The Clinton Presidency Chapter 20, Section 2

The 1992 Election ●1991 (End of Persian Gulf War) - Bush had approval rating of 91% o Bush raised taxes (pledged not to during 1988 campaign) o Saddam Hussein still in power - continues to threaten peace in the Middle East o American economy in recession o Approval rating dropped

●William Clinton: presidential candidate in 1992 election (Democrat) o Governor of Arkansas o took a “central” route  strong national defense, tough stand on crime, free trade, welfare reform  attracted both parties o Used his working background to his advantage

●Bush attacked Clinton through moral issues (draft dodging, marital infidelity) ●Largest voter turnout since 1960 election o Clinton won

Clinton’s Domestic Policies ●Family Medical Leave Act: guaranteed full-time employees 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for the birth and care of a newborn child, to recover from a serious illness, or to care for an immediate family member with one. ●Increased funding for police and banned several kinds of assault weapons

Oklahoma City bombing (1995) ●domestic terrorism: anti- government extremists o 168 killed o more than 800 injured o included a number of children in a day care center

Columbine High School, Colorado (1999) ●two students killed 12 students and a teacher, wounding 24 others o schools now install metal detectors, stricter security controls, anti-bullying policies and “zero tolerance” towards school violence

●Booming economy (mid-1990s) - low inflation levels, low unemployment, technology boom with the Internet ●Clinton won re-election (1996)

Scandals, Impeachment, and Trial ●Clinton was involved in scandals before the White House (sexual harassment from when he was a governor) ●Under investigation TWICE for investments in a real estate company

●Investigated for his relationship with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky o Denied under oath that they had an affair  later admitted that he lied ● Investigators pushed for impeachment ●Impeachment: act of bringing charges against an official to determine whether he or she should be removed from office o related to intern scandal NOT the real estate

●Most Americans condemned Clinton’s actions but not to impeach him o “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” required by Constitution for impeachment o Impeached Clinton on the charges of perjury and obstruction of justice  Senate tried Clinton (1999): Needed ⅔ majority of senators to remove ● acquitted of both charges

Do you think the President should be impeached? Explain. Exit Ticket