Clinton Administration Election of 1992 George Bush runs for re-election Bill Clinton nominated by Democrats Moderate Democrat Wanted to move people off of welfare Growth of private business Strongly anti-crime Election 1992 Con t Clinton promised to reform welfare Bush ran on a conservative family values ticket and the man who ended the Cold War Clinton wins 370-168 First baby boom President 1
Clinton s First Term Named a number of minorities and women to cabinet Attorney General Janet Reno Secretary of State Madeline Albright Nominated Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Supreme Court Early Clinton Blunders Attempted to end military policy prohibiting homosexuals After much controversy, settled on Don t Ask Don t Tell Attempted to reform health care system Hillary Clinton in charge of reform Plan was complicated, controversial and costly was overwhelmingly defeated by Congress Balanced Budget Economy on the upswing in mid-90s Clinton cut federal spending 1993 NAFTA: free trade between U.S., Mexico and Canada Pro: Could lead to more American jobs, increased demand for American goods Con: Many Clinton supporters (unions) upset over loss of jobs overseas Federal government had a surplus by 1998 Surplus caused controversy because Congress did not know what to do with it. 2
Clinton and Crime Signed Brady Bill putting major restrictions on handguns Urged Congress to pass $30 billion anticrime bill Branch Davidians Waco, TX, 1993 ATF storm compound of religious group after 51 day siege Leader: David Koresh accused of statutory rape, child abuse and stockpiling weapons Branch Davidians set fire to compound killing 76 people in the group Oklahoma City Bombing Alfred Murrah building bombed Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols arrested 168 killed, over 600 injured. Worst case of domestic terrorism. McVeigh executed in 2001. 3
Columbine 1999: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold open fire in Littleton, Colorado 13 were killed Violent crime had been a major issue for Clinton. Events during Presidency proved he was right. Conservative Opposition 1994: Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and other conservatives attack Clinton presidency Promised a Contract with America --conservative actions if elected. Spending cuts Tax cuts Welfare reform Republicans sweep majority of Congressional seats and gubernatorial positions in 1994 Failure of the Contract with America Republicans pushed Clinton to sign a welfare reform bill making deep cuts in welfare Liberals angry with Clinton Gingrich advocated some controversial issues Putting children of welfare families in orphanages Did not fulfill many of Contract goals Budget fight between Clinton and Republicans forced shut down of the government in 1996 People blamed Republicans 4
Election of 1996 Clinton runs for reelection Republicans run Senator Bob Dole Ross Perot runs as a third party candidate First Democrat to win re-election since FDR Continued Economic Growth Technology, computer,.com s buoyed economy Budget Surplus--we made money! Foreign Affairs dispatched troops as a part of peacekeeping mission to Somalia in 1993 Sent troops to Rwanda in 1994 when democratically elected president was forced in flee Joined NATO troops to stop the genocide in the Balkans in 1995 and 1999. 5
Clinton Impeached Clinton had scandals while governor of Arkansas. Whitewater Scandal Paula Jones Scandal Monica Lewinsky accuses President of affair in White House and sexual harrassment. President denies this under oath. Impeachment continued Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr investigates. Clinton admits inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky House impeaches for perjury and obstruction of justice High crimes and misdemeanors? President should be above moral reproach? Results of Impeachment Vote Strict party vote House impeaches Clinton Senate fails to convict by a wide margin Clinton s last year in office was rather quiet and uneventful 6