Presidential Biographies | Clinton Administrations - Clinton Becomes President

The Bill Clinton Administration

Bill Clinton came to power in a time of profound economic restructuring and anxiety, and promised to use the power of the presidency to help the struggling American middle class return to prosperity. The Clinton administration was marked by tremendous economic growth, but also by unprecedented political warfare. The election of an ideological, hostile Republican Congress in 1994 spelled the end of Clinton's activist programs: he spent the rest of his presidency defending himself from both political and personal attacks.

Clinton Becomes President

The Campaign of 1992

In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War (1991), President George Bush seemed headed for easy reelection. His near 90 percent approval rating dissuaded many nationally prominent...