1. Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush

2. Bill Clinton 1992-2000 Monica Lewinsky scandal: president accused of lying under oath Monica Lewinsky scandal: president accused of lying under oath Jones v. Clinton case Jones v. Clinton case Impeached by House Impeached by House Not convicted by Senate Not convicted by Senate What’s the difference ? What’s the difference ? Whitewater scandal Whitewater scandal “Teflon President” “Teflon President”

3. George Bush Election of 2000: Bush against Al Gore Election of 2000: Bush against Al Gore Election is very close in electoral college votes – Florida is deciding state Election is very close in electoral college votes – Florida is deciding state Republican A.G. of Florida certifies Bush as winner after a machine recount gives Bush a slim margin of victory Republican A.G. of Florida certifies Bush as winner after a machine recount gives Bush a slim margin of victory

4. Bush v. Gore Gore’s legal teams asks Florida Supreme Court for a recount of all votes Gore’s legal teams asks Florida Supreme Court for a recount of all votes The case was heard by the US Supreme Court The case was heard by the US Supreme Court In a 5-4 decision, court ruled that the recount violated the equal protection clause of the 14 th amendment because different standards could be used county- by-county; recount was denied; Bush wins In a 5-4 decision, court ruled that the recount violated the equal protection clause of the 14 th amendment because different standards could be used county- by-county; recount was denied; Bush wins

5. George W. Bush 9/11/01 Bombings by Al Qaeda 9/11/01 Bombings by Al Qaeda Bush orders the invasion of Afghanistan to root out Al Qaeda/Taliban government Bush orders the invasion of Afghanistan to root out Al Qaeda/Taliban government Afghanistan is invaded; American troops remain; Hamid Karzai installed as president Afghanistan is invaded; American troops remain; Hamid Karzai installed as president Many Al Qaeda are killed; many escape to Pakistan; Taliban is not rooted out Many Al Qaeda are killed; many escape to Pakistan; Taliban is not rooted out

6. George W. Bush Bush’s “War on Terror” Bush’s “War on Terror” Excuse for perpetual military action?? Excuse for perpetual military action??

7. Iraq War 2003: Bush tries to convince UN that Saddam Hussein has WMD’s 2003: Bush tries to convince UN that Saddam Hussein has WMD’s WMD = weapon of mass destruction (nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon) WMD = weapon of mass destruction (nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon) UN does not authorize the use of force UN does not authorize the use of force US Congress authorizes use of force US Congress authorizes use of force Operation “Iraqi Freedom” Operation “Iraqi Freedom” US invades 3/03 with Britain as only other major ally US invades 3/03 with Britain as only other major ally Becomes major issue in 2008 presidential campaign Becomes major issue in 2008 presidential campaign Barack Obama only major candidate not to have voted for war Barack Obama only major candidate not to have voted for war

8. Bush doctrine = “preemptive war” Bush doctrine = “preemptive war” Problems with war: Problems with war: Illegal under international law? Illegal under international law? WMD’s not found WMD’s not found Counterinsurgency/identifying enemy Counterinsurgency/identifying enemy Provide security Provide security Factions within Iraq Factions within Iraq

9. Election of 2008 McCain/Palin vs. Obama/Biden McCain/Palin vs. Obama/Biden Main issues: Main issues: –Financial Crisis and “bailouts” –Deep recession and high unemployment –Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts