Bill Clinton

1. Bill Clinton What were the successes and failures of the Clinton presidency?

2. Background Information • Born August 19, 1946 in Hope, Arkansas • Attended college at Georgetown University, then won a prestigious scholarship to Oxford for 2 years • While in England, he received a draft notice and had to return to Arkansas. He dodged the draft, but later resubmitted his name. He was never called. • Became the governor of Arkansas. • Also, at age 16 Bill Clinton met President Kennedy for the football American all-stars. 30 years later he became the president.

3. Domestic Policies • The republican party argued that government was the problem, not a solution. This resonated with the American public as Clinton came into presidency. For this reason, Clinton needed to find a middle ground between the “traditional” democratic way and the republican way. • Took position of a moderate, practical democrat

4. Laws and Reform • Early on Clinton signed the Family Medical Leave Act this allowed most full-time employees 12 workweeks unpaid leave for birth and care of a child, to recover from serious illness, or care for an immediate family member. • this had been vetoed by President Bush • Clinton administration also raised minimum wage, increased access to college loans and expanded tax credits for higher education • Clinton’s list of priorities was headed by healthcare reform, Hillary Clinton was appointed to head. After a year of debate the bill was dropped due to lack of support.

5. Dealing With Violence • Brady Bill- a gun control act • named for presidential aide James Brady, who’d been wounded in 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan. • $30 billion anticrime bill- increased funding for police and banned several kinds of assault weapons

6. Violence cont. • 1995 bombing of a government building- killed 168 people injured 800 others. Committed by home-grown anti-government extremists • Surrounded federal buildings with barriers and passed new laws to deter terrorism and impose stiffer penalties • 1999 school shooting- two students shot and killed 12 students and a teacher, wounded 42 others • Installed metal detectors in schools and instituted anti-bully policies, “zero tolerance” approaches

7. Mid-term Elections and Reelection • Clinton had made a few victories, but failure of healthcare reform damaged his popularity. • Republicans won control of the house • In the mid 1990’s American economy began to soar, no reason to change power. Labeled Dole as an “out-of-touch conservative” and Perot as a “political quack.” Clinton wins election. The House and Senate retained Republican majorities.

8. The Scandal and Trial • Dodged scandals: one a sexual harassment suit, one concerned investments made in Whitewater Development Corporation • Whitewater was investigated twice, though it was over-shadowed by an affair Clinton had with an intern • Investigator Kenneth Starr recommended impeachment on multiple accounts, none related to Whitewater scandal. • Clinton’s actions were condemned, but impeachment was opposed

9. Impeachment • Clinton had an affair with a 22 year old intern, this lasted from 1995 to 1998 until co-worker from the Defense Department recorded their telephone conversations. • Put on trial for 21 days in the U.S. senate, resulting on his impeachment. • This ruined Bill Clinton’s image, as well as the enthusiasm for the entire democratic party. • Despite the public’s changed view of his trustworthiness, his approval rating was still high.

10. Time for the activity • Listen to your instructor on what to do