. It was the first major legislative defeat of Clinton's presidency.
 
  
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Two months later, after two years of Democratic party control under Clinton's leadership, the [[U.S. House election, 1994|mid-term elections in 1994]] proved disastrous for the Democrats. They lost control of both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years.
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His election ended an era of Republican rule of the [[White House]] for the previous 12 years, and 20 of the previous 24 years. That election also brought the Democrats full control of both branches of Congress.  Clinton would be the first president to enjoy this privilege since Jimmy Carter in the late 1970's.
  
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The spotlight shifted to the [[Contract with America]] spearheaded by [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] [[Newt Gingrich]]. This initiative presented a blanket of traditional Republican proposals, plus several anti-corruption measures. Without a friendly legislative body, Clinton shifted from pushing new policy to blocking the Republican (GOP) agenda.
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==Presidency, 1993-2001==
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{{main|Clinton Administration|Foreign policy of the Clinton Administration}}
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====Budgetary issues====
 
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[[Image:Bill Clinton visit to Los Alamos.jpg|thumb|right|Clinton visiting the [[Los Alamos National Laboratory]], 1998. Source http://www.lanl.gov/history/people/images/President%20Clinton%20L.jpg]]
 
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In August 1993, Clinton had signed the [[Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993]] which passed Congress without a single Republican vote. It significantly raised taxes on the top 2% of taxpayers without providing middle class tax cuts as he promised during the campaign. Additionally, it mandated that the budget be balanced over several years, and put spending restraints in place. The Republicans objected vociferously, claiming that it would wreck the economy. In November of 1994, the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives. They were upset at being forced into spending cuts by the bill, but they could not ignore it without appearing to be softer on deficit spending than the Democrats.
 
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In 1996, the GOP passed a budget with significant spending cuts, thinking that Clinton could either sign the bill (a major political defeat) or veto it (resulting in a shutdown of most government services). GOP leaders believed that their recently energized supporters would stand with them, while the shutdown would be blamed on Clinton's veto of the spending bills. Clinton instead vetoed the bills and staged a media blitz, rallying his constituencies to blame the shutdown on the Republicans. The public agreed with Clinton's interpretation of the situation, and the Republicans suffered a major political defeat. The perception that the congressional Republicans were dangerous radicals stayed with the public for the remainder of the Clinton presidency, and Clinton repeatedly made skillful use of this perception to pass his initiatives while blocking any Republican agendas.
 
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====Welfare reform====
 
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The welfare system, unpopular with middle-class voters, was a major target of the Republicans. However, rather than present the programs as inefficient, bureaucratic and expensive, as they had (unsuccessfully) done in the past, their new tactic was to focus on the success of welfare in its stated goal: fighting poverty. In this they were more successful. Using statistics often compiled by welfare advocates to demand more spending, they pointed to a widening gap between rich and poor and the emergence of a dependent welfare "underclass." Under their proposed [[welfare reform]], individuals could not receive benefits for more than five years. States, meanwhile, would receive "block grants" of federal funds that they would be free to spend on anti-poverty initiatives as they wished, rather than according to federal rules. This amounted to a major shift in welfare policy, and it was contested by Democrats. Clinton, however, supported the plan (to the fury and astonishment of even some members of his Cabinet) when it was presented to him the third time, just before election time. In his 1996 State of the Union speech, taking a cue from Republicans, Clinton promised to "end welfare as we know it". He later signed the [[Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act]] of 1996.
 
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This proved to be a major political victory, and a vindication of his strategy of "triangulation." With the welfare reform system, Clinton was presented as a fair-minded, mainstream moderate.
 
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====Other initiatives====
 
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Shortly after taking office, Clinton fulfilled a campaign promise by signing the [[Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993]], which required large employers to allow their employees to take unpaid leave because of pregnancy or serious medical condition.
 
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Clinton signed into law the [[Brady Bill]], which imposes a five-day waiting period on handgun purchases so that background checks can be done to help keep handguns away from criminals. President Clinton expanded the [[Earned Income Tax Credit]], which benefits [[working class]] families with dependent children.
 
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===1996 presidential election===
 
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In the [[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996 presidential election]] a few months later, Clinton was re-elected, receiving 49.2% of the popular vote over Republican [[Bob Dole]] (40.7% of the popular vote) and [[Reform Party USA|Reform]] candidate [[Ross Perot]] (8.4% of the popular vote). The Republicans lost a few seats in the House and gained a few in the Senate but overall retained control of the Congress.  Although he did not win a clear majority of the popular vote, Clinton received over 70% of the electoral college vote. 
 
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===Foreign policies===
 
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====Free trade====
 
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In 1993, Clinton supported the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA) for ratification by the U.S. Senate. Despite being negotiated by his Republican predecessor, Clinton (along with most of his Democratic Leadership Committee allies) strongly supported free trade measures. Though the measure was opposed by some anti-trade Republicans, most of the opposition came from protectionist Democrats and supporters of Ross Perot. Ultimately, the treaty was ratified, which was a major legislative victory.
 
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The Clinton Administration used the [[WTO]] [[Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights]] thirteen times
 
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and prevailed in the WTO thirteen times.<ref>[http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2005/07/20050725_b_main.asp Policing Intellectual Property Across Borders] - audio 12:40-16:30, [[WBUR]] [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[NPR]] news, aired July 25, 2005</ref>
 
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[[Image:Clinton_Blair.jpg|thumb|right|Clinton embraces British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]].]]
 
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[[Image:Clinton and jiang.jpg|right|thumb|[[Jiang Zemin]] and Bill Clinton.]]
 
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[[Image:Clinton Yeltsin sax.jpg|thumb|right|Clinton plays the saxophone presented to him by Russian President [[Boris Yeltsin]] at a private dinner in Russia, January 13, 1994]]
 
  
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====Use of military force====
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===Significant events of the first term===
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Clinton deployed the U.S. military several times under his Presidency. In 1993, U.S. troops, initially deployed to [[Somalia]] by the Bush Administration, fought the [[Battle of Mogadishu]] which attempted to capture local warlord [[Mohamed Farrah Aidid]]. The U.S. withdrew troops after suffering 19 deaths and 73 wounded at the hands of Somalia militia. This militia was later proved to have been trained by the [[Al Qaeda]] terrorist network.  
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{| cellpadding="1" cellspacing="2" style="float: left; margin:1em 1em 1em 0; border:1px solid #000000;font-size:85%;" align="left"
 +
!bgcolor="#dcdcdc" colspan="3"|The Clinton Cabinet
 +
|-
 +
|align="left"|'''OFFICE'''||align="left"|'''NAME'''||align="left"|'''TERM'''
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3" |
 +
|-
 +
|[[President of the United States|President]]||'''Bill Clinton'''||1993-2001
 +
|-
 +
|[[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]]||'''[[Al Gore]]'''||1993-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|[[United States Secretary of State|State]]||'''[[Warren M. Christopher]]'''||1993-1997
 +
|-
 +
| ||'''[[Madeleine K. Albright]]'''||1997-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan=3 valign=top | [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Treasury]]||'''[[Lloyd Bentsen]]'''||1993-1994
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Robert E. Rubin]]'''||1995-1999
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Lawrence H. Summers]]'''||1999-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan=3 valign=top |[[United States Secretary of Defense|Defense]]||'''[[Les Aspin]]'''||1993-1994
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[William J. Perry]]'''||1994-1997
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[William S. Cohen]]'''||1997-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|[[Attorney General of the United States|Justice]]||'''[[Janet Reno]]'''||1993-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|[[United States Secretary of the Interior|Interior]]||'''[[Bruce Babbitt]]'''||1993-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan=2 valign=top |[[United States Secretary of Agriculture|Agriculture]]||'''[[Mike Espy]]'''||1993-1994
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Daniel R. Glickman]]'''||1994-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan=4 valign=top |[[United States Secretary of Commerce|Commerce]]||'''[[Ronald H. Brown]]'''||1993-1996
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Mickey Kantor]]'''||1996-1997
 +
|-
 +
| '''[[William M. Daley]]'''||1997-2000
 +
|-
 +
| '''[[Norman Y. Mineta]]'''||2000-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan=2 valign=top | [[United States Secretary of Labor|Labor]]||'''[[Robert B. Reich]]'''||1993-1997
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|-
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| '''[[Alexis M. Herman]]'''||1997-2001
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|-
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!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|[[United States Secretary of Health and Human Services|Health and<br>Human Services]]||'''[[Donna E. Shalala]]'''||1993-2001
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|-
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!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|[[United States Secretary of Education|Education]]||'''[[Richard Riley]]'''||1993-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan=2 valign=top |[[United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development|Housing and<br>Urban Development]]||'''[[Henry G. Cisneros]]'''||1993-1997
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Andrew Cuomo]]'''||1997-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|Rowspan=2 valign=top |[[United States Secretary of Transportation|Transportation]]||'''[[Federico F. Peña]]'''||1993-1997
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Rodney E. Slater]]'''||1997-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan=3 valign=top |[[United States Secretary of Energy|Energy]]||'''[[Hazel O'Leary]]'''||1993-1997
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Federico F. Peña]]'''||1997-1998
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Bill Richardson (politician)|Bill Richardson]]'''||1998-2001
 +
|-
 +
!bgcolor="#D1D1D1" colspan="3"|
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan=2 valign=top |[[United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Veterans Affairs]]||'''[[Jesse Brown]]'''||1993-1997
 +
|-
 +
|'''[[Togo D. West, Jr.]]'''||1998-2000
 +
|}
 +
</div>
 +
Shortly after taking office, Clinton signed the [[Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993]], which required large employers to allow their employees to take unpaid leave because of pregnancy or serious medical condition. While this action was popular, Clinton's attempt to fulfill another campaign promise of allowing openly [[homosexuality|gay men and lesbians]] serving in the armed forces was the subject of criticism.  His handling of the issue garnered criticism from both the left (for being too tentative in promoting [[gay rights]]) and the right (for being too insensitive to military life). After much debate, the Congress - which has sole power under the U.S. Constitution to regulate the armed forces - implemented the "[[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]]" policy, stating that homosexual men and women may serve in the military as long as their sexuality is kept secret. By 1999, Clinton said he didn't "think any serious person could say" that the way the policy was being implemented was not "out of whack".<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/1999/ALLPOLITICS/stories/12/11/clinton.gays.military/index.html President seeks better implementation of 'don't ask, don't tell'] - [[CNN]], [[1999-12-11]] </ref> Some gay rights advocates criticized Clinton for not going far enough and accused him of making his campaign promise simply to get votes and contributions.<ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1316/is_n11_v28/ai_18855826 Stranger Among Friends. - book reviews] - John Cloud, ''[[Washington Monthly]]'', November 1996</ref><ref>[http://www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu/PressClips/03_0110_WashingtonBladeEd.htm Washington Blade Editorial: Bush Has Mandate to Let Gays Serve] - Kevin Naff, [[Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military]], [[2003-01-10]]</ref> These advocates felt Clinton should have integrated the military by executive order, noting that President [[Harry Truman]] ended segregation of the armed forces in that manner. Clinton's defenders argued that an executive order might have prompted the then-Democrat-controlled Senate to write the exclusion of gays into law, potentially making it even harder to integrate the military in the future.
  
−
In 1994, Clinton sent U.S. troops into [[Haiti]] to restore [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] as president, ending a period of intense violence. Aristide, who had been elected, had been ousted in a coup just seven months into his term in 1991. Aristide was a socialist who had often spoke against America. He continued with his anti-American rhetoric even after he was reinstated as the Haitian leader by American troops.<ref>{{cite book
+
Critics, however, said that the issue was one that should be experimented on in society as a whole, not in the military. The military's goal was not to be a "social Petri dish," but to defend the nation.<ref>{{cite book
 
  | last = Patterson
 
  | last = Patterson
 
  | first = Robert, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret)
 
  | first = Robert, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret)
Line 110: Line 199:
 
  | publisher = Regnery Publishing Company
 
  | publisher = Regnery Publishing Company
 
  | location = Washington, DC
 
  | location = Washington, DC
−
  | id = ISBN 0895261405
+
  | id = ISBN 0-89526-140-5
−
  | pages = 118-119
+
  | pages = 101
−
}}</ref> Clinton also committed troops twice in the former-[[Yugoslavia]] to stop ethnic violence, most notably in [[Kosovo War|Kosovo]]. In addition, Clinton launched military strikes on [[Iraq]] several times to punish violations of [[United Nations]] sanctions.  
+
}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
Clinton promoted another controversial issue during this period: one regarding free trade. In 1993, Clinton supported the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] for ratification by the U.S. Senate. Despite being negotiated by his Republican predecessor, Clinton (along with most of his Democratic Leadership Committee allies) strongly supported free trade measures. Opposition came from anti-trade Republicans, protectionist Democrats and supporters of Ross Perot. Ultimately, the treaty was ratified.
 +
 +
Clinton signed the [[Brady Bill]], which imposed a five-day waiting period on handgun purchases. He also expanded the [[Earned Income Tax Credit]], which benefits [[working class]] families with dependent children.
 +
 
 +
One of the most prominent items on Clinton's legislative agenda, however, was [[Clinton health care plan|a health care reform plan]], the result of a taskforce headed by [[Hillary Clinton]], aimed at achieving universal coverage via a national healthcare plan. Though initially well-received in political circles, it was ultimately doomed by well-organized opposition from conservatives, the [[American Medical Association]], and the health insurance industry. Despite his party holding a majority in the House and Senate, the effort to create a national healthcare system ultimately died under heavy public pressure. It was the first major legislative defeat of Clinton's administration.
 +
 
 +
Two months later, after two years of Democratic Party control under Clinton's leadership, the [[U.S. House election, 1994|mid-term elections in 1994]] proved disastrous for the Democrats. This was the first time the Democratic Party had lost control of both houses of Congress in 40 years
  
−
In November 1995, Clinton committed troops to the [[Balkans]], saying the mission would be “precisely defined with clear realistic goals” that could be achieved in a “definite period of time". Clinton assured Americans the mission would take about one year. In October 1996, shortly before Clinton's reelection, the Clinton Administration denied any change in the plans to withdraw troops in December 1996. However, shortly after reelection, Clinton announced troops would stay longer. Troops ultimately stayed in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] for nine years.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,176728,00.html Should Congress Investigate Misleading Prewar Intelligence?] - Timothy Lynch, [[FOX]], November 25, 2005</ref>
+
In August of 1993, Clinton signed the [[Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993]], which passed Congress without a single Republican vote. It raised taxes on the wealthiest 1.2% of taxpayers, while cutting taxes on 15 million low-income families and making tax cuts available to 90 percent of small businesses.<ref>[http://www.clintonfoundation.org/legacy/080393-presidential-press-conference-in-nevada.htm Presidential Press Conference - 08/03/1993]</ref> Additionally, it mandated that the budget be balanced over a number of years, and  the implementation of spending restraints.
  
−
On February 17 1998, Clinton gave a speech signaling the danger of rogue nations providing weapons of mass destruction to terrorist organizations with global reach. Clinton specifically pointed to Saddam Hussein's Iraq.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/02/17/transcripts/clinton.iraq/ Text Of Clinton Statement On Iraq] - transcript of Clinton speech on February 18, 1998, retrieved from [[CNN]], February 25, 2006</ref> In August 1998, UN weapons inspectors left Iraq, leading to [[Operation Desert Fox]] in December.
+
===Significant events of the second term===
 +
[[Image:ClintonAdmin.jpg|center|300px|right|thumb|President Clinton's Cabinet, circa 1993]]
 +
In the [[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996 presidential election]] a few months later, Clinton was re-elected, receiving 49.2% of the popular vote over Republican [[Bob Dole]] (40.7% of the popular vote) and [[Reform Party USA|Reform]] candidate [[Ross Perot]] (8.4% of the popular vote), becoming the first Democrat to win reelection to the presidency since Franklin Roosevelt. The Republicans lost a few seats in the House and gained a few in the Senate, but overall retained control of the Congress.  Although he did not win a clear majority of the popular vote, Clinton received over 70% of the [[United States Electoral College|Electoral College]] vote.
  
−
Some critics argue that the Clinton Administration's attacks in [[Kosovo War#Criticism of the Case for War|Kosovo]], [[Serbia]], Somalia, Bosnia, Sudan, and Afghanistan violated international law. The action was never sanctioned by the U.N. and strongly opposed by Russia and China. <ref>[http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/International_War_Crimes/ClintonWarCriminal_Herman.html Clinton Is The World’s Leading Active War Criminal] - Edward S. Herman, [[Z Magazine]], December 1999 </ref><ref>[http://agitprop.org.au/stopnato/19990607clintoncriminal.php The other war criminal -- Bill Clinton] - Alexander Cockburn, [[San Jose Mercury]], June 3, 1999</ref><ref>[http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=14713 Clinton's dirty little war] - Joseph Farah, WorldNetDaily, April 5, 1999</ref>
+
Throughout 1998, there was a controversy over Clinton's relationship with a young White House intern, [[Monica Lewinsky]]. Clinton initially denied the affair while testifying in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit.  The opposing lawyers asked the president about it during his deposition.  He stated "I have never had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. I've never had an affair with her." Four days later he also said, "There is not a sexual relationship, an improper sexual relationship, or any other kind of improper relationship."[http://www.thewashingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/clinton081898.htm]
  
−
Clinton identified his major foreign policy failure as lack of response to the 1994 [[genocide]] in [[Rwanda]]. Along with the United Nations, the Clinton Administration initially did not publicly acknowledge that genocide was occurring. This delayed the mandatory response to the crisis which eventually killed one million people.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/04/06/rwanda.amanpour/ Amanpour: Looking back at Rwanda genocide] - Christiane Amanpour, [[CNN]], April 6,2004</ref> A report from the Organization for African Unity singled out the United Nations, [[Belgium]], [[France]] and the United States for condemnation.<ref>[http://www.alternet.org/story/9494/ Clinton Allowed Genocide, New Report Says] - David Corn, [[AlterNet]], July 25, 2000</ref> In 1998, Clinton went to Africa where he said he "did not fully appreciate the depth and speed with which you were being engulfed by this unimaginable terror."<ref name=RwandaLying>[http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames?bid=3&pid=1353 Lying About Rwanda's Genocide] - David Corn, [[The Nation]], April 2, 2004</ref> A report from the [[National Security Archive]] showed that the Clinton Administration had collected considerable amounts of information during the crisis and it was passed up to policymakers.<ref name=RwandaLying /> In 2005, the former President apologized for his "personal failure" to stop the genocide.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/07/23/clinton-rwanda050723.html Clinton acknowledges he failed to stop Rwandan massacre] [[CBC News]] - - July 23, 2005</ref>
+
Clinton then appeared on national television on [[January 26]] and stated: "Listen to me, I'm going to say this again. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."  However, after it was revealed that investigators had obtained a semen-stained dress as well as testimony from Lewinsky, Clinton changed tactics and admitted that an improper relationship with Lewinsky had taken place: "Indeed I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible."
−
However, the U.S. deployed 2,300 troops to Rwanda in an attempt to stop the genocide. The troops were withdrawn two months afterwards.
 
−
<ref>{{cite book
 
−
| last = Patterson
 
−
| first = Robert, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret)
 
−
| title = Dereliction of Duty: The Eyewitness Account of How Bill Clinton Endangered America's Long-Term National Security
 
−
| year = 2003
 
−
| publisher = Regnery Publishing Company
 
−
| location = Washington, DC
 
−
| id = ISBN 0895261405
 
−
| pages = 117
 
−
}}</ref>
 
  
−
====North Korea====
+
Faced with overwhelming evidence, he apologized to the nation, agreed to pay a $25,000 court fine, settled his sexual harassment lawsuit with [[Paula Jones]] for $850,000 and was temporarily disbarred, for a period of five years, from practicing law in Arkansas and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was not tried for perjury in a court. However, he did admit to "testifying falsely" in a carefully worded statement as part of a deal to avoid indictment for perjury.
−
In 1994, Jimmy Carter negotiated and Clinton signed the Nuclear Accords with [[North Korea]]. The underlying concern was that North Korea was developing [[nuclear weapon]]s technology under the guise of a nuclear power plant. In exchange for assistance with energy needs, North Korea agreed to abandon all ambitions for acquiring nuclear weapons. However, by the mid 1990s defectors from North Korea, along with reports from the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA), indicated that North Korea was violating both the Nuclear Accords and the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]]. In December 2002, North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors from its Yongbyon nuclear facility, and announced (privately in 2003 and publicly in 2005) that they possessed nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Accords with North Korea were a complete failure.
 
  
−
====World Trade Center bombing and other terrorist attacks ====
+
In a [[lame duck]] session after the 1998 elections, the Republican-controlled House voted to impeach Clinton. The next year, the Senate voted to acquit Clinton, and he remained in office.
−
In 1993, Al-Qaeda began to emerge as a major terrorist threat with the [[World Trade Center Bombing|bombing of the World Trade Center]]. Four followers of the Egyptian cleric Sheik [[Omar Abdel Rahman]] were captured, convicted in March 1994, and sentenced to 240 years in prison each. The purported mastermind of the plot, [[Ramzi Ahmed Yousef]], was captured in 1995, convicted of the bombing in November 1997, and also sentenced to 240 years in prison. One additional suspect fled the U.S. and is believed to be living in [[Baghdad]].  
 
  
−
In 1998, the group [[1998 U.S. embassy bombings|bombed]] the American embassies in [[Tanzania]] and [[Kenya]]. In retaliation, Clinton ordered [[Operation Infinite Reach]], which involved [[cruise missile]] strikes on terrorist camps in [[Kandahar]], [[Afghanistan]], and a suspected chemical weapons facility in [[Khartoum]], [[Sudan]], that was believed to be tied to [[Osama bin Laden]],<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/US/9808/20/us.strikes.01/ U.S. missiles pound targets in Afghanistan, Sudan] - [[CNN]], August 20, 1998</ref> and later turned out to be a pharmeceutical factory. Clinton also gave orders authorizing the arrest or, if need be, assassination of bin Laden.  
+
In the closing year of his Administration, Clinton attempted to address the [[Arab-Israeli conflict]]. After initial successes such as the Oslo accords of the early 90's, the situation had quietly deteriorated, breaking down completely with the start of the [[Second Intifada]]. Clinton brought Israeli Prime Minister [[Ehud Barak]] and Palestinian Authority Chairman [[Yasser Arafat]] together at [[Camp David]]. However, these negotiations proved unsuccessful.  
  
−
On October 12, 2000, two suicide bombers detonated an explosives-laden skiff next to the [[USS Cole bombing|USS Cole]]. The [[Navy]] completed its investigation of the incident on January 19, 2001, and a [[Yemeni]] judge sentenced [[Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri]] and [[Jamal al-Badawi]] to death for their roles in the bombing on September 29, 2004.  
+
Clinton remained popular with the public throughout his two terms as President, ending his presidential career with a 65% approval rating, the highest end-of-term approval rating of any President since [[Eisenhower]].<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/DailyNews/poll_clintonlegacy010117.html Historical Presidential Approval Ratings], [[abcnews.go.com]], accessed [[February 27]], [[2006]]</ref> In addition to his political skills, Clinton also benefited from a boom of the US economy. Under Clinton, the United States had a projected federal budget surplus for the first time since 1969.<ref>http://www.cbo.gov/budget/historical.pdf</ref>
  
−
In 2004, Clinton said he regarded Al-Qaeda as the foremost threat to national security.<ref> [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/20/politics/20PANE.html?hp=&pagewanted=print&position= Clinton Aides Plan to Tell Panel of Warning Bush Team on Qaeda] - Philip Shenon, ''[[New York Times]]'', March 20, 2004 ([http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0320-07.htm Alternative copy], no registration required) </ref> In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the independent investigating commission was critical of Clinton for focusing more on diplomatic than military means to eliminate the bin Laden threat.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18972-2004Mar23.html 9/11 Panel Critical of Clinton, Bush] - Dan Eggen and John Mintz, ''[[Washington Post]]'', March 24, 2004</ref>
+
===Legislation and programs===
 +
{{col-begin}}
 +
{{col-2}}
  
−
====Arab-Israeli conflict====
+
'''Major legislation signed'''
−
[[Image:Rabin at peace talks.jpg|frame|[[Yitzhak Rabin]], Clinton, and [[Yasser Arafat]] during the [[Oslo Accords]] on September 13, 1993. This famous handshake proved mostly symbolic.]]
+
*[[1993-02-05]] - [[FMLA|The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993]]
−
After his presidency, Clinton identified his proudest foreign policy accomplishments as mediating peace talks between [[Israel]] and the [[Palestinian Liberation Organization]], resulting in the [[Oslo Accords]] (1993). Subsequent events, including the collapse of the [[2000 Camp David Summit]] and the commencement of the [[al-Aqsa Intifada]], resulted in the Oslo Accords being widely discredited within Israel and in various Palestinian factions by 2004.
+
*[[1993-08-10]] - [[Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993]] - Raised income tax rates; [[income tax]], top rate: 39.6%; [[corporate tax]]: 35%
 +
*[[1993-09-21]] - creation of the [[AmeriCorps]] volunteer program
 +
*[[1993-11-30]] - [[Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act|Brady Bill]]
 +
*[[1994-09-13]] - [[Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act]], part of an omnibus crime bill, the federal [[capital punishment|death penalty]] was expanded to some 60 different [[offense]]s (see [[Federal assault weapons ban]])
 +
*[[1996-02-01]] - [[Communications Decency Act]]
 +
*[[1996-02-08]] - [[Telecom Reform Act]]: eliminated major ownership restrictions for radio and television groups.
 +
*[[1996-02-26]] - Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, a [[welfare reform]] bill
 +
*[[1996-03-14]] - authorized $100 million [[counter-terrorism]] agreement with [[Israel]] to track down and root out [[terrorism|terrorists]].
 +
*[[1996-04-09]] - [[Line Item Veto Act of 1996|Line Item Veto Act]]
 +
*[[1996-04-24]] - [[Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act]]
 +
*[[1996-08-20]] - [[Minimum wage]] Increase Act
 +
*[[1996-09-21]] - [[Defense of Marriage Act]], allowed states to refuse recognition of certain [[same-sex marriage]]s, and defined marriage as between a male and female for purposes of federal law
 +
*[[1997-08-05]] - [[Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997]]
 +
*[[1998-10-28]] - [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]
 +
*[[1998-10-31]] - [[Iraq Liberation Act]]
 +
{{col-2}}
  
−
After initial successes such as the Oslo accords, the situation had quietly deteriorated, breaking down completely with the start of the [[Second Intifada]]. Clinton brought Israeli Prime Minister [[Ehud Barak]] and Palestinian Authority Chairman [[Yasser Arafat]] together at [[Camp David]]. However, these negotiations proved unsuccessful. Critics charged Clinton with trying to "shoot the moon" to benefit his historical legacy, but instead making the situation worse with a botched negotiation. Supporters consider Clinton to have attempted to address new tensions from the recent outbreak of violence at its root causes, and that Clinton can hardly be blamed for a decades-old conflict. Some further argue that the perception that Arafat walked away from an offer that supposedly contained all of his previously stated demands enabled the US to pursue a more pro-Israel policy in later years.
+
'''Major legislation vetoed'''
 +
*[[United States budget process|national budget]]
 +
*H.R. 1833, [[partial birth abortion]] ban
 +
*Twice vetoed [[welfare reform]] before signing
 +
*the [[Private Securities Litigation Reform Act]]. [[Congress]] overrode the veto, however, to enact the bill into law.
  
−
===Supreme Court appointments===
+
'''Proposals not passed by Congress'''
−
Clinton appointed the following justices to the Supreme Court:
+
*[[Clinton health care plan|Health care reform]]
−
*Ruth Bader Ginsburg - 1993, making Clinton the first Democratic President to appoint a female Supreme Court justice.
+
*[[Campaign finance reform]] (1993)
−
*Stephen Breyer - 1994
 
  
−
==Investigation and impeachment==
+
====Initiatives====
−
===Monica Lewinsky===
+
*Tried to get [[Ehud Barak]] of [[Israel]] and [[Yasser Arafat]] of the [[Palestinian National Authority]], to agree to a final [[Israeli-Palestinian conflict|settlement agreement]].
−
Throughout 1998, there was a controversy over Clinton's relationship with [[White House]] intern Monica Lewinsky.  Clinton initially denied the affair, stating "I have never had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. I've never had an affair with her." Four days later he also said, "There is not a sexual relationship, an improper sexual relationship, or any other kind of improper relationship."[http://www.thewashingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/clinton081898.htm]
+
*Initiated the [[Don't ask, don't tell]] policy toward [[gay]]s in the military, 1993.
 +
*Reversed a ban on senior [[Sinn Féin]] politicians entering the U.S.
 +
*Proposed a national challenge to end the racial divide in America, the [[One America Initiative]].
 +
*[[Extraordinary rendition]] got approval for the first time in the USA from the Clinton administration.
 +
{{col-end}}
  
−
Clinton then appeared on national television on January 26 and stated: "Listen to me, I'm going to say this again. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."  However, after it was revealed that investigators had obtained evidence as well as testimony from Lewinsky. Clinton then changed tactics and admitted that an improper relationship with Lewinsky had taken place: "Indeed I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible."
+
===Supreme Court appointments===
 +
Clinton appointed the following justices to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]]:
 +
*[[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]] - 1993, making Clinton the first Democratic president to appoint a female Supreme Court justice.
 +
*[[Stephen Breyer]] - 1994
  
−
He apologized to the nation, agreed to pay a $25,000 court fine, settled his sexual harassment lawsuit with Paula Jones for $850,000 and was temporarily disbarred from practicing law in Arkansas and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was not tried for nor found guilty of perjury in a court, though he did admit to "testifying falsely" in a deal to avoid indictment for perjury.
+
== Investigation and impeachment ==
 +
===The Lewinsky scandal===
  
−
===Impeachment in the House===
+
{{main|Lewinsky scandal}}
−
As a result of allegations that he had lied during grand jury testimony regarding his relationship with Lewinsky, Clinton was the second U.S. President to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The House held no serious impeachment hearings before the 1998 mid-term elections: Republican candidates rarely mentioned the issue of impeachment, but Democrats generally came out strongly against impeachment. In spite of the allegations against the President, his party picked up seats in the Congress. The Republican leadership called a lame duck session in December 1998 to hastily hold impeachment proceedings.  
+
In 1998, as a result of allegations that he had lied during grand jury testimony regarding his sexual relationship with [[Monica Lewinsky]], a young female White House intern, Clinton was the second U.S. president to be [[impeached]] by the House of Representatives (the other being [[Andrew Johnson]]). The House held no serious impeachment hearings before the 1998 mid-term elections: Republican candidates rarely mentioned the issue of impeachment, but Democrats generally came out strongly against impeachment. In spite of the allegations against the President, his party picked up a few seats in the Congress. The Republican leadership called a [[lame duck]] session in December 1998 to hold impeachment proceedings.  
  
−
Although the House Judiciary Committee hearings were perfunctory and ended in a straight party line vote, the debate on the floor of the House was lively. The two charges which were narrowly passed by the House were for perjury and obstruction of justice. The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony about his relationship with Lewinsky. The obstruction charge was based on his actions during the subsequent investigation of that testimony. Two other charges were voted down.
+
Although the [[House Judiciary Committee]] hearings were perfunctory and ended in a straight party line vote, the debate on the Floor of the House was lively. The two charges that were passed in the House (largely on the basis of Republican support but with a handful of Democratic votes as well) were for [[perjury]] and [[obstruction of justice]]. The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony about his relationship to [[Monica Lewinsky]] during a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by former Arkansas-state employee [[Paula Jones]]. The obstruction charge was based on his actions during the subsequent investigation of that testimony.
  
 
===Impeachment trial in the Senate===
 
===Impeachment trial in the Senate===
−
The Senate refused to convene to hold an impeachment trial before the end of the old term, so the trial was held over until the next Congress.
 
  
−
On February 12, 1999, the Senate concluded a 21-day trial with the vote on both counts falling short of the Constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority to convict and remove an office holder. The final vote was generally along party lines, with all of the votes to convict being cast by Republicans. On the perjury charge, 55 senators voted to acquit, including 10 Republicans, and 45 voted to convict; on the obstruction charge the Senate voted 50-50.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/02/12/impeachment/ Clinton acquitted; president apologizes again] - [[CNN]], February 12, 1999</ref> Clinton, like the only other President to be impeached, [[Andrew Johnson]], served the remainder of his term.
+
{{main|Impeachment of Bill Clinton}}
  
−
===Contempt of court citation===
+
The Senate refused to convene to hold an impeachment trial before the end of the old term, so the trial was held over until the next Congress. Clinton was represented by Washington powerhouse law firm [[Williams & Connolly]].
−
In April 1999, Clinton was cited by [[Federal District Judge]] [[Susan Webber Wright]] for civil [[contempt of court]] for his "willful failure" to obey her repeated [[court order|orders]] to [[testify]] truthfully in the Paula Jones [[sexual harassment]] [[lawsuit]]. For this citation, Clinton was assessed a $90,000 [[fine]], and the matter was referred to the [[Arkansas Supreme Court]] to see if disciplinary action would be appropriate.[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/04/12/clinton.contempt/]
 
  
−
Regarding Clinton's January 17, 1998, [[deposition]] where he was placed under oath, the judge wrote:
+
On [[February 12]], the Senate concluded a 21-day trial with the vote on both counts falling short of the Constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority to convict and remove an office holder. The final vote was generally along party lines, with all of the votes to convict being cast by Republicans. On the perjury charge 55 senators voted to acquit, including 10 Republicans, and 45 voted to convict; on the obstruction charge the Senate voted 50-50.<ref>{{cite news | title =Clinton acquitted; president apologizes again | publisher =CNN | date =February 12, 1999 | url =http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/02/12/impeachment/ | accessdate =2006-12-21 }}</ref> Clinton, like the only other president to be impeached, [[Andrew Johnson]], served the remainder of his term.
  
−
<blockquote>"Simply put, the president's deposition testimony  regarding whether he had ever been alone with Ms. (Monica) Lewinsky was intentionally false and his statements regarding whether he had ever engaged in sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky likewise were intentionally false . . ." [http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/04/12/clinton.contempt/]</blockquote>
+
In a separate case, Clinton was disbarred from his Arkansas law license for five years and ordered to pay $25,000 in fines to that state's bar officials.<ref>{{cite news | title =Clinton to contest Supreme Court suspension | publisher =CNN | date =October 2, 2001 | url =http://archives.cnn.com/2001/LAW/10/01/scotus.clinton/ | accessdate =2006-12-21 }}</ref> The agreement came on the condition that Whitewater prosecutors would not pursue criminal charges against him after he lied under oath about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.<ref>{{cite news | title =Bill Clinton Disbarment to End | publisher =AP/11alive.com | date =January 18, 2006 | url =http://www.11alive.com/news/usnews_article.aspx?storyid=74815 | accessdate =2006-12-21 }}</ref>
  
−
Later&mdash;in January 2001, on the day before leaving office&mdash;Clinton agreed to a five year suspension of his Arkansas [[practice of law|law license]] as part of an agreement with the [[independent counsel]] to end the investigation. Based on this suspension, Clinton was also automatically suspended from the United States Supreme Court bar, from which he chose to resign. [http://conlaw.usatoday.findlaw.com/supreme_court/orders/2001/111301pzor.html]
+
== Other controversies ==
 +
===Administrative controversy===
  
−
Clinton's resignation was mostly symbolic, since he had never practiced before the Supreme Court and was not expected to in the future. The Paula Jones lawsuit was eventually settled out of court for $850,000.
+
{{main|White House personnel file controversy|White House travel office controversy}}
  
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===Chinese espionage===
+
The White House travel office controversy began on [[May 19]], [[1993]], when several longtime employees of the White House Travel Office were fired. A whistleblower's letter, written during the previous administration, triggered an FBI investigation, which revealed evidence of financial malfeasance.
−
[[Image:Clinton-riady-huang.jpg|left|thumb|President Clinton with John Huang (center) and James Riady (right) in the Oval Office]]
 
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Throughout his second term in office, President Clinton's policies of ''engagement'' and ''transparency'' with the [[People's Republic of China]] came under intense scrutiny by Congress and the media. It was learned that political appointees and fund-raisers of his either had direct ties to Chinese intelligence, or were found to have been illegally donating money wired to them from Asian sources to Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign and legal defense trust. The issue was compounded when it was learned that a top Chinese arms merchant, Wang Jun) was allowed to attend a [[White House]] "coffee" meeting with Clinton and a number of his campaign donors in February 1996. These questions gained added urgency after Congress released the unanimous report known as the Cox Report in 1999, which documented that China had acquired intelligence about the United States' top military secrets. According to the report, MIRV, encryption, satellite, ICBM, and advanced nuclear weapon technology was stolen. Many members of Clinton's staff learned of the thefts as early as July 1995, but Clinton himself was not told until July 1997.
 
  
 +
The White House personnel file controversy of June 1996 arose around improper access to FBI security-clearance documents. Craig Livingstone, head of White House security, improperly requested, and received from the [[FBI]], personnel files without asking permission of the subject individuals.
  
−
====FALN pardons====
+
===Campaign finance and the pardon controversy===
−
Bill Clinton pardoned sixteen members of the FALN organization. These men belonged to a [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] freedom terrorist group, which was responsible for planting over 130 bombs in public places in the U.S. They killed six people and injured seventy. The FALN represented the single largest terrorism campaign in the U.S. “Yet Clinton’s clemency released individuals from prison after serving less than twenty years of terms running from fifty-five to ninety years.” President Clinton did not follow formal pardon procedures. He skipped the Department of Justice and attorneys. The FBI did not conduct any background checks, and the FALN did not execute a formal request. These facts, coupled with the Department of Justice’s 1996 denial of their clemency, make Clinton’s motives questionable. Clinton received bipartisan condemnation and public fury.
 
  
−
The House of Representatives later passed a resolution condemning Clinton’s pardon as an explicitly illegal action.  Investigations were launched to find reasonable grounds for the clemency. However, “Congressional efforts to learn more about the FALN matter came to an end when Clinton invoked executive privilege to refuse subpoenas from congressional committee.” As the critics raged, the White House maintained that the pardon power is not subject to legislative deliberation. It is speculated that Clinton pardoned members of the FALN in exchange for funds for his wife's New York senatorial campaign in 2000.
+
{{main|1996 United States campaign finance controversy|Bill Clinton pardons controversy}}
−
[http://www.providence.edu/polisci/students/clinton_pardons/high_profile.html]
 
  
−
====Pardons on the last day of office====
+
The 1996 United States campaign finance controversy was an alleged effort by the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) to influence the domestic policies of the United States, prior to and during the Clinton administration and also involved the fund-raising practices of the administration itself.<ref name=embassy>Woodward, Bob and Duffy, Brian, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/china1.htm "Chinese Embassy Role In Contributions Probed"], ''Washington Post'', [[February 13|Feb. 13]], [[1997]]
−
On Clinton's last day in office, he pardoned over 200 convicted felons, including his brother Roger who had completed a prison sentence on drug charges and [[Dan Rostenkowski]], the former Chairman of [[United States House Committee on Ways and Means|House Ways and Means Committee]] who had been convicted on corruption and mail fraud charges.  [[Carlos Vignali]] (convicted of cocaine trafficking) and Almon Braswell (convicted of fraud), both of whom were clients of Clinton’s brother-in-law [[Hugh Rodham]], were pardoned.  Rodham later returned the $400,000 in legal fees he earned representing Vignali and Braswell. <ref> [http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,100329,00.html] </ref> Another one of those pardoned was [[Marc Rich]], a financier who had fled the United States decades before for tax evasion and other illegal activities including buying illegal oil from the Islamic Republic of [[Iran]]. Though his company put up a $200 million dollar bond on behalf of Rich and his partner, Rich fled the country before being indicted and was never tried or incarcerated. Many questioned the pardon because his wife, Denise Rich, was a generous donor to the Clinton campaigns and to his library. These actions quickly led to public hearings by Congress, headed by Congressman [[Dan Burton]], into the legality of all of Clinton's presidential pardons. Federal prosecutor [[Mary Jo White]] was appointed to investigate as well. The investigation revealed that Denise Rich's last donation to the Clinton library came a year before Marc Rich's attorney's discussed asking her to lobby Clinton on his behalf. Burton, as part of his investigation, listened to taped recordings of Israeli Prime Minister [[Ehud Barak]] pleading with Clinton to pardon Rich as well. Rich had provided millions of dollars in financing for Palestinian development projects, and the Israelis considered Rich a significant part of the peace process.<ref>Sidney Blumenthal The Clinton Wars. (2003). ISBN 0-37-412502-3</ref> Marc Rich was required to pay a $100 million dollar fine as part of the pardon and to waive all [[statute of limitation|statutes of limitation]] in regards to any future civil charges. [[James Comey]] later replaced Mary Jo White, and he closed the investigation without filing any indictments.
+
</ref>
  
−
===Galagate===
+
President Bill Clinton has been criticized for some of his presidential pardons and other acts of executive clemency. Clinton issued 140 pardons on his last day in office ([[January 20]], [[2001]]). It is common practice for Presidents to grant a number of pardons shortly before leaving office, but Clinton's last day list was more numerous than those of many previous presidents.  Most of the controversy surrounded [[Marc Rich]] and allegations that Hillary Clinton's brother, [[Hugh Rodham]], accepted payments in return for influencing the president's decision-making regarding the pardons.<ref>{{cite news | title =Clinton pardons: Cast of characters | publisher =BBC | date =22 February, 2001 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1184118.stm | accessdate = 2006-12-21 }}</ref>
  
−
In June 2000, in an effort to raise money for Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign, Clinton detailed a friend and fund raiser from [[Chicago]], [[James Levin]], to serve as his direct liaison with a controversial Hollywood internet entrepreneur, [[Peter F Paul]]. Paul had expressed an interest, through [[Democratic National Committee]] Chairman [[Ed Rendell]], in becoming a major contributor to Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign in order to engage Bill Clinton's  post White House "rainmaking" services for his public company, [[Stan Lee Media]]. Paul was induced by Bill and Hillary Clinton, through Levin, to produce the [[Gala Hollywood Farewell Salute to President Clinton]] on August 12, 2000. Paul paid more than $1.2 million to produce the gala.  Three days after the Gala, the ''Washington Post'' exposed Paul's felony convictions from his activities in the late 1970's. In 2003 Paul filed a landmark civil fraud and coercion suit against Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, James Levin and Gary Smith, which was upheld by the [[California]] Supreme Court to proceed to trial, and a trial date was set for March 27, 2007.
+
===Willey and Broaddrick allegations===
  
 +
{{main|Kathleen Willey|Juanita Broaddrick}}
  
 +
Two claims of sexual misconduct on the part of Bill Clinton were alleged by Kathleen Willey and Juanita Broaddrick, during the Clinton Administration. Neither claim resulted in charges against Clinton.
  
−
==Public approval==
+
== Public approval ==
  
 
[[Image:Clinton approval rating.JPG|thumb|300px|Clinton's approval ratings throughout his presidential career]]
 
[[Image:Clinton approval rating.JPG|thumb|300px|Clinton's approval ratings throughout his presidential career]]
  
−
While Clinton's job approval rating varied over the course of his first term, ranging from a low of 36 percent in 1993 to a high of 64% in 1993 and 1994<ref>[http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/cgi-bin/hsrun.exe/Roperweb/PresJob/PresJob.htx;start=HS_fullresults?pr=Clinton Job Performance Ratings for President Clinton], accessed February 25, 2006</ref>, his job approval rating consistently ranged from the high 50s to the high 60s in his second term.<ref>[http://www.pollingreport.com/clinton-.htm Bill Clinton: Job Ratings] - PollingReport.com</ref> Clinton's approval rating reached its highest point at 73% approval in the aftermath of the impeachment proceedings in 1998 and 1999.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/12/20/impeachment.poll/ Poll: Clinton's approval rating up in wake of impeachment] - [[CNN]], December 20, 1998</ref> A CNN/USA TODAY/Gallup poll<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/stories/01/10/cnn.poll.clinton/ Poll: Majority of Americans glad Clinton is leaving office] - Keating Holland, [[CNN]], January 10, 2001</ref> conducted as he was leaving office, revealed deeply contradictory attitudes regarding Clinton. Although his approval rating at 68% was higher than that of any other departing President since polling began more than seven decades earlier, only 45% said they would miss him. While 55% thought he "would have something worthwhile to contribute and should remain active in public life", and 47% rated him as either outstanding or above average as President, 68% thought he would be remembered for his "involvement in personal scandal" rather than his accomplishments as President, and 58% answered "No" to the question "Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?" 47% of the respondents identified themselves as being Clinton supporters.
+
While Clinton's job approval rating varied over the course of his first term, ranging from a low of 36 percent in mid-1993 to a high of 64 percent in late-1993 and early-1994,<ref>[http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/cgi-bin/hsrun.exe/Roperweb/PresJob/PresJob.htx;start=HS_fullresults?pr=Clinton Job Performance Ratings for President Clinton], accessed [[2006-02-25]]</ref> his job approval rating consistently ranged from the high 50s to the high 60s in his second term.<ref>[http://www.pollingreport.com/clinton-.htm Bill Clinton: Job Ratings] - PollingReport.com</ref> Clinton's approval rating reached its highest point at 73 percent approval in the aftermath of the impeachment proceedings in 1998 and 1999.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/12/20/impeachment.poll/ Poll: Clinton's approval rating up in wake of impeachment] - [[CNN]], [[1998-12-20]]</ref> A CNN/USA TODAY/Gallup poll<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/stories/01/10/cnn.poll.clinton/ Poll: Majority of Americans glad Clinton is leaving office] - Keating Holland, [[CNN]], [[2001-01-10]]</ref> conducted as he was leaving office, revealed deeply contradictory attitudes regarding Clinton. Although his approval rating at 68 percent was higher than that of any other departing president since polling began more than seventy years earlier, only 45 percent said they would miss him. While 55 percent thought he "would have something worthwhile to contribute and should remain active in public life", and 47 percent rated him as either outstanding or above average as a president, 68 percent thought he would be remembered for his "involvement in personal scandal" rather than his accomplishments as president, and 58 percent answered "No" to the question "Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?" 47 percent of the respondents identified themselves as being Clinton supporters.
  
−
In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing President Clinton's job performance with that of successor President George W. Bush, a strong majority of respondents said President Clinton outperformed Bush on most issues. (The poll of 1,021 adult Americans was conducted May 5-7 by Opinion Research Corp. for CNN. Margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.)
+
In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing Clinton's job performance with that of his successor, George W. Bush, found a majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/12/bush.clinton.poll/index.html Poll: Clinton outperformed Bush] - CNN.com</ref>
  
−
When asked which man was more honest as President, 46% favored Clinton to 41% for Bush. Respondents favored Clinton by a greater than 2-to-1 margin when asked who did a better job at handling the economy (63% Clinton, 26% Bush) and solving the problems of ordinary Americans (62% Clinton, 25% Bush).  
+
Two unique events influenced the United States economy during Clinton's tenure, which may have impacted the perception of his handling of the economy.  [[Tim Berners-Lee]] invented the [[World Wide Web]], which was released as a free service by [[CERN]] in 1993.  A massive and unprecedented spending boom accompanied the popularization of the web.  Another technology-related event was [[Y2K]], the year-2000 repair efforts. An [[IT]] spending boom — estimated at $300 billion — occurred in the late 1990's as governments and companies rushed to make their legacy computer systems "year-2000 compliant."  The massive surge in IT spending associated with these events were coincident with the Clinton Presidency.
  
−
On foreign affairs, the margin was 56% to 32% in Clinton's favor; on taxes, it was 51% to 35% for Clinton; and on handling natural disasters, it was 51% to 30%, also favoring Clinton.
+
== Public image ==
  
−
==Public image==
+
[[Image:ClintonChild.jpg|thumb|125px|right|Clinton reading with a child.]]
−
[[Image:ClintonChild.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Clinton sitting with a child.]]
 
  
−
As the first Baby Boomer President, Clinton was the first President in a half century not shaped by [[World War II]]. With his sound-bite-ready dialogue and pioneering use of pop culture in his campaigning, such as playing his saxophone on ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'', Clinton was sometimes described as the "[[MTV]] President".{{fact}} Until his inauguration as President, he had earned substantially less money than his wife, and had the smallest net worth of any President in modern history, according to ''[[My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)|My Life]]'', Clinton's autobiography. Clinton was popular among [[African-American]]s and made improving race relations a major theme of his presidency.<ref>[http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&amp;b=122950 A Conversation With President Bill Clinton on Race in America Today] - interview with Clinton, [[Center for American Progress]], July 16, 2004</ref>
+
As the first [[Baby Boomer]] president, Clinton was the first president in a half century not shaped by World War II. With his sound-bite-ready dialogue and pioneering use of pop culture in his campaigning, such as playing his saxophone on ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'', Clinton was sometimes described as the "[[MTV]] president".<ref>{{cite news | last =Bresler | first =Robert J. | title =The Muddled Meaning of the 2000 Election | publisher =USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education)
 +
  | date =January, 2001 | url =http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_2668_129/ai_69698398 | accessdate =2007-01-02 }}</ref> Until his inauguration as president, he had earned substantially less money than his wife, and had the smallest net worth of any president in modern history, according to ''[[My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)|My Life]]'', Clinton's autobiography which was released in [[June]] [[2004]]. Clinton, a charismatic speaker, tended to draw huge crowds during public speeches throughout his terms in office. Clinton was also very popular among [[African-American]]s and made improving race relations a major theme of his presidency.<ref>[http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&amp;b=122950 A Conversation With President Bill Clinton on Race in America Today] - interview with Clinton, [[Center for American Progress]], July 16, 2004.</ref>
  
−
The Clintons were a political partnership unknown since [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin]] and [[Eleanor Roosevelt]]. Many jokes implied that the [[First Lady]] was the real President of the United States.
+
[[Nobel Prize]]-winning author [[Toni Morrison]] in 1998 called Clinton "the first Black president," saying "Clinton displays almost every trope of [[blackness]]: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing, [[McDonald's]]-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas," and, despite his career accomplishments, comparing Clinton's scrutinized sex life  to the stereotyping and [[double standards]] that blacks typically endure.<ref>{{cite web| last = Morrison | first = Toni | authorlink = Toni Morrison| coauthors =| title = Clinton as the first black president | work = | publisher = The New Yorker| date = [[October]] [[1998]]| url = http://ontology.buffalo.edu./smith/clinton/morrison.html| format =| doi =| accessdate = 2006-12-01 }}</ref>
  
−
Social conservatives were put off by the impression of Clinton having been a "[[hippie]]" during the late 1960s, his coming-of-age era.{{citation needed}} In the 1960s, however, Clinton might not have been viewed as such by many of those in the hippie subculture.{{citation needed}} Clinton avoided the draft with a student deferment while studying abroad during the [[Vietnam War]]. Clinton's marijuana experimentation, excused by Clinton's statement that he "didn't inhale", further tarnished his image with some voters. In terms of policy Clinton was to the right of most recent Democratic candidates for the presidency on many issues{{citation needed}} &mdash; he supported the [[death penalty]], [[curfew]]s, uniforms in public schools, and other measures opposed by [[youth rights]] supporters, and he expanded the [[War on Drugs]] greatly while in office.{{citation needed}}
+
[[Image:pres38-42.jpg|300px|left|thumb|Presidents Bill Clinton, [[George H. W. Bush|George Bush]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Jimmy Carter]], [[Gerald Ford]], and their wives at the funeral of President [[Richard Nixon]] on [[1994-04-27]].]]
  
 +
== Post-presidential career ==
 +
=== Public speaking===
  
 +
Clinton has engaged in a career as a [[public speaker]] on a variety of issues. In his speaking engagements around the world,<ref>Press release: [http://www.witsa.org/press/clinton.htm President Bill Clinton to be keynote speaker at World Congress on IT 2002], ''[[World Information Technology and Services Alliance]]'', Adelaide, South Australia</ref><ref>
 +
Katherine Hamilton. "[http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2006/04/18/news/15263.shtml Bill Clinton to speak at Class Day]", ''[[The Daily Princetonian]]'', 2006-04-18</ref> he continues to comment on aspects of contemporary politics. One notable theme is his advocacy of multilateral solutions to problems facing the world. Clinton's close relationship with the [[African American]] community has been highlighted in his post-Presidential career with the opening of his personal office in the [[Harlem]] section of [[New York City]]. He assisted his wife, [[Hillary Clinton]], in her campaign for office as [[U. S. Senate|Senator]] from [[New York]].
  
−
==Post-presidential career==
+
[[Image:ClintonSenate.jpg|thumb|175px|Hillary Clinton re-enacts being sworn in as a U.S. Senator by Vice President Gore as Bill and [[Chelsea Clinton]] observe.]]
  
−
Like other former American Presidents, Clinton has engaged in a career as a public speaker on a variety of issues. In his speaking outside the country and in public forums, he continues to comment on aspects of contemporary politics. One notable theme is his advocacy of multilateral solutions to problems facing the world. Clinton's close relationship with the African American community has been highlighted in his post-presidential career with the opening of his personal office in the Harlem section of [[New York City]]. He assisted his wife, Hillary Clinton, in her campaign for office as Senator from New York.
+
Clinton campaigned for a number of Democratic candidates for the Senate in the 2002 elections, but only one was voted into office. While Clinton's was still well-liked, his personal popularity didn't have the desired affect for the candidates he was supporting in the political arena.
 +
 
 +
On [[July 26]], [[2004]], Clinton spoke for the fifth consecutive time to the [[2004 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]], using the opportunity to praise candidate [[John Kerry]]. In it, he criticized President George W. Bush's depiction of Kerry, saying that "strength and wisdom are not opposing values."  Unfortunately for Kerry, despite Clinton's strong speech, the post convention bounce to his poll numbers was less than was hoped for.<ref>{{cite news  | last =Page | first =Susan | title =Poll: No boost for Kerry after convention | publisher =USA TODAY | date =August 1, 2004 | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-08-01-poll-kerry_x.htm | accessdate =2007-02-01 }}</ref>
  
−
In February 2004, Clinton won a Grammy Award forBest Spoken Word Album for Children for narrating the Russian National Orchestra's album ''Wolf Tracks''. Clinton won a second Grammy in February 2005, Best Spoken Word Album for ''My Life''.
+
He dedicated his [[presidential library]], which is the largest in the nation, the [[William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park|William J. Clinton Presidential Center]], in [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], Arkansas on [[November 18]], [[2004]]. Under rainy skies, Clinton received words of praise from former presidents [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[George H. W. Bush]], as well as from the current president, [[George W. Bush]]. He was also treated to a musical rendition from [[Bono]] and [[David Howell Evans|The Edge]] from [[U2]], who expressed their gratitude at Clinton's efforts to resolve the Northern Ireland conflict during his presidency.
  
−
[[Image:ClintonSenate.jpg|thumb|200px|Hillary Clinton is sworn in as a U.S. Senator by Vice President Gore as Bill and Chelsea Clinton observe.]]
+
On [[December 9]], [[2005]], speaking at the [[United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in [[Montreal]], Clinton publicly criticized the Bush Administration for its handling of emissions control. Further, Clinton twice visited the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] in 2006 to promote initiatives concerning the environment. First, on [[August 1]], [[2006]], he met with [[Tony Blair]], [[Ken Livingstone]], [[Antonio Villaraigosa]], and [[Gavin Newsom]] to advertise the [[Large Cities Climate Leadership Group]]. On [[October 13]], [[2006]], he spoke in favor of [[California Proposition 87 (2006)|California Proposition 87]], which was voted down.
  
−
Clinton's autobiography, ''My Life'', was released in June 2004.
+
===Health===
  
−
On July 26 2004, Clinton spoke for the fifth consecutive time to the Democratic National Convention, using the opportunity to praise candidate John Kerry. Many Democrats believed that Clinton's speech was one of the best in Convention history. In it, he criticized President [[George W. Bush]]'s depiction of Kerry, saying that "strength and wisdom are not opposing values."
+
On [[September 2]], [[2004]], Clinton had an episode of [[angina]] and was evaluated at [[Northern Westchester Hospital]]. It was determined that he had not suffered a [[coronary infarction]], and he was sent home, returning the following day for [[angiography]], which disclosed multiple vessel [[coronary artery disease]]. He was transferred to [[Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center]] in New York City, where he underwent a successful quadruple [[coronary artery bypass surgery]] on [[September 6]], [[2004]]. The medical team stated that, had he not had surgery, he would likely have suffered a massive [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] within a few months.<ref>{{cite news | last =Vedantam | first =Shankar | title =Clinton's Heart Bypass Surgery Called a Success | pages = A01 | publisher =The Washington Post | date =September 7, 2004 | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A409-2004Sep6.html | accessdate =2007-01-02 }}</ref> On [[March 10]], [[2005]], he underwent a follow-up surgery to remove scar tissue and fluid from his left chest cavity, a result of his open-heart surgery.
  
−
On September 2 2004, Clinton had an episode of angina and was evaluated at Northern Westchester Hospital. It was determined that he had not suffered a coronary infarction, and he was sent home, returning the following day for angiography, which disclosed multiple vessel coronary artery disease. He was transferred to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in [[New York City]], where he underwent a successful quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on September 6 2004. The medical team claimed that, had he not had surgery, he would likely have suffered a massive heart attack within a few months. On March 10 2005, he underwent a follow-up surgery to remove scar tissue and fluid from his left chest cavity, a result of his open-heart surgery.
+
[[Image:Jp2presidents.jpg|thumb|Clinton, along with Pres. George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and Pres. George H. W. Bush pay their respects to Pope John Paul II before the pope's funeral.]]
  
−
He dedicated his presidential library, the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Center] in Little Rock on November 18 2004. Under rainy skies, Clinton received words of praise from former presidents [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[George H. W. Bush]], as well as from the current President [[George W. Bush]]. He was also treated to a musical rendition from Bono and The Edge from U2, who expressed their gratitude at Clinton's efforts to resolve the Northern Ireland conflict during his presidency.
+
===Humanitarian work===
  
−
On November 22 2004, New York Republican Governor George Pataki named Clinton and the other living former Presidents ([[Gerald Ford]], [[Jimmy Carter]], and [[George H. W. Bush]]) as honorary members of the board rebuilding the World Trade Center.
+
:''Main article: [[William J. Clinton Foundation]]''
  
−
In 2005, the University of Arkansas System opened the Clinton School of Public Service on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center.
+
While in [[Sydney]] to attend a Global Business Forum, Clinton signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of his presidential foundation with the Australian government to promote HIV/AIDS programs in the Asia-Pacific region.
  
−
On December 9 2005, speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal, Clinton publicly criticized the Bush Administration for its handling of emissions control.
+
On [[May 3]], [[2005]], Clinton announced through the [[William J. Clinton Foundation]] an agreement by major soft drink manufacturers to [http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/05/03/383279.html stop selling sugared sodas and juice drinks] in public primary and secondary schools.
  
−
While in Sydney to attend a Global Business Forum, Clinton signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of his presidential foundation with the [[Australia]]n government to promote [[HIV]]/[[AIDS]] programs in the Asia-Pacific region.
+
===Friendship with George H.W. Bush===
−
 
 
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[[Image:Jp2presidents.jpg|thumb|right|Clinton, along with President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and President George H. W. Bush pay their respects to Pope John Paul II before the pope's funeral.]]
 
  
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===Friendship with George H.W. Bush===
+
There had been reported signs of a friendship growing between Clinton and George H.W. Bush. After the official unveiling of his White House portrait in June 2004, the Asian Tsunami disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and the [[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 election]], Clinton and Bush met, although the nature of the meetings did not appear to include a reconciliation of political opinions.
−
There had been reported signs of a friendship growing between Clinton and [[George H. W. Bush]]. After the official unveiling of his [[White House]] portrait in June 2004, the Asian Tsunami disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2004 election, Clinton and Bush met, although the nature of the meetings did not appear to include a reconciliation of political opinions.
 
  
 
[[Image:Bush and Clinton.jpg|thumb|left|Clinton with former President George H.W. Bush in January 2005.]]
 
[[Image:Bush and Clinton.jpg|thumb|left|Clinton with former President George H.W. Bush in January 2005.]]
−
On January 3 2005, President [[George W. Bush]] named Clinton and [[George H. W. Bush]] to lead a nationwide campaign to help the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. On February 1 2005, he was selected by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to head the [[United Nations]] earthquake and tsunami relief and reconstruction effort. Five days later, he appeared with Bush on the Super Bowl XXXIX pre-game show on Fox in support of their bipartisan effort to raise money for relief of the disaster through the USA Freedom Corps, an action which Bush described as "transcending politics." Thirteen days later, they traveled to the affected areas to see the relief efforts.
+
On [[January 3]], [[2005]], President George W. Bush named Clinton and George H. W. Bush to lead a nationwide campaign to help the victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]]. On [[February 1]], [[2005]], he was selected by UN Secretary-General [[Kofi Annan]] to head the [[United Nations]] [[Humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|earthquake and tsunami relief and reconstruction effort]]. Five days later, Clinton appeared with Bush on the [[Super Bowl XXXIX]] pre-game show on [[Fox Television Network|Fox]] in support of their bipartisan effort to raise money for relief of the disaster through the [[USA Freedom Corps]], an action which Bush described as "transcending politics". Thirteen days later, they traveled to the affected areas to see the relief efforts.  
  
−
On August 31 2005, following the devastation of the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, Clinton again teamed with [[George H. W. Bush]] to coordinate private relief donations, in a campaign similar to their earlier one in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami. Clinton was highly critical of the federal government's response to the hurricane, saying that the government "failed" the people affected, and that an investigation into the response was warranted.
+
On [[August 31]], [[2005]], following the devastation of the [[Gulf Coast]] by [[Hurricane Katrina]], Clinton again teamed with George H. W. Bush to coordinate private relief donations, in a campaign similar to their earlier one in response to the [[Indian Ocean tsunami]].
  
 +
== Honors and accolades ==
  
 +
In February 2004, Clinton (along with [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] and [[Sophia Loren]]) won a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children|Best Spoken Word Album for Children]] for narrating the [[Russian National Orchestra]]'s album ''[[Wolf Tracks and Peter and the Wolf]]''. Clinton won a second Grammy in February 2005, [[Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album|Best Spoken Word Album]] for ''[[My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)|My Life]]''.
  
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==References==
+
On [[November 22]], [[2004]], New York Republican Governor [[George Pataki]] named Clinton and the other living former presidents ([[Gerald Ford]], [[Jimmy Carter]], and [[George H. W. Bush]]) as honorary members of the board rebuilding the [[World Trade Center]].
−
===Primary sources===
 
  
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*Albright, Madeleine Korbel. ''Madame Secretary''. New York, N.Y. : Miramax Books, c2003 ISBN 0786868430
+
The 2005 J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding was awarded to Clinton by the  [[Fulbright Association]].  Clinton received the award in a ceremony in Washington on April 12, 2006.
−
   
 
−
*Blumenthal, Sydney. ''The Clinton Wars''.  New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003 ISBN 0374125023
 
−
 
 
−
*Clinton, Hillary Rodham. ''Living History''. New York : Simon & Schuster, 2003 ISBN 0743222245
 
  
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*Clinton, William Jefferson. ''My Life''. New York : Vintage Books, 2005 ISBN 140003003X
+
In 2005, the [[University of Arkansas System]] opened the [[Clinton School of Public Service]] on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center.
  
−
*Starr, Kenneth W. ''The Starr Report: The Findings of Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr on President Clinton and the Lewinsky Affair''. New York : PublicAffairs, 1998 ISBN 189162024X
+
On [[March 5]], [[2006]], he received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from [[Pace University]], and is the first recipient of the Pace University President's Centennial Award. Following reception of the honorary degree, he spoke to the students, faculty, alumni and staff of Pace, officially kicking off the centennial anniversary of the university. Also in 2006 Clinton was awarded the [[J. William Fulbright]] Prize for International Understanding.
−
 
−
*Stephanopoulos, George. ''All Too Human: A Political Education''. Boston : Little, Brown, c1999 ISBN 0316929190
 
−
 
−
*{{cite book
 
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| last = Patterson
 
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| first = Robert, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret)
 
−
| title = Dereliction of Duty: The Eyewitness Account of How Bill Clinton Endangered America's Long-Term National Security
 
−
| year = 2003
 
−
| publisher = Regnery Publishing Company
 
−
| location = Washington, DC
 
−
| id = ISBN 0895261405
 
−
| pages = 101-118
 
−
}}
 
  
−
===Popular books===
+
On [[May 13]], [[2006]], Clinton was the commencement speaker along with George H. W. Bush at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans. They both received honorary Doctorates of Laws from [[Tulane University]]. Clinton spoke to the students, faculty and alumni of Tulane and of the devastation caused by [[Hurricane Katrina]] that Tulane students had known firsthand.
  
−
*Baker, Peter. ''The Breach : Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton''. New York : Berkley Books, 2001 ISBN 0425172457
+
In Europe, Bill Clinton remains immensely popular, especially in a large part of the Balkans and in Ireland. In [[Priština]], [[Kosovo]], a five-story picture of the former president was permanently engraved into the side of the tallest building in the province as a token of gratitude for Clinton's support during the crisis in Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =
 +
  | title =  Rangel Blasts Clinton as ‘a Redneck’| work = | publisher = [[NewsMax Media]]| date = [[2005-02-08]]| url = http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2005/02/rangel_blasts_c.php| format =
 +
  | doi =| accessdate = 2006-12-01}}</ref>
  
−
*Bovard, James. ''Feeling Your Pain: The Explosion and Abuse of Government Power in the Clinton-Gore Years''. New York : St. Martin’s Press, c2000 ISBN 0312230826
+
On [[December 3]] [[2006]], Clinton was made an honorary chief and Grand Companion of the [[Order of Logohu]] by [[Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea]] [[Michael Somare]]. Clinton was awarded the honor for his "outstanding leadership for the good of mankind during two terms as US president" and his commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS and other health challenges in developing countries.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink = Lloyd Jones| coauthors =
 +
  | title =  It's 'Chief Clinton' to you| work = | publisher = news.com.au| date = [[2005-12-03]]| url = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20865977-1702,00.htmlhttp://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2005/02/rangel_blasts_c.php| format =
 +
  | doi =| accessdate = 2006-12-03}}</ref>
  
−
*Conason, Joe and  Lyons, Gene. ''The Hunting of the President: The Ten-Year Campaign to Destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton''. St. Martin's Griffin, 2001 ISBN 0312273193
+
== Further reading ==
 +
===Primary sources===
 +
* Bill Clinton, ''My Life''. (2004). ISBN 0-375-41457-6.
 +
* [[Sidney Blumenthal]] ''The Clinton Wars''. (2003). ISBN 0-374-12502-3
 +
* [[Kenneth Starr]] ''The [[Starr Report]]: The Findings of Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr on President Clinton and the Lewinsky Affair'' (1998) ISBN 1-891620-24-X
 +
* [[George Stephanopoulos]] ''All Too Human: A Political Education'' (1998) ISBN 0-316-92919-0
  
−
*Drew, Elizabeth. ''On the Edge: The Clinton Presidency''. New York : Simon & Schuster, 1994 ISBN 0671871471
+
===Popular books===
−
 
+
* [[Peter Baker (author)|Peter Baker]] ''The Breach: Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton'' (2000) ISBN 0-684-86813-X
−
*Hamilton, Nigel. ''Bill Clinton: An American Journey''. New York : Random House, c2003 ISBN 0375506101
+
* [[James Bovard]] ''Feeling Your Pain: The Explosion and Abuse of Government Power in the Clinton-Gore Years'' (2000) ISBN 0-312-23082-6
−
+
* [[Joe Conason]] and [[Gene Lyons]] ''The Hunting of the President: The Ten-Year Campaign to Destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton'' (2003) ISBN 0-312-27319-3
−
*Hitchens, Christopher. ''No One Left to Lie to: The Triangulations of William Jefferson Clinton''. London ; New York : Verso, 1999 ISBN 1859847366
+
* [[Elizabeth Drew]] ''On the Edge: The Clinton Presidency'' (1994) ISBN 0-671-87147-1
−
 
+
* [[Nigel Hamilton]] ''Bill Clinton: An American Journey'' (2003) ISBN 0-375-50610-1
−
*Isikoff, Michael. ''Uncovering Clinton: A Reporter's Story''. New York, N.Y. : Crown Publishers, 1999 ISBN 0609603930
+
* [[John F. Harris]] ''The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House'' (2005) ISBN 0-375-50847-3
 +
* [[Christopher Hitchens]] ''No One Left to Lie to: The Triangulations of William Jefferson Clinton'' (1999) ISBN 1-85984-736-6
 +
* [[Michael Isikoff]] ''Uncovering Clinton: A Reporter's Story'' (1999) ISBN 0-609-60393-0
 +
* [[Joe Klein]] ''The Natural: The Misunderstood Presidency of Bill Clinton'' (2003) ISBN 0-7679-1412-0
 +
* [[David Maraniss]] ''First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton'' (1996) ISBN 0-684-81890-6
 +
* [[David Maraniss]] ''The Clinton Enigma: A Four and a Half Minute Speech Reveals This President's Entire Life'' (1998) ISBN 0-684-86296-4
 +
* [[Dick Morris]] with Eileen McGann ''Because He Could'' (2004) ISBN 0-06-078415-6
 +
* [[Roger Morris (writer)|Roger Morris]] ''Partners in Power: The Clintons and Their America'' (1996) ISBN 0-89526-302-5
 +
* [[Richard Posner|Richard A. Posner]] ''An Affair of State: The Investigation, Impeachment, and Trial of President Clinton'' (1999) ISBN 0-674-00080-3
 +
* [[Mark J. Rozell]] ''The Clinton Scandal and the Future of American Government'' (2000) ISBN 0-87840-777-4
 +
* [[Michael Waldman]] ''POTUS Speaks: Finding the Words That Defined the Clinton Presidency'' (2000) ISBN 0-7432-0020-9
 +
* Ivory Tower Publishing Company [[Achievements of the Clinton Administration: the Complete Legislative and Executive]] (1995) ISBN 0-88032-748-0
  
−
*Klein, Joe. ''The Natural: The Misunderstood Presidency of Bill Clinton''. Broadway; Reprint edition, 2003 ISBN 0767914120
+
===Academic studies===
−
+
* Cohen; Jeffrey E. "The Polls: Change and Stability in Public Assessments of Personal Traits, Bill Clinton, 1993-99" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'', Vol. 31, 2001
−
*Maraniss, David. ''First In His Class : A Biography Of Bill Clinton''. New York : Simon & Schuster, 1996 ISBN 0684818906
+
* Cronin, Thomas E. and Michael A. Genovese; "President Clinton and Character Questions" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' Vol. 28, 1998
−
+
* Davis; John. "The Evolution of American Grand Strategy and the War on Terrorism: Clinton and Bush Perspectives" ''White House Studies'', Vol. 3, 2003
−
*Maraniss, David. ''The Clinton Enigma: A Four and a Half Minute Speech Reveals This President's Entire Life''. New York : Simon & Schuster, c1998 ISBN 0684862964
+
* Edwards; George C. "Bill Clinton and His Crisis of Governance" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly,'' Vol. 28, 1998
−
+
* Fisher; Patrick. "Clinton's Greatest Legislative Achievement? the Success of the 1993 Budget Reconciliation Bill" ''White House Studies'', Vol. 1, 2001
−
*Morris, Dick and McGann, Eileen. ''Because He Could''. New York : ReganBooks, 2004 ISBN 0060784156
+
* Glad; Betty. "Evaluating Presidential Character" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'', Vol. 28, 1998
 +
* Harris, John F. ''The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House''. (2005) ISBN 0-375-50847-3, biography
 +
* William G. Hyland. ''Clinton's World: Remaking American Foreign Policy'' (1999) ISBN 0-275-96396-9
 +
* Jewett, Aubrey W. and Marc D. Turetzky; " Stability and Change in President Clinton's Foreign Policy Beliefs, 1993-96" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'', Vol. 28, 1998
 +
* Johnson, Fard. "Politics, Propaganda and Public Opinion: The Influence of Race and Class on the 1993 - 1994 Health Care Reform Debate". (2004). ISBN 1-4116-6345-4
 +
* Laham, Nicholas, ''A Lost Cause: Bill Clinton's Campaign for National Health Insurance'' (1996)
 +
* Lanoue, David J. and Craig F. Emmert; "Voting in the Glare of the Spotlight: Representatives' Votes on the Impeachment of President Clinton" ''Polity'', Vol. 32, 1999
 +
* Livingston, C. Don, Kenneth A. Wink; "The Passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives: Presidential Leadership or Presidential Luck?" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'', Vol. 27, 1997
 +
* Maurer; Paul J. "Media Feeding Frenzies: Press Behavior during Two Clinton Scandals" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly,'' Vol. 29, 1999
 +
* Nie; Martin A. "'It's the Environment, Stupid!': Clinton and the Environment" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'', Vol. 27, 1997
 +
* O'Connor; Brendon. "Policies, Principles, and Polls: Bill Clinton's Third Way Welfare Politics 1992-1996" ''The Australian Journal of Politics and History'', Vol. 48, 2002
 +
* Poveda; Tony G. "Clinton, Crime, and the Justice Department" ''Social Justice'', Vol. 21, 1994 
 +
* Renshon; Stanley A. ''The Clinton Presidency: Campaigning, Governing, and the Psychology of Leadership'' Westview Press, 1995
 +
* Renshon; Stanley A. "The Polls: The Public's Response to the Clinton Scandals, Part 1: Inconsistent Theories, Contradictory Evidence" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'', Vol. 32, 2002
 +
* Rushefsky, Mark E. and Kant Patel. ''Politics, Power & Policy Making: The Case of Health Care Reform in the 1990s'' (1998) ISBN 1-56324-956-1
 +
* Schantz, Harvey L. ''Politics in an Era of Divided Government: Elections and Governance in the Second Clinton Administration'' (2001) ISBN 0-8153-3583-0
 +
* Wattenberg; Martin P. "The Democrats' Decline in the House during the Clinton Presidency: An Analysis of Partisan Swings" ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'', Vol. 29, 1999
 +
* Wattier; Mark J. "The Clinton Factor: The Effects of Clinton's Personal Image in 2000 Presidential Primaries and in the General Election" ''White House Studies'', Vol. 4, 2004
  
−
*Roger Morris . ''Partners in Power: The Clintons & Their America''. Regnery Publishing, Inc., 1996 ISBN 0895263025
+
== References ==
−
 
+
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
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*Posner, Richard A.. ''An Affair of State: The Investigation, Impeachment, and Trial of President Clinton''. Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 1999 ISBN 0674000803
+
<references/>
−
 
+
</div>
−
*Rozell, Mark J. ''The Clinton Scandal and the Future of American Government''. Washington, D.C. : Georgetown University Press, c2000) ISBN 0878407774
 
−
 
−
*Waldman, Michael . ''POTUS Speaks: Finding the Words That Defined the Clinton Presidency''. New York : Simon & Schuster, c2000) ISBN 0743200209
 
  
  
  
 +
== External links ==
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{{sisterlinks|Bill Clinton}}
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* [http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/bc42.html White House biography]
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* [http://www.clintonfoundation.org/ William J. Clinton Foundation] official website
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* [http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org Clinton Global Initiative] official website
 +
* [http://www.clintonlibrary.gov/ Clinton Presidential Library] official website
 +
* [http://clinton6.nara.gov/ Clinton Presidential Materials Project] Archive of press releases and transcripts of speeches from the administration.
 +
* [http://www.clintonschool.uasys.edu/ Clinton School of Public Service]
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* {{gutenberg author| id=Bill+Clinton | name=Bill Clinton}}
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* {{imdb name|id=0001051|name=Bill Clinton}}
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* [http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/060918fa_fact1 ''The Wanderer'']- A profile of Clinton in the [[New Yorker]], 18th September 2006. Clinton's most extensive interview in his post-presidency
  
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{{succession box | before = [[Joe Purcell]]|title = [[List of Governors of Arkansas|Governor of Arkansas]] | years = 1979 &ndash; 1981 | after = [[Frank D. White]]}}
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{{succession box | before = [[Frank D. White]]|title = [[Governor of Arkansas]] | years = 1983 &ndash; 1992 | after = [[Jim Guy Tucker]]}}
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{{succession box | before = [[Michael Dukakis]]|title = [[List of United States Democratic Party Presidential nominees|Democratic Party presidential nominee]]| years=[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]] (won), [[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]] (won)| after=[[Al Gore]]}}
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{{succession box | before = [[George H. W. Bush]]|title = [[President of the United States]] |years=[[January 20]], [[1993]] &ndash; [[January 20]], [[2001]]| after = [[George W. Bush]]}}
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{{succession box | before = [[George H. W. Bush]]|title = [[United States order of precedence]] | years = [[as of 2006]] | after = U.S. ambassadors (while at their posts) }}
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Revision as of 15:18, 4 January 2007


William Jefferson Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton
42nd President of the United States
Term of office January 20 1993 – January 20 2001
Preceded by George H. W. Bush
Succeeded by George W. Bush
Date of birth August 19 1946
Place of birth Hope, Arkansas
Spouse Hillary Rodham Clinton
Political party Democrat

William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III[1] on August 19 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. Before his election as President, Clinton served nearly 12 years as the 50th and 52nd Governor of Arkansas. His wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is the junior United States Senator from New York, where they both reside. Clinton founded and heads the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Early life

William Jefferson Blythe III was born in Hope, Arkansas, and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was named after his father, William Jefferson Blythe, Jr., a traveling salesman who died in a car accident three months before he was born.[1] His mother, born Virginia Dell Cassidy (1923–1994), remarried in 1950 to Roger Clinton. Roger Clinton owned an automobile dealership business with his brother, Raymond. The young Billy, as he was called, was raised by his mother and stepfather, assuming his last name "Clinton" throughout elementary school but not formally changing it until he was 14. Clinton grew up in a traditional, albeit blended, family; however, according to Clinton, his stepfather was a gambler and an alcoholic who regularly abused Clinton's mother and sometimes Clinton's half-brother Roger, Jr.

Bill Clinton as a child went to St. John's Catholic School and Ramble Elementary School. While at Hot Springs High School, Clinton was an active student[2] and saxophonist. He won first chair in the state band's saxophone section and briefly considered dedicating his life to music, but as he noted in his autobiography My Life:

“ (…) Sometime in my sixteenth year I decided I wanted to be in public life as an elected official. I loved music and thought I could be very good, but I knew I would never be John Coltrane or Stan Getz. I was interested in medicine and thought I could be a fine doctor, but I knew I would never be Michael DeBakey. But I knew I could be great in public service.[3] ”

Among influential moments of Clinton's life contributing to his decision to become a public figure was visit to the White House to meet then-President John F. Kennedy following his election as a Boys Nation Senator and Martin Luther King's speech I Have a Dream.[4] Clinton was a member of Youth Order of DeMolay but never actually became a Freemason.[5]

Clinton received a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (B.S.F.S.) degree from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., where he became a brother of Alpha Phi Omega, worked for Senator J. William Fulbright, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and won a Rhodes Scholarship to University College, Oxford. He watched Chelsea F.C. in the 60's and became a fan.[6] While at Oxford, he played rugby union as a lock, and later in life he played for the Little Rock Rugby club in Arkansas. There he also participated in the Vietnam War protest movement. After Oxford, Clinton obtained a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Yale Law School in 1973. While at Yale, he began dating classmate Hillary Rodham. They married in 1975 and their only child, Chelsea, was born in 1980. Clinton is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc.

Arkansas political career

Bill Clinton
50th & 52nd Governor of Arkansas
In office
January 9, 1979 – January 19, 1981
January 11, 1983 – December 12, 1992
Lieutenant(s) Joe Purcell
(1979-1981)

Winston Bryant
(1983-1991)
Jim Guy Tucker
(1991-1992)

Preceded by Joe Purcell (1st)

Frank D. White (2nd)

Succeeded by Frank D. White (1st)

Jim Guy Tucker (2nd)

Born August 19, 1946
Hope, Arkansas
Political party Democratic
Spouse Hillary Rodham Clinton
Profession Politician

In 1974, his first year as a University of Arkansas law professor, Clinton ran for the House of Representatives. The incumbent, John Paul Hammerschmidt, defeated Clinton with 52% of the vote. In 1976, Clinton was elected Attorney General of Arkansas without opposition in the general election.

In 1978, Bill Clinton was first elected Governor of Arkansas, the youngest to be elected governor since 1938. His first term was fraught with difficulties, including an unpopular motor vehicle tax and popular anger over the escape of Cuban prisoners (from the Mariel boatlift) detained in Fort Chaffee in 1980.

In the 1980 election, Clinton was defeated in his bid for a second term by Republican challenger Frank D. White. As he once joked, he was the youngest ex-governor in the nation's history. But in 1982, Clinton won his old job back, and over the next decade he helped Arkansas transform its economy. He became a leading figure among the New Democrats, a branch of the Democratic Party that called for welfare reform and smaller government, a policy supported by both Democrats and Republicans alike.

Clinton's approach mollified conservative criticism during his terms as governor. However, personal and business transactions made by the Clintons during this period became the basis of the Whitewater investigation, which dogged his later presidential Administration. After very extensive investigation over several years, no indictments were made against the Clintons related to the years in Arkansas.

Campaign for the Democratic Nomination

There was some media speculation in 1987 that Clinton would enter the race for 1988 Democratic presidential nomination after then-New York Governor Mario Cuomo declined to run and Democratic frontrunner Gary Hart bowed out due to revelations about marital infidelity. Often referred to as the "Boy Governor" at the time because of his youthful appearance, Clinton decided to remain as Arkansas Governor and postpone his presidential ambitions until 1992. Presenting himself as a moderate and a member of the New Democrat wing of the Democratic Party, he headed the moderate Democratic Leadership Council in 1990 and 1991.

In 1992, Clinton was the early favorite of Democratic Party insiders and elected officials for the presidential nomination; therefore, he was able to rack up scores of superdelegates even before the first nominating contests were conducted. In spite of this, Clinton began his 1992 presidential quest on a sour note by finishing near the back of the pack in the Iowa caucus, which was largely uncontested due to the presence of favorite-son Senator Tom Harkin, who was the easy winner. Clinton’s real trouble, however, began during New Hampshire Primary campaign, when revelations of a possible extramarital affair with Gennifer Flowers began to surface. Clinton and his wife Hillary decided to go on 60 Minutes following the Super Bowl to rebut those charges of infidelity, which had started to take their toll, as Clinton had fallen way behind former Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas in the New Hampshire polls. In fact, his campaign was beginning to unravel. Their TV appearance was a calculated risk, but it seemed to pay off as Clinton regained some of his lost footing. He still finished second to Tsongas in the New Hampshire Primary, but the media viewed it as a moral victory for Clinton, since he came within single digits of winning after trailing badly in the polls. Clinton shrewdly labeled himself “The Comeback Kid” on election night to help foster this perception and came out of New Hampshire on a roll. Tsongas, on the other hand, picked up little or no momentum from his victory.

Clinton used his new-found momentum to storm through the Southern primaries, including the big prizes of Florida and Texas, and build up a sizable delegate lead over his opponents in the race for the 1992 Democratic presidential nomination. However, there were still some doubts as to whether he could secure the nomination, as former California Governor Jerry Brown was scoring victories in other parts of the country and Clinton had yet to win a significant contest outside of his native South. With no major Southern state remaining on the primary calendar, Clinton set his sights on the delegate-rich New York Primary, which was to be his proving ground. Much to the surprise of some, Clinton scored a resounding victory in New York. It was a watershed moment for him, as he had finally broken through and shed his image as a regional candidate and as centrist Democrat whose standing with Northern liberals was questionable. Having been transformed into the consensus candidate, he took on an air of inevitability and was able to cruise to the nomination, topping it off with a victory on Brown’s home turf in the California Primary.

Presidential election

Clinton won the 1992 Presidential election (43.0% of the vote) against Republican George H. W. Bush (37.4% of the vote) and billionaire populist H. Ross Perot, who ran as an independent (18.9% of the vote) on a platform focusing on domestic issues; a large part of his success was Bush's steep decline in public approval. Previously described as "unbeatable" because of his approval ratings in the 80% range during the Persian Gulf conflict, Bush saw his public approval rating drop to just over 40% by election time due to a souring economy.

Additionally, Bush reneged on his promise ("Read My Lips: No New Taxes!") not to raise taxes when he compromised with Democrats in an attempt to lower the Federal deficits. This hurt him among conservatives. Clinton capitalized on Bush's policy switch, repeatedly condemning the President for making a promise he failed to keep.

Finally, Bush's party base was in disarray. Conservatives had previously been united by anti-communism, but with the end of the Cold War, new issues would have to emerge. The 1992 Republican National Convention was perceived by some moderate voters to have been usurped by religious conservatives, and did not inspire them.[7] All this worked in Clinton's favor. Clinton could point to his moderate, 'New Democrat' record as governor of Arkansas. Liberal Democrats were impressed by Clinton's academic credentials, his 1960s-era protest record, and support for social causes such as women's abortion issues. Many Democrats who had supported Ronald Reagan and Bush in previous elections switched their allegiance to the more moderate Clinton.

His election ended an era of Republican rule of the White House for the previous 12 years, and 20 of the previous 24 years. That election also brought the Democrats full control of both branches of Congress. Clinton would be the first president to enjoy this privilege since Jimmy Carter in the late 1970's.

Presidency, 1993-2001

Significant events of the first term

The Clinton Cabinet
OFFICE NAME TERM
President Bill Clinton 1993-2001
Vice President Al Gore 1993-2001
State Warren M. Christopher 1993-1997
Madeleine K. Albright 1997-2001
Treasury Lloyd Bentsen 1993-1994
Robert E. Rubin 1995-1999
Lawrence H. Summers 1999-2001
Defense Les Aspin 1993-1994
William J. Perry 1994-1997
William S. Cohen 1997-2001
Justice Janet Reno 1993-2001
Interior Bruce Babbitt 1993-2001
Agriculture Mike Espy 1993-1994
Daniel R. Glickman 1994-2001
Commerce Ronald H. Brown 1993-1996
Mickey Kantor 1996-1997
William M. Daley 1997-2000
Norman Y. Mineta 2000-2001
Labor Robert B. Reich 1993-1997
Alexis M. Herman 1997-2001
Health and
Human Services		 Donna E. Shalala 1993-2001
Education Richard Riley 1993-2001
Housing and
Urban Development		 Henry G. Cisneros 1993-1997
Andrew Cuomo 1997-2001
Transportation Federico F. Peña 1993-1997
Rodney E. Slater 1997-2001
Energy Hazel O'Leary 1993-1997
Federico F. Peña 1997-1998
Bill Richardson 1998-2001
Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown 1993-1997
Togo D. West, Jr. 1998-2000

Shortly after taking office, Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which required large employers to allow their employees to take unpaid leave because of pregnancy or serious medical condition. While this action was popular, Clinton's attempt to fulfill another campaign promise of allowing openly gay men and lesbians serving in the armed forces was the subject of criticism. His handling of the issue garnered criticism from both the left (for being too tentative in promoting gay rights) and the right (for being too insensitive to military life). After much debate, the Congress - which has sole power under the U.S. Constitution to regulate the armed forces - implemented the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, stating that homosexual men and women may serve in the military as long as their sexuality is kept secret. By 1999, Clinton said he didn't "think any serious person could say" that the way the policy was being implemented was not "out of whack".[8] Some gay rights advocates criticized Clinton for not going far enough and accused him of making his campaign promise simply to get votes and contributions.[9][10] These advocates felt Clinton should have integrated the military by executive order, noting that President Harry Truman ended segregation of the armed forces in that manner. Clinton's defenders argued that an executive order might have prompted the then-Democrat-controlled Senate to write the exclusion of gays into law, potentially making it even harder to integrate the military in the future.

Critics, however, said that the issue was one that should be experimented on in society as a whole, not in the military. The military's goal was not to be a "social Petri dish," but to defend the nation.[11]

Clinton promoted another controversial issue during this period: one regarding free trade. In 1993, Clinton supported the North American Free Trade Agreement for ratification by the U.S. Senate. Despite being negotiated by his Republican predecessor, Clinton (along with most of his Democratic Leadership Committee allies) strongly supported free trade measures. Opposition came from anti-trade Republicans, protectionist Democrats and supporters of Ross Perot. Ultimately, the treaty was ratified.

Clinton signed the Brady Bill, which imposed a five-day waiting period on handgun purchases. He also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit, which benefits working class families with dependent children.

One of the most prominent items on Clinton's legislative agenda, however, was a health care reform plan, the result of a taskforce headed by Hillary Clinton, aimed at achieving universal coverage via a national healthcare plan. Though initially well-received in political circles, it was ultimately doomed by well-organized opposition from conservatives, the American Medical Association, and the health insurance industry. Despite his party holding a majority in the House and Senate, the effort to create a national healthcare system ultimately died under heavy public pressure. It was the first major legislative defeat of Clinton's administration.

Two months later, after two years of Democratic Party control under Clinton's leadership, the mid-term elections in 1994 proved disastrous for the Democrats. This was the first time the Democratic Party had lost control of both houses of Congress in 40 years

In August of 1993, Clinton signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which passed Congress without a single Republican vote. It raised taxes on the wealthiest 1.2% of taxpayers, while cutting taxes on 15 million low-income families and making tax cuts available to 90 percent of small businesses.[12] Additionally, it mandated that the budget be balanced over a number of years, and the implementation of spending restraints.

Significant events of the second term

File:ClintonAdmin.jpg
President Clinton's Cabinet, circa 1993

In the 1996 presidential election a few months later, Clinton was re-elected, receiving 49.2% of the popular vote over Republican Bob Dole (40.7% of the popular vote) and Reform candidate Ross Perot (8.4% of the popular vote), becoming the first Democrat to win reelection to the presidency since Franklin Roosevelt. The Republicans lost a few seats in the House and gained a few in the Senate, but overall retained control of the Congress. Although he did not win a clear majority of the popular vote, Clinton received over 70% of the Electoral College vote.

Throughout 1998, there was a controversy over Clinton's relationship with a young White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. Clinton initially denied the affair while testifying in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit. The opposing lawyers asked the president about it during his deposition. He stated "I have never had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. I've never had an affair with her." Four days later he also said, "There is not a sexual relationship, an improper sexual relationship, or any other kind of improper relationship."[1]

Clinton then appeared on national television on January 26 and stated: "Listen to me, I'm going to say this again. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky." However, after it was revealed that investigators had obtained a semen-stained dress as well as testimony from Lewinsky, Clinton changed tactics and admitted that an improper relationship with Lewinsky had taken place: "Indeed I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible."

Faced with overwhelming evidence, he apologized to the nation, agreed to pay a $25,000 court fine, settled his sexual harassment lawsuit with Paula Jones for $850,000 and was temporarily disbarred, for a period of five years, from practicing law in Arkansas and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was not tried for perjury in a court. However, he did admit to "testifying falsely" in a carefully worded statement as part of a deal to avoid indictment for perjury.

In a lame duck session after the 1998 elections, the Republican-controlled House voted to impeach Clinton. The next year, the Senate voted to acquit Clinton, and he remained in office.

In the closing year of his Administration, Clinton attempted to address the Arab-Israeli conflict. After initial successes such as the Oslo accords of the early 90's, the situation had quietly deteriorated, breaking down completely with the start of the Second Intifada. Clinton brought Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat together at Camp David. However, these negotiations proved unsuccessful.

Clinton remained popular with the public throughout his two terms as President, ending his presidential career with a 65% approval rating, the highest end-of-term approval rating of any President since Eisenhower.[13] In addition to his political skills, Clinton also benefited from a boom of the US economy. Under Clinton, the United States had a projected federal budget surplus for the first time since 1969.[14]

Legislation and programs

Major legislation signed

  • 1993-02-05 - The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
  • 1993-08-10 - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 - Raised income tax rates; income tax, top rate: 39.6%; corporate tax: 35%
  • 1993-09-21 - creation of the AmeriCorps volunteer program
  • 1993-11-30 - Brady Bill
  • 1994-09-13 - Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, part of an omnibus crime bill, the federal death penalty was expanded to some 60 different offenses (see Federal assault weapons ban)
  • 1996-02-01 - Communications Decency Act
  • 1996-02-08 - Telecom Reform Act: eliminated major ownership restrictions for radio and television groups.
  • 1996-02-26 - Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, a welfare reform bill
  • 1996-03-14 - authorized $100 million counter-terrorism agreement with Israel to track down and root out terrorists.
  • 1996-04-09 - Line Item Veto Act
  • 1996-04-24 - Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act
  • 1996-08-20 - Minimum wage Increase Act
  • 1996-09-21 - Defense of Marriage Act, allowed states to refuse recognition of certain same-sex marriages, and defined marriage as between a male and female for purposes of federal law
  • 1997-08-05 - Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
  • 1998-10-28 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act
  • 1998-10-31 - Iraq Liberation Act

Major legislation vetoed

  • national budget
  • H.R. 1833, partial birth abortion ban
  • Twice vetoed welfare reform before signing
  • the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Congress overrode the veto, however, to enact the bill into law.

Proposals not passed by Congress

  • Health care reform
  • Campaign finance reform (1993)

Initiatives

  • Tried to get Ehud Barak of Israel and Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian National Authority, to agree to a final settlement agreement.
  • Initiated the Don't ask, don't tell policy toward gays in the military, 1993.
  • Reversed a ban on senior Sinn Féin politicians entering the U.S.
  • Proposed a national challenge to end the racial divide in America, the One America Initiative.
  • Extraordinary rendition got approval for the first time in the USA from the Clinton administration.

Supreme Court appointments

Clinton appointed the following justices to the Supreme Court:

  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg - 1993, making Clinton the first Democratic president to appoint a female Supreme Court justice.
  • Stephen Breyer - 1994

Investigation and impeachment

The Lewinsky scandal

In 1998, as a result of allegations that he had lied during grand jury testimony regarding his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, a young female White House intern, Clinton was the second U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives (the other being Andrew Johnson). The House held no serious impeachment hearings before the 1998 mid-term elections: Republican candidates rarely mentioned the issue of impeachment, but Democrats generally came out strongly against impeachment. In spite of the allegations against the President, his party picked up a few seats in the Congress. The Republican leadership called a lame duck session in December 1998 to hold impeachment proceedings.

Although the House Judiciary Committee hearings were perfunctory and ended in a straight party line vote, the debate on the Floor of the House was lively. The two charges that were passed in the House (largely on the basis of Republican support but with a handful of Democratic votes as well) were for perjury and obstruction of justice. The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony about his relationship to Monica Lewinsky during a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by former Arkansas-state employee Paula Jones. The obstruction charge was based on his actions during the subsequent investigation of that testimony.

Impeachment trial in the Senate

The Senate refused to convene to hold an impeachment trial before the end of the old term, so the trial was held over until the next Congress. Clinton was represented by Washington powerhouse law firm Williams & Connolly.

On February 12, the Senate concluded a 21-day trial with the vote on both counts falling short of the Constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority to convict and remove an office holder. The final vote was generally along party lines, with all of the votes to convict being cast by Republicans. On the perjury charge 55 senators voted to acquit, including 10 Republicans, and 45 voted to convict; on the obstruction charge the Senate voted 50-50.[15] Clinton, like the only other president to be impeached, Andrew Johnson, served the remainder of his term.

In a separate case, Clinton was disbarred from his Arkansas law license for five years and ordered to pay $25,000 in fines to that state's bar officials.[16] The agreement came on the condition that Whitewater prosecutors would not pursue criminal charges against him after he lied under oath about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.[17]

Other controversies

Administrative controversy

The White House travel office controversy began on May 19, 1993, when several longtime employees of the White House Travel Office were fired. A whistleblower's letter, written during the previous administration, triggered an FBI investigation, which revealed evidence of financial malfeasance.

The White House personnel file controversy of June 1996 arose around improper access to FBI security-clearance documents. Craig Livingstone, head of White House security, improperly requested, and received from the FBI, personnel files without asking permission of the subject individuals.

Campaign finance and the pardon controversy

The 1996 United States campaign finance controversy was an alleged effort by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to influence the domestic policies of the United States, prior to and during the Clinton administration and also involved the fund-raising practices of the administration itself.[18]

President Bill Clinton has been criticized for some of his presidential pardons and other acts of executive clemency. Clinton issued 140 pardons on his last day in office (January 20, 2001). It is common practice for Presidents to grant a number of pardons shortly before leaving office, but Clinton's last day list was more numerous than those of many previous presidents. Most of the controversy surrounded Marc Rich and allegations that Hillary Clinton's brother, Hugh Rodham, accepted payments in return for influencing the president's decision-making regarding the pardons.[19]

Willey and Broaddrick allegations

Two claims of sexual misconduct on the part of Bill Clinton were alleged by Kathleen Willey and Juanita Broaddrick, during the Clinton Administration. Neither claim resulted in charges against Clinton.

Public approval

Clinton's approval ratings throughout his presidential career

While Clinton's job approval rating varied over the course of his first term, ranging from a low of 36 percent in mid-1993 to a high of 64 percent in late-1993 and early-1994,[20] his job approval rating consistently ranged from the high 50s to the high 60s in his second term.[21] Clinton's approval rating reached its highest point at 73 percent approval in the aftermath of the impeachment proceedings in 1998 and 1999.[22] A CNN/USA TODAY/Gallup poll[23] conducted as he was leaving office, revealed deeply contradictory attitudes regarding Clinton. Although his approval rating at 68 percent was higher than that of any other departing president since polling began more than seventy years earlier, only 45 percent said they would miss him. While 55 percent thought he "would have something worthwhile to contribute and should remain active in public life", and 47 percent rated him as either outstanding or above average as a president, 68 percent thought he would be remembered for his "involvement in personal scandal" rather than his accomplishments as president, and 58 percent answered "No" to the question "Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?" 47 percent of the respondents identified themselves as being Clinton supporters.

In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing Clinton's job performance with that of his successor, George W. Bush, found a majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.[24]

Two unique events influenced the United States economy during Clinton's tenure, which may have impacted the perception of his handling of the economy. Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, which was released as a free service by CERN in 1993. A massive and unprecedented spending boom accompanied the popularization of the web. Another technology-related event was Y2K, the year-2000 repair efforts. An IT spending boom — estimated at $300 billion — occurred in the late 1990's as governments and companies rushed to make their legacy computer systems "year-2000 compliant." The massive surge in IT spending associated with these events were coincident with the Clinton Presidency.

Public image

Clinton reading with a child.

As the first Baby Boomer president, Clinton was the first president in a half century not shaped by World War II. With his sound-bite-ready dialogue and pioneering use of pop culture in his campaigning, such as playing his saxophone on The Arsenio Hall Show, Clinton was sometimes described as the "MTV president".[25] Until his inauguration as president, he had earned substantially less money than his wife, and had the smallest net worth of any president in modern history, according to My Life, Clinton's autobiography which was released in June 2004. Clinton, a charismatic speaker, tended to draw huge crowds during public speeches throughout his terms in office. Clinton was also very popular among African-Americans and made improving race relations a major theme of his presidency.[26]

Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison in 1998 called Clinton "the first Black president," saying "Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing, McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas," and, despite his career accomplishments, comparing Clinton's scrutinized sex life to the stereotyping and double standards that blacks typically endure.[27]

File:Pres38-42.jpg
Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and their wives at the funeral of President Richard Nixon on 1994-04-27.

Post-presidential career

Public speaking

Clinton has engaged in a career as a public speaker on a variety of issues. In his speaking engagements around the world,[28][29] he continues to comment on aspects of contemporary politics. One notable theme is his advocacy of multilateral solutions to problems facing the world. Clinton's close relationship with the African American community has been highlighted in his post-Presidential career with the opening of his personal office in the Harlem section of New York City. He assisted his wife, Hillary Clinton, in her campaign for office as Senator from New York.

Hillary Clinton re-enacts being sworn in as a U.S. Senator by Vice President Gore as Bill and Chelsea Clinton observe.

Clinton campaigned for a number of Democratic candidates for the Senate in the 2002 elections, but only one was voted into office. While Clinton's was still well-liked, his personal popularity didn't have the desired affect for the candidates he was supporting in the political arena.

On July 26, 2004, Clinton spoke for the fifth consecutive time to the Democratic National Convention, using the opportunity to praise candidate John Kerry. In it, he criticized President George W. Bush's depiction of Kerry, saying that "strength and wisdom are not opposing values." Unfortunately for Kerry, despite Clinton's strong speech, the post convention bounce to his poll numbers was less than was hoped for.[30]

He dedicated his presidential library, which is the largest in the nation, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 18, 2004. Under rainy skies, Clinton received words of praise from former presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, as well as from the current president, George W. Bush. He was also treated to a musical rendition from Bono and The Edge from U2, who expressed their gratitude at Clinton's efforts to resolve the Northern Ireland conflict during his presidency.

On December 9, 2005, speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Montreal, Clinton publicly criticized the Bush Administration for its handling of emissions control. Further, Clinton twice visited the University of California, Los Angeles in 2006 to promote initiatives concerning the environment. First, on August 1, 2006, he met with Tony Blair, Ken Livingstone, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Gavin Newsom to advertise the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group. On October 13, 2006, he spoke in favor of California Proposition 87, which was voted down.

Health

On September 2, 2004, Clinton had an episode of angina and was evaluated at Northern Westchester Hospital. It was determined that he had not suffered a coronary infarction, and he was sent home, returning the following day for angiography, which disclosed multiple vessel coronary artery disease. He was transferred to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, where he underwent a successful quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on September 6, 2004. The medical team stated that, had he not had surgery, he would likely have suffered a massive heart attack within a few months.[31] On March 10, 2005, he underwent a follow-up surgery to remove scar tissue and fluid from his left chest cavity, a result of his open-heart surgery.

File:Jp2presidents.jpg
Clinton, along with Pres. George W. Bush, Laura Bush, and Pres. George H. W. Bush pay their respects to Pope John Paul II before the pope's funeral.

Humanitarian work

Main article: William J. Clinton Foundation

While in Sydney to attend a Global Business Forum, Clinton signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of his presidential foundation with the Australian government to promote HIV/AIDS programs in the Asia-Pacific region.

On May 3, 2005, Clinton announced through the William J. Clinton Foundation an agreement by major soft drink manufacturers to stop selling sugared sodas and juice drinks in public primary and secondary schools.

Friendship with George H.W. Bush

There had been reported signs of a friendship growing between Clinton and George H.W. Bush. After the official unveiling of his White House portrait in June 2004, the Asian Tsunami disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2004 election, Clinton and Bush met, although the nature of the meetings did not appear to include a reconciliation of political opinions.

Clinton with former President George H.W. Bush in January 2005.

On January 3, 2005, President George W. Bush named Clinton and George H. W. Bush to lead a nationwide campaign to help the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. On February 1, 2005, he was selected by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to head the United Nations earthquake and tsunami relief and reconstruction effort. Five days later, Clinton appeared with Bush on the Super Bowl XXXIX pre-game show on Fox in support of their bipartisan effort to raise money for relief of the disaster through the USA Freedom Corps, an action which Bush described as "transcending politics". Thirteen days later, they traveled to the affected areas to see the relief efforts.

On August 31, 2005, following the devastation of the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, Clinton again teamed with George H. W. Bush to coordinate private relief donations, in a campaign similar to their earlier one in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Honors and accolades

In February 2004, Clinton (along with Mikhail Gorbachev and Sophia Loren) won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children for narrating the Russian National Orchestra's album Wolf Tracks and Peter and the Wolf. Clinton won a second Grammy in February 2005, Best Spoken Word Album for My Life.

On November 22, 2004, New York Republican Governor George Pataki named Clinton and the other living former presidents (Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H. W. Bush) as honorary members of the board rebuilding the World Trade Center.

The 2005 J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding was awarded to Clinton by the Fulbright Association. Clinton received the award in a ceremony in Washington on April 12, 2006.

In 2005, the University of Arkansas System opened the Clinton School of Public Service on the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center.

On March 5, 2006, he received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Pace University, and is the first recipient of the Pace University President's Centennial Award. Following reception of the honorary degree, he spoke to the students, faculty, alumni and staff of Pace, officially kicking off the centennial anniversary of the university. Also in 2006 Clinton was awarded the J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding.

On May 13, 2006, Clinton was the commencement speaker along with George H. W. Bush at Tulane University in New Orleans. They both received honorary Doctorates of Laws from Tulane University. Clinton spoke to the students, faculty and alumni of Tulane and of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina that Tulane students had known firsthand.

In Europe, Bill Clinton remains immensely popular, especially in a large part of the Balkans and in Ireland. In Priština, Kosovo, a five-story picture of the former president was permanently engraved into the side of the tallest building in the province as a token of gratitude for Clinton's support during the crisis in Kosovo.[32]

On December 3 2006, Clinton was made an honorary chief and Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu by Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Michael Somare. Clinton was awarded the honor for his "outstanding leadership for the good of mankind during two terms as US president" and his commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS and other health challenges in developing countries.[33]

Further reading

Primary sources

Popular books

  • Peter Baker The Breach: Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton (2000) ISBN 0-684-86813-X
  • James Bovard Feeling Your Pain: The Explosion and Abuse of Government Power in the Clinton-Gore Years (2000) ISBN 0-312-23082-6
  • Joe Conason and Gene Lyons The Hunting of the President: The Ten-Year Campaign to Destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton (2003) ISBN 0-312-27319-3
  • Elizabeth Drew On the Edge: The Clinton Presidency (1994) ISBN 0-671-87147-1
  • Nigel Hamilton Bill Clinton: An American Journey (2003) ISBN 0-375-50610-1
  • John F. Harris The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House (2005) ISBN 0-375-50847-3
  • Christopher Hitchens No One Left to Lie to: The Triangulations of William Jefferson Clinton (1999) ISBN 1-85984-736-6
  • Michael Isikoff Uncovering Clinton: A Reporter's Story (1999) ISBN 0-609-60393-0
  • Joe Klein The Natural: The Misunderstood Presidency of Bill Clinton (2003) ISBN 0-7679-1412-0
  • David Maraniss First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton (1996) ISBN 0-684-81890-6
  • David Maraniss The Clinton Enigma: A Four and a Half Minute Speech Reveals This President's Entire Life (1998) ISBN 0-684-86296-4
  • Dick Morris with Eileen McGann Because He Could (2004) ISBN 0-06-078415-6
  • Roger Morris Partners in Power: The Clintons and Their America (1996) ISBN 0-89526-302-5
  • Richard A. Posner An Affair of State: The Investigation, Impeachment, and Trial of President Clinton (1999) ISBN 0-674-00080-3
  • Mark J. Rozell The Clinton Scandal and the Future of American Government (2000) ISBN 0-87840-777-4
  • Michael Waldman POTUS Speaks: Finding the Words That Defined the Clinton Presidency (2000) ISBN 0-7432-0020-9
  • Ivory Tower Publishing Company Achievements of the Clinton Administration: the Complete Legislative and Executive (1995) ISBN 0-88032-748-0

Academic studies

  • Cohen; Jeffrey E. "The Polls: Change and Stability in Public Assessments of Personal Traits, Bill Clinton, 1993-99" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 31, 2001
  • Cronin, Thomas E. and Michael A. Genovese; "President Clinton and Character Questions" Presidential Studies Quarterly Vol. 28, 1998
  • Davis; John. "The Evolution of American Grand Strategy and the War on Terrorism: Clinton and Bush Perspectives" White House Studies, Vol. 3, 2003
  • Edwards; George C. "Bill Clinton and His Crisis of Governance" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 28, 1998
  • Fisher; Patrick. "Clinton's Greatest Legislative Achievement? the Success of the 1993 Budget Reconciliation Bill" White House Studies, Vol. 1, 2001
  • Glad; Betty. "Evaluating Presidential Character" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 28, 1998
  • Harris, John F. The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House. (2005) ISBN 0-375-50847-3, biography
  • William G. Hyland. Clinton's World: Remaking American Foreign Policy (1999) ISBN 0-275-96396-9
  • Jewett, Aubrey W. and Marc D. Turetzky; " Stability and Change in President Clinton's Foreign Policy Beliefs, 1993-96" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 28, 1998
  • Johnson, Fard. "Politics, Propaganda and Public Opinion: The Influence of Race and Class on the 1993 - 1994 Health Care Reform Debate". (2004). ISBN 1-4116-6345-4
  • Laham, Nicholas, A Lost Cause: Bill Clinton's Campaign for National Health Insurance (1996)
  • Lanoue, David J. and Craig F. Emmert; "Voting in the Glare of the Spotlight: Representatives' Votes on the Impeachment of President Clinton" Polity, Vol. 32, 1999
  • Livingston, C. Don, Kenneth A. Wink; "The Passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives: Presidential Leadership or Presidential Luck?" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 27, 1997
  • Maurer; Paul J. "Media Feeding Frenzies: Press Behavior during Two Clinton Scandals" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 29, 1999
  • Nie; Martin A. "'It's the Environment, Stupid!': Clinton and the Environment" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 27, 1997
  • O'Connor; Brendon. "Policies, Principles, and Polls: Bill Clinton's Third Way Welfare Politics 1992-1996" The Australian Journal of Politics and History, Vol. 48, 2002
  • Poveda; Tony G. "Clinton, Crime, and the Justice Department" Social Justice, Vol. 21, 1994
  • Renshon; Stanley A. The Clinton Presidency: Campaigning, Governing, and the Psychology of Leadership Westview Press, 1995
  • Renshon; Stanley A. "The Polls: The Public's Response to the Clinton Scandals, Part 1: Inconsistent Theories, Contradictory Evidence" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 32, 2002
  • Rushefsky, Mark E. and Kant Patel. Politics, Power & Policy Making: The Case of Health Care Reform in the 1990s (1998) ISBN 1-56324-956-1
  • Schantz, Harvey L. Politics in an Era of Divided Government: Elections and Governance in the Second Clinton Administration (2001) ISBN 0-8153-3583-0
  • Wattenberg; Martin P. "The Democrats' Decline in the House during the Clinton Presidency: An Analysis of Partisan Swings" Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 29, 1999
  • Wattier; Mark J. "The Clinton Factor: The Effects of Clinton's Personal Image in 2000 Presidential Primaries and in the General Election" White House Studies, Vol. 4, 2004

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Biography of William J. Clinton, The White House
  2. ↑ President Bill Clinton's Hometown Homepage. Retrieved 2007-02-01.
  3. ↑ Clinton, Bill (June 22, 2004). My Life. Knopf, 52. 
  4. ↑ It All Began in a Place Called Hope. Retrieved 2007-01-02.
  5. ↑ Famous Non-Masons. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  6. ↑ Your Chelsea - Celebs. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  7. ↑ Le Beau, Bryan. The Political Mobilization of the New Christian Right. Creighton University. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  8. ↑ President seeks better implementation of 'don't ask, don't tell' - CNN, 1999-12-11
  9. ↑ Stranger Among Friends. - book reviews - John Cloud, Washington Monthly, November 1996
  10. ↑ Washington Blade Editorial: Bush Has Mandate to Let Gays Serve - Kevin Naff, Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military, 2003-01-10
  11. ↑ Patterson, Robert, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Ret) (2003). Dereliction of Duty: The Eyewitness Account of How Bill Clinton Endangered America's Long-Term National Security. Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing Company, 101. ISBN 0-89526-140-5. 
  12. ↑ Presidential Press Conference - 08/03/1993
  13. ↑ Historical Presidential Approval Ratings, abcnews.go.com, accessed February 27, 2006
  14. ↑ http://www.cbo.gov/budget/historical.pdf
  15. ↑ "Clinton acquitted; president apologizes again", CNN, February 12, 1999. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  16. ↑ "Clinton to contest Supreme Court suspension", CNN, October 2, 2001. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  17. ↑ "Bill Clinton Disbarment to End", AP/11alive.com, January 18, 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  18. ↑ Woodward, Bob and Duffy, Brian, "Chinese Embassy Role In Contributions Probed", Washington Post, Feb. 13, 1997
  19. ↑ "Clinton pardons: Cast of characters", BBC, 22 February, 2001. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
  20. ↑ Job Performance Ratings for President Clinton, accessed 2006-02-25
  21. ↑ Bill Clinton: Job Ratings - PollingReport.com
  22. ↑ Poll: Clinton's approval rating up in wake of impeachment - CNN, 1998-12-20
  23. ↑ Poll: Majority of Americans glad Clinton is leaving office - Keating Holland, CNN, 2001-01-10
  24. ↑ Poll: Clinton outperformed Bush - CNN.com
  25. ↑ Bresler, Robert J., "The Muddled Meaning of the 2000 Election", USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), January, 2001. Retrieved 2007-01-02.
  26. ↑ A Conversation With President Bill Clinton on Race in America Today - interview with Clinton, Center for American Progress, July 16, 2004.
  27. ↑ Morrison, Toni (October 1998). Clinton as the first black president. The New Yorker. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  28. ↑ Press release: President Bill Clinton to be keynote speaker at World Congress on IT 2002, World Information Technology and Services Alliance, Adelaide, South Australia
  29. ↑ Katherine Hamilton. "Bill Clinton to speak at Class Day", The Daily Princetonian, 2006-04-18
  30. ↑ Page, Susan, "Poll: No boost for Kerry after convention", USA TODAY, August 1, 2004. Retrieved 2007-02-01.
  31. ↑ Vedantam, Shankar, "Clinton's Heart Bypass Surgery Called a Success", The Washington Post, September 7, 2004, pp. A01. Retrieved 2007-01-02.
  32. ↑ Rangel Blasts Clinton as ‘a Redneck’. NewsMax Media (2005-02-08). Retrieved 2006-12-01.
  33. ↑ It's 'Chief Clinton' to you. news.com.au (2005-12-03). Retrieved 2006-12-03.


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Preceded by:
Jim Guy Tucker 		Attorney General of Arkansas
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