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Bill Clinton (view source)

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===Arkansas scandals===

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Clinton was involved in several scandals while Governor of Arkansas. He converted governmental resources for personal use by having Arkansas state policemen arrange and stand guard during his extramarital rendezvous with women.<ref>Thomas C. Reeves, ''[~~http~~://~~findarticles~~.com/~~p/articles/mi_m1571~~/~~is_n14_v10~~/~~ai_14988880~~ Why Troopergate matters to voters]'', ''Insight on the News,'' April 4, 1994.</ref>

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Clinton was involved in several scandals while Governor of Arkansas. He converted governmental resources for personal use by having Arkansas state policemen arrange and stand guard during his extramarital rendezvous with women.<ref>Thomas C. Reeves, ''[https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-14988880/why-troopergate-matters-to-voters Why Troopergate matters to voters]'', ''Insight on the News,'' April 4, 1994.</ref>

His close personal business partnerships with James and Susan McDougall in a failed Savings and Loan business venture led to investigation of the [[Whitewater]] affair. Several of the people involved with the sale of land prior to the Clinton presidency were indicted, but prosecutors never charged either Clintons with a crime.

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==1992 Presidential election==

:''Main article:'' [[United States presidential election, 1992]]

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After the surge of support for the war policy of President [[George H.W. Bush]] pushed his popularity to the 90% level, most prominent Democrats decided to wait out the 1992 election. Clinton's main rival, Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts, called Clinton "pander bear" who "will say anything, do anything to get votes."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/07/us/the-1992-campaign-democrats-saying-clinton-is-cynical-tsongas-goes-on-the-attack.html THE 1992 CAMPAIGN: Democrats; Saying Clinton Is Cynical, Tsongas Goes on the Attack,] By RICHARD L. BERKE, ''New York Times'', March 07, 1992. </ref> Appalled by the tone and direction of the campaign, billionaire [[Ross Perot]] entered the race, ran on a balanced budget, and briefly led the polls. Both Bush and Perot proved poor campaigners, as Clinton and his running mate [[Al Gore]] promised a more responsive government. Republicans tried to use the character issue, questioning his failure to serve in the [[Vietnam War]] and stories of his illegal drug use in college days. But Bush was handicapped by a bad economy, and was wounded badly among moderates and conservatives for breaking a promise to not raise taxes. Clinton hammered away at the economy--"It's the economy, stupid!" explained his campaign manager. Clinton and Gore ran as "new Democrats", promising to cut middle class taxes, increase [[direct spending]], end welfare cash payments "as we know it", and support capital punishment. Clinton won the electoral college decisively, and outpolled Bush 43% to 37%, with 19% for Perot.

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After the surge of support for the war policy of President [[George H.W. Bush]] pushed his popularity to the 90% level, most prominent Democrats decided to wait out the 1992 election. Clinton's main rival, Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts, called Clinton "pander bear" who "will say anything, do anything to get votes."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/07/us/the-1992-campaign-democrats-saying-clinton-is-cynical-tsongas-goes-on-the-attack.html THE 1992 CAMPAIGN: Democrats; Saying Clinton Is Cynical, Tsongas Goes on the Attack,] By RICHARD L. BERKE, ''[[The New York Times]]'', March 07, 1992. </ref> Appalled by the tone and direction of the campaign, billionaire [[Ross Perot]] entered the race, ran on a balanced budget, and briefly led the polls. Both Bush and Perot proved poor campaigners, as Clinton and his running mate [[Al Gore]] promised a more responsive government. Republicans tried to use the character issue, questioning his failure to serve in the [[Vietnam War]] and stories of his illegal drug use in college days. But Bush was handicapped by a bad economy, and was wounded badly among moderates and conservatives for breaking a promise to not raise taxes. Clinton hammered away at the economy--"It's the economy, stupid!" explained his campaign manager. Clinton and Gore ran as "new Democrats", promising to cut middle class taxes, increase [[direct spending]], end welfare cash payments "as we know it", and support capital punishment. Clinton won the electoral college decisively, and outpolled Bush 43% to 37%, with 19% for Perot.

Clinton thus entered Washington with a Democratic Congress and a vague agenda. As the first President born after [[World War II]], Clinton represented the "baby-boom" generation.

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==1993-1997, U.S. Presidency==

:''Main article:'' [[Clinton administration‎‎]]

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Clinton was hailed by liberals and the media for his intellect. Alan Greenspan, who served six presidents in a long career said of Clinton after their first meeting, "for sheer intelligence, Bill Clinton was on a par with [[Richard Nixon]]."<ref>[Alan Greenspan, ''The Age of Turbulence'', Penguin Press, 2007, p. 144.]</ref>

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Clinton was hailed by liberals and the media for his intellect. Alan Greenspan, who served six presidents in a long career said of Clinton after their first meeting, "for sheer intelligence, Bill Clinton was on a par with [[Richard Nixon]]."<ref>Alan Greenspan, ''The Age of Turbulence'', Penguin Press, 2007, p. 144.</ref>

===Community Reinvestment Act===

:''Main article:'' [[Community Reinvestment Act]]

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|title=Clinton Administration Further Liberalizes the Community Reinvestment Act

|url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/1993/12/1993-12-08-briefing-by-bentsen-and-rubin.text.html

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|publisher=The White House }}</ref> substantially increased the amount of home loans to unqualified low-income borrowers and, for the first time, allowed the [[securitization]] of CRA-regulated loans containing subprime mortgages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congress Tries To Fix What It Broke

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|publisher=[[The White House]] }}</ref> substantially increased the amount of home loans to unqualified low-income borrowers and, for the first time, allowed the [[securitization]] of CRA-regulated loans containing subprime mortgages.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congress Tries To Fix What It Broke

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|url=http://~~www~~.investors.com/~~editorial/editorialcontent~~.~~asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=306544845091102~~

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|url=http://news.investors.com/091708-490605-congress-tries-to-fix-what-it-broke.htm

|date=2008-09-17

|publisher=''[[Investor's Business Daily]]''}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ride out Wall Street's hurricane - The real reasons we're in this mess – and how to clean it up

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Howard Husock wrote:<ref>[http://www.city-journal.org/html/10_1_the_trillion_dollar.html The Trillion-Dollar Bank Shakedown That Bodes Ill for Cities], Howard Husock, ''City Journal'', Winter 2000</ref> "The Clinton administration has turned the Community Reinvestment Act into ...a vast extortion scheme against the nation's banks. Under its provisions, U.S. banks have committed nearly $1 trillion ... the evaluation process allowed advocacy groups a chance to express their views on individual banks" to receive a favourable CRA rating. These community groups worked out individual agreements and commitments from the Fannie Mae-backed lenders. A radical group called ACORN Housing "has a $760 million commitment from the Bank of New York; the Boston-based Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America has a $3-billion agreement with the Bank of America; a coalition of groups headed by New Jersey Citizen Action has a five-year, $13-billion agreement with First Union Corporation," among a host of others.

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Clinton told Jim Lehrer in an interview on the PBS Newshour,<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTZIB6Sika4 Bill Clinton,] PBS Newshour, January 21, 1998. ~~youtube~~ </ref> January 21, 1998,

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Clinton told Jim Lehrer in an interview on the PBS Newshour,<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTZIB6Sika4 Bill Clinton,] [[PBS]] Newshour, January 21, 1998. [[YouTube]] </ref> January 21, 1998,

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{{Cquote|The Community Reinvestment Act was set up to say to the bank regulators: Look, you guys go in and look at these banks and tell them, you got to take some of your money<ref>(sic) a bank does not invest its own money, it lends out depositors money under the [[prudent man rule]]; President Clinton obviously was in error in this gross misstatement or distortion of fundamental facts regarding the responsibilities of people entrusted to make ~~judgements~~ in handling other peoples money. </ref> and invest it in inner cities and neighborhoods, and with people who otherwise would not get it so they have a chance to build homes, to build businesses, to create jobs, to build neighborhoods. In the 20-year history of the Community Investment Act, 85 percent-plus the money loaned out under it to poor inner city neighborhoods has been loaned in the five years since I've been President.}}

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{{Cquote|The Community Reinvestment Act was set up to say to the bank regulators: Look, you guys go in and look at these banks and tell them, you got to take some of your money<ref>(sic) a bank does not invest its own money, it lends out depositors money under the [[prudent man rule]]; President Clinton obviously was in error in this gross misstatement or distortion of fundamental facts regarding the responsibilities of people entrusted to make judgments in handling other peoples money. </ref> and invest it in inner cities and neighborhoods, and with people who otherwise would not get it so they have a chance to build homes, to build businesses, to create jobs, to build neighborhoods. In the 20-year history of the Community Investment Act, 85 percent-plus the money loaned out under it to poor inner city neighborhoods has been loaned in the five years since I've been President.}}

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The threat of civil action caused many mortgage lenders to make what otherwise would be considered risky loans. For example, the lead attorney for [[ACORN]] Housing, [[Barack Hussein Obama]], sued Citibank in 1995 to force them into making [[Subprime loan|subprime mortgage]]s to unqualified minority borrowers. Obama alleged that, although his clients had been denied mortgages "because of delinquent credit obligations and adverse credit," they were really victims of institutional racism. The suit was brought about by the Community Reinvestment Act, so called "affirmative action mortgage lending." The plaintiffs won $60,000, Obama and two other attorneys were paid $950,000 <ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/03/community-reinvestment-act-mortgages-housing-opinions-contributors-peter-schweizer.html A Poisonous Cocktail: Expanding the Community Reinvestment Act], Peter Schweizer, ''Forbes'', 10.05.09. ''Selma S. Buycks-Roberson v. Citibank'',</ref>

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The threat of civil action caused many mortgage lenders to make what otherwise would be considered risky loans. For example, the lead attorney for [[ACORN]] Housing, [[Barack Hussein Obama]], sued Citibank in 1995 to force them into making [[Subprime loan|subprime mortgage]]s to unqualified minority borrowers. Obama alleged that, although his clients had been denied mortgages "because of delinquent credit obligations and adverse credit," they were really victims of institutional racism. The suit was brought about by the Community Reinvestment Act, so called "affirmative action mortgage lending." The plaintiffs won $60,000, Obama and two other attorneys were paid $950,000 <ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/03/community-reinvestment-act-mortgages-housing-opinions-contributors-peter-schweizer.html A Poisonous Cocktail: Expanding the Community Reinvestment Act], Peter Schweizer, ''[[Forbes]]'', 10.05.09. ''Selma S. Buycks-Roberson v. Citibank'',</ref>

===Mexican Peso bailout===

[[Image:ClintonPresident.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Bill Clinton's Presidential cabinet]]

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Clinton refered to the Mexican [[bailout]] in his memoirs as, "one of the biggest crisis of my first term", and quotes Tom Friedman of the ''New York Times'' saying it was the "least popular, least understood, most important foreign policy decision of the Clinton presidency."<ref>''My Life'', Bill Clinton, Knopf, 2004, pp. 641-645. </ref> It was the brainchild of Treasury Secretary Bob Rubin and chief economic adviser [[Larry Summers]] who later served President Barack Obama in the same position. Clinton claims it took him 10 minutes to decide on the $20 billion bailout. Polls showed 79% of the American people opposed it, with little support in Congress.

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Clinton refered to the Mexican [[bailout]] in his memoirs as, "one of the biggest crisis of my first term", and quotes Tom Friedman of the ''[[The New York Times]]'' saying it was the "least popular, least understood, most important foreign policy decision of the Clinton presidency."<ref>''My Life'', Bill Clinton, Knopf, 2004, pp. 641-645. </ref> It was the brainchild of Treasury Secretary Bob Rubin and chief economic adviser [[Larry Summers]] who later served President Barack Obama in the same position. Clinton claims it took him 10 minutes to decide on the $20 billion bailout. Polls showed 79% of the American people opposed it, with little support in Congress.

Critics cite the modern bailout culture of the [[Recession of 2008]] as originating with Clinton's Mexican bailout. It was allegedly designed to help Mexico using $20 billion from the U.S. Treasury Department's [[Exchange Stabilization Fund]] by [[Executive Order]]. Congress did not authorize it. And it was done, not for the Mexican banks sake, but for the big [[Wall Street]] banks, Citibank, Bankers Trust, and others that were over-exposed to risk for bad loans they made in Mexico. PBS's [[Bill Moyers]] calls it "[[Crony capitalism]]", "and so the idea got started that Washington would be there with a prop, with a bailout, with a helping hand." <ref>[http://billmoyers.com/episode/crony-capitalism/ Crony Capitalism,] Moyers and Company, PBS, January 20, 2012. </ref>

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=== Budget and tax increases ===

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Clinton's first priority while coming into office was a $60 billion [[stimulus]] package largely viewed as a payoff to big city mayors for Get-Out-The-Vote efforts. He also sent Congress a proposal to reduce the deficit in eleven years. However, the country's real problem was that about half of government spending goes to [[nondiscretionary entitlement]] programs such as [[social security]] and [[medicare]]. Refusing to control domestic spending, he increased taxes on ordinary consumers for gasoline, heating oil, and natural gas, breaking his campaign pledge not to raise taxes.<ref>Clinton repeatedly mocked incumbent President George H.W. Bush on the campaign trail for breaking his pledge to "read my lips, no new taxes."</ref> On Aug. 10, 1993, the largest tax increase in history was signed into law, raising taxes by almost $280 billion over five years.<ref>J.D. Foster, Ph.D. [http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/03/tax-cuts-not-the-clinton-tax-hike-produced-the-1990s-boom#_ftn1 Tax Cuts, Not the Clinton Tax Hike, Produced the 1990s Boom], ''~~The~~ Heritage Foundation'', March 4, 2008.</ref> Instead of middle-class tax relief, President Clinton chose to include in his $241 billion tax plan higher federal gasoline taxes, tax hikes on Social Security recipients, and steep income tax hikes on small business owners.<ref> ''The President's Forgotten Middle Class,'' Joint Economic Committee, Majority Staff, 3/22/96.</ref> Conservatives blocked some proposals, such a new $71 billion [[BTU energy tax]] that would have cost the typical family nearly $500 per year.

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Clinton's first priority while coming into office was a $60 billion [[stimulus]] package largely viewed as a payoff to big city mayors for Get-Out-The-Vote efforts. He also sent Congress a proposal to reduce the deficit in eleven years. However, the country's real problem was that about half of government spending goes to [[nondiscretionary entitlement]] programs such as [[social security]] and [[medicare]]. Refusing to control domestic spending, he increased taxes on ordinary consumers for gasoline, heating oil, and natural gas, breaking his campaign pledge not to raise taxes.<ref>Clinton repeatedly mocked incumbent President George H.W. Bush on the campaign trail for breaking his pledge to "read my lips, no new taxes."</ref> On Aug. 10, 1993, the largest tax increase in history was signed into law, raising taxes by almost $280 billion over five years.<ref>J.D. Foster, Ph.D. [http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2008/03/tax-cuts-not-the-clinton-tax-hike-produced-the-1990s-boom#_ftn1 Tax Cuts, Not the Clinton Tax Hike, Produced the 1990s Boom], ''[[Heritage Foundation]]'', March 4, 2008.</ref> Instead of middle-class tax relief, President Clinton chose to include in his $241 billion tax plan higher federal gasoline taxes, tax hikes on Social Security recipients, and steep income tax hikes on small business owners.<ref> ''The President's Forgotten Middle Class,'' Joint Economic Committee, Majority Staff, 3/22/96.</ref> Conservatives blocked some proposals, such a new $71 billion [[BTU energy tax]] that would have cost the typical family nearly $500 per year.

===Tax increases on the elderly===

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In 1993 President Clinton sought to increase taxes on [[Social Security]] benefits of the elderly and disabled.<ref>http://www.~~house~~.~~gov/house~~/~~Contract/seniorsd~~.~~txt~~</ref> The final version of the bill passed by the [[Democrat]]ically controlled Congress increased taxes on beneficiaries from the first 50% to 85%<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20040408115747/www.ssa.gov/OACT/HOP/hopi.htm</ref> of benefits (or "annuity payments" as they were originally called). [[Vice President]] [[Al Gore]] cast the deciding tie-breaker vote in the Senate to make the tax increase law. The Clinton-Gore tax increase on Social Security benefits imposed a 70% [[income tax]] rate on a retired couple making as little as $22,000 per year.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=vLg4iJR0J9kC&pg=PA16593&lpg=PA16593&dq=Vice+President+Gore+cast+the+tie-breaking+vote%2Bsocial+security&source=bl&ots=-ImIDX6fHa&sig=ttWVUNAIVsLQoEg1ZhCntHB_02Y&hl=en&ei=dobVTMr9HoOglAe0iuX9CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Vice%20President%20Gore%20cast%20the%20tie-breaking%20vote%2Bsocial%20security&f=false Congressional Record, Comments by Rep. Christopher Cox,] July 27, 2000.</ref>

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In 1993 President Clinton sought to increase taxes on [[Social Security]] benefits of the elderly and disabled.<ref>[http://www.uscare.com/sceact.html Senior Citizens' Equity Act]</ref> The final version of the bill passed by the [[Democrat]]ically controlled Congress increased taxes on beneficiaries from the first 50% to 85%<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20040408115747/www.ssa.gov/OACT/HOP/hopi.htm HISTORY OF THE PROVISIONS OF OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE]</ref> of benefits (or "annuity payments" as they were originally called). [[Vice President]] [[Al Gore]] cast the deciding tie-breaker vote in the Senate to make the tax increase law. The Clinton-Gore tax increase on Social Security benefits imposed a 70% [[income tax]] rate on a retired couple making as little as $22,000 per year.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=vLg4iJR0J9kC&pg=PA16593&lpg=PA16593&dq=Vice+President+Gore+cast+the+tie-breaking+vote%2Bsocial+security&source=bl&ots=-ImIDX6fHa&sig=ttWVUNAIVsLQoEg1ZhCntHB_02Y&hl=en&ei=dobVTMr9HoOglAe0iuX9CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Vice%20President%20Gore%20cast%20the%20tie-breaking%20vote%2Bsocial%20security&f=false Congressional Record, Comments by Rep. Christopher Cox,] July 27, 2000.</ref>

===DNC Fundraising===

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In 1994 Clinton invited his longtime golfing buddy, Sen. [[Christopher Dodd]], to serve as chairman of the [[Democratic National Committee]] (DNC) and its chief fundraiser. Dodd also occupied the position of ranking Democrat, and later chairman of the Senate Banking Committee tasked with oversight of the nation's banks and financial institutions. Dodd left the DNC in 1997, after accusations that he mishandled charges that a top DNC fundraiser had collected millions in illegal donations.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/christopher-j-dodd/gIQAmFfM9O_topic.html Christopher J. Dodd,] ''The Washington Post''. </ref>

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In 1994 Clinton invited his longtime golfing buddy, Sen. [[Christopher Dodd]], to serve as chairman of the [[Democratic National Committee]] (DNC) and its chief fundraiser. Dodd also occupied the position of ranking Democrat, and later chairman of the Senate Banking Committee tasked with oversight of the nation's banks and financial institutions. Dodd left the DNC in 1997, after accusations that he mishandled charges that a top DNC fundraiser had collected millions in illegal donations.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120410185006/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/christopher-j-dodd/gIQAmFfM9O_topic.html Christopher J. Dodd,] ''[[The Washington Post]]''. </ref>

===Dirty tricks and blackmail===

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FBI special agent Gary Aldrich reported, James Carville and former Clinton adviser, now [[ABC News]] anchor [[George Stephanopoulos]] confirmed, after the Gingrich revolution of 1994 the Clinton administration ran a dirt-digging operation out of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff. "They hired upwards of 36 lawyers to staff the operation to handle 40 different cases," Aldrich, on White House duty at the time, said. "Once it became known that they had such an operation, then the blackmail itself took place." Carville and Stephanopoulos stated publicly there would be a "scorched-earth policy", and that everyone who had "skeletons in their closet" would be exposed.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_23_16/ai_62896460/</ref> [[CNN]] has reported private divorce papers of Newt Gingrich were indeed removed from what was alleged sealed storage at the Carroll County, Georgia courthouse, "when he (Gingrich) became the center of attention." The documents were later made public by CNN.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/26/politics/gingrich-divorce-file/index.html</ref>

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FBI special agent Gary Aldrich reported, James Carville and former Clinton adviser, now [[ABC News]] anchor [[George Stephanopoulos]] confirmed, after the Gingrich revolution of 1994 the Clinton administration ran a dirt-digging operation out of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff. "They hired upwards of 36 lawyers to staff the operation to handle 40 different cases," Aldrich, on White House duty at the time, said. "Once it became known that they had such an operation, then the blackmail itself took place." Carville and Stephanopoulos stated publicly there would be a "scorched-earth policy", and that everyone who had "skeletons in their closet" would be exposed.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_23_16/ai_62896460/</ref> [[CNN]] has reported private divorce papers of [[Newt Gingrich]] were indeed removed from what was alleged sealed storage at the Carroll County, Georgia courthouse, "when he (Gingrich) became the center of attention." The documents were later made public by [[CNN]].<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/26/politics/gingrich-divorce-file/index.html Newly recovered court files cast doubt on Gingrich version of first divorce], [[CNN]]</ref>

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In 1995 President Clinton and Congressional Republicans fought a bitter battle over the new federal [[budget]]. Clinton vetoed the Republican's efforts to move toward a balanced budget, claiming that it cut social programs. Speaker Gingrich believed that Clinton would back down and approve the budget. If not, the entire government would shut down because of lack of funds. Clinton allowed just that, and by doing so gained political capital by successfully blaming that shut down on Republicans. Clinton always opposed a balanced budget until it was reality.<ref>[http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/no-bill-clinton-didnt-balance-budget No, Bill Clinton Didn’t Balance the Budget,] By Stephen Moore, October 8, 1998. Cato Institute. </ref>

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In 1995 President Clinton and Congressional Republicans fought a bitter battle over the new federal [[budget]]. Clinton vetoed the Republican's efforts to move toward a balanced budget, claiming that it cut social programs. Speaker Gingrich believed that Clinton would back down and approve the budget. If not, the entire government would shut down because of lack of funds. Clinton allowed just that, and by doing so gained political capital by successfully blaming that shut down on Republicans. Clinton always opposed a balanced budget until it was reality.<ref>[http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/no-bill-clinton-didnt-balance-budget No, Bill Clinton Didn’t Balance the Budget,] By Stephen Moore, October 8, 1998. [[Cato Institute]].</ref>

===Don't ask don't tell ===

:''Main article'' : [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell]]

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Shortly after being inauguarated, Clinton signed an executive order establishing the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" rule. Congress later passed legislation that was veru similar. In 2010, the law was found [[unconstitutional]] in federal court after a suit brought by [[Log Cabin Republicans]], a homosexual rights and advocacy organization.<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39089475/ns/us_news-life/</ref>

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Shortly after being inauguarated, Clinton signed an executive order establishing the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" rule. Congress later passed legislation that was veru similar. In 2010, the law was found [[unconstitutional]] in federal court after a suit brought by [[Log Cabin Republicans]], a homosexual rights and advocacy organization.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39089475/ns/us_news-life/ Judge: Military's gay ban is unconstitutional], [[MSNBC]]</ref>

=== Failed healthcare takeover ===

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David Gergen, former White House Communications Director for both Presidents Reagan and Clinton, summarized the hurt of the President's misconduct:

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{{Cquote|The deep and searing violation took place when he not only lied to the country, but co-opted his friends and lied to them....when you have gone over the line, you won't bring others into it...You don't foul the nest."<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/quinn110298.htm In Washington, That Letdown Feeling], By Sally Quinn, ''The Washington Post'', November 2, 1998, Page E01</ref>}}

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{{Cquote|The deep and searing violation took place when he not only lied to the country, but co-opted his friends and lied to them....when you have gone over the line, you won't bring others into it...You don't foul the nest."<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/quinn110298.htm In Washington, That Letdown Feeling], By Sally Quinn, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', November 2, 1998, Page E01</ref>}}

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Clinton lost his law license because he had committed ethical violations for lying in federal court. It was during this scandal that Clinton famously stated: "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is".<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/21/newsid_2525000/2525339.stm</ref>

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Clinton lost his law license because he had committed ethical violations for lying in federal court. It was during this scandal that Clinton famously stated: "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/21/newsid_2525000/2525339.stm On This Day September 21st 1998: Clinton's Grand Jury testimony released], [[BBC]]</ref>

===Repeal of Glass-Steagall Act===

President Clinton signed into law the Financial Modernization Act of 1999 in November of the same year. The Act repealed parts of the [[Great Depression|Depression era]] Glass-Steagall Act. In signing President Clinton remarked, "It is true that the Glass-Steagall law is no longer appropriate for the economy in which we live."<ref>[http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/ls241.aspx STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AT THE SIGNING OF THE FINANCIAL MODERNIZATION BILL,] 11/12/1999, [[U.S. Department of the Treasury]] Press Center.</ref>The Glass-Steagall Act strictly regulated Bank Holding Companies (BHCs) and the types of assets banks could hold as part of their capitalization. The formal repeal allowed for large banks, such as Goldman Sachs, to form newly created [[Financial Holding Companies]] (FHCs) and merge with insurers and other financial institutions with potentially riskier liabilities. By 2008, the result of the repeal of Glass-Steagall was "too big to fail" behemoths like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. The repeal of Glass-Steagall is considered one of the larger contributing factors to the [[Financial crisis of 2008]].<ref>[http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/economic-intelligence/2012/08/27/repeal-of-glass-steagall-caused-the-financial-crisis Repeal of Glass-Steagall Caused the Financial Crisis,] By James Rickards, USNews, August 27, 2012.</ref>

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The repeal of Glass-Steagall also was recognition of other changes that had taken place, such as the [[Federal Reserve]]s' revision of Regulation Y in 1997, making it easier for Bank Holding Companies with a satisfactory [[Community Reinvestment Act]] (CRA) rating to receive quicker approval for new acquisitions and engage in other activities. University of Texas-Dallas economist Stan Liebowitz noted, “Banks that got poor reviews were punished; some saw their merger plans frustrated; others faced direct legal challenges from the [[Justice Department]].<ref>''[http://www.economist.com/node/10837333 The Economist,]'' Mar. 20, 2008.</ref> [[Alice Rivlin]], Clinton's Budget Director whom he later appointed to the Federal Reserve, said it would make the banking system "operate better as a result."<ref>[http://www.frbsf.org/publications/community/investments/cra97-3/regy.html Regulation Y Revised - Changes to the Federal Reserve Application Process,] Community Investments, Volume 9; No. 3; Summer 1997, By Mike Johnson, Applications Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.</ref>

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The repeal of Glass-Steagall also was recognition of other changes that had taken place, such as the [[Federal Reserve]]s' revision of Regulation Y in 1997, making it easier for Bank Holding Companies with a satisfactory [[Community Reinvestment Act]] (CRA) rating to receive quicker approval for new acquisitions and engage in other activities. University of Texas-Dallas economist Stan Liebowitz noted, “Banks that got poor reviews were punished; some saw their merger plans frustrated; others faced direct legal challenges from the [[Justice Department]].<ref>''[http://www.economist.com/node/10837333 The Proposition's rebuttal] [[The Economist]]'' Mar. 20, 2008.</ref> [[Alice Rivlin]], Clinton's Budget Director whom he later appointed to the Federal Reserve, said it would make the banking system "operate better as a result."<ref>[http://www.frbsf.org/publications/community/investments/cra97-3/regy.html Regulation Y Revised - Changes to the Federal Reserve Application Process,] Community Investments, Volume 9; No. 3; Summer 1997, By Mike Johnson, Applications Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.</ref>

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When Citibank sought federal approval for a merger with Travelers Group, it was only OK'd by the Clinton administration after it promised to provide $115 billion for Community Reinvestment Act "anti-redling" loans. Promises made by other financial institutions added up to $600 billion between 1993 and 1998, according to a 2000 Treasury Department report.<ref>[Subprime Bubble,] ''Investors Business Daily'', 09/04/2012. </ref>

+

When Citibank sought federal approval for a merger with Travelers Group, it was only OK'd by the Clinton administration after it promised to provide $115 billion for Community Reinvestment Act "anti-redling" loans. Promises made by other financial institutions added up to $600 billion between 1993 and 1998, according to a 2000 Treasury Department report.<ref>[http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/090412-624522-obama-launched-subprime-crisis-with-lawsuit.htm?p=2 Subprime Bubble] ''Investors Business Daily'', 09/04/2012. </ref>

===Fannie Mae securitization of subprime mortgages===

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[[Fannie_Mae#Franklin_Raines_era|Franklin Raines]], Vice Chairman of Fannie Mae, was appointed by Clinton as Director of the the [[Office of Management and Budget]] (OMB) in 1996; in 1999, he returned to Fannie Mae as CEO. One of his first acts was to lower Fannie Mae's underwriting guidelines and begin purchasing subprime mortgages implementing Clinton's National Homeownership Strategy under the Community Reinvestment Act.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/30/business/fannie-mae-eases-credit-to-aid-mortgage-lending.html Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending,] Steven A. Holmes, ''New York Times'', September 30, 1999.</ref> Raines was named (along with Bill Clinton) by ''[[Time magazine]]'' on it's list of ''25 People to Blame for the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]]''.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877351_1877350_1877335,00.html The good intentions, bad managers and greed : behind the meltdown, Blameworthy : Frank Raines], ''Time magazine''. </ref>

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[[Fannie_Mae#Franklin_Raines_era|Franklin Raines]], Vice Chairman of Fannie Mae, was appointed by Clinton as Director of the the [[Office of Management and Budget]] (OMB) in 1996; in 1999, he returned to Fannie Mae as CEO. One of his first acts was to lower Fannie Mae's underwriting guidelines and begin purchasing subprime mortgages implementing Clinton's National Homeownership Strategy under the Community Reinvestment Act.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/30/business/fannie-mae-eases-credit-to-aid-mortgage-lending.html Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending,] Steven A. Holmes, ''[[ The New York Times]]'', September 30, 1999.</ref> Raines was named (along with Bill Clinton) by ''[[Time magazine]]'' on it's list of ''25 People to Blame for the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]]''.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877351_1877350_1877335,00.html The good intentions, bad managers and greed : behind the meltdown, Blameworthy : Frank Raines], ''[[Time magazine]]''. </ref>

Clinton hired [[Peter Orszag]] as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy in 1997; as concern grew over Raines management of Fannie Mae, Raines hired Orszag to reassure investor's fears about the safety of Fannie Mae's purchase of subprime mortgages. Orszag made the fantastic claim that Fannie Mae's risk of [[insolvency]] was 1 in 500,000, and more likely 1 in 3 million. After Fannie Mae really did collapse, Barack Obama then made Orzsag his Budget Director.

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When Raines took the appointment at Fannie Mae, Clinton replaced his services with [[Jack Lew]], who worked in the Clinton White House throughout all eight years. Upon leaving the White House Lew secured a job at Citibank as Chief Operations Officer on Robert Rubins recommendation. Lew received $1 million in salary and a $950,000 bonus - after it failed and was bailed out in 2009.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/11/jack-lew-rubin-citigroup_n_2458142.html Jack Lew's Robert Rubin Connection Is A Bad Sign For Financial Reform,] Mark Gongloff, ''Huffington Post'', 01/11/2013. </ref> From there Barack Obama re-hired him as Budget Director to replace Orszag, promoted him to Chief of Staff, and later Secretary of the Treasury.<ref>Lew was point man on Obama's [[Budget_sequester#2013_Obama_sequester|budget sequester]] where he misled the press and public on the origins and nature of the deal.</ref>

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When Raines took the appointment at Fannie Mae, Clinton replaced his services with [[Jack Lew]], who worked in the Clinton White House throughout all eight years. Upon leaving the White House Lew secured a job at Citibank as Chief Operations Officer on Robert Rubins recommendation. Lew received $1 million in salary and a $950,000 bonus - after it failed and was bailed out in 2009.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/11/jack-lew-rubin-citigroup_n_2458142.html Jack Lew's Robert Rubin Connection Is A Bad Sign For Financial Reform,] Mark Gongloff, ''[[Huffington Post]]'', 01/11/2013. </ref> From there Barack Obama re-hired him as Budget Director to replace Orszag, promoted him to Chief of Staff, and later Secretary of the Treasury.<ref>Lew was point man on Obama's [[Budget_sequester#2013_Obama_sequester|budget sequester]] where he misled the press and public on the origins and nature of the deal.</ref>

===Kyoto Protocols and carbon emissions===

:''Main article:'' [[Enron scandal]]

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In July 1997, Enron CEO Ken Lay met with President Bill Clinton and Vice President [[Al Gore]] in the [[Oval Office]]. Enron had begun a pattern of [[soft money]] donations to Democrats and the Clinton White House years earlier. Clinton, Lay, and Gore discussed approval of the [[Kyoto protocol]]s on carbon emissions.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2002/jan/16/20020116-034901-2826r/#ixzz2OnPBZwzl Enron gave cash to Democrats, sought pact help,] ''The Washington Times'', January 16, 2002. </ref> Clinton asked Lay for his views "in advance of a climate treaty to be negotiated at an international conference." Clinton agreed to support Lay's proposal for a carbon emissions trading exchange<ref>As did Barack Obama. [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/25/obama-years-ago-helped-fund-carbon-program-pushing-congress/ Obama Years Ago Helped Fund Carbon Program He Is Now Pushing Through Congress,] By Ed Barnes, March 25, 2009. FoxNews~~.com~~ </ref> which Enron hoped to profit from hugely, while American consumers would pay steep price increases for electricity and natural gas. Enron also asked for and received from Clinton's Export-Import Bank a $300 million loan to build a power plant in India; four days later Enron donated $100,000 to the Clinton-Gore campaign.

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In July 1997, Enron CEO Ken Lay met with President Bill Clinton and Vice President [[Al Gore]] in the [[Oval Office]]. Enron had begun a pattern of [[soft money]] donations to Democrats and the Clinton White House years earlier. Clinton, Lay, and Gore discussed approval of the [[Kyoto protocol]]s on carbon emissions.<ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2002/jan/16/20020116-034901-2826r/#ixzz2OnPBZwzl Enron gave cash to Democrats, sought pact help,] ''[[The Washington Times]]'', January 16, 2002. </ref> Clinton asked Lay for his views "in advance of a climate treaty to be negotiated at an international conference." Clinton agreed to support Lay's proposal for a carbon emissions trading exchange<ref>As did Barack Obama. [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/25/obama-years-ago-helped-fund-carbon-program-pushing-congress/ Obama Years Ago Helped Fund Carbon Program He Is Now Pushing Through Congress,] By Ed Barnes, March 25, 2009. [[FoxNews]]</ref> which Enron hoped to profit from hugely, while American consumers would pay steep price increases for electricity and natural gas. Enron also asked for and received from Clinton's Export-Import Bank a $300 million loan to build a power plant in India; four days later Enron donated $100,000 to the Clinton-Gore campaign.

The Republican Senate rejected the Kyoto treaty by a 95-to-0 vote on August 15, 1997.

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When the bailout was arranged, LTCM's personal investors received $405 million at the taxpayers expense, which was $155 million more than another private offer, plus a guarantee that an additional $3.65 billion would remain in LTCM for three years. This sweetheart deal enabled the discredited management to remain in place indefinitely and recoup hundreds of millions of dollars. Details of the deal were kept secret.

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Rubin resigned from the administration in 1999 to head up another one of the nation's largest banks, [[Citigroup]]. Under Rubin's leadership Citigroup got $45 billion of [[TARP]] bailout funds, $301 billion of loan guarantees, and an additional $13.4 billion subsidy under the government’s "too-big-to-fail" policy. After driving Citigroup into financial collapse, Rubin was paid $115 million to leave the company.<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/03/01/jack_lew_and_citigroup_how_the_corrupt_rich_get_richer_with_cronyism_117227.html#ixzz2P5cIL0Vf Jack Lew and Citigroup: How the Corrupt Rich Get Richer with Cronyism,] By Daniel Mitchell, March 1, 2013. ~~realclearpolitics.com~~ </ref>

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Rubin resigned from the administration in 1999 to head up another one of the nation's largest banks, [[Citigroup]]. Under Rubin's leadership Citigroup got $45 billion of [[TARP]] bailout funds, $301 billion of loan guarantees, and an additional $13.4 billion subsidy under the government’s "too-big-to-fail" policy. After driving Citigroup into financial collapse, Rubin was paid $115 million to leave the company.<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/03/01/jack_lew_and_citigroup_how_the_corrupt_rich_get_richer_with_cronyism_117227.html#ixzz2P5cIL0Vf Jack Lew and Citigroup: How the Corrupt Rich Get Richer with Cronyism,] By Daniel Mitchell, March 1, 2013. [[Real Clear Politics]]</ref>

===Rahm Emanuel and Freddie Mac===

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President Clinton brought Rahm Emanuel into the White House in 1993 as part of his original staff, first serving as Assistant to the President for Political Affairs, and then Senior Adviser to the President for Policy and Strategy. 1998 Clinton appointed Emanuel to the Board of the [[government sponsored entity]] Freddie Mac.<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122610420534009957.html</ref><ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6201900&page=1 Emanuel Was Director Of Freddie Mac During Scandal], ABC News, November 7, 2008.</ref> While on the board during the Clinton administration, Freddie Mac misreported its net income by 30.5 percent, and again in 2001 by 23.9 percent and in 2002 by 42.9 percent, defrauding investors according to the SEC. Freddie Mac's failure is regarded as one of the precipitating events of the [[Financial_Crisis_of_2008#2008_crises| Financial Crisis of 2008]].

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President Clinton brought Rahm Emanuel into the White House in 1993 as part of his original staff, first serving as Assistant to the President for Political Affairs, and then Senior Adviser to the President for Policy and Strategy. 1998 Clinton appointed Emanuel to the Board of the [[government sponsored entity]] Freddie Mac.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122610420534009957.html Emanuel Pick Underscores Balancing Act Ahead in Reshaping Financial Industry], [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref><ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6201900&page=1 Emanuel Was Director Of Freddie Mac During Scandal], [[ABC News]], November 7, 2008.</ref> While on the board during the Clinton administration, Freddie Mac misreported its net income by 30.5 percent, and again in 2001 by 23.9 percent and in 2002 by 42.9 percent, defrauding investors according to the SEC. Freddie Mac's failure is regarded as one of the precipitating events of the [[Financial_Crisis_of_2008#2008_crises| Financial Crisis of 2008]].

−

Emanuel later is reported to have sold up to $250,000 of Freddie Mac stock in an insider trading deal only days before the stock dropped by 10 percent — and weeks before it was publicly revealed that the entity was under criminal investigation for inflating earnings.<ref> http://www.businessinsider.com/book-rahm-emanuel-dumped-tons-of-freddie-mac-stock-days-before-it-collapsed-2011-11#ixzz2MnesKpxI </ref> In 2009 Emanuel became President Obama's Chief of Staff.

+

Emanuel later is reported to have sold up to $250,000 of Freddie Mac stock in an insider trading deal only days before the stock dropped by 10 percent — and weeks before it was publicly revealed that the entity was under criminal investigation for inflating earnings.<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/book-rahm-emanuel-dumped-tons-of-freddie-mac-stock-days-before-it-collapsed-2011-11#ixzz2MnesKpxI Book: Rahm Emanuel Dumped Tons Of Freddie Mac Stock Days Before It Collapsed]</ref> In 2009 Emanuel became President Obama's Chief of Staff.

=== Foreign Policy ===

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From 1985 to 1992, N. Korea "bought time" for its nuclear weapons program by entering into a series of international diplomatic agreements under which it promised to "deweaponize" its reactors and halt further production of plutonium. By Clinton's second, however, N. Korea had violated the terms of most of the non-proliferation agreements and withdrew from the rest.

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Clinton forged an agreement with Kim Il-sung that the North would temporarily halt its signed on Oct. 21, 1994 known as the "Agreed Framework."<ref>http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aankorea.htm</ref>

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Clinton forged an agreement with Kim Il-sung that the North would temporarily halt its signed on Oct. 21, 1994 known as the "Agreed Framework."<ref>[http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aankorea.htm The North Korean Nuclear Situation]</ref>

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In addition to the oil supplied under the 1994 Agreed Framework, North Korea continued to the United States and other countries for free, unconditional food aid while eschewing any real reform of its [[Stalin]]ist agricultural system. <ref>http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/crs/91-141.htm</ref>

+

In addition to the oil supplied under the 1994 Agreed Framework, North Korea continued to the United States and other countries for free, unconditional food aid while eschewing any real reform of its [[Stalin]]ist agricultural system. <ref>[http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/crs/91-141.htm North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program, Updated December 12, 1996]</ref>

By 2000, the United States contribution of food and other forms of humanitarian aid to North Korea had amounted to over $61 million.

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===Pardons controversy===

====FALN terrorists====

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On August 11, 1999, President Clinton offered clemency to members of the [[Armed Forces of National Liberation]] (FALN) [[terrorist]] group. <ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070703053819/http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/92199CoddlingTerrorists.pdf U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee] testimony available at http://www.senate.gov/~judiciary/wl91599.htm, ''The Tampa Tribune'', S.J.Res. 33 (passed 95-2).</ref> On January 24, 1975 the FALN bombed Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan killing four people. Over a six-year period, the group claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings that took six lives and injured some 130 people.<ref>[http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/puertorico/sep4.htm Clinton Pardons Terror], ''New York Post'', August 13, 1999. retrieve from http://www.latinamericanstudies.org September 14, 2007.</ref> Deputy Attorney General [[Eric Holder]] was credited with with an "unconscionable" effort to circumvent the standard pardon process, not consulting with the [[U.S. Department of Justice]]'s pardon attorney and keeping deliberations hidden from the district U.S. attorney and investigative agencies.

+

On August 11, 1999, President Clinton offered clemency to members of the [[Armed Forces of National Liberation]] (FALN) [[terrorist]] group. <ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070703053819/http://rpc.senate.gov/_files/92199CoddlingTerrorists.pdf U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee] testimony available at http://www.senate.gov/~judiciary/wl91599.htm, ''The Tampa Tribune'', S.J.Res. 33 (passed 95-2).</ref> On January 24, 1975 the FALN bombed Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan killing four people. Over a six-year period, the group claimed responsibility for more than 100 bombings that took six lives and injured some 130 people.<ref>[http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/puertorico/sep4.htm Clinton Pardons Terror], ''[[New York Post]]'', August 13, 1999. retrieve from http://www.latinamericanstudies.org September 14, 2007.</ref> Deputy Attorney General [[Eric Holder]] was credited with with an "unconscionable" effort to circumvent the standard pardon process, not consulting with the [[U.S. Department of Justice]]'s pardon attorney and keeping deliberations hidden from the district U.S. attorney and investigative agencies.

====Weather Underground====

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[[Weather Underground]] [[terrorists]] [[Linda Evans]] and Susan Rosenberg also received pardons.<ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmM1OGM4OGRiNTI5NTIzOTFkMDAwMTJiNGFlYWFiZGI= ''Confirming Fears''], Editorial, National Review Online, November 19, 2008.</ref>

+

[[Weather Underground]] [[terrorists]] [[Linda Evans]] and Susan Rosenberg also received pardons.<ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmM1OGM4OGRiNTI5NTIzOTFkMDAwMTJiNGFlYWFiZGI= ''Confirming Fears''], Editorial, [[National Review Online]], November 19, 2008.</ref>

====Henry Cisneros====

In 1995 Cisneros was indicted on 18 counts of [[conspiracy]], false statements and obstruction of justice. He was pardoned by Bill Clinton in January 2001.

====Campaign contributors====

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Marc Rich and his wife Penny, who contributed $450,000 to Bill Clinton's campaigns, were granted last minute pardons for violating U.S. tax laws. Former President Jimmy Carter publicly called it "disgraceful".<ref>[http://hillbuzz.org/who-is-funding-the-purchase-of-the-35-million-beachfront-hawaiian-estate-for-barack-and-michelle-obama-to-move-into-come-january-2013-2013 ~~Hillbuzz~~]. </ref> Eric Holder, who later served as Barack Obama's Attorney General, arranged the pardons.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/holder.confirmation/ CNN].</ref>

+

Marc Rich and his wife Penny, who contributed $450,000 to Bill Clinton's campaigns, were granted last minute pardons for violating U.S. tax laws. Former President Jimmy Carter publicly called it "disgraceful".<ref>[http://hillbuzz.org/who-is-funding-the-purchase-of-the-35-million-beachfront-hawaiian-estate-for-barack-and-michelle-obama-to-move-into-come-january-2013-2013 Who Is Funding the Purchase of the $35 million Beachfront Hawaiian Estate for Barack and Michelle Obama to Move into Come January 2013?], HillBuzz</ref> Eric Holder, who later served as Barack Obama's Attorney General, arranged the pardons.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/holder.confirmation/ Former FBI director: Holder was 'used' in Rich pardon], [[CNN]]</ref>

== Post-Presidency ==

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Bill Clinton's wife, [[Hillary_Rodham_Clinton|Hillary Clinton]], was elected Senator to New York in 2000. She was reelected in 2006. She made a failed bid for the [[2008_Presidential_Election#Declared_Democratic_Party_Candidates|Democratic presidential nomination in 2008]].

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Clinton has been criticized by both liberals and conservatives for his actions in his wife's presidential campaign. ''Time'' called him "his wife's attack dog". <ref>http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/media/storage/paper856/news/2008/01/28/OpEd/Editorial.On.The.Campaign.Trail.Bill.Clinton.Should.Keep.His.Mouth.Shut-3171498.shtml</ref> Although he had signed up most black leaders to support Hillary, the great majority of Black voters went for Obama. Clinton was accused of racism by implying that many voters chose [[Obama]] for reasons of race, rather than policy, saying that he succeeding in some regions for the same reason [[Jesse Jackson]] did.

+

Clinton has been criticized by both liberals and conservatives for his actions in his wife's presidential campaign. ''Time'' called him "his wife's attack dog". <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080130021221/http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/media/storage/paper856/news/2008/01/28/OpEd/Editorial.On.The.Campaign.Trail.Bill.Clinton.Should.Keep.His.Mouth.Shut-3171498.shtml On the campaign trail, Bill Clinton should keep his mouth shut]</ref> Although he had signed up most black leaders to support Hillary, the great majority of Black voters went for Obama. Clinton was accused of racism by implying that many voters chose [[Obama]] for reasons of race, rather than policy, saying that he succeeding in some regions for the same reason [[Jesse Jackson]] did.

After Obama refused to give Hillary the Vice Presidential nomination, both Clintons loyally campaigned for Obama. Obama easily defeated Senator [[John McCain]], and named Hillary Secretary of State. Bill Clinton has maintained a low profile in 2009.

==Legacy==

−

Of the $1.6 million Clinton earned in salary<ref>http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/wjclinton.html</ref> as President for 8 years, Clinton agreed to pay $850,000,<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/jones111498.htm</ref> or more than 53% in a legal settlement with [[Paula Jones]] to satisfy claims for damages to her reputation.

+

Of the $1.6 million Clinton earned in salary<ref>[http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/wjclinton.html William Jefferson Clinton]</ref> as President for 8 years, Clinton agreed to pay $850,000,<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/jones111498.htm Clinton Settles Paula Jones Lawsuit for $850,000], [[Washington Post]]</ref> or more than 53% in a legal settlement with [[Paula Jones]] to satisfy claims for damages to her reputation.

−

Every President since [[William Howard Taft]] in 1910 has served as Honorary President of the [[Boy Scouts of America]] during his term in office. In 2000 it was reported the Boy Scouts national office revoked the title afforded to Bill Clinton after thousands of complaints. Numerous Eagle Scouts returned their certificates of achievement bearing Clinton's signature and requested a replacement without it.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/~~news~~/~~article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=13204~~ Eagle Scouts drop Clinton signature], ''~~WorldNetCaily.com~~, August 24, 2000.</ref>

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Every President since [[William Howard Taft]] in 1910 has served as Honorary President of the [[Boy Scouts of America]] during his term in office. In 2000 it was reported the Boy Scouts national office revoked the title afforded to Bill Clinton after thousands of complaints. Numerous Eagle Scouts returned their certificates of achievement bearing Clinton's signature and requested a replacement without it.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/2000/08/474/ Eagle Scouts drop Clinton signature], ''[[WND]], August 24, 2000.</ref>

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