1. Bill Clinton & George W. Bush
Mr. Ermer
U.S. History Honors
Miami Beach Senior high

2. Election of 1992 Cable news media plays large role, 24-hour news cycle
Three person race between President Bush, Democrat Bill Clinton, and independent Ross Perot
Bush enters campaign with 86% approval rating after Gulf War victory
Popularity fades as recession worsens in late 1991
Clinton unites Democrats behind economic issues, not social
Perot promises leadership on fiscal crisis as populist conservative
Grassroots campaigns motivate people to vote
Perot pulls 19% of the popular vote
Clinton wins election with 43% to Bush’s 38

5. Clinton’s First Term Democrats in Congress weak, Republicans united
1993: Clinton meets resistance policies and appointments
Resistance lifting ban on gays and women in the military
Whitewater Scandal
Increases taxes on wealthiest Americans, cuts gov’t spending
Budget also included tax credits for poorest Americans
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Appoints Hillary Rodham Clinton to reform healthcare
Healthcare reform fails amidst staunch Republican opposition
Successful intervention in Bosnia
1994 mid-term election, Republicans gain control of both houses of Congress for first time in 40 years
New Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich leads Republicans on radical agenda

7. Election of 1996 1995: Republicans move to more conservative agenda
Scale back federal regulation, transfer other powers to states
Medicare reform
Greatly reduce federal spending, balance the budget
Clinton moves his own agenda more to the center
Moves own agenda to center: cut taxes, balance budget
“The era of big government is over”~ President Clinton
Congressional Republicans unwilling to compromise
Government shuts down in November 1995, January of 1996
Shut-downs discredit Gingrich and Republicans heading into election
Republicans nominate Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, Perot back
Clinton surging in popularity after shift to the center
Economy booming, world at peace, federal deficit shrinking
Clinton signs Social Security reform, raises minimum wage
Clinton wins with 49%, Dole 41%, Perot 8%

9. The Rise and Fall of Bill Clinton
Republicans remain in control of Congress
Clinton and Congress work together on economy
Cut taxes for middle class Americans for education
Balance the federal budget, deficit becomes a surplus
Government makes more money than it spend for first time in 30 yrs.
Monica Lewinsky Scandal
President denies, then admits he lied to Kenneth Starr
Clinton impeached by Congress, for perjury and obstructing justice, only second presidential impeachment in US history
Clinton acquitted in impeachment trial, remains in office
Kosovo Crisis
Clinton ends presidency more popular than he began