Changes

==Second term==

==Second term==

The economy proved highly prosperous, and Clinton not only balanced the budget but produced the first surplus in memory.  

The economy proved highly prosperous, and Clinton not only balanced the budget but produced the first surplus in memory. The reasons include reduction in defense spending after the Cold War (from 5% of GDP to 3%), a revenue burst from the dot-com bubble (the short-lived overexpansion of high tech), and restraints onspending imposed by the GOP Congress.

=== 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.  

[[File:ClintonTIME9801.jpg|thumb|290px]]

[[File:ClintonTIME9801.jpg|thumb|290px]]

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 second term Clinton was accused of perjury when he lied under oath during 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.  

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

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