24.2

Honors U.S. History Grab your textbook if you don’t already have it Please, get with a partner and put your desks together. Then, we need to have a word…

The 1992 Election President George H.W. Bush Approval rating after Persian Gulf War = 91% BUT by 1992 Saddam Hussein was still in power: threatened peace + used terror 1992 Economic Recession He did raise taxes despite his ‘88 promise to not raise taxes = room for a Democratic candidate to challenge him

Clinton Raises the Challenge Bill Clinton nominated as Democratic candidate Baby boomer, born in Arkansas, worked his way thru college + law school Governor of Arkansas Called himself a “New Democrat” Not “tax and spend” Centrist w/ strong nat’l defense, welfare reform, free trade, though stance on crime

Winning the White House Election of 1992 President George H.W. Bush (R) incumbent Bill Clinton (D) Ross Perot (I) Strong on business principles  run the country this way Clinton’s campaign said Bush’s economic policies made the rich richer Bush’s campaign charged Clinton w/ draft-dodging, marital infidelity, moral issues

1992 Election Results Clinton: 43% popular vote (Winner) Bush: 37% popular vote Perot: 19% popular vote (conservatives Perot for stealing Bush votes)

Clinton’s Domestic Policies Clinton faced a big challenge: Since 1968 the country had elected conservatives in 5/6 presidential elections ∴ Clinton needed to stay in the middle b/c gov’t is the problem rhetoric

Signing New Laws Family Medical Leave Act 12 weeks unpaid leave for newborn child, serious illness, or family member w/ serious illness Expanded other social programs (student loans, minimum wage)

Healthcare Reform Fails Hilary Clinton (his wife) to head his health care task force: Investigation of health care needs in the country Created a long bill to expand healthcare  failed in Congress after a year of debate Americans still had little faith in gov’t to solve social issues

Dealing with Violence Brady Bill passed (1993) Gun control act named after James Brady  wounded in Reagan assassination attempt $30 billion anticrime bill Increased police funding Banned specific assault weapons

1995 Oklahoma City Bombing Domestic Terrorism: Anti-gov’t extremist Timothy McVeigh blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Car bomb that killed 168 ppl, injured 800, 1/3 rd of the building destroyed

Columbine Columbine High School in Colorado 2 heavily armed students (Eric Harris + Dylan Klebold) attacked the school Killed 12 students, 1 teacher, injured 24 others Both this + OKC bombing = new security measures in public buildings nationwide Schools have “zero tolerance” policy towards school violence

The Republicans Galvanize Clinton had few notable victories during his first 2 years as president Failure w/ healthcare hurt his popularity among Democrats + showed he couldn’t control Congress ∴ w/ 1994 midterm elections Republicans gained much ground

Gingrich’s Contract with America Congressman from GA, led the opposition to Clinton Goal: Win H.O.R. for Republicans in 1994 Many thought it was nearly impossible b/c Dems controlled H.O.R. for 58 of the previous 62 years Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America Plan that attacked big gov’t + emphasized patriotism + traditional values  sound familiar? Series of conservative policies members pledge to fight for  What do you predict these policies are? Series of conservative policies members pledge to fight for  What do you predict these policies are?

Capturing the 1994 Election Republicans captured the H.O.R. + Senate in 1994, and most governorships

Clinton Wins Reelection Mid-1990s the economy began to soar, period of sustained growth, balanced budget Technological development 1994 – Clinton had 60% disapproval then the economy took off 1996 Election Clinton easily won Bob Dole (Republican Senate Majority Leader) Ross Perot (Reform Party – I)

Scandals, Impeachment and Trial Sexual harassment scandal while Governor Paula Jones Whitewater Development Corporation Scandal Bill + Hilary Clinton during 70s + 80s

Prosecuting Clinton Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr began investigating the Whitewater investment scandal + came across something even bigger… Uncovered that Clinton had been having an affair w/ a White House intern: Monica Lewinsky Under oath Clinton denied the affair “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.” But later admitted that he lied… under oath

Impeaching the President Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for lying under oath Needed a 2/3 majority in the Senate to fully remove the president from office Did not get 2/3 ∴ he was acquitted of all accounts