Key Themes Building Economic Prosperity for American Middle Class. Relative peace around the World. U.S. cements its role as World’s only Superpower. Monica Lewinski scandal and impeachment. Increasingly divided party politics. Trade deals with China, NAFTA. Hilary Clinton Plays a key role in Administration.

“Bridge to the 21 st Century…” Clinton’s main campaign theme. Clinton’s main goal was to build on U.S. pre- eminent status, prestige and power. Clinton was a charming and charismatic politician. His “charm” would end up getting him into deep political, legal and personal trouble!

NAFTA : Key economic deal North American Free trade Agreement. Allowed easier trade between Canada, Mexico and U.S. Enabled companies from each country to set up sites all over North America. Put strain on U.S. companies. Many moved to Mexico for cheaper costs.

NAFTA :Not Popular Many people criticize NAFTA for the outsourcing of U.S. Jobs to sites overseas. Others look to the increased trade and access to foreign markets.

FACT: Since NAFTA and other free trade agreements, the U.S. manufacturing sector has been reduced to a fraction of its former self. Is this because of free trade or other forces?

Trade With China Agreement signed in Allowed new imports and exports to and from China. China is now a key and substantial part of the American economy. Go to Wal Mart and see for yourself….

Lewinsky Scandal Monica Lewinsky In the winter of , Clinton began a sexual affair with his 22 year old White House intern. Ultimately, the events that unfolded would cripple the president, and lead to his impeachment, which he survived.

Lewinsky Scandal Clinton was not the first President to have extra- marital sex in the White House. Why, then, was he impeached for it? Clinton was already under investigation for something similar when he was governor of Arkansas. As part of that investigation he was questioned about Lewinsky… and he was caught lying about it!

Lewinsky Scandal Linda Tripp, a “friend” of Monica’s recorded conversations with Monica about her affair with the Pres. She then gave the tapes to Federal prosecutors. The tapes were used as evidence to prove the Pres. had lied.

Lewinsky Scandal The national media and political frenzy made the country look ridiculous. A federal Grand jury found that Clinton had lied under oath about the affair. In 1999, the Congress impeached Bill Clinton.

Lewinsky Scandal Fall out Clinton’s impeachment trial lasted 21 days and ended with the Senate acquitting him (Dem controlled). This politically charged atmosphere ushered in a new age of nasty politics that has continued to this day. Congress has become increasingly dysfunctional ever since…

Lewinsky Scandal Fall out Clinton was forced to apologize to the Nation… Hilary stood by him the whole time, blaming the impeachment on a “Vast, Right Wing conspiracy…” that was out to get her husband.

Lewinsky Scandal Fall out When George Bush ran for president in 2000, he ran on bringing “…respect and responsibility back to the White House”. Clinton’s impeachment enabled the republicans to garner enough votes to take back the White House in 2001.

Foreign Wars There were a number of foreign wars during Clinton’s Presidency. They were limited in scale and time and will be dealt with separately. Bosnia ( ) Somalia (1993) Kosovo (1996)

Clinton’s legacy As Clinton left office, the United States had benefitted from the economic boom associated with the growth of the Internet. The country could look forward to years of prosperity as long as the economy was handled with care. In 2000, the U.S. had a large budget surplus, a respected standing in the world and a healthy economy. However, over the next decade, all of this would unravel…

And what of the Clintons? Hilary became Sen. For NY, before running for Pres. in She is now Secretary of State for Pres. Obama. Bill is head of the Clinton Global Initiative, a powerful philanthropical organization that combats poverty around the world. In many ways, the Clintons are far more influential now that they were in the White House…. Why?

And… whatever happened to Monica? She was a reality TV host for a while, a Jenny Craig spokesperson before leaving the U.S. for good in She now lives in London, were she studied Social Psychology. To this day she maintains that much of what Bill Clinton has said about the scandal is untrue.