The Clinton Presidency

William Jefferson Clinton, the forty-second president served as the President of the United States for eight years, from 1993-2001. Albert Gore, Jr. was the vice president under the Clinton presidency; both men belonged to the Democratic Party. Born William Jefferson Blythe in Hope, Arkansas, in 1946, Clinton was a young politician in high school and Georgetown University, where he attended in 1968; as well as Oxford University (1968-1970) and then Yale Law School, where he graduated in 1973.

Clinton's political career began after becoming state attorney general (1974) after losing the race for United States House of Representatives. As the youngest governor in the nation, Clinton was elected in 1978 for governor of Arkansas. Clinton won against President Bush and Ross Perot in the 1992 presidential election. Clinton's focus as newly elected president was economic and middle class supported issues. After indiscretions in his personal life and constant criticism from Republican opponents, President Clinton was brought to trial in 1999; charged with perjury and obstructing justice. The Senate was split, some felt the Presidents actions were not a crime of the state, where others felt subversion of the law and perjury should be held as a "high crime". Clinton, "the second President to be impeached in U.S history" was acquitted and finished his second term (University of VA., 2003).

President Clinton had many positive outcomes during his presidency, which was not an easy task when both houses of Congress were Republican as of 1994. Clinton's first year of presidency showed positive results; by its end, Clinton won over Congress for the adoption of his promised economic package. There were no Republican votes in either chamber of Congress at the time, resulting in a positive impact on the adoption of the package. The President's economic package changed America's economy for the better; creating more jobs, lowering the unemployment rate, raising minimum wage and lowering interest rates. Clinton's tax policies and the deficit reduction helped the American economy soar. The American economy was "the world's strongest and most robust (2003)".

The first year was also when President Clinton fulfilled another campaign promise; he signed the Family and Medical Act of 1993, making it mandatory that employers allow employees unpaid leave for medical and family emergencies. This was a huge relief to the working class Americans, especially those with children; workers no longer had to worry that they would lose their job because their child or significant other became ill. For the most part Clinton fought against Republican reform such as the Republican Parties intentions of blocking access to education for immigrant children.

President Clinton cleaned up former President Bush's mess in Somalia by withdrawing troops in 1994, much to the satisfaction of American's. When the 1994 genocide in Rwanda began, Clinton kept the U.S. out of it because of the disasters in Somalia; this too was supported by American majority; though Clinton would be criticized later for doing exactly what American's wanted. America went to Rwanda "too late", after much killing had taken place. However, after Somalia's failure and the economy finally improving, it was in the best interest of Americans to stay out of foreign affairs.

President Clinton, unlike other United States presidents, was a "hands-on" president; he took control of important issues, even though he was aware of Republican intentions to try and stop him. Clinton was wise to the game of politics, knowing that there is little trust in the White House, he kept a few close confidants and stayed strong in his beliefs of what was right for America. He wanted to please the American people and held regular polls for American feedback. This is why he was re-elected in 1996, against Republican, Bob Dole.

Clinton's work in Northern Ireland was much appreciated by both sides of Ireland; and because of President Clinton, the Provisional Irish Republican Army was disarmed and peace was finally accomplished.

President Clinton was for the people, the "common man", as he frequented public places and spoke to the youth of America as important influences on America's future, showing young men and woman that their opinions mattered. This focus on Generation-X, created a huge turnout, creating responsible, active young voters.

Some critics argue that the Hillary and Bill Clinton's political partnership was unprecedented. Hilary's strong opinions and public role in the administration was looked negatively upon, especially by Republican critics.

Clinton was criticized for his past pre-presidency actions. Social conservatives thought of him as a "hippie" or "white trash" because of his past actions, such as avoiding the draft or womanizing behaviors and pot smoking in his youth. On the other hand, southern conservatives found him to be a "traitor" to his upbringing, because of his thorough education and liberal views. Throughout his presidency, Clinton could not escape his past.

During his presidency, allegations of past wrong-doings and behavior were brought up; especially after his affair with Monica Lewinsky became national news, which consequently led to an impeachment process. Woman of his past came out of the wood work claiming sexual harassment and misconduct.

Another criticism often discussed was that the economy's improvement was caused more by Alan Greenspan's careful economic management than President Clinton's influence.

The above arguments are nothing more than political sabotage on the part of the Republican Party. Hillary and Bill's alliance should not have been seen as threatening in the eyes of their critics. Many "common man" Americans often complain that not enough is being done by government to support the family union; that mass media makes a mockery of the importance of family. Hillary and Bill showed their support for each other publicly, working together as a team. The equality demonstrated by the Clinton's is exactly what women have fought for, for years. Behind every great man is an equally great woman. President Clinton saw Hillary as his equal and was open to hearing her suggestions; he married a smart woman, it was no wonder he acted on many of her ideas. America used to be about marriage and family unity. It would seem that critics were insecure in their own abilities; prejudice of a woman having say in the White House, rather than hiding quietly behind her husband.

Clinton's pre-presidential life was cast into the media, especially after the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Clinton was portrayed as a deceitful womanizer with a shady past. Apparently, the president of the United States is supposed to have a spotless record from birth, a perfect human being in every way and has never had an indiscretion in his life. It is no wonder that there have been so many political scandals and cover-ups over the decades. President Clinton was the first president to show America the truth behind the political glam; while at the same time making himself an actual human being to the public, most importantly to America's future, Generation-X. No one person can claim perfection; humans are naturally flawed. Unfortunately, President Clinton felt he had to hide his indiscretions as his predecessors had; and was no doubt afraid to be honest about his past once discovered, for consequences unknown to him. He did however, face the music, he told the truth, he made amends and finished his presidency on a positive note. Critics were quick to point the finger, some however, such as Newt Gingrich, sympathized with Clinton, noting that they to have past indiscretions.

No one man could have taken complete credit for the soaring economy during the Clinton Administration. It was Greenspan's job to manage the details of the economy; and Clinton's programs and determination to see them passed by Congress, it was a team effort. Clinton was the one to re-nominate Greenspan, bringing him back into the picture.

Looking back on the Clinton administration, especially given the political atmosphere of the United States today, the scandals and cover ups seem minute in comparison. Clinton had a lot of competition during his presidency from the Republican Party who was constantly digging for any piece of dirt to use against the President. The Republicans were dead-set on removing Democratic influence; motivating them to turn the Clinton presidency into a circus. Republicans wanted to show Clinton as immoral, yet digging and slinging dirt is just as bad; so who, during the Clinton Administration acted morally? It's much like calling the kettle black. Some say that the Clinton Administration created public cynicism in politics; however, it was America's chance to see politicians in a new light and hopefully causing them to make wiser decisions in the future when looking for a candidate who will represent them responsibly. The Republicans came out of the Clinton Administration looking deceitful; they continue their ways into the Bush Administration. However, after seeing the mess that Republicans made in the Clinton and now Bush Administrations, Americans' will be much more careful when choosing their next president.

Unfortunately, Clinton's presidency was doomed from the point that Republicans took over Congress. The nonconforming, open-minded, for-the-people president was too different for the conservative Republicans to understand or tolerate; they tried every trick in the book to get him out of the White House. Republicans, as well as many Americans were not ready for such a free-thinker. President Clinton would not conform to the ways his critics expected him to. All the nit-picking about who was responsible for the positive and negative occurrences during the Clinton Administration demonstrates the desperateness of his critics to get this freethinker out of the White House. Clinton was a great president, however his positive contributions to America were covered by Republican dirty behavior; Clinton was not allowed to fulfill his full potential as America's forty-second president; the odds were against him as soon as the Republican Party became the majority.