1. Politics in the 1990s Chapter 35 Section 1
Angela Brown

2. Clinton’s Path to the Presidency
At age 17, a member of the Boys Nation, a program that teaches young people about government, Clinton shook hands with President Kennedy.
In 1976, three years after earning a law degree at Yale, Clinton was elected Attorney General of Arkansas
In 1978, at age 32, he was elected Governor of Arkansas

3. He was defeated in his 1980 election bid
But reelected in 1982 and remained Governor throughout the 80s
His close adviser was his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton whom he met in law school
She lead education reform in Arkansas
She was praised for her intelligence and energy but criticized for her active role in government. People thought she should confine herself to ceremonial duties.

4. . The 1992 Campaign
This was the first three way race since the 1912 campaign of TR-Taft-Wilson
No third party had played such a role in the election since
Bush’s high approval ratings discouraged prominent Democrats from running – thus paved the way for Bill Clinton
Critics stated he would say whatever necessary to be elected
He denied charges of a woman claiming to be his mistress

5. The 1992 Campaign
He made evasive statements about how and why he avoided the draft during the Vietnam war
H. Ross Perot, a billionaire Texas businessman, entered the race out of frustration over the government’s policies on the federal budget and the economy
Perot was an independent with no party – he organized a large network of volunteers and collected signatures on petitions to get his name on the ballot in each of the 50 states.

6. Campaign Issues
The republicans tried to focus on a perceived decline in family values
The recession of the early 90s continued so economic issues dominated the campaign
Clinton promised to end the recession and deal with other economic problems
He pledged to address the federal budget deficit and problems in the health care system

7. Campaign Issues
He called himself a “New Democrat” – he would look for new ways to make government more responsive and efficient
This appealed to Americans frustrated with the bickering and deadlock between democrats and republicans in Congress

8. Campaign Issues
Perot also focused on the economy – he stated he had the necessary skills to cut costs, balance the budget and restore prosperity
Perot ran as a Washington “outsider” – he noted no ties to special interest groups – he pledged he’d consider the needs of the country as a whole

9. Clinton Wins the Election
All three candidates appeared on talk shows and interview programs to shape public opinion (as well as political ads and debates)
Clinton received 43% of the votes, Bush 38%, and Perot 19% = a President with less than a majority of popular votes
The republicans claimed Perot prevented Bush’s reelection
Electoral College = Clinton 370, Bush 168, and Perot 0

10. Clinton’s First Term
For the first time in more than a decade the executive and legislative branches were in the hands of the same party

11. Economic Reform
President Clinton talked of a need to “grow the economy” with new government programs to create jobs and provide training
The Democrats in Congress sensed a conservative mood in the country and refused to pass his package

12. Economic Reform
Congress approved Clinton’s first budget – the House passed it by two votes – VP Al Gore had to break the tie in the Senate
To reduce the deficit – the budget included both spending cuts and tax increases
This was not well received by the public – it put taxes heaviest on the wealthiest Americans – it still irritated people with lower incomes

13. The Battle Over Health Care
In 1993, 37 million Americans had no health care coverage
Hilliary Clinton was appointed head of the task force to analyze health care and propose reforms
The proposal to Congress called for the creation of government supervised health insurance program that would guarantee affordable coverage to every American

14. The Battle Over Health Care
The public seemed to favor the plan – it was opposed by insurance, professional and small business groups
Congressional republicans charged it would be to expensive to taxpayers and an example of big government
The plan failed to gain necessary support in Congress

15. Republican’s Contract with America
The 1994 midterm elections signaled trouble for Clinton due to the failure of health care
Georgia representative, Newt Gingrich called on republican candidates to endorse the Contract with America – a pledge in writing to scale back the role of the federal government, eliminate regulations, cut taxes and balance the budget
Voters felt Democrats controlled Congress but had lost touch with their concerns
In 1994 voters gave republicans the majority in both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years.

16. Congress Versus the President
Newt Gingrich was elected Speaker of the House.
He spoke of a new era in politics where Congress, not the President set the nation’s course
The republican’s demanded the budget be balanced in 7 years and proposed cuts in all social services
In reference to FDR’s 1933 New Deal Gingrich demanded action in the session’s first hundred days
Gingrich claimed he changed the debate from whether to cut government and balance the budget to how to do so

17. The Budget and Welfare Reform
In 1995 Clinton and Gingrich clashed over the size of the budget cuts and a timetable
Government offices and operations temporarily shut down disrupting services to millions of Americans
In 1996 a permanent agreement on the budget was reached = the start of the Clinton comeback
American blamed Congress for the shut down – perceived them as uncompromising and extreme – they saw the republican cuts as mean spirited

18. Clinton’s approval rating improved
1996 Congress and the President agreed on a plan for the reform of welfare
eliminated guarantees of cash assistance
gave states authority to run their own welfare programs with block grants of federal money
established a lifetime limit of five years of aid per family and required most adults to work within two years of aid

19. Clinton’s Second Term
The republicans took control of the Congress in 1995
Clinton’s reelection hopes seemed slim.
He worked hard to show he was not a “tax and spend liberal”.

20. The 1996 Campaign
Bob Dole, the Senate majority leader, and a member of Congress for 35 years ran as the republican candidate
Ross Perot ran for the new Reform Party
Clinton moved several popular bills through Congress included was a higher minimum wage
The economy was now strong and this worked in Clinton’s favor
Clinton received 49% of the popular vote, Dole 41%, Perot 8%
Clinton received 379 electoral votes to Dole’s 159

21. Scandal and the Second Term
Whitewater Affair – Clinton was accused of having participated in fraudulent loans and land deals in Arkansas and having used his influence s governor to block the investigation of his business partners
Attorney General, Janet Reno, appointed a special prosecutor to look into the charges
Some of Clinton’s friends and former associates were convicted of various crimes and jailed

22. Scandal and the Second Term
No evidence was found to link the President to any wrongdoing
After his reelection, republicans charged he had accepted illegal campaign donations in return for political favors
The Senate committee found violations of campaign finance laws by both parties
Clinton was not directly implicated

23. Clinton Impeached
In 1998 the government achieved its first budget surplus since 1962
Also in 1998, special prosecutor ,Kenneth Starr, began to investigate the relationship between Clinton and a White House intern – Monica Lewinsky
Under oath in a separate sexual harassment lawsuit Clinton had denied having sexual relations with the intern – he repeated the denial to a grand jury convened by Starr in August

24. Clinton Impeached
Finally Clinton admitted to having an “inappropriate relationship” and having “misled” his family and the country
In September, Starr sent a report listing numerous grounds for impeachment to the House
Debate – polls showed Americans disapproval of Clinton’s actions but they believed he was doing a good job as President and should not e impeached.
In December 1998 – The House voted to impeach on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice
Most republicans voted yes for impeachment – most democrats voted no

25. Clinton Impeached January 7, 1999 the Senate trial opened
Most Senators believed the offenses had been committed – but debated whether they qualified as “High Crimes and Misdemeanors” the constitutional requirement for conviction of a President
February 12, 1999 the trial ended – Clinton was acquitted on both charges as people expected
Clinton’s presidency marked the longest period of economic expansion in American History – the economy continued to grow – unemployment and inflation remained low

26. The 2000 Election
Texas Governor, George W. Bush, and Democratic nominee, VP Al Gore tied in the polls
Election night many states too close to call – neither candidate had the 270 electoral votes needed to win
Florida – recount of the votes was ordered by law (due to outdated equipment and inconsistent voting practices)
The nation waited for 36 days – court battles ensued between the two parties

27. The 2000 Election
It eventually reach the Supreme Court in Bush vs Gore
5 to 4 votes issued ruling to discontinue recounts in Florida – overturned the Florida supreme court decision to allow recounts
This secured the presidency for George W. Bush
Gore won the most popular votes – Bush won the 271 electoral votes to Gore’s 266