1. Into A New Century The Clinton Presidency

3. 1992 Election 1991 –Persian Gulf War is over –Bush’s approval rating at 91% By 1992 –Sadam Hussein still in power –American economy in recession –Federal deficit has risen –“No New Taxes” didn’t stick –Approval rating has plummeted

4. Clinton Born in 1946 in Hot Springs, AR Elected Gov. in 1978 Promoted himself as “New Democrat” –Widened appeal –Distance himself from traditional “tax & spend” liberals New Democrats –Wanted to reconcile liberal & conservative ideals –Strong national defense, tough on crime, free trade, welfare reform, closer ties with corporations –Govt. necessary & important, but grown large & inefficient –Clinton attracted conservative and liberal dems

5. Winning the Whitehouse 1992- Ran against Bush & H. Ross Perot –Perot from TX, billionaire –Self-funded campaign –Independent party –Promised to govern by sound –Business principles Clinton’s Campaign –Focused on economic/social opportunity –Bush’s economic policy made rich richer –Family struggled through hard times –Understood financial hardships

6. Winning Contd. Bush’s Response –Attacked Clinton’s character –Draft-dodging –Infidelity –Morally “relaxed” –Clinton/Gore too inexperienced to lead nation Largest voter turnout since 1960 –More than 100 million –Clinton: 43%, Bush: 37%, Perot 19% –Dems retained House & Senate

7. Domestic Policies Clinton faced big challenge –Rep won 5/6 of last elections –Reps argue that govt. was the problem, not solution Many Americans believed the same –Clinton had to find middle ground Reps advocate limited govt. Dems rely on govt. programs to address social problems

8. New Laws/Accomplishments Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) –Originally vetoed by Bush –Guaranteed full-time employees 12 work weeks of unpaid leave a year Birth & care of newborn Recover from serious illness Care for immediate family recovering from illness Raised minimum wage Increased access to college loans Expanded tax credits for college students

9. Healthcare Reform U.S. only country without national healthcare Wanted program guaranteeing healthcare for all Americans –Hillary Clinton appointed as head of taskforce to investigate –Conducted publicized hearings –Produced long, detailed proposal Highly criticized by interest groups –Never won support, dropped after year of debate –Americans did not feel that govt. should run healthcare program

10. Dealing With Violence Clinton attempted to address violence in U.S. 1993- signed Brady Bill –Named for James Brady, wounded in 1981 assassination attempt of Reagan Passed $30billion anticrime bill –Increased funding for police –Banned several assault weapons »Violence still persisted in U.S.

11. Violence Contd. 1995- Oklahoma City Bombing –Killed 168, injured 800+ –Committed by “home-grown” anti-govt. extremists –Govt. buildings surrounded to prevent similar attacks –New laws passed to deter terrorism/impose stiffer penalties 1999- Columbine –Two armed students –Killed 12 students/ 1 teacher –Wounded 24 –Schools install metal detectors/ other security measures –Anti-bullying/”zero tolerance” policies

12. Republicans After 2 years, Clinton has had few legislative wins –Healthcare initiative had failed –Control of Congress was waning 1994- mid-term elections –Republicans took opportunity to advance ideas

13. Newt Gingrich Led Republican opposition against Clinton –Bold & aggressive –Would not compromise with Dems Many though Rep control of house was impossible –Dems controlled House for 58 of last 62 years “Contract with America”- Attacked big govt. –Emphasized patriotism & tradition –Congressional term limits –Reduction of fed bureaucracy –Balanced budget Amendment –Large tax cuts –Increased defense spending –Significant welfare reform –Tough anticrime legislation Govt. too big, too wasteful, too liberal

14. 1994 Election Strong Republican turnout in 1994 –Wont control of House- 1 st time in 40 years –Also won the Senate, & most governorships Passed most of Gingrich’s programs Cutting Medicare & other govt. programs was unpopular 1995- Govt. shut down: Congress would not pass Clinton’s budget Clinton able to focus on conservative agenda –Reformed welfare –More money for law enforcement –Stiffer sentencing for criminals –Made balancing budget, reducing debt a priority

15. Clinton’s Reelection Mid-1990s- Economy out of recession and soaring –Longest period of sustained growth in history –Low unemployment –Low inflation levels –Efforts to balance budget, reduce deficit 1994- Clinton’s disapproval rating= 60% Booming economy gave Americans no real reason for a leadership change Reps nominate Robert Dole –WWI hero –Moderate Rep Perot ran as reform party candidate Clinton labeled Dole an out-of-touch conservative Clinton labeled Perot as a political quack Clinton won by large margin House & Senate retained Republican majorties

16. Scandal, Impeachment, and Trial, Oh My! Dodged scandals from very first days in office –Sexual harassment suit as governor of Arkansas –Investments Bill & Hilary made in Whitewater Development Corp. Arkansas real estate company 1970s & 1980s

17. Media Reactions

18. Prosecution Janet Reno appointed to investigate Whitewater investment –Recommended no criminal charges Congress passed new law –Required special prosecutors be selected by three-judge panel from Court of Appeals –August 1994: Kenneth Starr appointed Investigation covered 7 years Failed to find any conclusive evidence of Clinton’s guilt Some of Clinton’s associates were convicted Starr investigated Clinton’s relationship w/ White House intern –Monica Lewinsky –Clinton denied the affair under oath –Clinton eventually admitted he lied –Whitewater quickly overshadowed by new scandal –1998- Starr recommended impeachment on several accounts All accounts related to Lewinsky scandal, not Whitewater

19. Impeachment Most Americans condemned actions, but opposed impeachment Congressional Dems did not believe actions met Constitutional Impeachment requirements –“Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” House, led by Rep majority, impeached Clinton –Perjury & obstruction of justice January, 1999: Senate tried Clinton Removal requires 2/3 majority of senators –Would not have votes from beginning –Clinton acquitted on both counts on Feb 12