Changes

Clinton, the first President born after [[World War II]], represented the "baby-boom" generation.

Clinton, the first President born after [[World War II]], represented the "baby-boom" generation.

==Presidency (1993-2001)==

==Presidency (1993-2001)==

=== Taxing and Spending ===

=== Taxing and Spending ===

[[Image:ClintonPresident.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Bill Clinton's Presidential cabinet]] Clinton's first priority while coming into office the the economy. In an attempt to lower [[interest rates]] Clinton sent [[Congress]] a deficit reduction plan in early 1993. However, Clinton's problem was that about half of government money goes to entitlement programs such as [[social security]] and [[medicare]]. Refusing to cut domestic spending, he increased taxes on gasoline, heating oil, and natural gas, breaking his [[campaign]] pledge not to raise tax rates. The tax increases proved very unpopular with the American people.

[[Image:ClintonPresident.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Bill Clinton's Presidential cabinet]] Clinton's first priority while coming into office the the economy. In an attempt to lower [[interest rates]] Clinton sent Congress a deficit reduction plan in early 1993. However, Clinton's problem was that about half of government money goes to entitlement programs such as [[social security]] and [[medicare]]. Refusing to cut domestic spending, he increased taxes on gasoline, heating oil, and natural gas, breaking his campaign pledge not to raise tax rates. The tax increases proved very unpopular with the American people.

=== Health Care Reform ===

=== Health Care Reform ===

Early in his administration President Clinton appointed a task force to address the issues of [[health care]], headed by his wife [[First Lady]] [[Hillary Clinton]]. The administration put together a plan to create universal health care, however, it put a burden to pay for it on employers. Small [[business]] leaders feared they could not afford it. The insurance industry and doctor organizations also opposed it. Republicans felt that it was too costly and relied too heavily on government. [[Congress]]ional Democrats were divided on the issue. Faced with public opposition, the Clinton plan failed without even having a vote in Congress.  

Early in his administration President Clinton appointed a task force to address the issues of health care, headed by his wife [[Hillary Clinton]]. The administration put together a plan to create universal health care, however, it put a burden to pay for it on employers. Small business leaders feared they could not afford it. The insurance industry and doctor organizations also opposed it. Republicans felt that it was too costly and relied too heavily on government. Congressional Democrats were divided on the issue. Faced with public opposition, the Clinton plan failed without even having a vote in Congress.  

=== 1994 Republican Revolution ===

=== 1994 Republican Revolution ===

In 1995 President Clinton and Congressional Republicans fought a bitter battle over the new federal [[budget]]. Clinton vetoed Republican budget proposal, claiming they 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. Soon afterword, Clinton and the Congress reached an agreement to a balanced budget.     

In 1995 President Clinton and Congressional Republicans fought a bitter battle over the new federal [[budget]]. Clinton vetoed Republican budget proposal, claiming they 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. Soon afterword, Clinton and the Congress reached an agreement to a balanced budget.     

=== Impeachment ===

=== Impeachment ===

On August 17, 1998, after relentless media attention, leaks, and news of White House intern [[Monica Lewinsky]]'s upcoming testimony regarding her extramarital affair with the President, Clinton made history by becoming the first U.S. president to testify in front of a grand jury in an investigation of his own possibly criminal conduct. In an address to the nation, he admitted to having misled the public and a Federal Court over keys elements of testimony. [[Kenneth Starr]], a special prosecutor appointed to investigate the case, was instructed to pursue the matter.  

On August 17, 1998, after relentless media attention, leaks, and news of White House intern [[Monica Lewinsky]]'s upcoming testimony regarding her extramarital affair with the President, Clinton made history by becoming the first U.S. president to testify in front of a grand jury in an investigation of his own possibly criminal conduct. In an address to the nation, he admitted to having misled the public and a Federal Court over keys elements of testimony. [[Kenneth Starr]], a special prosecutor appointed to investigate the case, was instructed to pursue the matter.  

In the second term Clinton was accused of perjury in connection to the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit.  Clinton adviser and close confidant [[George Stephanopoulos]] said publicly that there would be a "scorched-earth policy" if Clinton were impeached.<ref>[http://www.alamo-girl.com/02742.htm Insight Magazine], J Michael Waller, 6/19/00.</ref> Clinton previously had decried the "politics of personal destruction."<ref>[http://www.jewishworldreview.com/weekly/standard072299.asp Bill Clinton, Historian], Peter Wehner, Jewish World Review July 22, 1999.</ref>

In the second term Clinton was accused of perjury in connection to the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit.  In the end Clinton was impeached by a largely party-line vote in the House and was tried in the Senate for two counts: "perjury" and "obstruction of justice".<ref>The House turned down two other counts: "abuse of power" as well as another count of "perjury" in connection with the Paula Jones case.</ref> The Senate voted largely along party lines with all Democrats voting "not guilty" on both counts - joined by 5 and 10 Republicans, respectively (making the counts 55-45 and 50-50 in favor of the not-guilty verdicts). Although in the former case a majority of Senators voted to convict, two thirds majority being necessary to remove him from office.  Speaker Gingrich, who had promised Republicans that impeachment would be a success, had failed badly and was forced to resign and left Congress. The Republican next in line resigned, admitting he too had committed adultery.  

 

In the end Clinton was impeached by the House and tried in the Senate for two counts: "perjury" and "obstruction of justice".<ref>The House turned down two other counts: "abuse of power" as well as another count of "perjury" in connection with the Paula Jones case.</ref> The Senate voted largely along party lines with all Democrats voting "not guilty" on both counts - joined by 5 and 10 Republicans, respectively (making the counts 55-45 and 50-50 in favor of the not-guilty verdicts). Although in the former case a majority of Senators voted to convict, two thirds majority being necessary to remove him from office.

[[David Gergen]], former White House Communications Director for both Presidents Reagan and Clinton, summarized the sentiments of many regarding the President's conduct:

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

{{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>}}

{{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>}}