William+Clinton


 * Did America thrive more in the Clinton era or the George W. Bush era?**

http://media.www.whartonjournal.com/media/storage/paper201/news/2003/09/22/Perspectives/Clinton.Vs.Bush.Lessons.Of.Leadership.And.Luck-471850-page2.shtml

With the George W. Bush era coming to a close, many look back at the President's tenure in office as a failure. The one big reason many attribute to his failure is the War in Iraq. Now, many people look back at former President Bill Clinton's reign with nostalgia. Sure, his presidency was embedded with scandal, but a world of difference was accomplished such as Clinton's dealing with the budget. When Clinton was President numerous people were offended by his so-called womanizing lifestyle, but Clinton did not catch near as much flak as Bush currently does for his idiocracy. A whole counter-culture has grown from Bush's idiocracy. So here is the question. Did America thrive more in the Clinton or Bush era?

Bill Clinton was the last president of the 20th century. He came into the presidency after being a governor of the state of Arkansas. Clinton had numerous accomplishments in his presidency including his passing of the Brady Bill that dealt with gun control. He also campaigned for homosexual integration into the army with the slogan "don't ask, don't tell". A blemish during his presidency occurred with his failed healthcare plan that was headed by his wife, first lady Hilary Clinton. Then there was the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Clinton became the second president ever to be impeached along with Andrew Johnson. This certainly wasn't one of the brighter spots in Clinton's presideny, but he was aquitted of all charges and his approval rating reached an all-time high after the impeachment.

After Clinton came George W. Bush, the first president of the new century. Bush came into presidency after being governor of the state of Texas. Bush's presidency will forever be marked by the events of September 11 and the war in Iraq. After tragedy struck on September 11, 2001, Bush was cheered for helping a grieving nation regroup after such traumatic events. However, Bush was and still is criticized for his war in Iraq. After September 11, most people would think it logical to invade Afghanhistan and pursue Osama Bin Laden. However, Bush decided to invade Iraq and pursue Saddam Hussein, a figure seemingly unconnected to the September 11 attacks.

When deciding who helped America thrive more, one has to sort through the facts. Sure, Bush kept a nation together after the September 11 attacks, but Clinton was never faced with such a tragic event that could exhibit his leadership. Also, Clinton never led the country into a war of the magnitude of the one we are still in with Iraq. Bush is still mocked and criticized internally and internationally for his mistakes and his lack of eloquence. Clinton, on the other hand, is widely considered to be one of the greatest presidents of the 20th century. Sure, he messed up with the whole Monica Lewinsky scandal, but the people forgave him which was evident in his all-time high approval rating. Bush's presidency is considered a failure. Clinton finished his presidency with the highest approval rating of any president (68%) ever. When all is said and done, America thrived much more under the Clinton administration.